3PH GOOSENECK RIG

[dullpain]

See attached picture.This subject was discussed to some degree in the Drawbar Stabilizer thread and I decided to make a new post to keep em separate!?

Just finished this rig and it works well. My old blue 1900 just couldn't handle my 21' flatbed which has an 8' deck over the gooseneck as well. I built a 3PH similar to this one but gave to friend when I found out the 1900 wouldn't handle it. The Ford would pick it up and move it but the front end was so light I couldn't steer it so safety won out. Recently saw one of these rigs at a tractor dealership that was priced at $250. I almost fell out.
$20 bucks scrap steel, $15 ball, $8 pins, $3 welding rod, 4 hours of my labor @ $2.75 per hr. and VOILA!! Sorry about the rambling!!!

I did not take measurements but will be glad to provide all if any interest is shown. Just reply private to me and/or to this post. Some were talking of incorporating a receiver hitch to this as well. EASY to do. Cut a square hole in the bottom member and weld your female receiver part there and you are ready to put any male receiver accessory you wish to work.

By the way - my trailer weighs 5,200 pounds empty and the M5700 handles it well. Also handles a 20' cattle trailer. And none of my welds broke!!

Happy tractoring, acessorizing, attaching, etc.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

McCallum,
I'd like to send my private jet to pick you up and fly you 1st-class-PLUS ( your choice of "Playmate" stewardesses, libations, cuisine, etc ) and put you up in my Manor, so that you can weld a few things up for me (since I don't weld). And you play the viola at the same time?... heck, I'll pay you two-EIGHTY an hour just to see THAT!

Actually I hope you are kidding about working for $2.75/hr...., I'm sure kidding about everything else

Seriously though,...nice job!

Larry

 

[scruffy]

McCallum, nice job!! Now you have found a side line business, you can spend the winter making them and selling them to TractorByNet members! One suggestion though, add your draw bar connection to the bottom back side of the goose-neck draw bar and you'll have a two in one accessory!
Should be able to jack the price a little, patent it, and stay busy all winter!

 

[Harv]

McCallum -

As you well know, I'm getting the urge to try my hand at welding pretty soon, with projects just like yours in mind.

What are you using for the lift points? Plain old steel rod, or is this something special you can purchase and incorporate into your projects?

 

[dullpain]

lhsmith - Man for $2.80 an hour I'll fly coach, sans the playmate!

Harv - I assume you mean the pins that actually go into the 3 PH lift arms. You can buy those at TSC , Co-Op's, Farm & Country stores or any place that caters to the Rancher/Farmer tractor folks. They got em for Category 0, 1, & 2 .

 

[rlk]

Nice device you made.

What do you call the device that hooks to the 3 point hitch, and allows you to pull a regular trailer? I have been trying to locate one, but don't know what to call them. Thanks.

 

[Bird]

rlk, I'm not sure what you call them either, but Northern Tool calls theirs a "3-point hitch adapter." Try http://www.northerntool.com and look up item #12469-C151

Bird

 

[rlk]

Bird, thanks for the information. I looked at this item at Northern. I don't believe I need one for $199. I think I can make one for a lot less dollars. Looking at the picture of their device, it accepts the receiver from your truck. I'm not looking for anything that fancy, just something I can permanently mount a 2" ball onto.

Thanks again for the information about Northern.

 

[dullpain]

RLK - Look under "Drawbar Stabilizer"

Cat 1 about $25 , Cat 2 about $45 , just add a trailer ball and your own design of stabilizer and you got it. I have a picture attached of mine in that thread.

 

[Bird]

RLK, McCallum did a little fancier, prettier job (actually more than a little) than I did, but like you, I couldn't see paying $199 for one, and didn't need the 2" receiver, so I bought the drawbar to go between the lower links, and then with a little drilling, bolting, and welding, made my own.

Bird

 

[rlk]

McCallum, fantastic picture and idea. I already have a drawbar, so it should be simple to rig up something like you did. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction, and thanks for the picture.

One can learn a lot on this forum. Thanks to all who replied.

 

[rlk]

Since it was raining in NC today, I decided to make the device. Bought a new drawbar and 2 trailer balls (1 7/8" and 2") for $23.08. Went to a welding shop where they made the side pieces for me to bolt to the draw bar. Total cost for welding & metal was $25.00. Bought 4 3/4" bolts and nuts for $7.15. Grand total of parts & materials: $55.25. I had part of a can of John Deere green paint that I used to paint it with. So, for about $55, and a trip to the welder and Agri-Supply, I got what I wanted. Sure beats Northern's $200 price.

Once the paint dries, and it stops raining, I'll try it out.

Thanks to all who offered advice, and especially McCallum for his picture.

 

[dullpain]

Rained here all day and cool too. Wished I could have been in my shop working instead of at work. I have another 3PH Gooseneck about half way finished for a friend of mine. I know you will enjoy your drawbar. Glad to help.

 

[john4nh]

McCallum,
very nice looking job. Have you thought of welding a hitch on your hitch for low boy trailors? That way you could move either type. On my box blade i welded a plate with a 2" ball to pull my low boy around the yard. But you have to weld on a horzontional (however you spell it) up and down piece under the plate for ridigidness. If that makes sense. I have used this also to pull around my goose neck after lowering it down where i could pick it up and move it. Oh and also works great on my 31' camping trailor.

Just some ideas. If any one wants a picture i could try and get it posted on here.

 

[scruffy]

John4nh, i made that same suggestion when I saw a previous pic of the 3ph gooseneck hitch. Like you, it seemed an easy way to have the best of both worlds in one hitch. Of course Mac may not wanna wrestle that hitch just for a lowboy!

 

[dullpain]

john4nh - Use my drawbar stabilizer for all bumper hitch applications as I made that years ago. The 3ph gooseneck I made strictly for that purpose. Would be easy to modify but scruffy's right. Just don't want to wrestle with it for regular trailer. Put a picture out there - sure would like to see it.