Research & Reviews: Journal of Agriculture Science and Technology

ISSN: 2278-2206 (online), ISSN: 2349-3682 (print)

Volume 3, Issue 2
www.stmjournals.com

Sensitivity Analysis of Tractor Three-point Hitch

Linkage System
Prasanna Kumar*
Department of Agricultural Engineering, Triguna Sen School of Technology,
Assam University, Silchar, Assam, India

Abstract
Farm tractors have the three-point hitch linkage system for the attachment of farm
implements. The three-point hitch linkage system of the Indian tractors have the
provision to attach the lift rod at two or three points on the lower link and attach the
upper link at two or three locations on the tractor body. Appropriate utilization of these
provisions during farm operations using various implements ensures that the engine
power is efficiently utilized, proper weight transfer from the implement to rear axle of the
tractor takes place and sufficient stability of tractor against overturning is maintained
during operation. The sensitivity analysis of the hitch linkage system of a popular model
of an Indian tractor was conducted through kinematic linkage analysis. The study
revealed that heavy operations or operations using heavy implements or operations under
position control mode must be performed by connecting the lift rod to the lower link far
away from the pivot point of lower link and attaching top link to the pivot point located
farther away and higher above the rear axle centre. This also ensures minimum
longitudinal tilt of implements during operation. Heavy implements under draft control
mode and implements used for lighter and finer operations must be operated by
connecting the lift rod to the lower link near the pivot point of lower link and attaching
top link to the pivot point located nearer to the rear axle centre. The outcome of the
sensitivity analysis is general and applies to most of the Indian tractors.

Keywords: Mechanical advantage, Sensitivity analysis, Three-point hitch, Vertical

convergence distance, Virtual hitch point

*Author for Correspondence E-mail: gvpk@yahoo.com

INTRODUCTION other four-bar linkage is called three-point

India is the largest tractor market with total
sales volume of 607658 units in the financial
year 2012 [1]. About 21 top leading
companies are involved in the manufacture of
tractors in India. Medium horsepower category
tractors (23–30 kW) are the most popular and
fastest growing segment in the country.
hitch and it consists of two lower links taken
together as one link (crank), an implement
mast (coupler), an upper link (follower) and a
tractor body (fixed link). Length of lift rod and
upper link can be varied to level the
implement and adjust its orientation during
operation.

Three-point hitch linkage system for farm
tractors is a fundamental device for
agricultural works. In a vertical longitudinal
plane, three-point hitch linkage system is a
six-bar mechanism (Figure 1). It can be
modeled as two distinct four-bar linkages
sharing two links [2–4]. The first four-bar
linkage is called driving mechanism and it
consists of a lift arm (crank), a lift rod
(coupler), a lower link (follower and
extension) and a tractor body (fixed link). The
The three-point hitch linkage system of most
of the Indian tractors has the provision to
attach the lift rod at two or three points on the
lower link. By this, length of the follower link
(distance of the lift rod connection point on the
lower link from the pivot point of lower link)
of the driving mechanism of the three-point
hitch linkage system can be varied. Variation
in the distance of the lift rod connection point
on the lower link from the pivot point of lower
link varies the angular velocity ratio and

