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2008 National AgrAbility Workshop
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Section 3: Assistive Technology Notes — Commercially Available Hitches
Three-Point Hitches
Bubco Triangle HitchThe Bubco Triangle Hitch consists of three parts, two of which make up an interlocking triangle. The first part is triangle-shaped receivers that can be either bolted or welded onto most three-point hitch implements. The second part is the triangle-shaped tractor unit that attaches to the two lower lift arms of the tractor three-point hitch. The last part is a specially designed hydraulic cylinder, which replaces the third link. Once the triangle-shaped tractor part is aligned underneath the implement triangle-shaped receiver, a combined lifting of the tractor hitch with the correct pivoting supplied by the hydraulic cylinder allows the triangle parts to interlock. A latch, which can be released by the farmer/rancher pulling a cord while in tractor seat, secures the connection until the farmer/rancher decides to unhitch the implement. Available in Category I, II, and III sizes, the tractor unit can weigh from 75 to nearly 175 pounds. A welded implement unit weighs about 30 pounds, while the bolted version weighs almost 90 pounds. Bubco Incorporated
Freedom HitchThe Freedom Hitch consists of two parts. The first part is an adjustable implement section that mounts, usually permanently, on most three-point hitch implements. The second part is a tractor section that attaches to the tractor three-point hitch. The tractor section of the Freedom Hitch also contains a latch mechanism, operable by a handle or rope. The handle or rope places the latch mechanism within easy reach of the operator while he/she sits in the tractor driver’s seat. The Freedom Hitch is manufactured to fit Category I and II three-point hitches. The Freedom Hitch implement section for a Category II hitch weighs about 90 pounds, minus the mounting hardware. The corresponding tractor section weighs about 80 pounds. The Category I implement and tractor sections are each about 25 pounds lighter. Freedom Hitch, Midwest Industries, Inc.
Jiffy HitchA Jiffy Hitch consists of three parts. The first part is a female triangle-shaped receiver bracket that adjusts to most three-point hitch implements. The second part is a male triangle-shaped carrier bracket that attaches to the tractor three-point hitch using the lower two lift arms. The third part is an adjustable hydraulic cylinder that replaces the third link on the tractor. When hitching, the hydraulic cylinder is used to align the male triangle-shaped carrier with its self-locking pins securely inside the female triangle-shaped receiver. The male carrier includes a pull handle to unlock the male and female parts when unhitching. The Jiffy Hitch is available in Category I, II, and Category II heavy-duty sizes. The Jiffy Hitch female receiver for a Category II heavy-duty hitch weighs about 90 pounds. The corresponding male or tractor carrier weighs about 100 pounds. The female receiver for Category I is about 25 pounds lighter while the matching male carrier is about 45 pounds lighter. Jiffy Hitch Systems, Inc. Other Three-Point "Quick Hitches"Several companies, including some of the major agricultural equipment manufacturers, offer “quick hitches.” Quick hitches can usually be mounted on the tractor with no modification to the implement’s three-point hitch. Rather than the operator trying to line up the implement’s three hitch points on the tractor lift arms, the quick hitch itself has u-shaped hooks that trap the implement’s three hitch points. To trap the implement’s three hitch points, the quick hitch is aligned and raised from below the implement to “seat” the implement’s three hitch points into the u-shaped hooks. Once the implement’s three hitch points are seated, a latch or locking mechanism is closed to secure them. To disconnect the implement, the latch/lock is opened and the implement is lowered until the quick hitch u-shaped hooks release the implement hitch points. Quick hitches are available in Category I, II, and III, and can vary greatly in weight. For example, Land Pride’s Category I quick hitch weighs about 70 pounds, while Special Products Company’s Category III quick hitch weighs almost 200 pounds. Farm Star Equipment (same products as Worksaver, Inc.) Land Pride Special Products Company
Drawbar Hitches
Agri-SpeedThe Agri-Speed drawbar hitch consists of two main components. The v-shaped drawbar component fits most brands and models of tractors, harvesters, or self-propelled units. It bolts to the drawbar using two bolts and the existing drawbar holes. The wagon component slides over the wagon tongue and attaches with the hitch pin. As the tractor backs up, a rod that extends at a forward angle from the wagon component makes contact with and slides within the v-shaped drawbar component, raising the wagon tongue and allowing the two components to hitch. The Agri-Speed drawbar component weighs almost 70 pounds. The wagon component weighs about 45 pounds. Agri-Speed Hitch
Anderson Torpedo HitchThe Anderson Torpedo Hitch consists of a winch that cables to a short drawbar unit that can be mounted to the tractor drawbar or truck bumper. The winch allows the short drawbar unit of the torpedo hitch to be extracted and carried to the implement tongue, which connects using the standard drawbar pin. Using a hand crank to rewind the cable on the winch retracts the short drawbar unit. The winch can also be powered using an electric or hydraulic motor. No modifications are required for the wagon or trailer being towed. The torpedo hitch still requires either the operator or a second person to hand attach the short drawbar unit to the equipment being towed. With the short drawbar unit tethered on a cable, however, the operator should not need multiple tries to align the two pieces of equipment, or to back up excessively close to the implement to be hitched. The torpedo hitch equipped with a hand crank weighs about 85 pounds, with an electric motor it weighs about 90 pounds, and with a hydraulic motor it weighs almost 105 pounds. Anderson Machine, Inc.
