Suspension system for a three-point apparatus

Abstract

A three-point apparatus is disclosed comprising a hitch system, an implement, and a suspension system. The hitch system is comprised of a base and a three-point interface. The base of hitch system is coupled to the three-point interface of the hitch system. The three-point interface is configured to connect to a three-point system, such as the three-point arms of a tractor. The suspension system is coupled between the base of the hitch system and the implement.

1 . A three-point apparatus, comprising: 
 an implement;    a hitch system comprising: 
 a base, and  
 a three-point interface connected to the base and configured to connect to a three-point system of a tractor; and  
   a suspension system coupled between the base of the hitch system and the implement, wherein the suspension system is configured to absorb movement of the hitch system to reduce the amount of movement transferred to the implement.    
   
   
       2 . The three-point apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the suspension system is configured to absorb vertical movement of the hitch system to reduce the amount of vertical movement transferred to the implement.  
   
   
       3 . The three-point apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the suspension system is configured to absorb vibrations transferred to the hitch system by the tractor to reduce the amount of vibration transferred to the implement.  
   
   
       4 . The three-point apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the suspension system helps to isolate the hitch system from the implement.  
   
   
       5 . The three-point apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the suspension system comprises an air suspension system.  
   
   
       6 . The three-point apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the air suspension system includes: 
 a first air spring coupled between the implement and a first side of the base of the hitch system; and    a second air spring coupled between the implement and a second side of the base of the hitch system.    
   
   
       7 . The three-point apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the hitch system further comprises: 
 a first arm having a first end coupled to the three-point interface and a second end coupled to the implement;    a second arm having a first end coupled to the three-point interface and a second end coupled to the implement; and    a torsion bar connecting the first arm and the second arm.    
   
   
       8 . The three-point apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the first arm and the second arm are configured to absorb yaw action caused by correctional turns during fore and aft movement of the implement by the tractor.  
   
   
       9 . The three-point apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the implement comprises a sprayer that includes a tank and booms, and wherein the suspension system is configured to dampen movement between the base of the hitch system and the tank and booms.  
   
   
       10 . A three-point apparatus, comprising: 
 an implement;    a hitch system comprising: 
 a base, and  
 a three-point interface connected to the base and configured to connect to a three-point system of a tractor; and  
   a suspension system coupled between the base of the hitch system and the implement, wherein the suspension system is configured to dampen vertical movement between the hitch system and the implement that is transferred to the hitch system by the tractor.    
   
   
       11 . The three-point apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the suspension system is configured to dampen up and down action of the implement.  
   
   
       12 . The three-point apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the suspension system is configured to dampen vibrations between the hitch system and the implement that is transferred to the hitch system by the tractor.  
   
   
       13 . The three-point apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the suspension system helps to isolate the hitch system from the implement.  
   
   
       14 . Agricultural equipment, comprising: 
 an implement;    a hitch configured to rigidly connect to a tractor; and    a suspension system coupled between the hitch and the implement, wherein the suspension system is configured to dampen movement transferred to the hitch by the tractor through the rigid connection to avoid transferring the movement to the implement.    
   
   
       15 . The agricultural equipment of  claim 14  wherein the suspension system is configured to dampen vertical loading of the implement caused by the tractor or the implement.  
   
   
       16 . The agricultural equipment of  claim 14  wherein the suspension system is configured to dampen up and down action of the implement.  
   
   
       17 . The agricultural equipment of  claim 14  wherein the suspension system is configured to dampen vibrations transferred to the hitch by the tractor through the rigid connection to avoid transferring the movement to the implement.  
   
   
       18 . The agricultural equipment of  claim 14  wherein the suspension system helps to isolate the hitch from the implement.  
   
   
       19 . The agricultural equipment of  claim 14  wherein the hitch comprises a three-point hitch configured to rigidly connect to three-point arms of the tractor.  
   
   
       20 . The agricultural equipment of  claim 19  wherein the three-point hitch comprises: 
 a three-point interface configured to rigidly connect to the three-point arms of the tractor;    a first arm having a first end coupled to the three-point interface and a second end coupled to the implement;    a second arm having a first end coupled to the three-point interface and a second end coupled to the implement; and    a torsion bar connecting the first arm and the second arm;    wherein the first arm and the second arm are configured to absorb yaw action caused by correctional turns during fore and aft movement of the implement by the tractor.