Hitch for agricultural implement

Abstract

A hitch assembly for coupling a first agricultural implement, such as a forage wagon, to a second agricultural implement, such as a self propelled or pull type forage harvester. The hitch assembly includes a substantially vertical hitch pin affixed to the first agricultural implement, and a drawbar affixed to and extending rearwardly from the second agricultural implement. A hitch plate, affixed to the drawbar, has a rearwardly facing notch adapted to accommodate the pin under conditions where the first agricultural implement is positioned adjacent the drawbar. A latch plate pivotally mounted on the hitch plate, reciprocates between open and closed positions, for holding the pin in the notch under conditions where the pin is accommodated by the notch and the latch plate is in the closed position. The latch plate is held in the closed position by a latch reciprocal between extended and retracted conditions. When the hitch pin is urged out of the notch, the latch plate applies a varying force against the latch at levels of force proportionate to the force applied by the pin. An actuator, coupled to the latch, is adapted to move the latch from its extended position to the retracted position when the force against it is below a predetermined threshold. Additionally, a supplemental spring assembly moves the latch from the extended position to the retracted position under conditions where the force against the latch moves through such threshold.