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Sensitivity Analysis of Tractor Three-point Hitch Linkage System
mechanical advantage of the hitch system.
Variation in angular velocity ratio causes
variation in depth of operation in the draft
control mode of operation. Variation in
mechanical advantage causes variation in force
transmission to lower links and hence the
drawbar power. Further, top link can also be
attached to tractor body at two or three pivot
points. By this, pivot point of the follower link
(spatial location of the pivot point of upper
link) of the second four-bar linkage of the
three-point hitch linkage system can be varied.
Variation in spatial location of the pivot point
of upper link varies vertical convergence
distance and the pitch of implement mast.
Variation in vertical convergence distance
1 5
2
Fig. 1: Three-point Hitch Linkage System of Tractor.
Determination of hitch linkage system
performance (angular velocity ratio and
mechanical advantage of hitch linkage system,
and vertical convergence distance and pitch of
the mast) requires the generation of the path of
movement of the upper and lower hitch points
throughout the power travel of lift arm.
Ambike and Schmiedeler [2] used graphical
method in a CAD software to visualize the
effect of varying link dimensions and spatial
location of their pivot points on the path
generated by the lower and upper hitch points.
Nastasoiu et al. [5] and Vasilache et al. [6]
used geometrical relations and the coordinate
transformation method to determine the
coordinates of the elements of the hitch
RRJoAST (2014) 4-13 © STM Journals 2014. All Rights Reserved
Prasanna Kumar
causes variation in weight transfer within the
tractor and from the implement to the rear
wheel axle of the tractor, and its stability and
pulling ability during heavy operations.
Variation in pitch of the mast causes variation
in angle of attack of the soil cutting
component of the implement and tilt of
implement during lifting. Therefore, it is
essential to determine the effects of utilization
of these two provisions on the performance of
the hitch linkage system of tractor. This will
help in the effective utilization of these
provisions for the efficient use of engine
power during operation with tractor mounted
implements.
1. Lift arm
2. Lift rod
3. Lower link
4. Implement mast
5. Upper link
4
system, centre of gravity of the implement and
instantaneous centre of rotation of the
implement throughout the full movement
range of the hitch. Pennock [3] provided the
expressions for the kinematic coefficient of lift
rod, lower link, implement mast and upper link
to generate the path of the soil cutting point of
the implement attached to three-point hitch
linkage system of the tractor. The expressions
for kinematic coefficient require solution for
two unknowns in two nonlinear equations and
they can be solved using Newton–Raphson
iterative technique. Kumar [4] developed a
computer program in MATLAB for the path
generation of tractor hitch points based on
Newton–Raphson solution to four-bar linkage
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Research & Reviews: Journal of Agriculture Science and Technology
Volume 3, Issue 2
ISSN: 2278-2206 (online), ISSN: 2349-3682 (print)
[7]. The program could be used for the
dimensional synthesis of three-point hitch
linkage system of any tractor.
In the present work, sensitivity analysis of the
three-point hitch linkage system of a tractor
was studied and discussed by varying the
distance of lift rod connection point on the
lower link from the pivot point of lower link,
and spatial location of the pivot point of upper
link. Sensitivity analysis of three-point hitch
linkage system of a tractor refers to the
calculation of variation in performance of the
hitch linkage system due to variation in length
of certain links of the system. As the three-
point hitch linkage system is purely a
mechanical system, sensitivity analysis was
performed by kinematic linkage analysis as
proposed by Kumar [4].
THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS
When the lower link is horizontal and
implement mast is vertical as in Figure 2, φ2 =
3π/2 radians, φ3 = π radians and α = π/2
radians. The values of θ, φ1 and φ4 can be
determined using geometrical relationships
[4]. The value of θ is now increased or
decreased (for lifting or lowering of
implement) by a small value. Summing
horizontal and vertical components of link
vectors for the first four-bar linkage consisting
of L1, L2, L3 and L4,
(1)
(2)
where, L1 is the length of lift arm, L2 is the
length of lift rod, L3 is the distance between
the lift rod connection point on the lower link
and pivot point of lower link, L4 is the distance
between the pivot points of lift arm and lower
link, and β is the angle made by L4 with
vertical.
Let f1 and f2 are functions defined as,
(3)
(4)
RRJoAST (2014) 4-13 © STM Journals 2014. All Rights Reserved
For a given value of θ, this is a set of two
nonlinear equations with two unknowns, φ1
and φ2. Therefore, the iterative equations for
its solution can be developed using the
Newton–Raphson method [7]. The Jacobian
matrix in this case can then be expanded to
give,
f1 cos  2  f 2 sin  2
1 k 1  1 k 
L 2 sin 1   2 
(5)
f1 cos 1  f 2 sin 1
 2 k 1   2 k 
L 3 sin  2  1 
(6)
where, the superscripts k and k+1 denote the
order of iteration. The values of φ1 and φ2
when the lower link is horizontal are used as
initial solution. The exact values of φ1 and φ2
for the new value of θ are determined by using
Eqs. (3), (4), (5) and (6) iteratively till the
difference between the values calculated in
two consecutive steps do not exceed a
predetermined error value.
At this instance, the second four-bar linkage
(Figure 2) consisting L5, L6, L7 and L8 is
considered. L5 is the length of lower link. L6 is
the mast height. L7 is the length of upper link,
and L8 is the distance between the pivot points
of upper link and lower link. The values of φ3
and φ4 when the lower link is horizontal are
used as the initial solution to determine the
exact values of φ3 and φ4 for the new value of
θ (or α). Having obtained the set values of φ1,
φ2, φ3 and φ4 at each value of θ, the coordinates
of lower hitch point (x5, y5) and upper hitch
point (x7, y7) are determined as follows:
(7)
(8)
x 7  x L  L 5 sin   L 6 sin  3
(9)
y 7  y L  L 5 cos   L 6 cos 3
(10)
where, (xa, ya) and (xL, yL) represent
coordinates of pivot point of lift arm and lower
link, respectively (Figure 2).
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Sensitivity Analysis of Tractor Three-point Hitch Linkage System Prasanna Kumar

