Drawbar question

LostnTractorlnd · Feb 27, 2005

Hello! I am looking at buying my first tractor, and confused by some of the terminology I have run across. I think I am doing pretty well figuring stuff out, but I am confused by the term "drawbar" . I know it may be basic to most of y'all here, but I want to understand what I am spending my fortune on.

So, what is a drawbar, and what are some of the uses of same?

I have to tell ya, the knowledge level of the users on this board is incredible. I was a member of some other boards trying to gather information, and was disappointed with both the knowledge level and activity level of those boards. This is obviously the place to be!

DUMBDOG · Feb 27, 2005

The drawbar is the hitch to the tractor. It would be used to pull attachments behind the tractor that do not hook up to the three point hitch system. An example of of use would be a trailer. It is the best place to hook up a chain or cable to pull out some one who is stuck or for pulling stumps.

NY_Yankees_Fan · Feb 28, 2005

On the attached picture you will see a weight box on the back of the BX. It is sitting on the draw bar. Hope this helps.

ronjhall · Feb 28, 2005

Attached is a picture of the drawbar as most manufactures refer to in their manuals. Red circle is drawbar.

Bird · Feb 28, 2005

The one Tom has his weight box sitting on (between the two lower link arms) is commonly called a "drawbar" and the one sticking out from the bottom of the tractor differential is commonly called a "swinging drawbar". Of course on many of the smaller tractors, you can't actually swing it off to one side, as you can on many of the bigger tractors.

BB_TX · Feb 28, 2005

Some implements are designed to be pulled by a tractor, as opposed to a 3 pt type implement that is held on the 3 point hitch. There is a large flat steel bar with a hole in it out the back of the tractor just below the rear differential. You can put a ball hitch to pull a trailer, a clevis hitch to hook a chain to, or just drop a pin thru for pulling something like a hay baler. You will see tractors hp ratings as engine hp, pto hp, and drawbar hp, all of which will be slightly different. Drawbar hp is basically the pulling hp.

ronjhall · Feb 28, 2005

Here is a scan of my B2910 manual showing the drawbar.

Bird · Feb 28, 2005

Yep, Ron, I said "commonly". It gets confusing because there are two drawbars. Tractor Supply Company used to have their Blue Book on the Internet that included a sketch like your manual has and labelled the two different drawbars as I mentioned. I think if you went to your Kubota dealer and asked for a drawbar, they'd have to ask you which one you meant.

KiotiJohn · Feb 28, 2005

As the others have already explained what it is, I'd like to say something about why it's what you need to pull from.
Pulling a tree, stump etc. from any higher up than the drawbar can cause the tractor to roll over backwards.
The drawbar is placed strategically to be in the proper spot so that the fulcrum of the rear tires is not activated. Pull up higher, and the front swings back and over the rear tires, and usually quite quickly.
While I don't always hook TO the drawbar for pulling, I always try to hook at the same level (I sometimes hook to a boom pole) so that I have no rollover concerns. John

JerryG · Feb 28, 2005

I always try to hook at the same level (I sometimes hook to a boom pole) so that I have no rollover concerns. 
Why would you not have any concern about rollover when using a boom pole?

KiotiJohn · Feb 28, 2005

( Why would you not have any concern about rollover when using a boom pole? )
Because, as I said, I hook up to the boom pole at the same level as the drawbar. I don't hook up to the end of the boompole, I hook up where the pole comes off the 3pt. That way, I can lower the pole enough to have some lift after hooking up. If I had to use the drawbar, I'd have no lifting ability after hookup. This works great for logs. John

JerryG · Feb 28, 2005

John,
If you have the third arm connected, you are pulling from above the needed place. It is not like using a ground engaging implement, where the link is in compression. It doesn't matter very much what the position of the boom is because of that.

RalphVa · Feb 28, 2005

Attached is a picture of a TSC drawbar, with a top link made to keep it from rotating. Hiding behind it, behind the lower right of the triangle formed by the greenery, is the actual factory drawbar. On my JD 4010, the factory drawbar has 2 holes to attach things. Only problem is they're to/fro holes. On the TSC drawbar, I can leave my ball for my Gravely cart in the middle and attach other "Y" hitch stuff to the side or raise and attach to the factory drawbar.

Ralph

KiotiJohn · Feb 28, 2005

( John,
If you have the third arm connected, you are pulling from above the needed place. It is not like using a ground engaging implement, where the link is in compression. It doesn't matter very much what the position of the boom is because of that. )
In theory you may be right, but I've had absolutely no front end lifting doing it this way. If I raise the boompole above the level of the drawbar, I do have a lighter front end. In any event, I go very slowly when pulling anything, and the object is usually only a couple of inches off the ground. John

ronjhall · Feb 28, 2005

LostnTractorlnd
We all got busy answering your questions and forgot our manners. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Welcome to TBN. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I'm sure our answers are why you’re asking. Both are drawbars. The correct one to use for pulling is the one mounted to tractor frame, not the 3PH lift arms.

JimMorrissey · Feb 28, 2005

John,

Can you post a pic of your setup.

rdbrumfield · Feb 28, 2005

What I did with my drawbar is weld a 2 inch reciever onto it with a chainhook on either side. That way I can use my different size balls or just a flat if needed, or just a chain or two, sure makes it a lot handier. Also a great place to grab for a tiedown when on the trailer.

PineRidge · Feb 28, 2005

A boom pole is a BIG lever. With a long enough lever and fulcrum you can move the earth. Be careful out there.

Soundguy · Mar 1, 2005

( The correct one to use for pulling is the one mounted to tractor frame, not the 3PH lift arms.
)

Keep in mind that not all tractors have the swinging drawbar.. and that a proper drawbar stay setup, used with a 3pt drawbar can be just as 'correct' for pulling, within reason.. etc.

Soundguy

ronjhall · Mar 1, 2005

Your are right. I forgot about many of the older Fords and similar tractors required a add on for the draw-bar. My Farmall 340 did not have one either.
The important thing to remember is the limitations and proper setup of any of the draw-bars used.