Evaluation and Optimisation of Three-Point Hitch Geometry of MF475 Tractor

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Article- En

Author

• N. Moradinejad

Department of Mechanics of Biosystems Engineering, Ta. C., Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22067/jam.2025.95018.1422

Abstract

In recent years, the adoption of agricultural tractors has advanced farm mechanisation, with the three-point hitch (TPH) system playing an important role in attaching implements. This study focuses on optimising the geometry of the TPH for the Massey Ferguson 475 (MF475) tractor through simulation in SolidWorks software and validation with laboratory measurements. The independent parameters, including (1) lift arm, (2) lift rod, (3) lower arm lengths, and (4) the distance between the lift rod-lower arm connection point and the lower arm pivot point, were systematically varied to find the optimal design. Additionally, we analysed the effects of the independent parameters on performance parameters such as virtual hitch point positions, mechanical advantage, and lifting force. Results indicated that the existing TPH of the MF475 tractor exhibits discrepancies from the ASABE standard, while the optimised design complies with it. The results showed that the length of the lower arms has the greatest influence on the position of the virtual hitch point. Additionally, the increase in the lengths of the lift arm, lift rod, and lower arm led to a decrease in the lifting forces. In contrast, the increase in the distance between the lift rod-lower arm connection point and the lower arm pivot point led to an increase in the lifting forces. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the distance between the lift rod-lower arm connection point and the lower arm pivot point is the most influential factor affecting lifting force and mechanical advantage.

Keywords

• Lifting force
• Mechanical advantage
• Simulation
• Solid-Works
• Virtual hitch point

Main Subjects

• Modeling

Authors retain the copyright. This is an open access article distributed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0)

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