3-Point Hitch How do I keep the trailer hitch from rotating?

[jobguy]

Has anyone made a bracket to keep the trailer hitch (that piece with all the holes that fits across the quick hitch) from rotating? I want to use it to pull boat trailers and thought some of you may have already made a quick solution to this problem.
Thanks

 

[gwdixon]

Has anyone made a bracket to keep the trailer hitch (that piece with all the holes that fits across the quick hitch) from rotating? I want to use it to pull boat trailers and thought some of you may have already made a quick solution to this problem.
Thanks

Lots of information about this topic in a search of TBN. Refer to it as a "drawbar" or "draw bar" in the search.

Many different solutions but the most common is a simple bracket.

DRAWBAR LOCK FOR CATEGORY 1 TRACTORS - Agri Supply

 

[Grandad4]

You'll want something like this:

Flexpoint Adapter Turns Your 3-Point Hitch into Versatile 2in. Receiver, Model# FPHS-1 | 3-Point Hitch Adapters | Northern Tool + Equipment

This is just an example. The 3 point top link attaches to the riser to keep the thing from spinning. Other sources may or may not have something better, and if you can do a little welding and drilling, etc., you could rig up your own. Keep in mind most tractor 3 point systems can apply lifting force but not down force, so there is nothing to keep the front of the trailer from lifting if the load is too heavy at the back or you go over a bump the wrong way. You'd need a chain or something the secure the 3 pt from lifting.

 

[sandman2234]

I just dropped a bolt thru the top link into one of the holes in the bar you are referring to, which caused it to quit twisting. However, that immediately limits you from raising and lowering the 3 point hitch. Just transporting a trailer is easier, but hooking up becomes a problem because you have to use the crank on the front of the trailer (yuck!)
David from jax

 

[Redbug]

I welded a little dimple on one of my drawbar arms and used a shackle to keep it from rotating. The dimple keeps the shackle from turning off the drawbar. Cheap and simple and you can use the shackle for other things, too.

 

[KU Gator]

I don't think the lock like gwdixon recommended will work if you are using the Pat's quick hitch system, at least I could not figure out how to make it work.

I considered buying the adapter from Northern tools in this link, and probably would have if I could have found it locally and avoided the shipping. But it would have required buying another receiver or using the one from the truck which would have resulted in it always being in the wrong place.

EMP Tractor Draw Bar Stabilizer for Category 1 Tractors, Model# 7350-1 | 3-Point Drawbars + Stabilizers | Northern Tool + Equipment

Ultimately, I bought a handi-hitch which is what I wanted to begin with but didn't want to order it. I did end up finding it available at a dealer on a road trip I took, so avoided the shipping. It is decent quality, came with both size balls plus the clevis hitch, so is a pretty good value.

HANDI HITCH WITH CLEVIS AND BALLS - Agri Supply

Obviously either could be fabricated if you have the tools and ability.

 

[jd3x]

Here is a more convenient method. Bought mine at Fargo Northern Tool.

EMP Tractor Draw Bar Stabilizer for Category 1 Tractors, Model# 7350-1
by Northern Tool & Equipment
4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews) | Like (0)

 

[dcyrilc]

You'll want something like this:

Flexpoint Adapter Turns Your 3-Point Hitch into Versatile 2in. Receiver, Model# FPHS-1 | 3-Point Hitch Adapters | Northern Tool + Equipment

This is just an example. The 3 point top link attaches to the riser to keep the thing from spinning. Other sources may or may not have something better, and if you can do a little welding and drilling, etc., you could rig up your own. Keep in mind most tractor 3 point systems can apply lifting force but not down force, so there is nothing to keep the front of the trailer from lifting if the load is too heavy at the back or you go over a bump the wrong way. You'd need a chain or something the secure the 3 pt from lifting.

I'll second this product. The advertised price seems a little high since I got mine from the Deere dealer for $50 less than that price. Great product. I use this more than any other impliment I have.

