The invention relates to a hitching device including: a hitched frame mounted onto a tool, such as an agricultural tool; a hitching frame mounted onto a hauling system of a vehicle, such as an agricultural tractor, provided with a power take-off; and transmission means comprising coupling members that are suitable for being moved between a released position and an engaged position and are mounted onto the frames such as to be translatable along a vertical axis (z) and freely rotatable about a so-called transverse axis (y). Moreover, a prepositioning means is suitable for keeping, in the released position thereof, both coupling members in a predetermined position along the vertical axis (z) and for enabling, in the engaged position, the displacement of said coupling members, coupled along the vertical axis (z), and tilting of the latter about the transverse axis (y).

A method for controlling engagement of a power take-off (PTO) clutch of a work vehicle may generally include transmitting, by a computing device, a control signal associated with initiating engagement of the PTO clutch, determining a clutch slippage energy generated during engagement of the PTO clutch due to clutch slippage and, while the PTO clutch is getting engaged, calculating a clutch engagement time remaining until engagement of the PTO clutch is completed based on the clutch slippage energy and a maximum clutch engagement energy associated with the PTO clutch. In addition, the method may include determining a torque command for controlling engagement of the PTO clutch as a function of the remaining clutch engagement time and controlling the engagement of the PTO clutch based on the torque command.

A method for controlling engagement of a power take-off (PTO) clutch of a work vehicle may generally include transmitting, by a computing device, a control signal associated with initiating engagement of the PTO clutch, determining a clutch slippage energy generated during engagement of the PTO clutch due to clutch slippage and, while the PTO clutch is getting engaged, calculating a clutch engagement time remaining until engagement of the PTO clutch is completed based on the clutch slippage energy and a maximum clutch engagement energy associated with the PTO clutch. In addition, the method may include determining a torque command for controlling engagement of the PTO clutch as a function of the remaining clutch engagement time and controlling the engagement of the PTO clutch based on the torque command.

A Cardan drive for connecting a power take-off (PTO) of an agricultural vehicle to an input shaft of an agricultural implement, wherein the Cardan drive has a primary shaft and a secondary shaft that are mutually connected via a double universal joint to obtain a homokinetic connection between the primary and the secondary shaft, wherein the double universal joint has an intermediate element formed substantially by two yokes of the double universal joint, wherein at least one of the two yokes is connected via bearings to a frame provided for attachment to the agricultural implement.

A clutch for an agricultural implement including a rotating unit for connection to a powered shaft, a selectively disengageable unit, a zero-backlash torque limiter operable in an engaged position where a biased plunger is housed in a seat to angularly connect the rotating unit and the selectively disengageable unit for torque transfer until a maximum torque level is reached; and in a disengaged position where the plunger is retracted outside the seat. Further, a safety occlusion mechanism having an obstructing element selectively movable in an obstructing position to hinder the seat from housing the plunger and in a release position to allow shape coupling when the plunger and the seat overlap. The occlusion mechanism is biased to switch in the obstructing position and the release position is instated by an operator.

The drive shaft (1) comprises end universal joints (5, 7) with accident-preventing end protections (19). Each accident-preventing end protection comprises a lubricant reservoir, delimited radially inwardly by a sleeve (63) of an inner fork (23) of the respective universal joint (5; 7) and radially outwardly by a rigid annular structure of the accident-preventing end protection.

A kill switch including a switch assembly. When the switch assembly moves from a switch first configuration to a switch second configuration with the switch assembly operatively connected to a controller of a tractor, a kill electrical signal is provided to the controller to stop the tractor powering a power take-off thereof. A cord is securable to the switch assembly and to the piece of machinery to extend along a rotary drive shaft between the tractor and the piece of machinery. A switch actuating element extends from the cord, the switch actuating element being removably securable to the switch assembly. In the switch first configuration with the switch actuating element secured to the switch assembly, the switch actuating element maintains the switch assembly in the switch first configuration. When the switch actuating element is removed from the actuating element receiving portion, the switch assembly moves to the switch second configuration.

An automatic control system moves a vehicle so that it can be coupled to an implement. The vehicle has propulsion and steering controls which respond to electronic input signals. A visual target is mounted on the implement. Vehicle mounted cameras generate images of the target. A motion control unit receives and processes the images, and generates vehicle movement commands as a function of the images which are communicated to the propulsion and steering controls. The motion control unit includes a perception engine connected to the cameras, a controller connected to the perception engine, and a vehicle/operator interface which is connected to the controller, and to the propulsion and steering controls. The perception engine captures images from the cameras, un-distorts the images, and searches for the target. If the target is found, the perception engine recovers vehicle posture information and transmits said information to the controller.

An attachment assembly for connecting an agricultural implement to a tractor. The attachment assembly comprises a tractor-side frame configured to extend from a rear of the tractor, and an implement-side frame configured to be removably attached to the implement. The implement-side frame is configured to rotate with respect to the tractor-side frame.

An attachment assembly for connecting an agricultural implement to a tractor. The attachment assembly comprises a tractor-side frame configured to extend from a rear of the tractor, and an implement-side frame configured to be removably attached to the implement. The implement-side frame is configured to rotate with respect to the tractor-side frame.