Fig. 2: Tractor Three-point Hitch Linkage System.

Angular velocity ratio and mechanical MATERIALS AND METHODS

advantage provide useful dimensionless
indices of merit by which we can judge
relative quality of linkage designs [7]. Angular
velocity ratio is defined as the ratio of output
angular velocity to input angular velocity.
Angular velocity ratio =
Output angular velocity L1 sin
 Dimensions of the linkage geometry
Input angular velocity L 3 sin  (11)
where, ν is the internal angle between links L1
and L2, and μ is the internal angle between
links L2 and L3. Angular velocity ratio
indicates the quality of motion transmitted to
the lower links of tractor hitch system.
Mechanical advantage is the ratio of output
force transmitted to the input force.
Mechanical advantage =
Output force L 3 sin  L1
 
Input force L1 sin L 5 (12)
Mechanical advantage indicates the quality of
force transmitted to lower links of tractor
hitch. For the given length of links L1 and L5,
mechanical advantage responds to changes in
angles ν and μ in opposite fashion to that of
angular velocity ratio.
Tractor Hitch Linkage Information
The present study was conducted on three-
point hitch linkage system of a popular model
of a 2WD tractor manufactured in India
(Figure 3). The BHP of the tractor was 28 kW.
Its wheel base was 1910 mm. It had hitch
system belonging to both, category-I and II.
corresponding to projected lengths (in vertical
longitudinal plane) of lift arm (B); lift rod (C)
and lower link (A), distance of lift rod
connection point from pivot point of lower
link (E), distances of pivot point of lift arm
(K, L); lower link (F, G) and upper link (H, J)
from the center of rear axle, and heights
reached by the lower hitch points relative to
the center of rear axle (M, N) as shown in
Figure 3 were collected from the commercial
test report of Central Farm Machinery
Training and Testing Centre, Budni, Madhya
Pradesh, India. Settings of these parameters
during the test were noted down from the test
reports for the determination of power travel
of the lift arm. Variations in dimensions
corresponding to H, J and E available in the
tractor were noted down.

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Research & Reviews: Journal of Agriculture Science and Technology
Volume 3, Issue 2
ISSN: 2278-2206 (online), ISSN: 2349-3682 (print)

Dimension Setting during

(mm) test (mm)
A 725 725
B 225 225
C 420 to 550 450
D 500 to 790 600
E 300, 350, 380 350
F 145 145
G 160 160
H 290, 295, 315 295
J 250, 280, 340 280
K 150 150
L 265 265
M 15, 290 190
N 555, 365 390
R 590 590

Fig. 3: Details of Three-point Hitch Linkage System from Test Report of a Tractor.

