Patent ID: 7686097

Claim:
A three point hitch for a work machine, comprising: an elongate substantially straight first draft link having a mounting end portion and a free end portion opposite the mounting end portion, the mounting end portion being mounted to a first side of a work machine to allow upward and downward pivotal movement of the free end portion beside an upwardly and downwardly extending fixed structural element of the work machine; an elongate substantially straight second draft link having a mounting end portion and a free end portion opposite the mounting end portion thereof, the mounting end portion of the second draft link being mounted to a second side of the work machine opposite the first side to allow upward arid downward pivotal movement of the free end portion of the second draft link, and a sway restrictor mounted on the free end portion of the first draft link and engaged with the upwardly and downwardly extending structural element so as to be movable upwardly and downwardly therealong during the upward arid downward pivotal movement of the free end portion of the first draft link while restricting sideward swaying thereof toward and away from the structural element; and a structural body disposed between the upwardly and downwardly extending fixed structural elements and the second draft link, the structural body includes a recess formed therein including inner surfaces defining an opening, the inner surfaces extending from a rear face of the structural body along a generally horizontal axis to an array of tabs spaced apart from each other; the recess configured to receive a counterweight therein, a first portion of the counterweight having flanges for sliding horizontal engagement within the spaces between the tabs of the structural body and a second portion of the counterweight having a profile located within a generally vertical plane, the profile of the counterweight corresponding to a vertical profile of the recess; wherein in a mounted position the second portion of the counter weight is in contact with the tabs and the flange is engaged between the tabs preventing further movement of the counterweight in a first horizontal direction, and the perimeter of the profile of the counterweight is encircled by the recess such that an outer surface around the profile of the counterweight is in close proximity to the perimeter of the interior surface of the structural body thereby providing structural support to the structural body.