US3797582A

US3797582A - Back fill attachment for a draft vehicle

Info

Publication number: US3797582A
Application number: US00301764A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Couch
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-10-30
Filing date: 1972-10-30
Publication date: 1974-03-19
Anticipated expiration: 1991-03-19

Abstract

A back fill attachment is provided for a draft vehicle. The attachment is especially useful to back fill soil removed from trenches in the laying of gas lines, water lines, electric lines and other conduits. The attachment also may be used to back fill soil removed from excavations made for general construction purposes, and to level or contour soil in land filling or landscaping operations. In one preferred embodiment, the attachment comprises an adjustable back fill blade which is adapted to be attached to a tractor having a three point hitch. The blade may be adjusted in a number of positions and the attachment is sufficiently versatile to meet a variety of different back filling, leveling, and contouring requirements.

Description

United States Patent [191 Couch BACK FILL ATTACHMENT FOR A DRAFT VEHICLE [76] Inventor: James L. Couch, Route 3. Box 169,

Ocean Springs, Miss. 39564 [22] Filed: Oct. 30, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 301,764

[ Mar. 19, 1974 Primary Examiner-Stephen C. Pellegrino [57] ABSTRACT A back fill attachment is provided for a draft vehicle. The attachment is especially useful to back fill soil removed from trenches in the laying of gas lines, water lines, electric lines and other conduits. The attachrnent also may be used to back fill soil removed from excavations'made for general construction purposes, and to level or contour soil in land filling or landscaping operations. In one preferred embodiment, the attachment comprises an adjustable back fill blade which is adapted to be attached to a tractor having a three'point hitch. .The blade may be adjusted in a number of positions and the attachment is sufficiently versatile to meet a variety of different back filling, leveling, and contouring requirements.

23 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTEU MAR 19 I974 SHEET 2 BF 3 wdE BACK FILL ATTACHMENT FOR A DRAFT VEHICLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an attachment for a draft vehicle which is especially useful to back fill soil removed from trenches and excavations, and to level or contour soil in land filling or landscaping. In one preferred embodiment, an attachment is provided for a standard tractor having a three-point hitch.

Many types of trenching devices are used at the present time in the laying of conduits in the soil. As a general rule, the trenching devices temporarily deposit the soil removed in opening the trench along one or both sides thereof where it remains while the conduit is being layed in the open trench. After laying the conduit, it is necessary to fill the open trench and this is usually done by returning the soil to the trench. This operation is often referred to as back filling.

The prior art equipment and techniques for opening and back filling trenches are not entirely satisfactory in all respects. For example, in a number of instances heavy and/or expensive machines are used which are designed to perform both the functions of opening the trench and back filling. In other instances, it is common practice to employ one machine for excavating the trench, and still another for back filling. A back filling machine is especially designed and often has no other useful purpose in construction work and thus it often lies idle much of the time. In still other instances, heavy general purpose construction or soil moving equipment such as a bull dozer is used for back filling. Equipment of this type is not especially designed for back filling and therefore is not as efficient as it should be. Additionally, the heavy equipment available heretofore tends to break down the side walls of the trench and this markedly increases labor and other costs.

The back filling equipment available heretofore also had other short comings. Often the equipment was not sufficicntly versatile to meet the different back filling, leveling and contouring requirements which are en countered in the field. High operating costs were a problem and especially in instances where the back filling equipment could not be used for other purposes. Equipment especially designed for back filling tends to be very costly and this adds to the overhead.

. It is therefore apparent that in spite of the great need therefor, entirely satisfactory back filling equipment was not available heretofore which is inexpensive initially, low in cost to operate, relatively light in weight and yet sturdy, and sufficiently versatile to meet a variety of back filling, leveling and contouring requirements. Furthermore, a back fill attachment having the foregoing characteristics was not available heretofore which could be rapidly and easily attached to a standard tractor, used in the back filling of an opened trench, and then detached to thereby allow the tractor to be used for other construction purposes. Accordingly, the present invention overcomes the above mentioned and other deficiencies of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one presently preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a back fill attachment which is adapted to be attached to a prior art draft vehicle such as a tractor having a three-point hitch. The back fill blade includes left and right blade sections movably mounted in spaced relationship on upright shafts which are carried by a cross bar. The cross bar is movably mounted on an upright shaft which is carried by the outer end portion of a tongue. The inner end of the tongue is adapted to be attached to the draft vehicle, and side and top supports are provided to strengthen the overall attachment. The cross bar and the left and right blade sections are capable of being independently adjusted and retained in a large number of positions. As a result, the back fill attachment is very versatile and useful in the field, relatively light in weight and may be constructed and operated at low cost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view illustrating one presently preferred embodiment'of the back fill attachment of the invention attached to a prior art draft vehicle, portions of which are broken away for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the back fill blade of FIG. 1 in which the detached or released position of the rigid top support is further illustrated in phantom line;

FIG. 3 is a rear end view of the back fill attachment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the back fill attachment illustrated in FIG. 1; I

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4};

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 4, portions of which are broken away for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the back fill attachment of FIG. I illustrating the two blade sections in other adjusted positions;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the back fill attachment of FIG. 1 illustrating the two blade sections in still other adjusted positions;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the back fill attachment of FIG. 1 illustrating the two blade sections in still other adjusted positions;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the back fill attachment of FIG. I illustrating the two blade sections in still other adjusted positions;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the back fill attachment of FIG. 1 illustrating the two blade sections in a generally V shaped configuration and with a plough point attached thereto, and