Power Travel of Lift Arm and Generation
of Path of Upper and Lower Hitch Points
The origin of the x- and y-coordinate was
taken as the centre of the rear axle of the
tractor. For the full power travel of the lift
arm, lower hitch point moves through a
vertical distance equal to M + N as shown in
Figure 3. The settings of link lengths and link
pivot points (A, B, C, E, F, G, K, L) during the
test were used along with the values of φ2 =
3π/2 radians, φ3 = π radians and α = π/2
radians to determine θ and φ1 by geometrical
relationships. The value of θ was noted as
θlevel. The coordinates of lower hitch points
were determined using Eqs. (7) and (8). The
value of θ was incremented and Eqs. (3), (4),
(5) and (6) were used iteratively to determine
the values of φ1 and φ2 for the new value of θ.
The procedure was continued till the y-
coordinate of the lower hitch point became
equal to M. The value of θ was noted as θup.
From the position of horizontal lower links
and vertical mast, the entire procedure was
again repeated by decrementing the value of θ
till the y-coordinate of the lower hitch point
became equal to N. The value of θ was noted
as θdown. The values of θup and θdown indicate
the power travel of the lift arm.
For the position of horizontal lower links and
vertical mast (θ = θlevel), length of upper link
required was determined. Values of φ1, φ2, α,
φ3 and φ4 were calculated using geometrical
relationships. The value of θ was incremented
and Eqs. (3), (4), (5) and (6) were used
iteratively to determine the values of φ1 and φ2
for the new value of θ. Putting α = φ2 – π,
values of φ3 and φ4 were determined for the
new value of θ (or α). The coordinates of
upper and lower hitch points were determined
for each value of θ using Eqs. (7), (8), (9) and
(10). The procedure was continued till the
value of θ became equal to θup. From the
position of horizontal lower links and vertical
mast, the entire procedure was again repeated
by decrementing the value of θ till the value of
θ became equal to θdown.
The complete procedure was executed in
MATLAB (version 7.0, Mathworks, Inc.,
Natick, MA). Mast height of the implements
for category-I and II hitch of tractor is 460 mm
and 610 mm, respectively. Path of hitch points
was generated for both mast heights and the
coordinates of the path throughout the power
travel of the lift arm (x5, y5 and x7, y7) were
stored. Coordinates of path generated by the
upper and lower hitch points were used to
determine the various performance parameters
as given below:
Movement range = difference between the y-
coordinate of lower hitch point at the lowest
and highest positions of its movement during
the full power travel of the lift arm. This is
equal to the difference between y5 at θ = θup
and at θ = θdown.

