Simple Drawbar Question

HARBAW · Jul 22, 2005

Can someone educate me on drawbars? What I expected to be a simple purchase now has me confused. I got a Cat 1 drawbar from TSC for my Kubota M5400. It looks like it will mount on the tractor just fine. However it has round dowels on each end with holes undoubtedly for pins. I have no idea what those dowels would be for & can't connect my trailer to the bar with those pins there. Are there multiple types of drawbars? The manual shows a simple flat bar that can swing to either sidewithout the dowels, that's what I really need. Thanks.

Indydirtfarmer · Jul 22, 2005

Sounds like you've got a THREE POINT HITCH drawbar, trying to mount it to the "under tractor" drawbar location.... (Although I may be confused...OK I AM confused)

The one you bought is made to attach to the lower draft arms of the three point hitch. The "dowels" go through the balls at the end of the draft arms. (paralell to the rear axle) You may need to go to your dealer for the O.E.M. "fixed" drawbar.

FL_Cracker · Jul 22, 2005

You can put a trailer hitch ball on one of the holes in the middle of the flat bar. The only thing you didn't talk about is a bracket that keeps the cross style drawbar from spinning. This bracket attaches to one of the 3PH arms and has a square hole in it that the drawbar goes through.

Post a picture and we can be sure we understand what you are talking about.

slowzuki · Jul 22, 2005

You bought a drawbar that goes between the balls on the 3 point hitch. They are meant for older tractors that don't have a proper fixed drawbar. For various reasons the 3 point type isn't the best choice on your model.

The drawbar you are looking for won't be found at anywhere but a kubota dealer or a machine shop. A machine shop could build you what you need.

KiotiJohn · Jul 22, 2005

I'm really surprised that your tractor didn't come with a fixed drawbar that comes out just below the PTO shaft, as this is usually included.
As the others have said, you bought a horizontal drawbar designed to work on the hitch arms, but don't hitch a trailer to it without a drawbar brace to keep it from turning. These bars can be useful for some tasks, but you really need to check with your dealer where you bought the tractor to find out why yours wasn't on the tractor.
John

HARBAW · Jul 22, 2005

You guys have it right, it seems so obvious now. I certainly have the 3pt type.

I called my local Kubota dealer & they want $134 for the straight draw bar! That's a lot of money for a straight piece of steel with four holes in it. I may indeed try to have one made.

Thanks for the help guys!

DMF · Jul 22, 2005

OK, I use a drawbar on my 3-point quite often as opposed to the fixed one. IMO, both have their good and bad points. Some of you mention a bracke or brace to keep the 3-point style bar from turning; what a novel idea! Does anyone have a picture of one? I'd certainly like to get/make one...

Farwell · Jul 22, 2005

I think that a draw bar is made from a better grade of steel and that may be a reason for the higher cost. If you had the specs you could probably get one made cheaper at a machine shop out of a good grade of metal if you shop around.

Farwell · Jul 22, 2005

FL,
I had a picture of a draw bar lock that I got off of the net but can't find it. I think it was made out of four inch piece of 3 inch box steel with a 1/4 inch wall. It was grooved to slide over the ball and the draw bar. It had a couple pieces of metal welded on the edge of the grove with a hole drilled through them so a pin or bolt would fit through the first hole in the draw bar. Not sure if I explained it well enough so you get the idea on how it is made. I will keep looking for the photo.
Farwell

JerryG · Jul 22, 2005

Is your tractor new? If it is, it should have come with a belly drawbar, unless Kubota has changed something. I'm sure that some of the members can tell us if they have. Get a hold of your salesman/dealer and tell them that they missed it and you need to get it.