FIG. 12 is a detailed plan view with portions thereof beingbroken away for clarity of illustration, illustrating the plough .point of FIG. 11 and its manner of attachment to the blade sections in greater detail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION INCLUDING PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS THEREOF Referring now to the various views of the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 4, which illustrate one presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the back fill attachment 20 is shown attachedto a prior art tractor 21 having a three point hitch 22 which is of the usual design and construction and thus is well known by those skilled in this art. The three point hitch 22 includes a pair of spaced

draw bar arms

23 and 24 which may be raised and lowered by means of

devices

25 and 26, respectively. The three point hitch 22 also includes a device 27 capable of being varied in length which is located above

draw bar arms

23 and 24. The back fill attachment may be raised or lowered within certain limits by shortening or lengthening the device 27 respectively, as will be explained more fully hereinafter. It is understood that the

devices

25, 26 and 27 are power operated by conventional means and controls located on the tractor (not shown in the interest of clarity).

The back fill attachment 20 includes a hitching member 30, a tongue 31, a cross bar 32, a back fill blade 33, left and right side supports 34 and 35, respectively, and a top support which may be a chain 29 and/or a rod 36. The hitching member 30 includes an elongated lower portion 37 having left and

right studs

38 and 39, re-

spectively, which extend outwardly from the ends thereof, and left and right upwardly extending

plates

40 and 41 provided with aligned

openings

42 and 43, respectively. The tongue 31 is connected on its forward end to portion 37 at a point intermediate the ends thereof and the portion 37 extends transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of tongue 31. The tongue 31 extends rearwardly from the point of attachment to portion 37 and has on its upper surface a pair of upwardly projecting spaced plates 46 provided with aligned openings 47 for receiving pin 48 which retains the lower end of rod 36. An eye is provided for anchoring the lower end of chain 29. j

The hitching member 30 also includes an upper portion 44 provided with spaced

leg portions

49 and 50 which extend generally upward and inward, and which terminate in a common portion 51. The common portion 51 is provided with rearwardly extending spaced plates 52 having aligned openings 53 of a size to receive pin 54 which retains the upper end of rod 36. Hook 55 is also provided on portion 51 for adjustably attaching the upper end of chain 29. The lower ends of

legs

49 and 50 are provided with

studs

56 and 57 which are inserted in

openings

42 and 43, respectively. The

openings

42 and 43 and the

studs

56 and 57 are located whereby the

legs

49 and 50 are movably mounted above portion 37 and spaced therefrom. This arrangement allows the upper portion 44 including portion 51 to be moved toward and away from tongue 31 when the pin 54 is removed and rod 36 is in the position shown in phantom line in FIG. 2 and the chain 29 is disconnected from hook 55. It is also possible to adjust the effective length of chain 29 when rod 36 is in the position shown in phantom line in FIG. 2 and thereby position portion 51 of the upper portion 44 either further toward or further away from the tongue 31. The common portion 51 is provided with upwardly projecting spaced plates 58 having aligned openings 59.

Each of the outer ends of

draw bar arms

23 and 24 have an opening 60 for receiving the

studs

38 and 39 whereby lower portion 37 may be quickly and easily attached to draw

bar arms

23 and 24. The outer end of device 27 also has an opening 61 in the end thereof. The end of device 27 is positioned between spaced plates 58 and the

openings

59 and 61 are in alignment whereby pin 62 may be inserted therethrough and the upper portion 44 may be quickly and easily attached to device 27. This arrangement allows portion 37 to be movably mounted on

studs

38 and 39 whereby the rear end of attachment 20 may be raised and lowered when the chain 29 and/or the rod 36 are in place, as shown in solid line in FIG. 2, by lengthening or shortening respectively the device 27. The arrangement also provides for flexible mounting of attachment20 when only the chain 29is attached and the rod 36 is in the position shown in phantom line in FIG. 2 and the attachment 20 may be used in rough terrain without damage. This arrangement also allows the entire attachment 20 to be raised or lowered by means of power operated

devices

25 and 26 attached to draw

bar arms

23 and 24, respectively.

As is best seen in FIGS. 14 and 6, a box-like member is provided on the rear end of tongue 31 for mounting cross bar 32. The bottom 71 and top 72 of member 78 have aligned

openings

73 and 74 respectively of a size to receive bushing 75. The side wall 76 has a pair of spaced plates 77 which are provided with aligned openings 78 of a size to receive pin 79.

The cross bar 32 is constructed from a hollow member having a generally rectangular cross section. Aligned

openings

80 and 81 are provided in the top wall 82 and bottom wall 83 respectively of a size to receive main adjustment shaft 84. A main adjustment plate is welded to the outer surface of top wall 82 and the lower end of shaft 84 is welded to bottom wall 83. The adjustment plate 85 has an opening 86 of a size to receive shaft 84 and the opening 86 is aligned with

openings

80 and 81. The bushing 75 has aninternal diameter ofa size to receive shaft 84. The bushing 75 also has a length slightly greater than the height of member 78 whereby the wall 71 and plate 85 are spaced and do not bind when the cross bar 32 is rotated on shaft 84.

