John Deere X700 Series Custom Rear Receiver Hitch

[osumet]

I just purchased a used X734 to replace my Kubota G4200H. I'll sometimes use my LT to store and extract my trailer from my back yard, especially when the ground is wet and I don't want to drive a truck back there. My empty trailer tongue weight is 350-375 lbs. So, I'm needing to fab a new hitch for the X734. From what I can tell, the only good option for a pre-fabricated and dedicated rear receiver hitch is the HXR2 from Heavy-Hitch. It looks like a great hitch but it's just bolted too low on the LT to be useful for moving a trailer around (without a raised ball mount). I've been working on an alternative design for a receiver hitch and think I've settled on the design shown below. It would be bolted higher on the frame in the approximate location shown below. The main support tube that spans the frame members would be 2-1/2" X 2-1/2" X 1/4" tubing. The mounting flanges are 3/8" thick steel plate and the receiver tube is off-the-shelf. Just wanted to get some feedback on whether or not this seems to be a viable design and location for a hitch. Thanks.

 

[ruffdog]

Deere makes a 1-1/4" hitch bracket BM20877 or AM129530 that mounts on the bottom. I have about a 10" rise hitch insert that I use with my wood splitter and boat trailer. Price is less than $60. What you have drawn up would work great too though.

John Deere Hitch Kit - BM2877 - X7 X72 X724 X728 X74 X744 X748 X729 X749 X7 | eBay

 

[osumet]

Deere makes a 1-1/4" hitch bracket BM20877 or AM129530 that mounts on the bottom. I have about a 10" rise hitch insert that I use with my wood splitter and boat trailer. Price is less than $60. What you have drawn up would work great too though.

Thanks, ruffdog. That JD hitch plus a raised ball mount would be a good option. I should have stated in my original post but I'm needing a 2" receiver tube so that I can use a 2-5/16" ball. I couldn't find a simple way to get from the john deere hitch bracket to a 2-5/16" ball without spending more than I would on this custom hitch. I can fab this hitch for about $90.

 

[Eric102]

Design looks great. Only downside I could see is having to unbolt it if you were to use 3pt or PTO driven implements or Deere's "click n go" attachments.

 

[osumet]

Design looks great. Only downside I could see is having to unbolt it if you were to use 3pt or PTO driven implements or Deere's "click n go" attachments.

I think you're probably correct, Eric102. I wish I could design around those attachments but I'd need to have those attachments on hand to do so.

 

[dstig1]

You could use pins to hold it instead of bolts, which would be quicker. The Quick hitch stuff is all pins.

Bigger issue might be ballast. A 3-375Lb load off the rear is going to make the front light, if not wheelie territory. I did a mount for a sprayer back there and the recommended front ballast for the JD sprayer (similar) is 4x42lb front weights. They will fit on the normal front bumper bracket without anything additional, other than the weights themselves. I need to get them for mine as I built the sprayer too late in the fall to use it this year and need to tie up that loose end. I have a build thread in this subforum down a ways, if you are curious.

 

[osumet]

Just wanted to give an update on this. I updated the design of the hitch to allow for vertical adjustment. I had the side plates fabricated by an online laser cutting service. I ordered a 24" receiver tube, which was used to make the cross tube and the 6" receiver tube. I really like the way it turned out. Total cost was about $90-ish, including the 4 new bolts and nuts ordered from JD, 24" receiver tube, laser cutting service, and shipping for all items. If you're interested in making one, send me an IM and I can provide the .dwg file that's needed to provide to the laser cutting service.

 

[osumet]

I've attached a guide that should help anyone wanting to fabricate the hitch.

 

[marturano26]

Deere makes a 1-1/4" hitch bracket BM20877 or AM129530 that mounts on the bottom. I have about a 10" rise hitch insert that I use with my wood splitter and boat trailer. Price is less than $60. What you have drawn up would work great too though.

John Deere Hitch Kit - BM2877 - X7 X72 X724 X728 X74 X744 X748 X729 X749 X7 | eBay

That sounds like the exact setup I am looking for to use with a wood splitter and boat also. Where did you find your 10” rise hitch?

 

[amcclain88]

Nathan, I want to thank you for the plans to build the hitch. I finished it today. Here's how mine turned out.