I have a Cub Cadet 1050 with a 20 something horsepower engine. I wan to be able to tow my boat around the yard. However, I can't find anyway to get a 2" ball on the tractor. Does anyone make something to do this? You can't just drill out the small hole to 3/4" and bolt a 2" ball in place. It's too close to the back and there's not enough room to clear the the hitch.
tow with a graden tractor?
- Thread starter Abitnutz
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jbrumberg
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Abitnutz
I do not know what size boat you have but redrilling the existing hole would take out most of the steel in the frame leading to serious weakening. The other consideration is the weight of your boat. I do not know if your Cadet can even move your boat, but even if it could you might get in the situation where your boat is pushing your Cadet around
. Jay
I do not know what size boat you have but redrilling the existing hole would take out most of the steel in the frame leading to serious weakening. The other consideration is the weight of your boat. I do not know if your Cadet can even move your boat, but even if it could you might get in the situation where your boat is pushing your Cadet around
. Jayducati996
Banned
Abitnutz said:
Its should be at least a garden tractor for this task, not a lawn tractor. Having lawn rollers on these machines causes problems for the trannys, so its a good guess a boat will do wonders. Not what you want to hear I suppose but thats the way it is..
best of luck
Duc
Find an old or new kid's wagon. Use the front axle to make a 2 wheel dolly.
Bolt a tongue on it with the 2" ball. Then run the ball under the trailer hitch and pin it to the tractor's receiver. The tractor then only supplies traction, not hitch support. Drive aroundf slowly on junk day and you'll get even better hardware. A 2 wheel mover's cart works real good, too.
Bolt a tongue on it with the 2" ball. Then run the ball under the trailer hitch and pin it to the tractor's receiver. The tractor then only supplies traction, not hitch support. Drive aroundf slowly on junk day and you'll get even better hardware. A 2 wheel mover's cart works real good, too.
bones1
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That is a great idea.
VABlue
Platinum Member
I suspect that the boat is small and light enough that 20-some HP would be sufficient to move it around. I know that my 18HP hydro Craftsman can move my boat (13' speedboat w/55HP Evinrude) all day long without breaking a sweat.
You could find a welding shop to put a smaller diameter thread on a ball for you. Or try making a dolly with bigger wheels to fit onto the trailer tongue and chain it to the riders frame (allowing for pulling only, not carrying the tongue wieght).
You could find a welding shop to put a smaller diameter thread on a ball for you. Or try making a dolly with bigger wheels to fit onto the trailer tongue and chain it to the riders frame (allowing for pulling only, not carrying the tongue wieght).
KentT
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One caution on moving a boat or heavy trailer with a lawn/garden tractor -- the tractor's engine is much stronger than it's brakes, plus you'll be pulling something heavier than the tow vehicle. Be VERY careful on slopes (I don't recommend doing it at all, if it is much of a slope), and move VERY slowly on level ground -- it's very easy to get enough momentum going that it will push the tractor when you try to slow down or stop -- you're in danger of it pushing you into something, having a "runaway" situation, or jack-knifing.
I've moved trailers with them a lot, and continue to do it, I just wanted to caution a "newbie" about the dangers.
I've moved trailers with them a lot, and continue to do it, I just wanted to caution a "newbie" about the dangers.
Stimw
Elite Member
I've made an angle bracket for the rear of a bunch of small tractors for myself and friends. I used to move my 23' Searay in and out of the garage with a 12.5hp 38" cut MTD mower. I got my PU and 12' trailer stuck in slimmy mud at the back of my property. I dropped the trailer and drove the PU out. I then pulled the trailer out with the MTD very easily.
As stated be careful and use common sense.
As stated be careful and use common sense.
ducati996
Banned
Just so everyone knows the model in question here, I attached the link.
I wouldnt recommend doing it on this machine, its a lawn tractor light guage for cutting only. Many complaints when folks pull carts and rollers around
Abitnuts any idea how big a boat? a row boat would be ok
Series 1000 Lawn Tractors by Cub Cadet
I wouldnt recommend doing it on this machine, its a lawn tractor light guage for cutting only. Many complaints when folks pull carts and rollers around
Abitnuts any idea how big a boat? a row boat would be ok
Series 1000 Lawn Tractors by Cub Cadet
VABlue
Platinum Member
I don't know about Cubs, but my Craftsman LT1000 (18HP Kohler/hydro) can pull nearly 1000# pretty easily. I've done it a lot over the last 7 years, or so, that I've had the machine. I only replaced it with the 2305 because I wanted more power and capability for clearing woods (and a bigger cutting deck). If I didn't have the woods, I'd still be using the little LT every day.
Stimw
Elite Member
My Searay Boat weighted about 4000lbs. The MTD has a variable speed pulley for a transmission and at 12.5hp is a light duty mower. The MTD will just spin the tires if it can't move a load.
I call the MTD my Baby Bushhog! When I got my two acres the grass and weeds were 2' tall or more. I cut a path very slow and then did a half cut until I got it mowed.
My neighbor just bought a Cub with hydro and we are going to put a bracket and ball on it. There are bolt holes in the axle on each side and I plan to come off of these with a U bracket and put a brace down to the bolt hole in the rear of the frame.
I call the MTD my Baby Bushhog! When I got my two acres the grass and weeds were 2' tall or more. I cut a path very slow and then did a half cut until I got it mowed.
