Adjustable hitch adapter for hand tractor

Abstract

An adjustable hitch adapter intended to be mounted to the hand tractor comprising: an adapter hitch frame; a clamp, having a neck and opposing trapezoidal walls; an implement coupler with plurality of holes spacedly arranged to allow different height adjustments of implement; and an adjuster device connected to the upper portion of said clamp and said implement coupler that allows different angle adjustments of implement.

Description

SPECIFICATIONADJUSTABLE HITCH ADAPTER FOR HAND TRACTORThe Technical FieldThis invention relates generally to hitch adapters but more particularly to an adjustable hitchadapter for hand tractors for various farming operations.The Background Art of the InventionA hand tractor is a compact, manually operated farming machine to assist small-scale agriculturaltasks. It is a self-propelled machine; a single axle designed primarily to pull and propel trailed or mountedimplements and machinery. It features two wheels and a handlebar for steering, with the power sourceoften being a gasoline or diesel engine. They can be equipped with various implements such as plows,cultivators, or seeders to increase their versatility.In the Philippines, 51.23% of the local farmers used hand tractors for land preparation andtransportation (Philippine Statistics Authority [PSA], 2014). The availability of hand tractors opens theopportunity to mechanize other farm operations such as crop harvesting to maximize its potential. Handtractor is recommended to be economical and adaptable to the local farm conditions as fields in thecountry are fragmented, and headlands are small for maneuverability.The Philippine Agricultural Engineering Standard (PAES) specifies the standards / specificationsfor hand tractors (PAES 111: 2000) and the hitching system for implements (PAES 107: 2000). Thesestandards were adopted in the developed hitch adapter for crop harvesters for suitability to available handtractors in the country. Since the existing hitch system of implements is purposely for land preparationand transport where no adjustment is required, the hitch adapter is developed. It is attached to thestandard single-point hitch system of the crop harvester before it is connected to the hand tractor.Harvesting of root crops requires different depths and penetrating angles. Most root crops suchas onion, garlic, potato, sweet potato, peanut, etc. have a root depth of 10 to 25 cm and a penetratingangle of 12 to 24°. Thus, root crop harvesters driven by hand tractors need a hitch adapter to adjust thedepth and penetrating angle before harvesting operation. Aside from these, it features manualadjustment, for ease of tuning and maintenance. Proper harvesting depth ensures harvester effectivelypenetrates the right soil level without damaging tubers. The correct angle allows harvester penetrationthrough the soil with less resistance. This precision helps achieve less mechanical physical damage intubers, reduces wear and tear of crop harvester, and less fuel consumption. Thereby, increasingprofitability and efficiency in harvesting operations.a I3H12NS16S920240CT 16 Dec 2024 08:28:57 AM 1response letter without cost. pdfThe literature includes numerous patents disclosing hitch adapters. For example, European. Pat.No. 0316898B1 (Stephenson et al.) discloses a tractor hitch adapter for the optional connection directlyto tractor three-point hitch links or a quick coupler carried by the three-point hitch links. This implementhitch is intended to connect an implement to a tractor that can be provided with various hitch systemsincluding a three-point hitch or a three-point hitch together with a so-called quick coupler.US Patent No. 7690669B2 (Johnson) discloses an adapter to attach non-standard implementsto a tractor equipped with a proprietary quick-connect hitch system.US Patent No. 3557892A (Burrough) discloses a hitch adapter that provides articulation betweenthe tractor and the implement. It discloses a vertical axis rearwardly of the vertical drawbar pin, so thatthe vertical axis of articulation is equidistant from the two universal joints, providing constant speed in theimplement drive shaft regardless of the degree of articulation between the tractor and implement.While the aforementioned prior arts may be suitable for their general purposes, they still leavemuch to be desired from various standpoints, such as adaptability to hand tractors and fitness to single-point hitching.It is known that the soil penetration depth is important in land preparation and harvesting. Thepenetration depth depends on the kind of crops to be planted or harvested. For example, in root crops,shallow-rooted crops require a lesser soil penetration depth compared to other crops with deep rootingsystems.It is also known that the ability to adjust the angle of the implement to the ground is crucialbecause different types of soil and kinds of crops also vary in angle requirements.Since depth and angle adjustments play vital roles in agricultural implements, four-wheel tractorsuse a hydraulic-controlled mechanism to make the possible adjustments. However, most hand tractors,do not have a hydraulic-controlled mechanism.A hitch adapter can be mounted between the hand tractor and implement wherein the penetrationdepth and angle are adjusted. However, although useful in their intended functions, the disclosed patentson hitch adapters do not solve said problem.The tractor hitch adapter by European Pat. No. 0316898B1 (Stephenson et al.) providesconnection of an implement to a tractor through a variety of hitch systems including a three-point hitch ora three-point hitch together with a quick coupler. This hitch adapter cannot be employed on a hand tractorsince it uses a single-point hitch.Further, the adapter disclosed by US No. 7690669B2 (Johnson) is only for attaching implementsnot equipped with a quick-connect hitch to a tractor having a quick-connect hitch system. It does not havea depth and angle adjuster.a I3H12NS16S920240CT 16 Dec 2024 08:28:57 AM 2response letter without cost. pdfThe hitch adapter disclosed by US Patent No. 3557892A (Burrough) is specifically designed forthe tractor drawbar. Although adjustments can be made, it is not to adjust the depth and angle of theimplement but to adapt to different drawbar lengths.Utilizing an adjustable hitch adapter for a hand tractor to harvest root crops