Drawbar for moving trailers around property?

[ohmyback]

Hello Guys,
I am wanting to move some trailers around my property. Is it okay to just mount a ball on a draw bar? I noticed on researching that most have a receiver welded or bolted on and use the top link also. What are the advantages? Largest trailer is 12' single axle, mainly moving around or maybe hauling something around yard.
Thanks

 

[Eric_Phillips]

I move trailers around with the draw bar. The down side of using the draw bar is the 3pt does not restrict upward movement. If you get negative tongue weight the hitch can rise. You can chain the 3pt down if you think it will be a problem.

 

[bcp]

It depends on what the definition of "drawbar" is.

The one that fits to the hitch arms and has a row of holes will rotate if you simply mount a hitch ball. A rotation stopper is needed.

Bruce

 

[CobyRupert]

I assume you're asking about mounting a ball on a "cross drawbar" that mounts on the 3 point hitch arms and not just adding a ball to a "swinging drawbar" that mounts to the underside of the tractor ?

Like others have noted, most 3 point hitches have no down force, so a trailer tongue can push up the 3pth with unintended consequences, especially when traveling downhill or stopping.

The problem with just mounting a ball to a cross drawbar mounted to the lower lift arms is that the bar will rotate and allow the trailer hitch to pop off the ball. Thus you'll need a stabilizer bar, or some such, that ties the cross drawbar into the top link of the 3pth so it can't rotate .
I've used this:
FUNKWORKZ Tractor Drawbar Stabilizer "The Original!"

 

[prichard]

I was considering using just the drawbar and realized the mentioned rotation issues. The another issue pooped up I realized the holes on the drawbar are too small for a ball. So unless I wanted to drill out the bar (and have little metal left) or find a special ball with a reduced shank I was out of luck there as well. Stopped by the tractor dealer and he had a "trailer mover" point attachment for $100 - done.

 

[aczlan]

I was considering using just the drawbar and realized the mentioned rotation issues. The another issue pooped up I realized the holes on the drawbar are too small for a ball. So unless I wanted to drill out the bar (and have little metal left) or find a special ball with a reduced shank I was out of luck there as well. Stopped by the tractor dealer and he had a "trailer mover" point attachment for $100 - done.

Actually, most of the drawbars have 3/4" holes. 3/4" is a common shank size for balls up to 6000# (or thereabouts).

Aaron Z

 

[prichard]

The drawbar I had in my hand and the ball I had in my hand at TSC would not fit. I didn't measure either. This was Cat 1.

 

[davkir]

It's not too hard to make an attachment for existing implements.

 

[lennyzx11]

I use this one all the time.

 

[brasco426]

View attachment 466306
I use this one all the time.

I like that Lenny good idea