Added Hitch to ZTR

   / Added Hitch to ZTR #1  

Mrwurm

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2002
Messages
1,569
Location
South East Michigan
Tractor
New Holland TC30 Hydro 4x4, Gravely Zero Turn Mower
Well, I know it's not the best idea to add a trailer hitch to a zero-turn radius machine (Gravely PM260Z) but it sure comes in handy to pull a little lawn sweeper or a tow-behind sprayer. The only trouble is you have to remember at all times that the trailed attachment is back there and not to spin a 360 degree turn. Not quite sure what would happen, but I'm sure it would be bad. See picture of hitch with 'wet paint'. The bolt 'studs' were welded on so that I can use wing nuts to easily attach and detach from the mower. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 

Attachments

  • 283781-DCP_0352.s.jpg
    283781-DCP_0352.s.jpg
    36.1 KB · Views: 593
   / Added Hitch to ZTR
  • Thread Starter
#2  
The hitch was made from a piece of 3/8 thick 3 x 3 angle iron. The bolt studs are 3/8. One leg of the angle iron was cut down to make it fit nicely on the mower frame. It's way stronger than I will ever need, but it's what I had laying around. Here's a picture of it mounted on the mower.
 

Attachments

  • 283784-DCP_0353.s.jpg
    283784-DCP_0353.s.jpg
    23.9 KB · Views: 499
   / Added Hitch to ZTR #3  
<font color="blue"> Not quite sure what would happen, but I'm sure it would be bad.</font>

Let me make a prediction based on my life experience...

Eventually you will find out what will happen...and it probably won't be so bad you can't fix it... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Nice work, by the way!
 
   / Added Hitch to ZTR #4  
I know that with a tractor it is critical where tow loads are applied--if they are not applied to a properly designed and placed draw bar there is great risk of flipping the tractor under certain conditions. I raise this because I am not familiar with the Gravely and it is not clear from the posted pictures exactly how the tow load is transmitted to the machine--will the tow load tend to raise the front wheels?. Flipping the machine would be a lot more dangerous that any damage that might occur from a tight turn!!
 
   / Added Hitch to ZTR
  • Thread Starter
#5  
Yes, the load will tend to raise the front wheels. But, the mower is designed to hold two or three cans of grass in the rear as a clipping collection system. So, my light duty loads should be no trouble. I have already towed a 25 gallon sprayer behind it to spray my entire lawn.
 
   / Added Hitch to ZTR #6  
I have a Scag Turf Tiger and have a trailer hitch on it. I asked my dealer if there was an option for it, and he said of course. It cost roughly $15.00. I don't know about other brand models, but Scag does make a hitch for all their ZTR models. It makes it really nice to use for the little things the CUT is just to big to do, also the trailer looks really strange behind being so small behind the JD.
 
   / Added Hitch to ZTR #8  
I have a hitch on the back of my front mount machine, not exactly a ZTR, but somewhat similar. One of things to keep in mind is that the back of the machine swings significantly when turning so don't turn to sharp.
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

LOAD OUT AND SHIPPING (A51573)
LOAD OUT AND...
Craftsman YTS 3000 42in. Riding Mower (A49346)
Craftsman YTS 3000...
2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class (A50324)
2005 MERCEDES-BENZ...
2020 KUBOTA RTV X1100C UTV (A51406)
2020 KUBOTA RTV...
2016 Big Tex 14ft. T/A Hydraulic Dump Trailer (A50322)
2016 Big Tex 14ft...
2007 Jeep Liberty (A50515)
2007 Jeep Liberty...
 
Top