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Sensitivity Analysis of Tractor Three-point Hitch Linkage System
The internal angle between links L1 and L2 (ν),
and between links L2 and L3 (μ) were
determined using geometrical relationships at
every coordinates of the path of movement of
lower hitch point. The angular velocity ratio
and mechanical advantage were determined
throughout the movement range using Eqs.
(11) and (12).
Vertical convergence distance = distance from
lower hitch point to the point of intersection of
lines drawn through lower link and upper link
when the lower link is horizontal and
implement mast is vertical (θ = θlevel).
Pitch of mast = angle made by the line drawn
through lower and upper hitch point with
vertical.
Sensitivity Analysis
The sensitivity analysis indicates the variation
in system performance and is calculated as the
rate of change of system output with respect to
changes in system input parameter. It was
calculated as follows:
y  yi
 100
Performance variation (%) =
y i
where, y refers to performance output at any
link length or spatial location of link pivot
point, and yi refers to performance output at
the base length of link or base location of link
pivot point. In the present study, distance of
lift rod connection point on the lower link
from the pivot point of lower link (E) was
varied at the interval of 20 mm from 250 to
450 mm. This range was selected based on the
range of length of L3 (in Figure 2) generally
found in Category-I hitch system of tractors
[4] and with the intension of better
understanding of the variation in performance
over a large range of L3. The value of L3 = 250
mm was taken as the base length. Quality of
motion and force transmitted to lower links
was analyzed in terms of angular velocity ratio
and mechanical advantage. The spatial
location of the upper link pivot point (H, J)
was varied and variations in pitch of the mast
RRJoAST (2014) 4-13 © STM Journals 2014. All Rights Reserved
Prasanna Kumar
and vertical convergence distance were
studied. The upper link pivot point location
(290 mm, 250 mm) was taken as the base
location.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Effect of Variation in Distance of Lift Rod
Connection Point from the Pivot Point of
Lower Link
Variation in angular velocity ratio and
mechanical advantage throughout the
movement range of the hitch with variation in
distance of lift rod connection point on the
lower link from the pivot point of lower link
(L3) is shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b),
respectively. The angular velocity ratio
throughout the movement range was highest
when the lift rod was connected to the lower
link nearer to the pivot point of lower link
(Figure 4(a)). Reverse trend was observed for
the mechanical advantage (Figure 4(b)). Force
transmission to lower link was highest when
the lift rod was connected to the lower link far
away from the pivot point of lower link.
Further, maximum value of mechanical
advantage (or minimum value of angular
velocity ratio) was observed at the lowest
position of the movement range when the lift
rod was connected far away from the pivot
point of lower link. The decrease in length of
link L3 led to shift in the maximum value of
mechanical advantage (or minimum value of
angular velocity ratio) towards the highest
position of movement range. These facts
indicate that for the better utilization of engine
power through hydraulic system, heavy
operations (plowing by forcing the implement
down on clay soils) or operations using heavy
implements or operations under position
control mode (sowing, leveling, lifting of
implements etc.) must be performed by
connecting the lift rod to the lower link far
away from the pivot point of lower link. This
will reduce the movement range, decrease the
transport height and increase the lower hitch
point height.
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Research & Reviews: Journal of Agriculture Science and Technology
Volume 3, Issue 2
ISSN: 2278-2206 (online), ISSN: 2349-3682 (print)

(b)
(a)
1

Mechanical advantage
1 0.8
Angular velocity ratio

0.6
0.8

0.4
0.6

0.2
0.4 250 450
300 400 400
200
350 0
350
0.2 400 L3 300 -200
200 0 400 L3 -400
t ran
ge
-200 -400
250 -600 emen
Movement rang
e -600
450 Mov

Fig. 4: Variation in (a) Angular Velocity Ratio, and

(b) Mechanical Advantage in the Movement Range of Hitch Linkage System.

