My 3 point trailer hitch project

[yeagisyeag]

Hi,
Just another 3 point trailer hitch project! Finished it up today since it was warm out, works really good, and is much easier than getting my Jeep hitched up to move the trailer around!

I got the harbor freight 2" bolt on receiver. I swore off buying anything from China, but I needed to use up the rest of a gift card so this is the last time! The rest of the parts are just scrap lying around at work. 2" square tubing and a few plates.

I already had flux core wire in my welder, so the welds aren't quite as pretty as they could be. A few cuts and hole saw holes later I was done!

Putting it on the tractor, I found out the top link was bent, so I had to take it in and straighten it on the press at work. Also got the lowering speed adjusted so I don't need to stand on it anymore.

I'm pretty happy with the outcome, makes me want to get started on some other implements. I think I'm gonna try to make a scoop next, or maybe a front bumper/pusher to bolt on.

Jim

 

[johnk]

Try reposting your pics. There aren't any there....

 

[yeagisyeag]

Thanks johnk, I just added them as attachments.

Try reposting your pics. There aren't any there....

 

[6011Artist]

Good looking hitch you built. Never thought of boltong one to the drawbar but I see it works easily and will do the job.

 

[Dead Horse]

Great stuff. Your design has helped me with a problem as regards a log skidding rig I made. Thanks bunch!

 

[radioman]

very nice! It's funny on how our timing is for making the hitch. I just completed mine yesterday. I made mine out of scrap I beam. I didn't want to use a receiver tube, I needed something to leave the balls on permanently. Hope you dont mind with me posting my pics.

 

[yeagisyeag]

Radioman,
Funny you should mention the permanent ball...
Don't know if it's the el cheapo HF receiver or what but I can't seem to get the pin pulled out to remove the tongue anymore! As soon as the groove on the pin goes in past the receiver edge, it binds up and catches inside somewhere. It also may have warped from the welding I guess. Suppose I made mine unintentionally permanent, since my patience wore thin trying to remove it.

very nice! It's funny on how our timing is for making the hitch. I just completed mine yesterday. I made mine out of scrap I beam. I didn't want to use a receiver tube, I needed something to leave the balls on permanently. Hope you dont mind with me posting my pics.

6011artist: I was surprised that the bolt holes lined right up w/the drawbar. Afterwards, I'm thinking I should have bolted the receiver to the underside of the drawbar, and welded the upright tube to another plate to bolt to the top. The ball is a little higher than I thought it would be when the lift is all the way down.

Hindsight is 20/20, no?

Jim

 

[meanmerc]

I got the same idea, I already bolted the receiver to the drawbar now just have to weld up the up bar but I've been hesitating now cause I might use that receiver and bolt it up to the bucket (FEL) instead!!!

 

[dieselfuelonly]

I really need to make one of these.

 

[JohnDeere4300]

very nice! It's funny on how our timing is for making the hitch. I just completed mine yesterday. I made mine out of scrap I beam. I didn't want to use a receiver tube, I needed something to leave the balls on permanently. Hope you dont mind with me posting my pics.

raidoman, that is a nice job with the drawbar.

Thanks for sharing your pics.

Radioman,
Funny you should mention the permanent ball...
Don't know if it's the el cheapo HF receiver or what but I can't seem to get the pin pulled out to remove the tongue anymore! As soon as the groove on the pin goes in past the receiver edge, it binds up and catches inside somewhere. It also may have warped from the welding I guess. Suppose I made mine unintentionally permanent, since my patience wore thin trying to remove it.

Jim

Jim,

That is a nice job you did also and we like pics. here on TBN.

You said it was stuck in your hitch.

Can you take a piece of 2x4 and lay it against the ball and hit the 2x4
with a small sledge and get it out.

Thanks for the pics.

 

[Oldmax]

Now just weld some hooks on and get a hook for reciver and you can pull trees or post out of ground.

 

[yeagisyeag]

meanmerc,
You might try bolting the receiver to the underside of the drawbar, then you can use a plate on top w/the same bolts to weld the upright bar to. That's the way I'm thinking I should have done it, since the ball is a bit higher than I anticipated.

Then you can unbolt the receiver anytime to move it to your bucket if you like.

Jim

I got the same idea, I already bolted the receiver to the drawbar now just have to weld up the up bar but I've been hesitating now cause I might use that receiver and bolt it up to the bucket (FEL) instead!!!

 

[yeagisyeag]

johndeere4300,

It's actually the pin that is sticking inside. I think the lip on it is catching, like the holes in the receiver and tongue aren't lining up correcly. I briefly tried a punch, but didn't spend too much time on it. I'd probably have just wound up crushing the end, or snapping off the end if I had continued. I'm sure with a bit of wiggling and patience, I'll get it apart.

Thanks,
Jim

<snip>
Jim,

That is a nice job you did also and we like pics. here on TBN.

You said it was stuck in your hitch.

Can you take a piece of 2x4 and lay it against the ball and hit the 2x4
with a small sledge and get it out.

Thanks for the pics.

 

[JohnDeere4300]

johndeere4300,

It's actually the pin that is sticking inside. I think the lip on it is catching, like the holes in the receiver and tongue aren't lining up correcly. I briefly tried a punch, but didn't spend too much time on it. I'd probably have just wound up crushing the end, or snapping off the end if I had continued. I'm sure with a bit of wiggling and patience, I'll get it apart.

Thanks,
Jim

Ok.

I understand you now,

Anyway you could take a drill press and drill both of them.

 

[6011Artist]

yeagisyeag, yes hindsight is 20/20. But that is what I like about steel, it is usually very forgiving. Easy to cut it apart, grind it off and do it again. I have been using mine for over 10 yrs and was thinking it seemed a little high bolted on the top. There have been situations where mine was needed very close to the ground.

Meanmerc, bolt it below the drawbar and add a plate to weld the upright for the toplink to. Very easy to unbolt and use on rear or on front bucket.

 

[easygo]

This is what I built last Summer. Hauls trailers, pulls logs and it serves as a weight box as well. I can add 600lbs of ballast on the 3ph that is including the weight of the contraption.

 

[GasNSteering]

Great ideas from all! Thanks for posting Is there a need to limit uplift travel with the hitch?