such as onionsincreases harvesting efficiency. The existing hitches have no adapter. No adjustments are made topenetrate different harvesting depths. From the inventor's field test results, the harvesting efficiency is70.90%. Using this invention, the harvesting efficiency increased by 97.30%. This infers that only 2.70%are lost or remain undug. To picture the implication of increased efficiency, from a 1,000 kg onion yield,2 / kg are lost, which is lesser compared with no adjustable hitch adapter of 291 kg. Using the inventionimpacts increased efficiency. In terms of profit, less loss was accumulated when using the invention. Thisstimulates more profit for farmers, reducing farm losses as a priority campaign to attain food security.In countries where farms are fragmented, flat, and hilly terrain, this invention is desired. It isadaptable to any farm location and has proven to be used in various farm operations. Additionally, thisinvention is positioned before the standard hand tractor one-hole hitch, it could be easily assembled anddisassembled whenever it is needed or not.The adjustable hitch adapter for the hand tractor demonstrates solid industrial applicability as itpointedly augments the versatility and efficiency of small-scale farming operations. This inventiontransforms a hand tractor into a multifunctional machine by enabling the safe and fast attachment ofimplements such as plows, harrows, trailers, and harvesters. This suitability is beneficial to the agriculturesector, where smallholder farmers rely on compact and cost-effective machinery. This invention allowsfarmers to perform tilling, planting, hauling, and harvesting using only one adjustable hitch adapter,eliminating the need for multiple specialized hitch adapters. This minimizes costs and labor, addressingthe challenges of small farming operations.Moreover, the invention’s compatibility with existing hand tractor models ensures widespreadindustrial use without modifications to the design or investments in new machinery. Its robust and user-friendly design enhances durability and ease of operation, reducing breakdown and maintenance costsfor farmers. Beyond agriculture, this invention can used in other industries, such as construction andlandscaping, where hand tractors are increasingly employed for material transport and site preparation.The adaptability and practicality make the adjustable hitch adapter a valuable innovation for industriesprioritizing increased efficiency, profit, and sustainability.The Summary of the InventionThe primary object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable hitch adapter for a handtractor and an adapter hitch frame suitable for the hand tractor’s single-point hitch. Another is to providean implement coupler with a series of apertures for adjusting different depths of soil penetration. Further,a I3H12NS16S920240CT 16 Dec 2024 08:28:57 AM 3response letter without cost. pdfit is to provide an adjuster device for tuning the angle of penetration of the implement. According to theinvention, adjustments are manually done. Thereby, allowing easier and cheaper maintenance. Thus,thanks to the invention, the adjustable hitch adapter will benefit the hand tractor users. Farmers will utilizetheir hand tractors in land preparation, hauling, and harvesting different crops. Furthermore, transportingthe implement is easier since the implement can be raised.A Brief description of the fiqures in the drawingsThe FIGURES of the accompanying drawings illustrate how the invention works. On suchFIGURES identical reference characters denote similar elements.FIGURE 1 shows the connection of the adjustable hitch adapter to the hand tractor.FIGURE 2 shows the perspective view of the adjustable hitch adapter.FIGURE 3 shows the exploded view of the adjustable hitch adapter.FIGURE 4 shows the exploded view of the adjuster device.The Detailed descriptionIn FIGURE 1, according to the first exemplary embodiment of the invention, there is illustratedan adjustable hitch adapter (1) intended to be mounted to a hand tractor. FIGURES 2 and 3 shows theperspective and exploded view of the adjustable hitch adapter comprising an adapter hitch frame (3)having a vertical square plate (4) connected to horizontally opposing rectangular walls (5) with circularholes at the mid portion; a clamp (6) connected to the back portion of the square plate (5) of the adapterhitch frame (4), having a neck (7) and opposing trapezoidal walls (8) welded at the back portion of thesaid neck (7); an implement coupler (9) boltly secured to said trapezoidal walls (8) of said clamp (6)through a clamp bolt (10); and an adjuster device (11) connected to the upper portion of said clamp (6)and said implement coupler (9) that allows different angle adjustment of the implement.The implement coupler (9) includes opposing L-bars (12) connected by a bridge bar (13). Thefront portion of said opposing L-bars (12) has plurality of holes (14) spacedly arranged to allow severalpossible height adjustments of the implement coupler.As shown in FIGURE 4, the adjuster device (11) comprises a barrel nut assembly (15), a boredbarrel assembly (16), and an adjuster bolt member (17).The barrel nut assembly (15) includes opposing trapezoidal hinge plates (18) with circular holesat the upper-mid portion, a barrel nut (19), and a mound stopper (20) on both ends of said barrel nut (19).The opposing trapezoidal hinge plates (18) include a notch (21) to serve as the path of said moundstopper (20) during cleaning and maintenance.The bored barrel assembly includes opposing rectangular hinge plates (22) having circular holesat the upper-mid portion, and a bored barrel (23) having holes with critical distance from both ends forinserting lock pins (24) to secure said bored barrel (23). The adjuster bolt member (17) includes aa I3H12NS16S920240CT 16 Dec 2024 08:28:57 AM 4response letter without cost. pdfthreaded shaft (25), and a hollow shaft head (26) with holes on opposite sides with critical from the endwhere a lever (27) is movably attached.According to the invention, angle adjustment of agricultural implements is done throughtightening or loosing the adjuster bolt member (17). To facilitate height adjustment, the clamp bolt (10)5 can be bolted to any of the plurality of holes (14) of the opposing L-bars (12).a I3H12NS16S920240CT 16 Dec 2024 08:28:57 AM 5response letter without cost. pdf

