Trailer tongue too short for tractor

[SailorBob]

I have a small 4' X 8' utility trailer that I would like to use with my Yanmar tractor. I have a ball on the draw bar and can hook it up and use it sort of. The draw bar does not extend past the rear wheels and lower lift arms. This keeps me from turning the tractor very sharp at all without the trailer A frame part between the tongue and bed hitting the rear tires. Does anyone know of a work around for this? I have seen some 3 point attachments with a ball on them but, I don't think they are very safe to use. I feel it would be much safer to pull with the draw bar.

Thanks

 

[kenmac]

If you have the means . Just extend the tounge on the trailer to what you need. I have extended several for my use

 

[RollTideRam]

I pull my trailer with a hitch on the lift arms. No problems yet. What kind of weight are you going to hauling on your trailer? I guess you could weld a longer tongue on the trailer. JC

 

[Brian in Ohio]

A friend of mine said bought one of these, and it turned out to be really handy. I've borrowed it a few times, as it's rare that I'm moving my trailer with the tractor. It seems to be substantial enough to do what you want.

Tractor Hitch - Flexpoint 3 point hitch - Summit Fabrications, Inc.

 

[Bedlam]

Ive pulled some good size trailer on the lift arms way. I did however add a chain that would connect below on the draw bar, and then hooked to the frame that the lifts arms supported. This way it wouldn't be able to rise up if the load on the axle is on the real of the trailer more.
If its not allot of weight in comparison to the tractor id just use one of the draw bar things with a ball
like this
DRAW BAR CAT 1 26 - Agri Supply
And attack a chain from the middle down to a lower point to keep it from flipping upward. take up the tension wit the 3 point hitch handle CAREFULLY.
Just snug and it should be good to pull
I regularly pull a 8 x 16 dual axle wood trailer , loaded.
Only other way would be to extend the draw bar, and the further out you go the stronger material it would need to be.

Oh yea the above recommendation is also great too. I'm surprised thought that none of these offer or suggest the chain to keep the hitch from going upward.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I pull trailers upto 25,000# around my place with my 25 HP tractor from the 3 point hitch no problem. You are worrying too much. I use one of the Reese style 3 point hitches like was pictured before I made mine out of a hitch I took off a Ford Explorer.

Chris

 

[George2615]

You need to get the ball further back behind the wheels and lift bars. If you only have a small utility trailer you can easily tow it safely with a hitch mounted to the lift arms like Brian posted. They are also easy to build if your handy with a welder. Or you could mount a ball to a draw bar connected between your 3 pt. lift arms.

 

[Philscbx]

I always made my own 3 point tools for years.
The one shown in the link from Flex Point is similar.
They really don't need the struts going up at 45 degrees from the lift pins.
If the material is spec as a class 3 trailer hitch, your more than fine.

I make different types for different missions.
One favorite is the fork lift attachment made entirely from trailer tongue square tubing which is fairly light weight to carry to the tractor.

Standard Pallets modified with 2 opposing sides with other pallets vertical can be loaded with firewood, placed under cover, then when needed for campfire, back in, pick up dry wood, and drop pallet at fire pit with enough wood for the evening.

It would be common to have empty pallet on the forks at all times just doing chores and a spot to transport trees to flag stone.
Pallets keep stuff off the ground which is a big problem with anything.

I then use a stabilizer bar to keep 3 point from swaying.
That drove me nuts for years.

For trailer, just slid on the cross bar with ball on the forks and go to it.

The airlines have it made with baggage carts.
I always wanted to get a few of them.

 

[Runner]

For what it's worth, I also pull my boats around with a three-point hitch mounted drawbar and no problems.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Here is a boat I sold in 2004 and it was right at 10,000#. Its behind my 25 Hp Jinma. I also move my personal boat that weighs 15,600# all the time with it. This boat has about 1,800# of tongue weight.

Chris