Measurement of Three-Point Hitch Forces on Agricultural Tractors

A limiting factor in tractor performance research is the lack of an easily implemented method of accurately measuring three-point hitch forces. This paper describes two methods that were investigated to measure these forces.

The first method used extended ring load cell transducers to measure three-dimensional forces in the lower links of a three-point hitch. The second method used load sensing clevis pins that replaced the existing pins that connected the upper and lower links to the tractor.

The three-point hitch (TPH) dynamometers were compared with respect to ease of implementation and accuracy. It was concluded that the clevis pin load cell dynamometer was easier to implement while both dynamometers were found to be equally accurate. A Dynamic Weight Transfer Coefficient (DWC) was found for several mounted implements. The DWC was categorized according to type of mounted implement and method used to control implement depth.