Broke Down and Got One of those Fake Drawbars :-(

[Diggin It]

^^ That's sort of what I did, for $30 or so:

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/406247-home-brew-trailer-mover.html

 

[RjCorazza]

How are those locks at the lift arms?
Are they strong enough to prevent twisting if you're using a ball hitch and a heavy trailer?

I've added the brackets that prevent rotation by connection to top link as it seems more 'solid', but it does limit how tight you can turn with some trailers, especially a camper we had that had a "triangle" instead of a "tongue". They also have one with a receiver that moves the ball back further.

View attachment 629733 View attachment 629734
$55 & $75 at Funkworkz

As long as there is no slop allowing the lift arm to slide on the drawbar pin, there is no way that bar is going to rotate.
You would have to look at one from a better view to believe that they work well.

 

[stuckmotor]

When a person wraps a chain around a flat 3pt hitch drawbar and attempts to tow another tractor, the drawbar needs to have something to stabilize it so the flat side faces the ground or that person's drawbar might get bent like mine. (

 

[bcp]

When a person wraps a chain around a flat 3pt hitch drawbar and attempts to tow another tractor, the drawbar needs to have something to stabilize it so the flat side faces the ground or that person's drawbar might get bent like mine. (

Use a shackle or a drawbar hook to attach the chain to the cross drawbar. No stabilizer needed.



Bruce

 

[CADplans]

When a person wraps a chain around a flat 3pt hitch drawbar and attempts to tow another tractor, the drawbar needs to have something to stabilize it so the flat side faces the ground or that person's drawbar might get bent like mine. (

Hmmmmm,, My 10,000 pound tractor was not able to bend my bar,, pulling a rock that was all the tractor would pull,,

I pulled that rock out of a hole, sliding up the steel square tubes,,,

Maybe my CAT II bar is thicker??

This is a BIG rock!!

 

[CobyRupert]

^ The flat side appears to be facing the ground so you’re using the thick side of the bar instead of the thin like Stuckmotor suggests.
In the picture taken from the tractor seat, the chain does appear to be wrapped around the bar?
Edit: It DOESN’T appear to be wrapped around bar

 

[stuckmotor]

Hmmmmm,, My 10,000 pound tractor was not able to bend my bar,, pulling a rock that was all the tractor would pull,,

I pulled that rock out of a hole, sliding up the steel square tubes,,,

Maybe my CAT II bar is thicker??

This is a BIG rock!!

That's what I thought would happen when I tried it. The bar turned sideways and soon it was smiling. ( I suspect your Cat 2 bar is thicker and maybe harder steel. I didn't intend to use mine much and bought the economy model.

 

[stuckmotor]

Use a shackle or a drawbar hook to attach the chain to the cross drawbar. No stabilizer needed.

View attachment 629772 View attachment 629773

Bruce

There were several clevises nearby when I bent the drawbar. I should have used one.

 

[stuckmotor]

^ The flat side appears to be facing the ground so you’re using the thick side of the bar instead of the thin like Stuckmotor suggests.
In the picture taken from the tractor seat, the chain does appear to be wrapped around the bar?

I wonder if wrapping kept the bar from turning???

 

[sixdogs]

I use a drawbar between the lower arms, and am also aware of the potential issues. I think most threads revolve around the 3 point raising, and actual terminology of what the thing is named!

Anyway, not necessary in the op's use, but I use a lock on the bar when using it to tow my landscape trailer. I prefer the no-tools type that is much harder to find. The only picture I could find of the type was actually made by "Zmansmac" (TBN poster)
View attachment 629725

These drawbar locks are a must. I've used this type of drawbar over they years and these little clamps solve lots of unsolvable problems before they occur, especially if working in the woods. Plus, there's a little fab time in making one. There's a store-bought one out there for maybe $20 but it doesn't work correctly and doesn't last very long. Make the one in the picture.