The shaft 84 extends from the outer surface of wall 83 upward successively through

openings

81, 80, 86, 73 and 74, and then past the outer surface of wall 70 a distance sufficient to provide space for washer 88 and clear threads 87 whereby nut 89 may be threaded tightly thereon. The adjustment plate 85 has a plurality of spaced adjustment openings 90 which are positioned at approximately equal distances from the center line of shaft 84 and arranged so as to align successively with openings 78 as the cross bar 32 is rotated on shaft 84. A pin 79 is inserted through openings 78 and the selected opening 90 to thereby securely retain the cross bar 32 in the desired adjusted angular relationship with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tongue 31'. The openings 98 are spaced at intervals providing selected desired angular relationships with respect to the longitudinal axis of tongue 31, such as 22.5", 45 and 90 and either to the right or left of the center line of tongue 31. Also, the blade 33 may be rotated on shaft 84 andpositioned for pulling soil forward or for pushing soil backward, and the openings 90 are arranged so as to allow the desired angular relationships to be obtained in both instances.

The above described arrangement of apparatus allows the cross bar 32 and the blade 33 carried thereby to be rotated in a 360 arc. Thus, it is possible to select any desired opening 90 which provides the desired angular relationship with respect to tongue 31 for alignment with openings 78. Upon aligning the selected opening 98 and the openings 78, the pin 79 is inserted therethrough to thereby securely adjust the cross bar 32 in the selected desired angular relationship.

As is best seen in FIGS. 1-5, the back fill blade 33 includes similar left and right blade sections and 96 which are mounted on

blade adjustment shafts

97 and 98, respectively for rotary movement thereon in a 360 arc. The

blade sections

95 and 96 include

mold board portions

99 and 100, respectively, to the lower edges of which are replaceably attached cutting

edges

101 and 102 by means of a plurality of

bolts

103 and 104, respectively. The cutting edges 101 and 102 extend outward past

mold boards

99 and 100 respectively, a substantial distance to reduce wear and to enable a plow point 105 to be attached thereto more conveniently and securely.

As is best seen in FIG. 5, the

shafts

97 and 98 have

angle irons

106 and 107 respectively welded thereto, and the upper edges of

mold boards

99 and 100, respectively, are welded thereto to thereby strengthen and effectively support the upper edges thereof. Horizontally extending

brace plates

108 and 109 are welded to the lower ends of

shafts

97 and 98, respectively and extend forward a distance sufficient to meet the lower edges of

mold boards

99 and 100, respectively, and are welded thereto to support and brace the same. The blade adjustment plates 110 and 111 have

openings

112 and 113 therein of a size to receive

shafts

97 and 98, respectively. The

shafts

97 and 98 extend upward through

openings

112 and 113, respectively and plates 110 and 111 rest on top of

angle irons

106 and 107 and are welded to

shafts

97 and 98.

The bottom wall 114 of cross bar 32 is provided with spaced

openings

115 and 116, and the top wall 117 of cross bar 32 is provided with spaced

openings

118 and 119. The openings 115 and.118 are aligned and the

openings

116 and 119 are aligned and are of sizes to receive

bushings

120 and 121, respectively. The

bushings

120 and 121 have internal diameters of sizes to receive

shafts

97 and 98, respectively. The bushings 121 and 122 also have lengths slightly, longer than the height of cross bar 32 whereby the outer surface of lower wall 114 and the upper surface of blade adjust ment plates 110 and 111, respectively, are spaced and do not bind when the

blade sections

95 and 96 are rotated in an arc of 360 on

adjustment shafts

97 and 98, respectively.

The adjustment shaft 97 extends upward successively through

openings

112, 115 and 118, and adjustment shaft 98 extends upwardly successively through

openings

113, 116 and 119. The

shafts

97 and 98 then extend outward past the outer surface of wall 117 a distance sufficient to provide space for

washers

123 and 124 and to

clear threads

125 and 126 whereby

nuts

127 and 128, respectively may be threaded tightly thereon. The adjustment plates 110and 111 have a plurality of spaced

adjustment openings

129 and 130, respectively which are positioned at approximately equal distances from the center lines of

shafts

97 and 98, respectively and arranged so as to align successively with aligned openings 131 in spaced plates 132 and aligned openings 133 for spaced plates 134 as the

blade sections

95 and 96 are rotated on

shafts

97 and 98. Pin 135 is inserted through aligned

openings

129 and 131, and pin 136 is inserted through aligned

openings

130 and 133 to thereby securely retain the

blade sections

95 and 96 respectively in the desired adjusted angular relationships with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cross bar 32 and/or with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tongue 31. The

adjustment openings

129 and 130 are spaced at intervals providing selected desired angular relationships with respect to the longitudinal axis of cross bar 32 and/or tongue 31, such as 22.5, 45 and 90.

The above described arrangement of apparatus allows the blade sections and 96 to be rotated in a 360 arc. Thus, it is possible to select any desired adjustment openings 129 and for alignment with

openings

131 and 133, respectively, which provide the desired angular relationships of

blade sections

95, and 96 with respect to tongue 31 and/or cross bar 32. Upon aligning the selected adjustment opening 129 with openings 131, and the selected adjustment opening 130 with the openings 133, the pins and 136 may be inserted therethrough to thereby securely adjust the

blade sections

95 and 96, respectively, in the desired angular relationships.

The'blade section 95 is provided with a pair of spaced rearwardly extending plates 137 having aligned openings 138 therein, and blade section 96 is provided with a single rearwardly extending plate 139 having an opening 140 therein. As is best seen in FIG. 12, the plow point 105 is provided with a rearwardly extending plate 141 having an opening 142 therein. Upon rotating the cross bar 32 and

blade sections

95 and 96 to the positions illustrated in FIG. 11, the plate 139 is positioned between the spaced plates 137. The

openings

138, 140 and 142 are aligned and pin 143 may be inserted therein to securely retain the plow point 105 in the position illustrated in FIG. 12.

