US 7,487,843 B2
Adjustable quick hitch
Thomas B. Tuttle, Naperville, Ill. (US); and Jon R. Hagarty, Darien, Ill. (US)
Assigned to CNH America LLC, New Holland, Pa. (US)
Filed on Oct. 19, 2004, as Appl. No. 10/968,631.
Prior Publication US 2006/0081382 A1, Apr. 20, 2006
Int. Cl. A01B 51/00 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 172—272  [172/446; 280/461.1] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An adjustable quick hitch for a three point hitch for a work machine, comprising:
a generally horizontal elongate cross bar defining a longitudinal direction and having a longitudinal center portion and opposite first and second end portions, the center portion including at least one connector for connecting to a center link of a three point hitch and a hook for receiving and holding a pin of a work element;
a first leg having an upper portion supported on the first end portion of the cross bar for slidable movement longitudinally therealong;
a second leg having an upper portion supported on the second end portion of the cross bar for slidable movement longitudinally therealong;
cooperatively engageable elements for fixing the first and second legs at at least two predetermined longitudinal positions on the first and second end portions of the cross bar, respectively; and
each of the legs extending downwardly from the upper portion thereof to a lower portion thereof, the lower portion of each of the legs including at least one connector for connection to a lift arm of a three point hitch, a hook for receiving and holding a pin of a work element to be coupled to the quick hitch, and a latch disposed adjacent to the hook and operably movable between a latched position for holding a pin in the hook and an unlatched position for allowing passage of a pin into and out of the hook, each of the legs including a handle mounted on the upper end thereof above the end portion of the cross bar, and each of the legs and the end portions of the cross bars including passages therethrough in which an actuating rod extends operatively connecting the latch of the leg with the handle thereof such that the handle can be moved for operatively moving the latch between the latched and the unlatched positions, the passages through the end portions of the cross bar each having a sufficient longitudinal extent and being unobstructed such that the rods are movable longitudinally therethrough as the legs are moved longitudinally along the end portions, respectively.