Three Point Hitch System

of Tractor

Sunil Shirwal
Introduction
 The tractor hitch system is that essential element of
the tractor which binds the prime mover and the
implement into a single working unit.

 The tractor or the implement will not perform alone

but must work together like two wheels of a cart.

 The word hitch is defined as a single articulated point

or combination of articulated points and links through
which the tractor delivers tractive effort in the form
of full or push to counteract a draft force of an
implement or draft producing body.

 The hitch point (virtual or real) is the point on the

tractor (as integral part or otherwise) through which
the “line of push” must pass.
Major components of a hitch system
Major functions of various components of a hitch system
 Design Requirements
There are a number of features which are required to be
provided in a good mounted hitch so that the hitch
system is able to meet all functional requirements.

 Depth control of implement

 Load transfer to drive wheels of two wheel drive

tractor

 Lateral sway and center-ability

 Inter-changeability of implement and tractor

 Fore and aft levelling of implement

 Lateral levelling of implement

 Limiting sway of implement

 Locking hitch laterally when in transport or using PTO

with implement or semimounted implement

 Quick and easy attachment and detachment of

implement

 Adequate lifting capacity of the hydraulic system

 Independent vertical float of each lower link hitch point

 Pitching the implement as it is raised

 Simple and easy adjustment of the hitch

 Center-ability (Lateral stiffness)
 Center-ability refers to the tendency of the hitch system
to recenter itself when the hitch system becomes
decentered.

 The center-ability is affected by the hitch geometry in

the horizontal plane.

 The center-ability is provided by centerability force of

an implement.

 This force can be readily obtained from the

measurement of a restoring force as the implement is
forced sideways.

 The centerability is also referred to the force tending to

recenter a laterally displaced hitch
Center-ability of the hitch system
 Methods to improve centre-ability
1. Increase convergence of the Lower Link
 This tends to shorten the effective beam length of the
implement (which is the distance to the instant center)

 The shorter beam length increases the lateral of the pull

of lower link which provides the main component of the
centering force on the tool.

2. Lengthen the Upper Link

 This tends to decrease the decentering moment caused
by the upper link about the instant center T.

 A longer link will decrease the rate at which the off set
of upper link force from instant center T (i.e. V) is
increasing as decentering occurs.
3. Shorten the lower links
 This tends to increase the rate at which instant
center T will move laterally as the hitch is
decentered.

4. Shorten the lift link

 As the hitch is decentered, the lift links become
angled in the same direction.

 Hence, the lift link force in the lower link tends to

recenter the hitch.

 Shorter are the lift links, more will be their tilt,

thereby increasing the tendency to recenter the
hitch.
5. Increase Leverage of Lift Links w.r.t. Lower Link
Pivot Point
 This means lift link should be located rearward on
the lower links.

 This will increase the effect on the implement of the

force created by the lift links force tending to pull
the hitch back to center.

6. Decrease the Line of Pull of Free Floating Condition

of the Hitch
 This will increase the load in the lift links.

 The effect of the lateral component of the lift link

force is increased thereby increasing center-ability.
Types of loads on various links of the hitch system