IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,423,630
Granted Patent B2
US 12,423,630 · App. 17/946,893 · Granted Sep 23, 2025

Three-point hitch mount systems

Inventors: Eric Bergum (Pella, IA); Josh Vrieze (Woodville, WI)
Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
A01B59/066A01D34/661A01D34/866A01D2101/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,423,630
App. No.
17/946,893
Granted
Sep 23, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Three-point hitch mount systems for connecting an implement to a tow vehicle having two lower hitch arms and an upper link arm are disclosed. The hitch mount systems may include a lift bar configured to be attached to the two hitch arms of the tow vehicle. The hitch mount systems may include a yoke assembly. The yoke assembly includes a forward-facing slot and a downward-facing slot for removably receiving the lift bar.

Claims (30)

1. A three-point hitch mount system for attaching an implement to a tow vehicle having two lower hitch arms and an upper link arm, the three-point hitch mount system comprising:

a lift bar configured to be attached to the two lower hitch arms of the tow vehicle;

a yoke assembly configured to be attached to the implement and comprising:

a first arm having a forward-facing lift bar slot for removably receiving the lift bar; and

a second arm having a downward-facing lift bar slot for removably receiving the lift bar;

an upper link mount configured to be connected to the upper link arm.

2. The three-point hitch mount system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the hitch mount system has a horizontal plane, the forward-facing lift bar slot having a centerline that is (1) parallel to the horizontal plane or (2) forms an angle of less than 35° with the horizontal plane.

3. The three-point hitch mount system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the hitch mount system has a vertical plane, the downward-facing lift bar slot having a centerline that is (1) parallel to the vertical plane or (2) forms an angle of less than 35° with the vertical plane.

4. The three-point hitch mount system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the forward-facing lift bar slot has a centerline that is offset by at least 60° from a centerline of the downward-facing lift bar slot.

5. The three-point hitch mount system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the forward-facing lift bar slot has a centerline that is offset by at least 80° from a centerline of the downward-facing lift bar slot.

6. The three-point hitch mount system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the second arm comprises a stop for contacting the lift bar as the tow vehicle moves toward the implement, the stop being disposed below the downward-facing lift bar slot.

7. The three-point hitch mount system as set forth in claim 1 comprising

a first latch for securing the lift bar in the forward-facing lift bar slot; and

a second latch for securing the lift bar in the downward-facing lift bar slot.

8. The three-point hitch mount system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the upper link mount and the lift bar are part of a three-point lift mount, the three-point lift mount being configured to be removably connected to the tow vehicle and removably connected to the yoke assembly.

9. A mounted mower attachable to a tow vehicle, the mower comprising the three-point hitch mount system as set forth in claim 1 , the mower being cantilevered from the three-point hitch mount system.

10. A three-point hitch mount system for attaching an implement to a tow vehicle having two lower hitch arms and an upper link arm, the three-point hitch mount system comprising:

a lift bar configured to be attached to the two lower hitch arms of the tow vehicle;

a yoke assembly configured to be attached to the implement and comprising:

a first arm having a first lift bar slot oriented for removably receiving a first end of the lift bar as the lift bar is moved with the tow vehicle moving along a supporting surface towards the implement; and

a second arm having a second lift bar slot oriented for removably receiving a second end of the lift bar as the lift bar is raised by the lower hitch arms of the tow vehicle;

an upper link mount configured to be connected to the upper link arm.

11. The three-point hitch mount system as set forth in claim 10 wherein the first lift bar slot has a centerline that is offset by at least 60° from a centerline of the second lift bar slot.

12. The three-point hitch mount system as set forth in claim 10 wherein the first lift bar slot has a centerline that is offset by at least 80° from a centerline of the second lift bar slot.

13. The three-point hitch mount system as set forth in claim 10 wherein the second arm comprises a stop for contacting the lift bar as the tow vehicle moves toward the implement, the stop being disposed below the second lift bar slot.

14. The three-point hitch mount system as set forth in claim 10 comprising

a first latch for securing the lift bar in the first lift bar slot; and

a second latch for securing the lift bar in the second lift bar slot.

15. The three-point hitch mount system as set forth in claim 10 wherein the upper link mount and the lift bar are part of a three-point lift mount, the three-point lift mount being configured to be removably connected to the tow vehicle and removably connected to the yoke assembly.

16. A mounted mower attachable to a tow vehicle, the mower comprising the three-point hitch mount system as set forth in claim 10 , the mower being cantilevered from the three-point hitch mount system.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 19, 2022
From: BERGUM, ERIC; VRIEZE, JOSH
To: VERMEER MANUFACTURING COMPANY
Reel/Frame 061134/0763 →
Continuity (3)
Division 16573213 · Sep 17, 2019
Provisional Application 62739566 · Oct 1, 2018
Related Publication 20230012653A1 · Jan 19, 2023
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