My neighbor just bought a Cub with hydro and we are going to put a bracket and ball on it. There are bolt holes in the axle on each side and I plan to come off of these with a U bracket and put a brace down to the bolt hole in the rear of the frame.
Joe1
Platinum Member
When I wanted to put a hitch on my Toro, I used an 8" long 2" wide 1/4" thick piece of mild steel stock into which I drilled 4 holes of different sizes. There were two holes in the triangular plate at the rear of the tractor so I bolted the stock to the tractor with the first two holes. The 1 7/8" ball went into the third hole from the rear. The 4th hole is so I can tow implements with drop pin attachments. There is enough clearance so the trailer tongue doesn't hit the tires and the pin implements also clear.
I primarilly tow a small trailer of 180 lbs but I have towed my 6 X 10 loaded with brush weighing aroung 1,500# total for a short distance on level ground. I've got a 17 HP Hydro on a tractor weighing over 1,000 lbs with my on weight added.
The plate on the rear of the Toro was pretty stout and I've noted no flexing of that plate when the tow is attached.
I primarilly tow a small trailer of 180 lbs but I have towed my 6 X 10 loaded with brush weighing aroung 1,500# total for a short distance on level ground. I've got a 17 HP Hydro on a tractor weighing over 1,000 lbs with my on weight added.
The plate on the rear of the Toro was pretty stout and I've noted no flexing of that plate when the tow is attached.
Kevin Beitz
Member
At one time you could buy a ball with an 1/2" bolt just for garden tractors... Maybe you could still find one on E-bay...
stanz
New member
I have a nice lawn tractor very similar to yours, 18HP Kohler, cast iron front axle, hydro tranny.... I wouldn't think of towing with it.
I have a stable of garden tractors that I wouldn't think twice about towing with, I do it all the time. If you plan on doing this often I would pick up a good running garden tractor on ebay, local dealer, or scrap yard. (Yes, people scrap good running garden tractors.)
If your lot is not level look for one with good brakes. My Case has dual rear disk brakes. Your Cub probably has a small disk or a band brake. That's fine for mowing and light towing but your boat will overpower it.
I normally use the low range on whatever tractor I'm towing with to maintain the highest level of control. I don't need speed, control and safety is more important to me.
Most good garden tractors can handle the tongue weight so long as it doesn't go beyond 500 pounds. People put weights on the garden tractors for better traction. You might even need front weights if the tongue weight is high.
If your tongue weight is more than 500 pounds I'd build the wagon style hitch mentioned earlier. If you go wagon-style go even slower since you have added another axle into the mix.
Oh, how much will a good tractor cost? I purchased a nice 1970s Wheel Horse for $250 from a local dealer. My least expensive running garden tractor was $125 for my Case,(scrap yard) it needed some welding but it's a nice strong tractor. Depending on where you live ebay tractor run from $100 to $1500, decent runners should be around $250-$500.
my 2 cents,
Stan in MA
I have a stable of garden tractors that I wouldn't think twice about towing with, I do it all the time. If you plan on doing this often I would pick up a good running garden tractor on ebay, local dealer, or scrap yard. (Yes, people scrap good running garden tractors.)
If your lot is not level look for one with good brakes. My Case has dual rear disk brakes. Your Cub probably has a small disk or a band brake. That's fine for mowing and light towing but your boat will overpower it.
I normally use the low range on whatever tractor I'm towing with to maintain the highest level of control. I don't need speed, control and safety is more important to me.
Most good garden tractors can handle the tongue weight so long as it doesn't go beyond 500 pounds. People put weights on the garden tractors for better traction. You might even need front weights if the tongue weight is high.
If your tongue weight is more than 500 pounds I'd build the wagon style hitch mentioned earlier. If you go wagon-style go even slower since you have added another axle into the mix.
Oh, how much will a good tractor cost? I purchased a nice 1970s Wheel Horse for $250 from a local dealer. My least expensive running garden tractor was $125 for my Case,(scrap yard) it needed some welding but it's a nice strong tractor. Depending on where you live ebay tractor run from $100 to $1500, decent runners should be around $250-$500.
my 2 cents,
Stan in MA
stuart
Gold Member
Whatever happened to Abnitz who started this whole thing?
He never told us how much weight he wanted to tow. How much actual weight do you think a garden tractor, say 20 hp can tow around a yard?
He never told us how much weight he wanted to tow. How much actual weight do you think a garden tractor, say 20 hp can tow around a yard?
VABlue
Platinum Member
Depends on the yard and tongue wieght. If the yard is smooth and flat, and the tongue wieght isn't too much on the tractor, then keep pulling until the wheels spin. Just go ssllllooowwwwwww.... I've pulled close to 1000# in a dump cart over my rough, sloped yard without any problems using my 18HP hydro Craftsman. I wouldn't think twice about pulling 1500# out of the garage and pushing it back in (easier than with a full sized truck).
kwolfe
Platinum Member
My brother pulls a 5'x10' trailer with his Troy Bilt (MTD model), variable speed belt tranny garden tractor. No problem whhat so ever. We have had 4 adults and 4 kids in it during Trick or Treat. That MTD pulls it just fine, up and down hill.
LBrown59
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Bolt a plate to that hole and drill a bigger hole in the plate for the bigger ball.Abitnutz said:
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