How do you hitch a trailer?

Boomer33 · May 20, 2001

I have been trying to figure out how to mount a hitch ball on the drawbar of my TC33d. The largest size shank I can find is 1" diameter and the hole in the drawbar looks to be 11/4" Does anyone make a bushing to reduce the hole size? Should I use it as is(1" in 11/4" hole)? Or, does anyone make a hitch ball with a 11/4 shank? What has everyone else been using?
Arthur

Boomer33

lblair · May 20, 2001

I got 2 sizes of trailor hitch balls yeasterday and noticed the size thing too. I am going to make a bushing at work monday.
I will probably use bronze or stainless steel.
Larry

DFB · May 20, 2001

You didn't mention what size your looking for. You can get either 2 or 2 5/16" hitch balls with the 1 1/4 inch shank but not a 1 7/8". Northern Tool has them. Also I got a 2 piece set of reducer bushings at an Advance Auto Parts store that I used to reduce the 1" dia. hole in my drawbar for using a clevis with 3/4" pin.
Seen 'em in Wal-Mart too!

DFB

RobS · May 21, 2001

B33, I've got a Reese Titan hitch on my truck and it takes 1 1/4" balls. Any decent Reese retailer should have them. Quality Farm in this area carrys them. Be careful with the bushings that you have enough nut contact area on your drawbar /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Anonymous Poster · May 21, 2001

Re: How do you hitch a trailer?-3-Pt Drawbar

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I found one of the easiest and inexpensive solutions was using a 3-Pt Drawbar [Cat I – under $20.] with multiple sized hitch-balls mounted. The balls are cheap with 1’ shank ($5.ea.), quick and simple hookups {you can’t tow and use a 3-Pt implement at the same time anyways}… and this frees up my “under carriage” drawbar for my do-all clevis. {Until yesterday when that nasty brush “pulled” the pin and it’s now laying somewhere in the woods ? (Nature, just getting even with me...)}/w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

RickB · May 21, 2001

Re: How do you hitch a trailer?-3-Pt Drawbar

Pulling a trailer from a cross drawbar can be dangerous and detrimental to both the tractor & trailer if the trailer tips back suddenly from a quick stop or too much weight behind the trailer's axle. There are lock bars available to fix the position of the lift arms for this type of use. I hope you have them.

Anonymous Poster · May 21, 2001

Re: How do you hitch a trailer?-3-Pt Drawbar

Hi Rick,

I'm assuming everyone is locking down the hitch to the ball assembly, whether it's 3-Pt mounted or 'under carriage', like any standard trailer hookup.

Another advantage to a 3-Pt drawbar is... you always have the right height...

Thanks Rick for pointing out the dangers of improper hookup.

djradz · May 21, 2001

Re: How do you hitch a trailer?-3-Pt Drawbar

John, no offense intended but I've tried your suggestion before and it should be only used as a last resort for mounting a ball. With no tie to the top link, the ball continually flops back and forth. I'd be extremely worried about operating on anything but very level ground. There are lots of better ways, the most expensive and ideal being a real three point receiver, available from Northern or Quality Farm. I made up one using a "carry all" and lumber to span between the arms and to mount the ball in. Others, in fact just last week I saw a post on either the Kubota page or one of the general posts, where someone welded up something similar to the three point version. Play is safe please.

Anonymous Poster · May 21, 2001

Re: How do you hitch a trailer?-3-Pt Drawbar

Hi Duane,

No offense taken... but man, I'm getting it from both sides /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I periodically [guesstimate 5-8 times a year?} move my 20' bowrider boat, 18' utility trailer[friends], couple small junk flatbeds,etc. Yes, I admit everything is done on basically level ground, short excursions like get it out of my way, from here to there, normally under couple hundred feet...

With that said, all have trailer receivers that "lock" onto the ball, the 3-pt rides low for the pulled implement, you're looking at normally under 3-4 mph, the tongue weight of everything prevents any twisting of the drawbar, and believe me it's extremely stable and most of all safe... {Trust me, I wouldn't have it any other way!}

I'll also admit, I have a hitch-ball attached to my Massey 135,{under-carriage drawbar} I may have used twice last year... to move a unit "down our country road" about 2 miles.

In my case, with multiple tractors it's easier for me to have this one "transportable" drawbar, that I can use from tractor to tractor to "draw weight" with... it's original intended purpose.

Last, but not least, for between 35-40 years, I've never had a mishap...{knock on this hard maple bench}

This 3-Pt drawbar is a common unit seen in many boatyards, recreational vehicle lots, trailer sales, motor homes, etc. to easily move these items on their property.

Whew... that was a mouthful. I promise to be safe and not sorry. Thank you for your concern Duane and others. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

cowboydoc · May 22, 2001

Re: How do you hitch a trailer?-3-Pt Drawbar

John,
I'm with you. I've done the same thing since I was kid and could operate a tractor. We've never had any problems doing it that way. It's the only way to go in my book. You have multiple hookup points, like you said you can raise and lower the trailer or other hookup and the best part for me is that I can hook three different balls to it and never have to mess with changing a ball.