The blade section 95 is also provided with a pair of spaced plates 145 having aligned openings 146 therein, and blade section 96 is provided with a pair of spaced plates 147 having aligned openings 148 therein. As is best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, when the blade sections are in the positions illustrated in FIG. 1-4, the spaced plates 147 are positioned between the spaced plates 145, the

openings

146 and 148 are aligned, and the pin 149 may be inserted therethrough and the

blade sections

95 and 96 locked in position. Soil for back filling may be pulled forward when the blade sections are in this position. j

The bottom wall 114 and the top wall 117. of cross bar 32 are provided with a second set of aligned

openings

150 and 151 aligned

openings

152 and 153 for

adjustment shafts

97 and 98, respectively, which are similar to aligned

openings

116 and 117 and aligned

openings

118 and 119, respectively. The spaced

plates

132 and 134 are also provided with aligned openings 156 and aligned openings 157, respectively, which are similar to aligned openings 131 and aligned openings 133, respectively. This arrangement allows the

blade sections

95 and 96 to be mounted in spaced relationship when this is desirable, such as when back filling wide ditches. When it is desired to so operate, the

shafts

97 and 98 are removed from the positions illustrated in the drawings and installed in the aligned

openings

150 and 151, and the aligned

openings

152 and 153, respectively. When so installed, the aligned openings 156 and the aligned openings 157 are so arranged as to be in alignment with the

adjustment openings

129 and 130, respectively, whereby the

pins

135 and 136 may be inserted therethrough as previously described and the

blade sections

95 and 96 retained in desired adjusted positions.

FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 and 12 of the drawings illustrate some of the various positions that the cross bar 32 and the

blade sections

95 and 96 may assume for various types of back filling operations other than the basic positions illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6. On reference to FIG. 7, it may be seen that cross bar 32 has been rotated on

main adjustment shaft

84, 45 to the left, whereby soil may be moved from the right to the left and used to back fill a trench. Upon reference to FIG. 8 of the drawings, it may be seen the right blade section 96 has been rotated 45 to the left on blade adjustment shaft 98, and the cross bar 32 has been rotated 45 to the right on main adjustment shaft 84. This arrangement allows the soil to be moved both from the left and the right sides of the ditch and used to back fill the same.

Upon reference to FIG. 9 of the drawings, it may be seen that the cross bar 32 is in the same position as illustrated in FIG. 4. However, the blade section 95 has been rotated 45 to the right on blade adjustment shaft 97, and blade section 96 has been rotated 45 to the left on blade adjustment shaft 98. This arrangement allows soil to be transferred from the left and right sides of the trench and then deposited in the trench.

FIG. 10 of the drawings illustrates the manner of adjustment of the back fill blade when it is desired to push soil backward into a ditch. The cross bar 32 has been rotated 180 on main adjustment shaft 84, and thus the back fill blade 33 is now directed toward the rear. Upon reversing the tractor, the soil is pushed toward the rear and into the trench to be filled.

FIGS. 11 and 12 of the drawings illustrate the

blade sections

95 and 96 in the V position. The cross bar 32 is in the same position as described for FIG. 10. However, the blade section 96 has been rotated 45 to the right on blade adjustment shaft 98, and the blade section 95 has been rotated 45 to the left on blade adjustment shaft 97 to thereby form the"V configuration. Also, plow point 105 has been attached thereto as described previously in connection with FIG. 12. Thus, upon pulling the attachment forward, the soil is moved to the left and the right along the

blade sections

96 and 95, respectively.

The above described positions of the cross bar 32 and the

blade sections

95 and 96, as illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the drawings are merely exemplary of the numerous possible positions. It is understood that a wide variety of other positions are possible and therefore the attachment of the present invention is very versatile. Thus, the present invention. provides for the first time an entirely satsifactory attachment for a draft vehicle which is useful for numerous purposes in the construction field, including back filling, landscaping and contouring soil.

I claim:

1. A back fill attachment for a tractor having a threepoint hitch comprising an elongated tongue member having first and second end portions, means for attaching the first end portion of the tongue to the three-point hitch of the tractor, the said means for attaching the tongue including a hitching member carryingspaced first, second and third hitching means, the first and second hitching means being carried by the hitching member below the third hitching means, the first, second and third hitching means being adapted to be attached to the three-point hitch of the tractor, an elongated cross bar having first and second end portions, means for movably mounting the cross bar on the second end portion of the tongue, the cross bar being mounted between its first and second end portions and the said mounting means therefor allowing movement of the cross bar about a generally upright axis and in a generally horizontal plane, first adjustment means for adjusting the angular relationship of the cross bar and the tongue, means for retaining the cross bar and the tongue in said adjusted angular relationship, a sectional back fill blade including independent elongated first and second blade sections, means for movably mounting the first blade section on the first end portion of the cross bar, the said mounting means for the first blade section allowing movement of the first blade section about a generally upright axis and in a generally horizontal plane, means for movably mounting the second blade section on the second end portion of the cross bar, the said mounting means for the second blade section allowing movement of the second blade section about a generally upright axis and in a generally horizontal plane, the said mounting means for the cross bar and the said mounting means for the first and second blade sections allowing each of the cross bar, the first blade section and the second blade section to be rotated through a 360 arc, second adjustment means for adjusting the angular relationship of the cross bar and the first blade section and for securely retaining the same in said adjusted position, and third adjustment means for adjusting the angular relationship of the cross bar and the second blade section and for securely retaining the same in said adjusted position, each of said cross bar, first blade section and second blade section being independently movably mounted by their respective mounting means and each of said first, second and third adjustment means being independently adjustable whereby each of said cross bar, first blade section and second blade section may be moved in a generally horizontal plane, adjusted in a desired angular relationship with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tongue and then securely retained in said desired angular relationship, the first and second blade sections being mounted on their respective mounting'means so as to provide inner and outer end portions of unequal length, the outer end portion of each of the first and second blade portions being longer than the inner end portions thereof whereby the first and second blade sections may be adjusted in a desired angular relationship, first, second and third elongated support means having first and second end portions, the first, second and third support means extending between the said hitching member and the second end portion of the tongue and being angularly disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tongue, the first end portions of each of the first, second and third support means being joined to the said hitching member, and the second end portions of each of the first, second and third support means being joined to the second end portion of the tongue.

