Bought the Harbor Freight Cat II quick hitch (#97214) for about $90 with my coupon. Pleased with this as it works easily on the chipper, and as advertised.

Our problem is that the JD ballast box is not wide enough.
What are some ideas to add Cat II bushings over the lower Cat I pins on the ballast box (permanent and STRONG) so that we can pick it up with the HF Quick Hitch? It needs to be strong because the ballast box has all the improvements listed in other threads: concrete-filled, tool tubes, HEAVY railroad track as skids welded to the bottom, receiver hitch mounted for trailer towing, etc, and we want to be able to pick up and tow a trailer with it. Is there a source for Cat 1 to Cat 2 bushings that are about 4" or longer? We could weld these over the Cat 1 pins on the box to extend them and then weld up some kind of cap, strap, or bracket over the end. This piece would probably lead down to the box bottom and be welded there, too. Anybody have this same problem and pictures of your fix?

Thanks in advance,

Kodthree