Easiest way to change hitch ball sizes

[dgeesaman]

I have a TC45 w 2-5/16 hitch on my drawbar.

I want to also be able to pull my splitter which has a smaller ball. I need an inexpensive way to switch hitch balls back and forth that preferably does not involve busting the hitch ball nut with an impact every time.

Thanks,

David

 

[4get gto]

I have a TC45 w 2-5/16 hitch on my drawbar.

I want to also be able to pull my splitter which has a smaller ball. I need an inexpensive way to switch hitch balls back and forth that preferably does not involve busting the hitch ball nut with an impact every time.

Thanks,

David

I did something like this.



Only to to used around the woods or yard.. NOT HIGHWAY...
I'm going to get scolded how unsafe it is but works for me..

 

[Diggin It]

Three balls in one: Triple Ball Trailer Hitch

Three balls plus a hook: Triple Ball Trailer Hitch Mount with Hook

Doesn't look like you have a regular receiver hitch, but they have adapters to add one.

 

[ArlyA]

I switched everything, I mean all trailers to 2". Been glad I did ever since.

 

[MossRoad]

I'd figure out how to pin a triple ball hitch to your drawbar. Maybe get one of theses and add a hole on the two axis to match your drawbar holes.

 

[triptester]

I had a similar type of hitch I welded a short receiver tube to the bar stock to enable using different hitches.

 

[s219]

Get a hitch receiver frame for your 3-point hitch. It is loads easier to use than dealing with the fixed drawbar and has a standard receiver tube that you can use to swap out draw bars or rotate a 3-ball setup. Once you get used to hitching up this way (back up to trailer and lift the 3-pt from your seat) you’ll never go back to the old way.

 

[MossRoad]

Get a hitch receiver frame for your 3-point hitch. It is loads easier to use than dealing with the fixed drawbar and has a standard receiver tube that you can use to swap out draw bars or rotate a 3-ball setup. Once you get used to hitching up this way (back up to trailer and lift the 3-pt from your seat) you’ll never go back to the old way.

You're not supposed to pull trailers from the 3pt hitch. You're supposed to pull trailers from the drawbar. Yeah, I know most people don't and never have a problem. Just sayin.

 

[Diggin It]

^^ I had to go that route. The trailer ball mount was far too low and there was no way to raise it or add a receiver hitch without getting in the way of the PTO and other things. I tried several different ways and nothing worked.

I don't try to pull big trailers though, just the splitter and a small utility trailer.

 

[CADplans]

You're not supposed to pull trailers from the 3pt hitch.
You're supposed to pull trailers from the drawbar.
Yeah, I know most people don't and never have a problem. Just sayin.

The OP is interested in pulling a woodsplitter,, not a Fruehauf 53 foot reefer full of ribeyes ,,,

Heck, he could almost hold the hitch in his hands to move the splitter,, the 3 point should be fine,,,

 

[Diggin It]

I have a TC45 w 2-5/16 hitch on my drawbar.

I want to also be able to pull my splitter which has a smaller ball. I need an inexpensive way to switch hitch balls back and forth

If the splitter is the only thing with a different ball size, you might consider changing the coupler on the splitter tongue to take the larger ball.

 

[George2615]

Get one of these at HF store or most any hardware store and weld it to your draw bar. Then you can use a triple ball hitch. Total cost about $40. for receiver and tri ball.

 

[newbury]

Convert-a-ball is one solution
Convert-A-Ball Interchangeable Ball Set - 2" and 2-5/16" Balls - 1" Shank - Stainless Convert-A-Ball Hitch Ball 96B

 

[MossRoad]

Get one of these at HF store or most any hardware store and weld it to your draw bar. Then you can use a triple ball hitch. Total cost about $40. for receiver and tri ball.

I thought about that for the OP as well. However, if he welds that to the drawbar, he won't be able to pin things to the drawbar anymore. If he just matches one hole on the triple ball hitch on his existing drawbar, then drills a matching hole to the second hole on his existing drawbar, he can then just pin the triple ball hitch to the drawbar when needed, and remove it when not needed. No welding required and maintains the existing drawbar for other uses. He could also rotate the triple hitch 90 degrees and drill one hole through that axis, too, so he can use all three balls. Heck, he can get the triple hitch with a hook on it, too, like this.

I added some red circles as to the two holes I'm talking about. Just make sure they line up with the 2nd holes on the existing drawbar.

 

[aczlan]

Or, replace the coupler on the splitter with a 2 5/16" one such as: Demco Channel Tongue Trailer Coupler - Silver - 2-5/16" Ball - 3" Channel - Bolt On - 18K Demco Straight Tongue Trailer Coupler DM1323-52

Aaron Z

 

[dgeesaman]

The OP is interested in pulling a woodsplitter,, not a Fruehauf 53 foot reefer full of ribeyes ,,,

Heck, he could almost hold the hitch in his hands to move the splitter,, the 3 point should be fine,,,

You get my situation exactly. In fact I have moved my splitter several times by hand with the caster down. I am tired of that and I can’t get it where it needs to go this time out.

I will not buy a 3 point setup because that is expensive and heavy and ties up those attachments.

The receiver that adds to the drawbar is interesting. I have hitches for the truck and I can use those. If it’s added on top of the drawbar it will help level the trailer a bit more.

Thanks, David

 

[dgeesaman]

Convert-a-ball is one solution
Convert-A-Ball Interchangeable Ball Set - 2" and 2-5/16" Balls - 1" Shank - Stainless Convert-A-Ball Hitch Ball 96B

That’s great!!

David

 

[George2615]

I thought about that for the OP as well. However, if he welds that to the drawbar, he won't be able to pin things to the drawbar anymore. If he just matches one hole on the triple ball hitch on his existing drawbar, then drills a matching hole to the second hole on his existing drawbar, he can then just pin the triple ball hitch to the drawbar when needed, and remove it when not needed. No welding required and maintains the existing drawbar for other uses. He could also rotate the triple hitch 90 degrees and drill one hole through that axis, too, so he can use all three balls. Heck, he can get the triple hitch with a hook on it, too, like this.

I added some red circles as to the two holes I'm talking about. Just make sure they line up with the 2nd holes on the existing drawbar.

View attachment 584811

He could still use the receiver I mentioned and just insert a hitch without a ball and use the hole in it as a drawbar for other attachment equipment. There's many ways to skin a cat.

As CADplans mentioned he could mount a ball in this type of 3 pt. bar to tow his splitter. I'm sure the splitter has enough tongue weight to keep it from raising the 3 pt. arms.

 

[Diggin It]

I will not buy a 3 point setup because that is expensive and heavy and ties up those attachments.

That's why I made mine: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/406247-home-brew-trailer-mover.html

 

[MossRoad]

He could still use the receiver I mentioned and just insert a hitch without a ball and use the hole in it as a drawbar for other attachment equipment. There's many ways to skin a cat.

As CADplans mentioned he could mount a ball in this type of 3 pt. bar to tow his splitter. I'm sure the splitter has enough tongue weight to keep it from raising the 3 pt. arms.

If he mounts a ball on the center of that hitch, he'll have to either mount more balls offset from center (probably no big deal at low speeds), or remove the ball and install the other if he wants to maintain center (again, probably no big deal with a log splitter).