2. The back fill attachment of claim 1 wherein the first end portions of the first, second and third support means are joined to the hitching member in the general vicinity of the said first, second and third hitching means respectively.

3. The back fill attachment of claim 1 wherein the first and second hitching means are located in a generally horizontal plane and the third hitching means is located in a plane which passes through each of the first and second hitching means and extends upward therefrom. 4. The back fill attachment of claim 1 wherein the first and second hitching means are located in a generally horizontal plane, the third hitching means is located in a plane which passes through each of the first and second hitching means and extends upward therefrom, and the first end portions of the first, second and third support means are joined to the hitching member in the general vicinity of the said first, second and third hitching means respectively.

5. The back fill attachment of claim 4 wherein the said third support means includes a flexible support means which is adjustable in effective length and a rigid support means, and the said flexible support means and the said rigid support means are detachably joined on at least one end to the said hitching member and the second end of the tongue whereby at least one end of one of said flexible and rigid support means may be detached and the remaining one of said flexible and rigid support means may be used alone.

6. The back fill attachment of claim 4 wherein the said hitching member includes upper and lower portions, the first and second hitching means are carried by the said lower portion and the third hitching means is carried by the said upper portion, and means for movably mounting the said upper portion above the said lower portion whereby the said upper and lower portions are in spaced relationship, the means for mounting the said upper portion allowing movement thereof about an axis which extends generally transversely with respect to the tongue whereby the third hitching means carried thereby may be moved back and forth in the general direction of the longitudinal axis of the tongue to provide flexibility.

7. A back fill attachment for a tractor having a threepoint hitch comprising an elongated tongue member having first and second end portions, means for attaching the first end portion of the tongue to the three-point hitch of the tractor, the said means for attaching the tongue including a hitching member carrying spaced first, second and third hitching means, the first and second hitching means being carried by the hitching member below the third hitching means, the first, second and third hitching means being adaptedto be attached to the three-point hitch of the tractor, the first and second hitching means being located in a generally horizontal plane, the third hitching means being located in a plane which passes through each of the first and second hitching means and extends upward therefrom, the said hitching member also including upper and lower portions, the first and second hitching means being carried by the said lower portion and the third hitching means being carried by the said upper portion, means for movably mounting the said upper portion above the said lower portion whereby the said upper and lower portions are in spaced relationship, the means for mounting the said upper portion allowing movement thereof about an axis which extends generally trans-- versely with respect to the tongue whereby the third hitching means carried thereby may be moved back and forth in the general direction of the longitudinal axis of the tongue to provide flexibility, an elongated cross bar having first and second end portions, means for movably mounting the cross bar on the second end portion of the tongue, the cross bar being mounted between its first and second end portions and the said mounting means therefor allowing movement of the .cross bar about a generally upright axis and in a generally horizontal plane, adjustment means for adjusting the angular relationship of the cross bar and the tongue, means for retaining the cross bar and the tongue in said adjusted angular relationship, a back fill blade, means for mounting the back fill blade on the cross bar, first, second and third elongated support means having first and second end portions, the first, second and third support means extending between the said hitching member and the second end portion of the tongue and being angularly disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tongue, the first end portions of each of the first, second and third support means being joined to the said hitching member in the general vicinity of the said first, second and third hitching means respectively, the second end portions of each of the first, second and third support means being joined to the second end portion of the tongue, the said third support means including a flexible support means whichis adjustable in effective length and a rigid support means, and the said flexible support means and the said rigid support means being detachably joined on at least one end to the said hitching member and the second end of the tongue whereby at least one end of one of said flexible and rigid support means may be detached'and the remaining one of said flexible and rigid support means may be used alone.

8. The back fill attachment of claim 7 wherein the said lower portion of the hitching member is elongated and has first and second end portions, the said lower portion is joined between its first and second end portions to the first end portion of the tongue, the longitudinal axis of the said lower portion extends generally transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tongue, the said first and second hitching means are carried by the said first and second end portions respectively of the lower portion of the hitching member, the said upper portion of the hitching member includes first and second spaced legs which extend upward and are joined together to form a common portion, the said third hitching means is carried by the said common portion, the means for movably mounting the I said upper portion includes first-and second mounting elements carried by the first and second end portions of the said lower portion and the first and second legs of the said upper portion respectively, the first end portions of the first and second support means are joined to the first and second end portions of the said lower portion respectively, and the first end portions-of the said flexible'and rigid third support meansare detachably joined to the said common portion of the upper portion of the hitching member.