When heavy implements (like plows and deep Hence, the tractor is recommended for use
tillage implements) have to be operated under with the implements with mast height of 460
draft control mode or for the operation of the mm only when the upper link is attached to
implements that perform lighter and finer one of the two pivot points ((290, 250) and
operations, the lift rod must be connected to (295, 280)) located nearer to the rear axle
the lower link near the pivot point of lower centre.
link. The higher angular velocity ratio by this
arrangement enhances the response of the In general, when the implement mast was 610
hitch to variations in draft requirement and mm, vertical convergence distance increased
reduces the excessive wheel slip and speed as the upper link pivot point was moved
variations. farther behind and raised above the rear axle
centre (Table 1). Increase in vertical
The increase in distance of lift rod connection convergence distance decreases the angle of
point on lower link from the pivot point of pull (decreases the height of line of pull from
lower link in the range of 250–450 mm the rear wheel contact point with the ground),
resulted in an increase in mechanical thereby decreasing the weight transfer within
advantage by 172.62% at the lowest position the tractor.
of movement range and by 56.55% at the
highest position of movement range. Further, This increases the stability of tractor during
there was increase in the lower hitch point heavy field operations. The path of virtual
height from 58 to 332 mm and decrease in hitch point during full movement range of
transport height from 849 to 774 mm. The hitch is shown in Figure 5 when the top link is
movement range decreased from 791 to 442 attached at the three pivot points locations
mm. provided in the tractor. This figure indicates
that the increase in depth of operation
Effect of Variation in Spatial Location of increases the x-coordinate of virtual hitch
Upper Link Pivot Point point at a higher rate when the upper link was
When the mast height of the implement was fixed at the 3rd pivot point (315 mm, 340 mm)
460 mm, vertical convergence point (virtual located far behind and higher above the rear
hitch point) was ahead of the rear axle centre axle centre.
at first two locations of the pivot point of
upper link whereas at the third location of This reveals that the heavier and deep tillage
pivot point of upper link, vertical convergence operations are safer (higher stability) to
point was behind the rear axle (Table 1). perform when the top link is pivoted at the 3rd
location. As the y-coordinate of the virtual

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Sensitivity Analysis of Tractor Three-point Hitch Linkage System Prasanna Kumar

hitch point also rises with increase in depth of
operation at all locations of the upper link
pivot point, weight transfer from the
implement increases with increase in depth of
operation. However, the maximum weight
transfer from the implement could be obtained
when the upper link is attached at the 1st pivot
point (290 mm, 250 mm) as it results in
steepest line of pull as the depth of operation
increases. Further, attaching the upper link at
the 3rd pivot point offers higher stability to
tractor against over-turning during lifting of
heavy loads.

Table 1: Vertical Convergence Distance and Transport Pitch at Various Spatial Locations of Upper
Link Pivot Point and Distances of Lift Rod Connection Point from Pivot Point of Lower Link When
Mast Height was 460 mm and 610 mm.
Vertical convergence distance (mm) Transport pitch, º
Upper link pivot point# Mast height Mast height
460 mm 610 mm 460 mm 610 mm
Distance of lift rod connection point from pivot point of lower link = 300 mm
(290, 250) 5336.00 1769.00 -8.85 -18.14
(295, 280) 13225.00 2063.24 -6.10 -16.22
(315, 340) -8122.50 3077.73 0.72 -12.65
Distance of lift rod connection point from pivot point of lower link = 350 mm
(290, 250) 5336.00 1769.00 -7.87 -16.46
(295, 280) 13225.00 2063.24 -5.33 -14.67
(315, 340) -8122.50 3077.73 0.36 -11.32
Distance of lift rod connection point from pivot point of lower link = 380 mm
(290, 250) 5336.00 1769.00 -7.62 -16.02
(295, 280) 13225.00 2063.24 -5.13 -14.26
(315, 340) -8122.50 3077.73 0.27 -10.98
(# Coordinates measured from the centre of the rear axle in mm).

Coordinates of upper 3000

link pivot point
2500
(290, 250)
(295, 280) 2000
(315, 340) y
1500

1000 Lower link

horizontal
500

-6000 -5000 -4000 -3000 -2000 -1000 -500 0 1000

x -1000 Rear axle centre

Fig. 5: Path of Virtual Hitch Point During Full Movement Range of Hitch When Upper Link is
Attached at Three Pivot Point Locations Provided on the Tractor and for the Implement
Mast of 610 mm.

