The three-point linkage hitching system has changed very little since Harry Ferguson revolutionised the way implements were linked to tractors many decades ago. Granted, we now have quick-hook ends with electronic linkage control. The A-frame has also been around for many years but due to a lack of development on the implement side, it never really became accepted.

After years of no activity, three new three-point linkage quick-attach systems have emerged, two of them from Ireland. All three have taken the A-frame concept and developed it further by incorporating simultaneous coupling on attachments of both PTO and hydraulic function into their quick-attach designs.

One of those is the Farm Hitch system developed by Co Monaghan firm Shanks Engineering.

This was displayed at last year’s National Ploughing Championships.

The Farm Hitch is the brainchild of Glenn Cruickshank, managing director of Shanks Engineering, based outside Carrickmacross. Glenn has a practical engineering background built from his own experience in installing milking machine systems and general engineering before setting up his own company.

With five employees, plus Glenn, and one part-time office assistant, Shanks Engineering is involved in the design and manufacturer of largely bespoke works.

“Bespoke engineering takes up a lot of time as there is specific measuring, pricing and designing to be done, as well as supervised construction.

‘‘We wanted to come up with something entirely new ourselves rather than building something like trailers, where there are so many making them,” states Glenn.

He was actively seeking to design a product that could be produced on a larger scale.

Conception

It was when Glenn and the family were levelling the farm lane and changing between tractor implements that he thought of the JCB telehandler and its quick-attach system.

“You don’t give any thought to changing implements on the JCB, so that’s when we decided to develop a system for tractors,” states Glenn.

In the winter of 2010, the seeds were sown to develop a linkage system and to incorporate both PTO and hydraulic functions. By the following summer, Glenn had a working model of the PTO system and began working on the hydraulic system.

“I thought the hydraulic system would be the easiest to develop using breakaway couplings, but it wasn’t.”

Glenn put the project on the back-burner for a while. He was encouraged to go at it again on hearing of the launch of Austrian farmer Johann Gangl’s system.

He threw himself back into developing the Farm Hitch and solving the hydraulic coupling problem. His first hydraulic coupling system used conventional hydraulic quick-release couplings with the locking balls removed from the female connector.

“It is simple when you see it but it was a big job getting to that point,” he concedes, adding with some well-earned wisdom: “The best designs are the simplest designs.”

The quick-hitch frame is based on the implement frame of his JCB Loadall, which is simple and strong. An off-the-shelf, hydraulic, heavy-duty top link allows the frame to pick up or drop off an implement the same as you would with the JCB loader.

Implements are locked in place by hydraulic locking pins.

Because the top link and locking pins use two double-acting hydraulic services, Glenn incorporated two solenoid-operated diverter valves to provide double-acting services for implement operation.

A control panel and switch in the cab allows the implement to be locked into position and isolated from accidental release.

Sensors on the locking pins indicate when they are fully locked. Switching the control switch back to the neutral position frees up that double-acting service for implement operation.

The same switch on the control panel turned the other way isolates the top link and, again, provides a double-acting hydraulic service for implement operation.

A light on the control panel indicates which service is in operation. Hydraulic top link or locking pins, plus an additional buzzer, indicates when the locking pins are unlocked.

Glenn has developed hydraulic coupling a little further and now uses dry-couplings. These are flat-faced couplings, again with the balls removed which don’t drip any oil during connection or release.

Glenn has machined the nose profile of the flat-face coupling to allow for a smoother connection on yoking. The couplings are mounted in-frame through slightly larger holes than fitting size. They are spring-loaded to allow some movement during coupling and use. The female ends on the implement frame are similarly mounted.

Electrical connections are made through spring-loaded contactors similar to what is used in the auto industry.

They are ideal for implement lighting but they are not suitable for full-load applications, such as powering electric motors.

The implement end of the Farm Hitch system features brackets which can be adjusted to suit a wide variety of implements. Once in place, PTO-driven equipment generally needs the PTO shaft and its guard cut to suit the frame. Both the male (implement) and female (tractor) parts of the PTO connection pivot centrally with a stop at the top to allow movement during attaching and removal.

Splines on both are chamfered at the front to facilitate alignment during connection.

The Irish Farmers Journal got a chance to try out the Farm Hitch system first. It was easy to use, easy to align the tractor end with the implement end and easy to operate locking pins and top-link.

With PTO, hydraulic and electrical functions automatically connected at the same time, it is extremely fast and safe to change between implements.

The only reason to get down off the tractor is to fold up an implement stand, for example, or hook up additional electrics or ISOBus.

Glenn has also developed a stand for his fertilizer spreader which allows a loader equipped tractor to drop the spreader and self-load it with the tractor’s front-end loader. Once loaded, it requires just a few seconds to pick up the spreader again.

The Farm Hitch system incorporates many clever and unique features which make it works well. Glenn has applied for patents across the system to protect his design and all the work he has put into it.

The locking pins and top link hydraulic services can be selected using the central switch (pictured).

System capacity varies depending on the unit specified; either 3t or 4t capacity is available. This means the Farm Hitch system is capable of handling decent-sized implements.

The price depends entirely on specification, with entry level prices (no PTO, hydraulics starting at €1,650, plus VAT, for the tractor end (no hydraulic top link) and €490, plus VAT, for the lighter duty implement end.

This increases to €3,800, plus VAT, for a full specification tractor frame which includes hydraulic top link, two double-acting spool valves, PTO, electrical connections and a Farm Hitch stand for the tractor end.

The heavy-duty or PRO implement frame tops out at €1,295, plus VAT, again with PTO, two double-acting hydraulic fittings and electrical connections.

Options include an extra double-acting service, plus a facility to fit pallet forks on a bar into the tractor frame (identical to JCB).

You can get more information about the Farm Hitch by contacting Glenn Cruickshank (pictured) at Shanks Engineering Ltd on 042-9504009 or check out www.farmhitch.com