9. A back fill attachment for a draft vehicle comprising an elongated tongue member having first and second end portions, means for attaching the first end portion of the tongue to the draft vehicle, an elongated cross bar having first and second end portions, means for movably mounting the cross bar on the second end portion of the tongue, the cross bar being mounted between its first and second end portions and the said mounting means therefor allowing movement of the cross bar about a generally upright axis and in a generally horizontal plane, first adjustment means for adjusting the angular relationship of the cross bar and the tongue, means for retaining the cross bar and the tongue in said adjusted angular relationship, a sectional back fill blade including independent elongated first and second blade sections, means for movably mounting the first blade section on the first end portion of the cross bar, the said mounting means for the first blade section allowing movement of the first blade section about a generally upright axis and in a generally horiblade section on the second end portion of the cross 7 bar, the said mounting means for the second blade section allowing movement of the second blade section about a generally upright axis and in a generally horizontal plane, second adjustment means for adjusting the angular relationship of the cross bar and the first blade section and for securely retaining the same in said adjusted position, and third adjustment means for adjusting the angular relationship of the cross bar and the second blade section and for securely retaining the same in said adjusted position, each of said cross bar, first blade section and second blade section being independently movably mounted by their respective mounting means and each of said first, second and third adjustment means being independently adjustable whereby each of said cross bar, first blade section and second blade section may be moved in a generally horizontal plane, adjusted in a desired angular relationship with respct to the longitudinal axis of the tongue, and then securely retained in said desired angular relationship.

10. The back fill attachment of claim 9 wherein the said mounting means for the cross bar allows the cross bar to be rotated through a 360 arc.

11. The back fill attachment of claim 9 wherein the said mounting means for the first and second blade sections allows the first and second blade sections to be rotated terough a 360 arc.

12. The back fill attachment of claim 9 wherein the said mounting means for the cross bar and the said mounting means for thefirst and second blade sections allow each of the cross bar, the first blade section and the second blade section to be rotated through a 360 arc.

13. The back fill attachment ofclaim 9 wherein the first and second blade sections are mounted on their respective mounting means so as to provide inner and outer end portions of unequal length, the outer end portion of each of the first and second blade portions being longer than the inner end portions thereof whereby the first and second blade sections may be adjusted in a desired angular relationship.

14. The back fill attachment of claim 13 wherein the first and second blade sections are provided withreplaceable cutting edges which extend along the lower edge portions thereof, and the cutting edges extend outward past the ends of the said outer end portions a substantial distance.

15. The back fill blade of claim 13 wherein the said mounting means for the cross bar and the said mounting means for the first and second blade sections allow each of the cross bar, the first blade section and the second blade section to be rotated through a 360 arc, the outer end portions of the first and second blade sections are moved together to form the general configuration of a V," a plow point is at the base of the V, and the said outer end portions of the first and second blade sections carry means for attaching the plow point thereto.

16. The back fill attachment of claim 9 wherein the draft vehicle is a tractor having a three-point hitch, the said means for attaching the first end portion of the tongue including means for attaching the first end portion of the tongue to the three-point hitch of the tractor, the said means for attaching the first end portion of the tongue also including a hitching member carrying spaced first, second and third hitching means, the first and second hitching means being carried by the hitching member below the third hitching means, the first, second and third hitching means being adapted to be attached to the three-point hitch of the tractor, first, second and third elongated support means having first and second end portions, the first, second and third support means extending between the said hitching member and the second end portion of the tongue and being angularly disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tongue, the first end portions of each of the first, second and third support means being joined to the said hitching member, and the second end portions of each of the first, second and third support means being joined to the second end portion of the tongue.

17. The back fill attachment of claim 16 wherein the first end portions of the first, second and third support means are joined to the hitching member in the general vicinity of the said first, second and third hitching means respectively.

18. The back fill attachment of claim 16 wherein the first and second hitching means are located in a generally hoirozontal plane and the third hitching means is located in a plane which passes through each of the first and second hitching means and extends upward therefrom.

19. The back fill attachment of claim 16 wherein the first and second hitching means are located in a generally horizontal plane, the third hitching means is located in a plane which passes through each of the first and second hitching means and extends upward therefrom, and the first end portions of the first, second and third support means are joined to the hitching member in the general vicinity of the said first, second and third hitching means respectively.

20. The back fill attachment of claim l9-wherein the said third support means includes a flexible support means which is adjustable in effective length and a rigid support means, and the said flexible support means and the said rigid support means are detachably joined on at least one end to the said-hitching member and the second end of the tongue whereby at least one end of one of said flexible and rigid support means may be detached and the remaining one of said flexible and rigid support means may be used alone.

21. The back fill attachment of claim 19 wherein the said hitching member includes upper and lower portions, the first and second hitching means are carried by the said lower portion and the third hitching means is carried by the said upper portion, and means is provided for movably mounting the said upper portion above the said lower portion whereby the said upper and lower portions are in spaced relationship, the means for mounting the said upper portion allowing movement thereof about an axis which extends generally transversely with respect to the tongue whereby the .third hitching means carried thereby may be moved of said flexible and rigid support means may be detached and the remaining one of said flexible and rigid support means may be used alone, the said hitching member includes upper and lower portions, the first and second hitching means are carried by the said lower portion and the third hitching means is carried by the said upper portion, and means for movably mounting the said upper portion above the said lower portion whereby the said upper and lower portions are in spaced relationship, the means for mounting the said upper portion allowing movement thereof about an axis which extends generally transversely with respect to the tongue whereby the third hitching means carried thereby may be moved back and forth in the general direction of the longitudinal axis of the tongue to provide flexibility. I

23. The back fill attachment of claim 22 wherein the said lower portion of the hitching member is elongated and has first and second end portions, the said lower portion is joined between its first and second end portions to the first end portion of the tongue, the longitudinal axis of the said lower portion extends generally transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tongue, the said first and second hitching means are carried by the said first and second end portions respectively of the lower portion of the hitching member, the said upper portion of the hitching member includes first and second spaced legs which extend upward and are joined together to form a common portion, the said third hitching means is carried by the said common portion, the means for movably mounting the said upper portion includes first and second mounting elements carried by the first and second end portions of the said lower portion and the first and second legs of the said upper portion respectively, the first end portions of the first and second support means are joined to the first and second end portions of the said lower portion respectively, and the first end portions of the said flexible and rigid third support means are detachably joined to the said common portion of the upper portion of the hitching member.