RRJoAST (2014) 4-13 © STM Journals 2014. All Rights Reserved Page 11
Research & Reviews: Journal of Agriculture Science and Technology
Volume 3, Issue 2
ISSN: 2278-2206 (online), ISSN: 2349-3682 (print)
Shifting of spatial location of pivot point of
upper link from the 1st to 2nd location and from
2nd to 3rd location increased the vertical
convergence distance by 16.63 and 49.17%,
respectively. At the lowest position of the
movement range, shifting of spatial location of
pivot point of upper link from the 1st to 3rd
location increased the x-coordinate of the
virtual hitch point from 1420 to 5747 mm
ahead of the rear axle centre and y-coordinate
of the virtual hitch point from 549 to 2508 mm
above the rear axle centre. At the highest
position of the movement range, shifting of
spatial location of pivot point of upper link
from the 1st to 3rd location shifted the x-
coordinate of the virtual hitch point from 40
mm ahead of the rear axle centre to 143 mm
behind the rear axle centre and y-coordinate of
the virtual hitch point from 223 to 332 mm
below the rear axle centre.
Transport pitch decreased as the upper link
pivot point was moved farther behind and
raised above the rear axle centre (Table 1).
Transport pitch also decreased with increase in
distance of lift rod connection point from the
pivot point of lower link. In order to maintain
the minimum longitudinal tilt of the
implement (example, seed drill, sprayer)
during operation, the upper link must be
attached to 3rd pivot point with lift rod attached
to lower link far away from the pivot point of
lower link. However, attaching lift rod away
from the pivot point of lower link reduces the
transport height and movement range, and
increases the lower hitch point height as
mentioned above. Shifting of upper link from
1st to 3rd pivot point resulted in the reduction of
transport pitch by 30.26%, 31.23% and
31.46% when the lift rod was attached to the
lower link at 300 mm, 350 mm and 380 mm
away from the pivot point of lower link,
respectively.
The variation in the performance of three-point
hitch linkage system presented above,
although for the selected tractor, it is
applicable to most of the Indian tractors.
Based on the utilization of tractor for the
specific field operations, provisions given in
the hitch linkage system should be adopted to
achieve the efficient use of the engine power
through hydraulic system, maximum weight
RRJoAST (2014) 4-13 © STM Journals 2014. All Rights Reserved
transfer from the implement and stability
during operation.
CONCLUSIONS
Following conclusions can be drawn from the
discussion of the sensitivity analysis of the
three-point hitch linkage system of the
selected tractor:
i. For the efficient utilization of engine
power through hydraulic system and better
stability of tractor, heavy operations or
operations using heavy implements or
operations under position control mode
must be performed by connecting the lift
rod to the lower link far away from the
pivot point of lower link and attaching top
link to the pivot point located farther away
and higher above the rear axle centre.
However, this will reduce the movement
range, decrease the transport height and
increase the lower hitch point height.
ii. In order to reduce excessive slip, wear of
the tyres and efficient weight transfer from
the implements to rear axle of the tractor,
heavy implements under draft control
mode and implements used for lighter and
finer operations must be operated by
connecting the lift rod to the lower link
near the pivot point of lower link and
attaching top link to the pivot point
located nearer to the rear axle centre.
iii. By attaching the top link to the pivot point
located far away from the rear axle centre
and increasing the distance between the
pivot point of lower link and point of
connection of the lift rod on the lower
link, longitudinal tilt of the implement
during operation can be minimized.
REFERENCES
1. ICRA. Indian Tractor Industry: Cyclical
hiccups at play. Gurgaon, India: ICRA
Research Services; 2012.
2. Ambike SS, Schmiedeler JP. Application
of geometric constraint programming to
the kinematic design of 3-point hitches.
Appl Eng Agric.2007; 23: 13–21p.
3. Pennock GR. Henry George (Harry)
Ferguson (1884–1960). In: Ceccarelli M
(Ed.). Distinguished Figures in
Mechanism and Machine Science. New
York: Springer; 2010. 65–94p.
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Sensitivity Analysis of Tractor Three-point Hitch Linkage System Prasanna Kumar

4. Kumar GVP. Development of a computer 6. Vasilache L, Nastasoiu M, Nastasoiu S, et

program for the path generation of tractor
hitch points. Biosystems Engin. 2012; 113:
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