5th wheel hitch for 3 point.

[ranger danger]

I have a 25' 5th wheel flatbed trailer I want to be able to pull with my Kubota M6060. I use it on my property to move stuff. I also intend to use it in some of the local parades. It has a 5th wheel hitch, not a gooseneck. I haven't been able to find anything pre-built. Anyone done anything like this?

 

[4570Man]

I’d buy the cheapest 5th wheel hitch you can buy and then weld the head on a 3 point mount.

 

[ranger danger]

I found a used one on C/L for $75. I think I could weld it on the top of a 3 point something.

 

[Tomtint]

Whats the hitch weight of your 5th wheel ? can the 3ph handle it ?

 

[Rustyiron]

I think that you'll need to involve a dolly of some sort. The pin on even the shortest trailers is about 3' back from the nose. Then visualize how much you'll need to turn to 45*.
That's getting the load (pin) back pretty far from the lifting point of your 3pt hitch not to mention the axle.
Then there's the height of the pin, easily 40"+ off the ground and sufficient clearance under the landing gear not to mention the trailer's axle location that generally is very close to the rear of the trailer meaning the you tractor will be supporting at least 60-75% off the weight.
I like your idea, but think that you need a much larger and heavier tractor to be reasonably safe.

 

[LouNY]

And possibly a method to apply some brakes.

 

[ranger danger]

Hitch weight empty is about 650lbs. Tractor lift capacity is 3300lbs. The trailer is rated for 25k but I would never try to move it with the tractor anywhere near that heavy.

This is a flatbed. The hitch is 7' in front of the deck. The tractor weights 9k+. I tow the trailer with a truck that weights 7k. I appreciate mentioning the pivot point and leverage. Thats more to consider!

The tractor has a 7 way light plug on it. Brakes is another good point.

 

[Gee Ray]

I had 27 foot goose neck with a 2 5/16 ball. I had a ball welded to the top of the post of a 3 point hay bale spike. I was able to pull the trailer with my cab TL80A. The only problem was the trailer had a deck over the neck so it limited how sharp I could turn. Used it in parades and as a hay ride for several occasions. 40-50 people with no problems. I would wrap x-mas lights around the trailer on the railings and with no brakes. I covered the spike with a piece of PVC to keep from stabbing someone, it also keep people from walking between the tractor and the trailer.

I see no reason the 5th wheel hitch would not work as well.

 

[Xfaxman]

It has a 5th wheel hitch, not a gooseneck.

Since it looks like a gooseneck in your picture, can you post a picture of the hitch that is on the trailer?

 

[Rustyiron]

I had a short "pup" conventional tractor/trailer flat bed in mind.
You threw me off saying it wasn't a gooseneck. It's a 5th wheel g/n. "Gooseneck" pretty much describes the hitch configuration, ball or 5th wheel is basically incidental to the conversation.
I occasionally move my excavator around the property with my g/n. The only caution is (obviously) braking, but a short chain securing whatever hitch you come up with to the tractors drawbar to prevent uplift is a good idea especially while loading.

 

[ranger danger]

Since it looks like a gooseneck in your picture, can you post a picture of the hitch that is on the trailer?

It has a 5th wheel adaptor in it. Its not gooseneck ball.

 

[Xfaxman]

OK, thanks.

 

[tfuller]

You can get a hitch for you 3pt that will carry a gooseneck. If you don't need to swap back and forth from truck and tractor usage regularly you could purchase the adapter as you pictured except for gooseneck that you could swap out as needed. OR you can purchase a 5th wheel to gooseneck adapter which would still take some time to swap when needed.

https://andersenhitches.com/collections/ultimate-5th-wheel-connection-parts-accessories/products/ultimate-connection-king-pin-coupler-rectangle-complete-assembly-with-funnel

 

[ranger danger]

Interesting idea!!

 

[hosspuller]

Something not mentioned is your safety. The hitch will be significantly above the tractor axle. This can make the tractor rear up, rotating around the rear wheels. Front weights /FEL will help but rearing is still a potential. The trailer hitting a hole or curb can suddenly cause the tractor rearing.

I use the 3 point to move a GN trailer, but rearing is always in my mind to avoid and be ready to counter.

 

[Vigo327]

I dont know anything about fifth wheel, but my brief google searches on this topic make me think you should really try and go get that $75 piece and make something out of it. I don't see a turn key solution to this (an adapter) that doesn't cost at least $500.

 

[5030]

I had 27 foot goose neck with a 2 5/16 ball. I had a ball welded to the top of the post of a 3 point hay bale spike. I was able to pull the trailer with my cab TL80A. The only problem was the trailer had a deck over the neck so it limited how sharp I could turn. Used it in parades and as a hay ride for several occasions. 40-50 people with no problems. I would wrap x-mas lights around the trailer on the railings and with no brakes. I covered the spike with a piece of PVC to keep from stabbing someone, it also keep people from walking between the tractor and the trailer.

I see no reason the 5th wheel hitch would not work as well.

Exactly the same deal with me and I've pulled my tandem axle Kauffman well overloaded with round bales, from the field to the barn via dirt roads. Welded the ball on the top post of my 3 point hay spear.

N0 brakes needed, not going that fast to need brakes and I do have to be careful about turns too as mine is also a deck over and will do bad things to the back of the tractor cab if I'm not watching.

I like doing that because I don't have to wind up the landing gear. Just leave it extended and lift the trailer a bit. Hauled enough rounds to make the trailer 'smile' a bit. I do stick my magnetic LED flashers on the back end of the trailer anyway. Been doing that for years now.

 

[5030]

I've stacked over 30K in rounds on the trailer in the past and the tractor has never felt front end light at all. Don't put any on the deck over, just in the well. The trailer will smile a bit however.

 

[JohnDeereJoey]

Whether a gooseneck or a 5th wheel hitch setup, the pin weight needs to be kept in mind. Try to apply the weight as close to the tractor as other considerations will allow. Be really mindful of how the trailer is loaded. (Clearly the pin weight on the trailer in the photo of the truck/trailer/tractor is too high.) Pin wieghts in the 20-25% of the trailer gross for highway use is not uncommon. However, with the low speed of a tractor, you could reduce that percentage significantly.

Go easy on the 3ph...they can get pricey to repair if it slams up and down.

Weigh-Safe has recently come out with some hitch/scale combinations that may help. Other manufactures also have similar products.

 

[SuperChief]

Amazon.com

Not to buy but round pipe with bolts around it and a v shape plate to regular hitch with large ball