Patent ID: 7891693

Claim:
A hitch apparatus comprising: a hitch member defining a drawpin hole extending substantially vertically therethrough; a spacer member movably mounted to the hitch member such that the spacer member is movable laterally from a working position, where the spacer member extends forward to block a rear portion of the drawpin hole, to an idle position where the spacer member is removed from the drawpin hole and a front end of the spacer is located lateral to the drawpin hole; and a lock mechanism operative to selectively maintain the spacer member in the working position and the idle position, the lock mechanism provided by a lug extending from the spacer member into the drawpin hole between front and rear edges of the drawpin hole, and a bias element exerting a bias force that urges the lug into the drawpin hole; wherein the spacer member is pivotally mounted to the hitch member by a bolt located rearward of the drawpin hole, and wherein the lug is movable substantially vertically with respect to the spacer member, and wherein the bias element comprises a spring urging the lug into the drawpin hole.