Trailer tongue too short for tractor

[SailorBob]

I use the trailer to haul off trash, limbs, storm debris and occasionally some firewood. Nothing too heavy. It only has a 900 lb capacity. Since I don't have a welder I think the easiest and cheapest thing to do would be to put a tongue extension on the trailer. I do have a draw bar and tried using it with a ball on it one time but I discovered that the link arm drawbar would turn down and the trailer would disconnect itself. If i could figure out a way to keep it from turning over it would work fine as well.

 

[Diamondpilot]

You need one of these. Keeps the draw bar upright. They sell them at TSC or other farm stores for about $15.

Chris

 

[aczlan]

I use the trailer to haul off trash, limbs, storm debris and occasionally some firewood. Nothing too heavy. It only has a 900 lb capacity. Since I don't have a welder I think the easiest and cheapest thing to do would be to put a tongue extension on the trailer. I do have a draw bar and tried using it with a ball on it one time but I discovered that the link arm drawbar would turn down and the trailer would disconnect itself. If i could figure out a way to keep it from turning over it would work fine as well.

some have suggested a clevis on one/both ends that hooks over the 3 point arms to those who have asked similar questions before, Tractor Supply sells this which should work. Near me Tractor Supply co sells a adapter that bolts onto your "link arm drawbar" that puts a 2" receiver on the top and adds a place to hook the toplink onto it (it ends up looking something like this), to keeps it from rotating when you pull on it.

HTH

Aaron Z

 

[SailorBob]

You need one of these. Keeps the draw bar upright. They sell them at TSC or other farm stores for about $15.

Chris

That is it. That is exactly what I need. That is definitely the path of least resistance to my problem. There is not TSC near me but, I should be able to find one somewhere.

Thanks

 

[Diamondpilot]

Get one on the net. I see them on Ebay and other sites.

Chris

 

[kthompson]

Doubt you have a bumper on that tractor with a pin hole for a trailer do you? You see that a lot on older farm tractors. You would be surprised how handy it can be to have your small trailer where you can see it and you will also be surprise how easy it to to back a trailer that is in front of you rather than behind you. Not sure you would call it backing but the trailer is as you are going forward.

 

[jsborn]

You can order from Tractor Suppy on line if I am not mistaken they will ship it straight to your house.

 

[Eagleview]

You need one of these. Keeps the draw bar upright. They sell them at TSC or other farm stores for about $15.

Chris

What a clever invention . I used to see those drawbars on Grey Fergies pulling trailers around dairies . I could never work out how it would not just turn over and twist the ball out of the coupling . I don't think a lot of thought went into them when they were designed . Or did they originaly have a seperate piece like in your photo that was lost over the years ?

 

[wkpoor]

What a clever invention . I used to see those drawbars on Grey Fergies pulling trailers around dairies . I could never work out how it would not just turn over and twist the ball out of the coupling . I don't think a lot of thought went into them when they were designed . Or did they originaly have a seperate piece like in your photo that was lost over the years ?

The flat drawbar used between the lift arm if for wagons with flat hitch you just pin. If that flat couldn't rotate it would bend the tongue on the wagon as you drove over uneven ground. Obviously with a ball it needs to be stationary thus that other part is an after thought for ball use. I personally don't like them as they can't take all the play out so your trailer is banging the tractor all the time. The A frame hitch is the best idea. Problem is all the ones I've seen for sale are real light duty made. I had a fab shop make mine (exact same design)and they beefed it up quite abit and made it for half what you can buy one for at TSC. Diamond man remember there is a difference between jocking a trailer around in your flat dry driveway and pulling over 20K out of the woods on hills in the mud up to the wheels on a "farm" tractor.

 

[J_J]

SailorBob,

If you have any welding skills, you can build something like this.