Claims

1. A back fill attachment for a tractor having a three-point hitch comprising an elongated tongue member having first and second end portions, means for attaching the first end portion of the tongue to the three-point hitch of the tractor, the said means for attaching the tongue including a hitching member carrying spaced first, second and third hitching means, the first and second hitching means being carried by the hitching member below the third hitching means, the first, second and third hitching means being adapted to be attached to the three-point hitch of the tractor, an elongated cross bar having first and second end portions, means for movably mounting the cross bar on the second end portion of the tongue, the cross bar being mounted between its first and second end portions and the said mounting means therefor allowing movement of the cross bar about a generally upright axis and in a generally horizontal plane, first adjustment means for adjusting the angular relationship of the cross bar and the tongue, means for retaining the cross bar and the tongue in said adjusted angular relationship, a sectional back fill blade including independent elongated first and second blade sections, means for movably mounting the first blade section on the first end portion of the cross bar, the said mounting means for the first blade section allowing movement of the first blade section about a generally upright axis and in a generally horizontal plane, means for movably mounting the second blade section on the second end portion of the cross bar, the said mounting means for the second blade section allowing movement of the second blade section about a generally upright axis and in a generally horizontal plane, the said mounting means for the cross bar and the said mounting means for the first and second blade sections allowing each of the cross bar, the first blade section and the second blade section to be rotated through a 360* arc, second adjustment means for adjusting the angular relationship of the cross bar and the first blade section and for securely retaining the same in said adjusted position, and third adjustment means for adjusting the angular relationship of the cross bar and the second blade section and for securely retaining the same in said adjusted position, each of said cross bar, first blade section and second blade section being independently movably mounted by their respective mounting means and each of said first, second and third adjustment means being independently adjustable whereby each of said cross bar, first blade section and second blade section may be moved in a generally horizontal plane, adjusted in a desired angular relationship with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tongue and then securely retained in said desired angular relationship, the first and second blade sections being mounted on their respective mounting means so as to provide inner and outer end portions of unequal length, the outer end portion of each of the first and second blade portions being longer than the inner end portions thereof whereby the first and second blade sections may be adjusted in a desired angular relationship, first, second and third elongated support means having first and second end portions, the first, second and third support means extending between the said hitching member and the second end portion of the tongue and being angularly disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tongue, the first end portions of each of the first, second and third support means being joined to the said hitching member, and the second end portions of each of the first, second and third support means being joined to the second end portion of the tongue.

3. The back fill attachment of claim 1 wherein the first and second hitching means are located in a generally horizontal plane and the third hitching means is located in a plane which passes through each of the first and second hitching means and extends upward therefrom.

4. The back fill attachment of claim 1 wherein the first and second hitching means are located in a generally horizontal plane, the third hitching means is located in a plane which passes through each of the first and second hitching means and extends upward therefrom, and the first end portions of the first, second and third support means are joined to the hitching member in the general vicinity of the said first, second and third hitching means respectively.

7. A back fill attachment for a tractor having a three-point hitch comprising an elongated tongue member having first and second end portions, means for attaching the first end portion of the tongue to the three-point hitch of the tractor, the said means for attaching the tongue including a hitching member carrying spaced first, second and third hitching means, the first and second hitching means being carried by the hitching member below the third hitching means, the first, second and third hitching means being adapted to be attached to the three-point hitch of the tractor, the first and second hitching means being located in a generally horizontal plane, the third hitching means being located in a plane which passes through each of the first and second hitching means and extends upward therefrom, the said hitching member also including upper and lower portions, the first and second hitching means being carried by the said lower portion and the third hitching means being carried by the said upper portion, means for movably mounting the said upper portion above the said lower portion whereby the said upper and lower portions are in spaced relationship, the means for mounting the said upper portion allowing movement thereof about an axis which extends generally transversely with respect to the tongue whereby the third hitching means carried thereby may be moved back and forth in the general direction of the longitudinal axis of the tongue to provide flexibility, an elongated cross bar having first and second end portions, means for movably mounting the cross bar on the second end portion of the tongue, the cross bar being mounted between its first and second end portions and the said mounting means therefor allowing movement of the cross bar about a generally upright axis and in a Generally horizontal plane, adjustment means for adjusting the angular relationship of the cross bar and the tongue, means for retaining the cross bar and the tongue in said adjusted angular relationship, a back fill blade, means for mounting the back fill blade on the cross bar, first, second and third elongated support means having first and second end portions, the first, second and third support means extending between the said hitching member and the second end portion of the tongue and being angularly disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tongue, the first end portions of each of the first, second and third support means being joined to the said hitching member in the general vicinity of the said first, second and third hitching means respectively, the second end portions of each of the first, second and third support means being joined to the second end portion of the tongue, the said third support means including a flexible support means which is adjustable in effective length and a rigid support means, and the said flexible support means and the said rigid support means being detachably joined on at least one end to the said hitching member and the second end of the tongue whereby at least one end of one of said flexible and rigid support means may be detached and the remaining one of said flexible and rigid support means may be used alone.

