A Visual Basic Programme for Performance Evaluation of Three-point Linkage Hitch System of Agricultural Tractors

A visual basic programme that evaluates the performance of three-point linkage hitch system of agricultural tractor in vertical longitudinal plane was developed. The three-point linkage hitch performance parameters were determined by generating the locus of upper hitch point, lower hitch point and virtual hitch points throughout the power travel of lift arm by computer simulation. The effect of different dimensional parameters of three-point linkage hitch on its mechanical advantage was also analyzed. The results revealed that the mechanical advantage of the three-point linkage hitch system is most affected by the lift rod length. Developed programme has the potential to validate the three-point linkage hitch design according to the standard defined in ISO 730. The developed programme is simple and practically useful for design engineers and also meet the user requirements for educational and research purpose.