 

[eastexan]

Has anyone made a bracket to keep the trailer hitch (that piece with all the holes that fits across the quick hitch) from rotating? I want to use it to pull boat trailers and thought some of you may have already made a quick solution to this problem.
Thanks

"that piece with all the holes" - I understand that to be the common 3pt. drawbar.

"that fits across the quick hitch" - What type do you have? Like Pat's, I-Match, etc.?

 

[RPW]

I took a 24" piece of 2" box tube and capped both ends. Welded a 3/4" bolt on one end to bolt though the drawbar and used a 2-5/16" ball on the other end. With a couple of flat pieces welded at the top to connect the toplink. Instant 3pt trailer mover. In my case I need to move my GN trailers but you could attach trailer balls on the drawbar or make it as fancy as you need.

Good luck.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I made my own out of a 2" receiver hitch from a Ford Ranger. Total cost was $25 and a few beers one evening.

Chris

 

[sunshine coaster]

We used to call that the 9 hole bar, came standard with the older tractors...
we has a potato spinner that was designed around it on the farm

 

[jenkinsph]

I have always called it a horizontal drawbar, and alone it is a lousy drawbar to use with a hitch pall. Works okay for a pin hitch though.

I am not a fan of using any of these to move trailers with with the exception of the reciever hitch models that are added to a ballast box. You need something to insure that the hitch doesn't ride up while towing the trailer.

 

[crash325]

Here is a quick built draw bar. Key holes for chain or "T" hooks, room for 3 balls or use it for a simple pin on. It's on a 50's Fergie and has pulled mt 1,500# roller. About 2 hours from start to finish. :thumbsup:

 

[Dargo]

Here is a pic and material list of what I slapped together back in '01. I can see my total expense was just under $18 and an hour or so to build it. I've since made several different styles including ones that work on gooseneck trailers. I can't remember the last time I used it though after I got a set of forks for my tractor and have a forklift. The 2nd picture is somthing I use hundreds of times per year. It sure beats burning a hole in a perfectly good fork and bolting a ball on the fork! It took me a couple of hours to design that and weld it up. I can put it on or take it off in just a few seconds with no damage to my expensive forks.

 

[Dargo]

I am not a fan of using any of these to move trailers with with the exception of the reciever hitch models that are added to a ballast box. You need something to insure that the hitch doesn't ride up while towing the trailer.

You are correct. I'm just not going to post a picture of my design that addresses that issue perfectly. It irks me when I share a design or idea with someone and then they take my design/idea and making an income from it. Some local people got hurt using a hitch they bought for their 3 pt. tractor hitch and used it to pull a wagon for a hayride. The tractor driver went to stop going down a hill and the trailer, loaded with straw and kids, rared the 3 pt hitch up slamming into the tractor and causing him to jackknife and the tractor turned over.

 

[Bird]

Oh, well, I'll put a picture of the one I made, since it was just scrap material I had laying around the shop.:laughing: I wanted to move the ball back from the drawbar a little so I could turn shorter. I used it quite a bit, but never did get around to cleaning it up and painting it like I intended to do.:laughing:

 

[beppington]

You are correct. I'm just not going to post a picture of my design that addresses that issue perfectly. It irks me when I share a design or idea with someone and then they take my design/idea and making an income from it. Some local people got hurt using a hitch they bought for their 3 pt. tractor hitch and used it to pull a wagon for a hayride. The tractor driver went to stop going down a hill and the trailer, loaded with straw and kids, rared the 3 pt hitch up slamming into the tractor and causing him to jackknife and the tractor turned over.

What if I promise to call it the Dargo3000 ... ?

 

[jimmyj]

Very informative thread all. Thanks for the posts.

 

[ModMech]

I welded a little dimple on one of my drawbar arms and used a shackle to keep it from rotating. The dimple keeps the shackle from turning off the drawbar. Cheap and simple and you can use the shackle for other things, too.

Now that is an enlightened solution!

I did something similar to what others have posted (but unfortunately not the slick idea Dave provided), see below.

8' of 2"x2" angle, some quality time with the welder, a couple bolts, one hook and a hitch-pin and I was done.