8. The back fill attachment of claim 7 wherein the said lower portion of the hitching member is elongated and has first and second end portions, the said lower portion is joined between its first and second end portions to the first end portion of the tongue, the longitudinal axis of the said lower portion extends generally transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tongue, the said first and second hitching means are carried by the said first and second end portions respectively of the lower portion of the hitching member, the said upper portion of the hitching member includes first and second spaced legs which extend upward and are joined together to form a common portion, the said third hitching means is carried by the said common portion, the means for movably mounting the said upper portion includes first and second mounting elements carried by the first and second end portions of the said lower portion and the first and second legs of the said upper portion respectively, the first end portions of the first and second support means are joined to the first and second end portions of the said lower portion respectively, and the first end portions of the said flexible and rigid third support means are detachably joined to the said common portion of the upper portion of the hitching member.

9. A back fill attachment for a draft vehicle comprising an elongated tongue member having first and second end portions, means for attaching the first end portion of the tongue to the draft vehicle, an elongated cross bar having first and second end portions, means for movably mounting the cross bar on the second end portion of the tongue, the cross bar being mounted between its first and second end portions and the said mounting means therefor allowing movement of the cross bar about a generally upright axis and in a generally horizontal plane, first adjustment means for adjusting the angular relationship of the cross bar and the tongue, means for retaining the cross bar and the tongue in said adjusted angular relationship, a sectional back fill blade including independent elongated first and second blade sections, means for movably mounting the first blade section on the first end portion of the cross bar, the said mounting means for the first blade section allowing movement of the first blade section about a generally upright axis and in a generally horizontal plane, means for movably mounting the second blade section on the second end portion of the cross bar, the said mounting means for the second blade section allowing movement of the second blade section about a generally upright axis and in a generally hOrizontal plane, second adjustment means for adjusting the angular relationship of the cross bar and the first blade section and for securely retaining the same in said adjusted position, and third adjustment means for adjusting the angular relationship of the cross bar and the second blade section and for securely retaining the same in said adjusted position, each of said cross bar, first blade section and second blade section being independently movably mounted by their respective mounting means and each of said first, second and third adjustment means being independently adjustable whereby each of said cross bar, first blade section and second blade section may be moved in a generally horizontal plane, adjusted in a desired angular relationship with respct to the longitudinal axis of the tongue, and then securely retained in said desired angular relationship.

10. The back fill attachment of claim 9 wherein the said mounting means for the cross bar allows the cross bar to be rotated through a 360* arc.

11. The back fill attachment of claim 9 wherein the said mounting means for the first and second blade sections allows the first and second blade sections to be rotated terough a 360* arc.

12. The back fill attachment of claim 9 wherein the said mounting means for the cross bar and the said mounting means for the first and second blade sections allow each of the cross bar, the first blade section and the second blade section to be rotated through a 360* arc.

13. The back fill attachment of claim 9 wherein the first and second blade sections are mounted on their respective mounting means so as to provide inner and outer end portions of unequal length, the outer end portion of each of the first and second blade portions being longer than the inner end portions thereof whereby the first and second blade sections may be adjusted in a desired angular relationship.

14. The back fill attachment of claim 13 wherein the first and second blade sections are provided with replaceable cutting edges which extend along the lower edge portions thereof, and the cutting edges extend outward past the ends of the said outer end portions a substantial distance.

15. The back fill blade of claim 13 wherein the said mounting means for the cross bar and the said mounting means for the first and second blade sections allow each of the cross bar, the first blade section and the second blade section to be rotated through a 360* arc, the outer end portions of the first and second blade sections are moved together to form the general configuration of a ''''V,'''' a plow point is at the base of the ''''V,'''' and the said outer end portions of the first and second blade sections carry means for attaching the plow point thereto.

20. The back fill attachment of claim 19 wherein the said third support means includes a flexible support means which is adjustable in effective length and a rigid support means, and the said flexible support means and the said rigid support means are detachably joined on at least one end to the said hitching member and the second end of the tongue whereby at least one end of one of said flexible and rigid support means may be detached and the remaining one of said flexible and rigid support means may be used alone.

21. The back fill attachment of claim 19 wherein the said hitching member includes upper and lower portions, the first and second hitching means are carried by the said lower portion and the third hitching means is carried by the said upper portion, and means is provided for movably mounting the said upper portion above the said lower portion whereby the said upper and lower portions are in spaced relationship, the means for mounting the said upper portion allowing movement thereof about an axis which extends generally transversely with respect to the tongue whereby the third hitching means carried thereby may be moved back and forth in the general direction of the longitudinal axis of the tongue to provide flexibility.

22. The back fill attachment of claim 19 wherein the said third support means includes a flexible support means which is adjustable in effective length and a rigid support means, the said flexible support means and the said rigid support means are detachably joined on at least one end to the said hitching member and the second end of the tongue whereby at least one end of one of said flexible and rigid support means may be detached and the remaining one of said flexible and rigid support means may be used alone, the said hitching member includes upper and lower portions, the first and second hitching means are carried by the said lower portion and the third hitching means is carried by the said upper portion, and means for movably mounting the said upper portion above the said lower portion whereby the said upper and lower portions are in spaced relationship, the means for mounting the said upper portion allowing movement thereof about an axis which extends generally transversely with respect to the tongue whereby the third hitching means carried thereby may be moved back and forth in the general direction of the longitudinal axis of the tongue to provide flexibility.