Claims

WE CLAIM:1,An adjustable hitch adapter intended to be mounted to hand tractor comprising:an adapter hitch frame (3) having a vertical square plate (4) connected to horizontallyopposing rectangular walls (5) with circular holes at the mid portion;a clamp (6) connected to the back portion of the square plate (5) of the adapter hitchframe (4), having a neck (7) and opposing trapezoidal walls (8) welded at the backportion of the said neck (7);an implement coupler (9) boltly secured to said trapezoidal walls (8) of said clamp (6)through a clamp bolt (10); andan adjuster device (11) connected to the upper portion of said clamp (6) and saidimplement coupler (9) that allows different angle adjustment of the implement.The adjustable hitch adapter according to claim 1, wherein said implement coupler (9) includesopposing L-bars (12) connected by a bridge bar (13).The adjustable hitch adapter according to claim 2, wherein the front portion of said opposing L-bars (12) has plurality of holes (14) spacedly arranged to allow several height adjustments of theimplement coupler.The adjustable hitch adapter according to claim 1, wherein the adjuster device (11) comprises abarrel nut assembly (15), a bored barrel assembly (16), and an adjuster bolt member (17).The adjustable hitch adapter according to claim 4, wherein the barrel nut assembly (15) includesopposing trapezoidal hinge plates (18) with circular holes at the upper-mid portion, a barrel nut(19), and a mound stopper (20) on both ends of said barrel nut (19).The adjustable hitch adapter according to claim 5, wherein both holes of said opposingtrapezoidal hinge plates (18) of said barrel nut assembly (15) include a notch (21) to serve asthe path of said mound stopper (20) during cleaning and maintenance.I3H12NS16S920240CT 16 Dec 2024 08:28:57 AM 6response letter without cost. pdf7. The adjustable hitch adapter according to claim 4, wherein said bored barrel assembly includesopposing rectangular hinge plates (22) having circular holes at the upper-mid portion, and abored barrel (23) having holes with critical distance from both ends for inserting lock pins (24) to5 secure said bored barrel (23).

8. The adjustable hitch adapter according to claim 4, wherein said adjuster bolt member (17)includes a threaded shaft (25), a hollow shaft head (26) with holes on opposite sides with criticaldistance from the end where a lever (27) is movably attached.a I3H12NS16S920240CT 16 Dec 2024 08:28:57 AM 7response letter without cost. pdf