Protecting tractor paint around hitch hole

[Runner]

I was pretty picky about not scratching up my JD 185 when I bought it (20 years ago)....not so much now. Anyway, I wanted a hitch on the back that could take a beating without messing up the tractor. So, I designed and fabbed one out of a piece of steel plate, channel iron and a store-bought receiver hitch. I designed it such that the holes in the mounting plate lined up with existing holes in the rear frame of the machine. The rear doesn't have a scratch on it after all these years....wish I could say the same about the rest of it....

 

[Leejohn]

Put a drill guide in the hole. I well last longer then the tractor. It has to be pressed in.

 

[turbo466]

I would say fashion a sort of bushing that you can insert into the hole. When it shows wear, simply replace it.

 

[PapaPerk]

Ummm.... yeah.

 

[PapaPerk]

Okay... not being negative or anything... but are you serious?! LOL Put some grease on it to prevent rust and forget about it. Life's too short.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

All, thanks for the feedback. I know I'm being ****, but I hate seeing things rust.

Painting the hole would be about the same as wrapping toilet paper around your tires to keep them from getting dirty and wearing.
Good luck.

 

[Big Wave D]

I don't know how small a container you can buy, but what about something like any of those truck bed liner products?

I've seen others use it to very nice affect on their tractors on this site.

If it starts to wear down, just touch the area up again.

 

[silvertramp]

Duplicolor makes bedliner paint in rattlecans. I did a motorcycle with it. I like it. I thought of painting my Yanmar with it.....but so far.. "why bother" is winning out. It came nicely pre-thrashed... saving alot of time & angst. It's a tractor after all.. not something you take to cruise nights.

 

[RalphVa]

I'd treat it with some Rustoleum Rust Reformer. This isn't paint. What it does is turn iron oxide (red rust) into iron sulfide (black coating). Then just leave it. There are some other similar products, but you can likely find Rustoleum's product in any paint aisle at Home Depot or Lowes.

Ralph

 

[LBrown59]

Hi,
I'm a newbie, but I'm guessing I'm not the first to ask this question (although my search didn't reveal anything helpful, so I could be wrong about that).I just purchased a used JD GT245. It will be used primarily as a mower, but will also occasionally pull a cart or spreader.My question is regarding the hole on the rear of the tractor into which you can install a hitch ball or a hitch pin for pulling an attachment. Because the previous owner used attachments with hitch pins, the paint around this hole is gone. In fact, he must have done quite a bit of towing, because the hole is slightly elongated as if some of the tractor's steel has worn away.Anyway, my plan is to sand and paint this area. But I don't want to re-damage it when I tow something with the tractor myself. Is there something I can install to protect the tractor? I'm envisioning some kind of sacraficial flange or something that can be installed in the hole that would take the damage while protecting the tractor itself.
1*Is there a product out there that will perform this task? Steve

1*I simply bought a new plate and doubled it with the original one on my 1995 PowerKraft.
It looked factory original after i bolted the new one right over top of the old one.
Thanks

Hmmm....I'd say don't worry about it. That is normal wear rather than any kind of damage. The tractor is not "unprotected".
2*It would probably be cheaper to replace the part with new.
Not familiar with the JD GT245 so can't be sure. I have a JD LA125 mower so if the rear plate is the same it is simply sheet metal and is replaceable.
You could also weld a large grade 8 washer over the hole. One side may need to be trimmed but it should work.
Hadn't heard anyone mention it before but there have been some topics about elongated holes in implements where the top link attaches. Try searching for that.

2*Don't replace the old part just simply bolt a new part over the old one.

If you locate that picture, 3*I'd sure like to see it. .

3*So would I.