Attach-Matic, Inc.The Attach-Matic drawbar hitch consists of two main components. The first component called the “attach,” fits the drawbar of most brands and models of tractors, harvesters, or self-propelled units. The second component called the “receiver,” installs on the wagon tongue. As the tractor backs up, a “skate,” which extends down and to the rear of the attach component, makes contact with the receiver raising the tongue and allowing the two components to hitch. The Attach-Matic attach component is available in 7/8 inch or in a 1 inch heavy-duty series and can accommodate, for example, the drawbar differences between a tractor and a forage harvester. The attach component ranges in weight from about 50 pounds for the 7/8 inch series to almost 70 pounds for the heavy duty series, while the receiver component weighs about 25 pounds. Attach-Matic, Inc.
Stafast HitchThe Stafast Hitch consists of a drawbar receiver unit and a universal wagon or trailer tongue kit. The drawbar receiver unit easily bolts to most tractors, harvesters, or balers. The drawbar receiver unit has three different sizes—standard, heavy-duty, and mini, which has a smaller receiver funnel to allow for PTO clearance. The universal wagon or trailer tongue kit uses a spring to hold the wagon tongue horizontal while the receiver funnel aligns itself when the farmer/rancher backs up the tractor, harvester, or baler for hitching. The universal wagon or trailer tongue kit is usually installed by welding it to the wagon, and, therefore, not as easily movable from wagon to wagon as are some of the other designs. The Stafast Hitch drawbar receiver unit weighs about 50 pounds. Stafast Hitch PTO Connection or Hydraulic Coupler AlternativesOnce the implement and the tractor connection have been completed, a PTO or a series of hydraulic hose connections may also need to be completed. At this time, we have found no companies manufacturing PTO shafts that connect automatically. PTO shafts can be both awkward and too heavy for farmers/ranchers with a back injury or an upper limb amputation to handle. Several ideas have been advertised as partial solutions to the problem of handling the PTO shaft. Those ideas include stringing a bungee cord across the hitch arms of the tractor and allowing the PTO shaft to rest or be supported by the cord while attempting to align the PTO shaft to the tractor PTO splines. Another idea is to use a PTO shaft equipped with a sliding collar lock rather than the standard spring-loaded pin. The sliding collar lock may allow the operator to both align and support the PTO shaft using one hand/arm. Working with hydraulic lines can be problematic for farmers/ranchers with an upper limb amputation, weakness, poor grip strength, or arthritis. Sometimes implement hydraulic lines remain under some residual hydraulic pressure because the implement may not have been lowered completely, or it was not resting on its mechanical stops when the hydraulic lines were disconnected. This residual hydraulic pressure can be problematic when the farmer/rancher tries to reconnect the hydraulic lines. A technique called “bleeding the lines” is commonly used to relieve the residual pressure. If this is a common problem or if the farmer/rancher has difficulty gripping the hydraulic connectors, it may be helpful to look into some of the following alternatives. Easy Connect Male Hydraulic CouplerThe Easy Connect Male Hydraulic Coupler fits into any standard female end and uses a pressure-relief valve in the male tip to facilitate easier connection even when under pressure. The pressure is slowly released on the male side (e.g., usually the implement hydraulic connector) as the connectors are mated, thereby eliminating the standard practice of having to “bleed” the male connector. Schumacher USA
Pioneer Connect-Under-PressureThe Pioneer Connect-Under-Pressure couplings allow operators to insert the male hose more easily into the female receiver whenever hydraulic lines need to be connected or disconnected. Using a valve to relieve pressure can make connecting and disconnecting hydraulic hoses easier. Pioneer Quick Couplings are standard equipment on many modern tractors and often can be retrofitted to work with older tractors. Parker Hannifin Corporation, Pioneer Quick Couplings
Rowe ManufacturingRowe Manufacturing makes a plastic grip, which resembles the handlebar grips on a bicycle, that can be fastened around hydraulic hose ends with machine screws. Called Hydra-Grips, the grips increase the diameter of the hydraulic hose ends making them easier to grasp. Rowe Manufacturing, Inc.
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