HITCH INITIALIZATION CONTROL SYSTEM

A system for physically positioning a hitch assembly at an initialized position prior to subsequent automatic control of the hitch position. The system includes an actuator for positioning an implement coupled to a work vehicle in response to control signals generated by a control circuit. The control circuit compares the sensed implement position to a predetermined position and, based upon the comparison, commands movement of the implement to an initialized position upon receipt of an input signal generated by an input device. The system may include an upper limit device or position command device used to set the predetermined position, and may include a display which indicates when the implement position is above the upper limit position or not equal to the commanded position. The input signal may be processed in another manner when the implement position is not above the limit position and is equal to the commanded position upon start-up. A method includes the steps of detecting the actual position of a structure which supports the implement, comparing the actual position to a predetermined position, awaiting an operator-induced initialization signal based upon the comparison, and moving the support structure to an initialized position following receipt of the initialization signal.