Case Corporation

Michael D Morton

Daniel K Schlegel

Theodore M Clarke

A link for a hitch of a work vehicle includes an elongate arm having a first end adapted for being coupled to the work vehicle and a second end adapted for being coupled to an implement. At least one of the first and second ends includes a socket. The draft link further includes a ball removably retained within the socket. In an exemplary embodiment, the ball has a first surface with a first hardness and the socket has a second surface facing the first surface and having a second hardness less than the first hardness. The second surface is preferably formed from a metal including an ausferrite matrix and graphite spheroids. The link is preferably formed by providing at least one mold member having a cavity defining the elongate arm having the first and second ends and at least a portion of a surface of the socket at the first end configured to engage the ball, depositing a molten material into the cavity, solidifying the molten material in the cavity and removing the at least one mold member from about the solidified material. The molten material preferably comprises a ductile iron which is austempered adjacent the socket such that the socket is provided with a surface including an ausferrite matrix and graphite spheroids.

Vehicle hitch link

A rocker for a work vehicle hitch includes a rockshaft and a pair of rocker arms coupled to the rockshaft at rocker arm bases. The rocker is designed to be mounted to the work vehicle by support brackets. Each rocker arm base includes a cavity for receiving a portion of a support bracket. A bearing assembly is located within each base for supporting the rocker on the support brackets for rotation about a rocker rotational axis. Each rocker arm includes an actuator support for coupling to an actuator and a lift link support. The actuator and lift link supports permit rotation of actuators and lift links to raise and lower implements coupled to the hitch. As the rocker is rotated about its axis, each rocker arm base and rocker arm move through respective planes of rotation. Each bearing lies substantially within the plane of rotation of the associated rocker arm base. This structure effectively transmits lifting forces back to the hitch support structure through the bearing with minimal bending stress to the rocker. The bearing assemblies include support sleeves centered within the rocker by tapered support surfaces and held in place by a tension member. This bearing structure permits quick and straightforward mounting of the rocker on the vehicle as well as simple removal for servicing. The rocker is preferably formed by casting using coring technology and a single core to define internal features of the rockshaft and rocker arms.

Hitch rocker for a work vehicle

A hitch assembly for a work vehicle, such as an agricultural tractor, includes a pair of mounting brackets, a rocker pivotally mounted on the brackets, a pair of draft links secured to the brackets, a pair of actuators coupled between the brackets and the rocker and a pair of lift links coupled between the rocker and the draft links. The mounting brackets are generally C-shaped unitary structures that include a rocker support, an actuator support and a draft link support, preferably all lying within a common plane, permitting forces to be transmitted to the bracket and to the vehicle with a minimum of lateral bending stress. The brackets are preferably identical to one another and include mounting pads on both sides, permitting the brackets to be interchangeably mounted on either the left or the right side of the vehicle. The assembly may be easily mounted to the vehicle by attaching the brackets in appropriate corresponding locations on the vehicle and subsequently mounting the other components on the brackets. The use of self-similar, interchangeable mounting brackets reduces the number of different parts in the assembly and facilitates mounting. Because two separate brackets, each bracket is typically lighter and more manageable than are mounting structures in conventional hitches.

Hitch assembly for a tractor

An assembly for retaining a pin in aligned bores of two structural members, such as clevis and a tang, includes a support member or boss, a retaining flag and a retaining pin. The retaining flag is slidably mounted on the support member and may be moved between a service position wherein the pin may be inserted into and removed from the bores and a locking position wherein the pin is held in the bores, preferably locked from rotation. The flag includes an opening having engagement surfaces for contacting a groove in the pin in the locking position. The flag is held on the support member by abutment surfaces. Two abutment surfaces serve to guide the flag in its sliding motion between the service and locked positions. Other abutment surfaces maintain the flag on the support member and prevent removal of the flag. The abutment surfaces contact the retaining pin in the locking position to maintain the flag in the locking position. Forces tending to rotate the pin in the bores are transmitted to the flag to the support member, but not to the retaining pin, thereby reducing the likelihood of failure of the assembly due to shearing of the pin.

Growing community of inventors

Salem, WI, United States of America

Michael D Morton