Making my own 3pt. hitch

[excelagator]

My first hitch I did take a drawbar and built a upper section to attach to the top hook. I built the upper frame section out of 1x1x1/8" tubing and used 1/8" plate.



I did move a 1600# car trailer around with this set-up with no problems. I retired the drawbar simply because I could not turn the tractor enough where I needed. My current set-up cured that problem alot.

This is just my point of view. I am no expert by all means and I have only been welding for a while. I believe your lower horizonal section between your arms should be heavy to stout, because this really what bears the load. The vertical section can be lighter duty since it just really holding the lower section from flipping forward and back. Then again nothing wrong with over-engineering or over building it.

Dan

 

[JB4310]

My first hitch I did take a drawbar and built a upper section to attach to the top hook. I built the upper frame section out of 1x1x1/8" tubing and used 1/8" plate.



I did move a 1600# car trailer around with this set-up with no problems. I retired the drawbar simply because I could not turn the tractor enough where I needed. My current set-up cured that problem alot.

This is just my point of view. I am no expert by all means and I have only been welding for a while. I believe your lower horizonal section between your arms should be heavy to stout, because this really what bears the load. The vertical section can be lighter duty since it just really holding the lower section from flipping forward and back. Then again nothing wrong with over-engineering or over building it.

Dan

Well now this picture gives an even easier starting point, the horizontal draw bar is super HD and has the pins already on each end, so basically all you have to do is fab something like the EZ-mover, or weld the receiver tube right to the bar and another support to accept the top link.
heck might as well just get the ez thing looks like a simple/great product.
Either way you go it would be nice to have the few extra holes in the draw bar for other applications like a couple of clevises for the trailer safety chains and an easy attachment point for the 3 pt limiter chain.

Starting with a salvaged receiver hitch VS a horizontal draw bar, those threaded lower link pins are not cheap, the draw bar with the pins already on is not expensive and might be the better/easier/ more versatile way to go.

 

[excelagator]

Yes you are correct JB. I saw the ez mover and went DOH!!!!

The threaded pins are fairly cheap. I get them at Farm & Fleet for under $4 for Cat. 1

 

[lambs]

I'm no welder, but I'd make sure any receiver I bought from a junkyard came off a car that was not rear-ended. I think any impact to one could be risky.