Power Drawbar Pin Has Its Own Hydraulics

Power Drawbar Pin has its Own Hydraulics HITCHES Hitches 12-4-32 A new "powered drawbar pin" works better and is safer than any automatic hitch-up system on the market, according to the farmer-inventor who recently won first place in the "new inventions" category at the Western Canada Farm Progress Show in Regina, Canada. Brian Olson, a Tompkins, Saskatchewan farmer, built the patent pending device and hopes to market it within a year. Unlike other automatic draw-pin hitches, Olson's "power pin" operates under its own closed loop oil system and doesn't use tractor hydraulics which, according to Olson, is the key to its success. "Powerful tractor hydraulics can cause serious injury during hookup and if hydraulic power fails, the pin can accidentally withdraw under load." The "power pin" is activated mechanically by a lever in the cab. Lever movement controls two mini hydraulic rams which bring the pin up from under the drawbar. "The lever is actually an extension of your hand, delivering one-to-one pressure," says Olson. "As you move it, you can feel when the draw-pin is free for insertion." The new device offers other benefits, says Olson. "It doesn't tie up a tractor hydraulic outlet, so if the tractor isn't running you can still operate the hitch. Also, the device is below the drawbar, so it doesn't interfere with a pto, swinging drawbar or drill transport hitch. And you can't accidentally release the pin any more than you could manually pull it. out under load. If you're stuck in the field and the draw-pin binds tight in the hole, you can unlock the lever in the cab and manually pound the pin straight down to remove it." The unit consists of a three-bolt hitch attachment, a spring, two miniature hydraulic rams and two connecting hoses. The master ram in the cab is linked directly to the pin-moving "slave" ram. The lever that connects to the master ram has a locked position, a sliding position, and an open position. The hitch is equipped with three safety features to keep the draw-pin secure: (1) a cotter pin that can be inserted manually through the top of the pin; (2) an external spring which keeps upward pressure on the draw-pin; (3) the lever's cylinder lock in the cab. For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Brian Olson, P.O. Box 386, Tompkins, Saskatchewan, Canada SON 2S0 (ph 306 622-4301).

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