OK, I don't know what I'm doing or how to hook up this 1518

Lgim · Jun 22, 2023

My guess is that the flanges are there to bind if you turn too sharp. There might even be a special pin (Bolt) to use to draw the flanges together so your draw bar can't slip between them. Theory being if you turn to sharp the tires on the mower will slide sideways. Will this work or will it bend your hitch I have no idea.

The more important issue is if someone put this hitch on a mower I would assume it is possible to turn too sharp, which probably means that your back tractor tire can make contact with the mower when turning which could get real ugly real fast. Maybe for wide tires or duels or something.

I would hook it up the way you have it, drive out to a level spot of dirt and slowly turn it both ways while driving ahead to see if you have an issue. A second person to watch for binding would be good, or stopping every couple feet, get out and look at what is happening. If you can turn as much as you want without binding your good to go, if you can’t might have to go with plan B.

Just for curiosity do the flanges move up and down, or are they fixed?

kthompson · Jun 23, 2023

I like Lgim's thoughts. But, if there is bushing on top of the hitch, it could be made to fit in the clevis is needed to prevent up and down movement but my guess is more likely it is made to use in the clevis possibly to lift it out of the channel iron if need be. NOW THAT IS A WILD GUESS. I agree with Lgims suggestion on testing the turn radius. It could be to prevent turning tighter than the pto shaft universal joints can handle. Believe it could be for that reason over hitting the tires.

Lgim · Jun 23, 2023

The only other guess I had is that the flanges are part of the bushing and if they are then clamped onto the draw bar to stop the bushings from turning on the pin. The clevis part of the hitch would then rotate on the outside of the bushing rather then on the pin inside. That would probably be stronger.

I am not sure from the 2nd picture, is there a grease nipple on the outside of the clevis inline with the black arm behind it?

gary

tycooper · Jun 23, 2023

OK, thanks for the inputs. I am going to flip the hitch over this weekend and upload a new photo. It is on a JD 5520.

tycooper · Jun 23, 2023

OK, thanks for the inputs. I am going to flip the hitch over this weekend and upload a new photo. It is on a JD 5520.

Lgim · Jun 23, 2023

I just googled parts for that cutter on JD and yes it looks like it is upside down.

Lgim · Jun 23, 2023

I would guess that there are threads on the inside of #29 that when you use their pin it gets sucked up to the bottom of your draw bar.

I would think it would be a lot quieter then just a plain clevis.

tycooper · Jun 26, 2023

OK, I turned this around and to be honest, it doesn't look much better. I think I have the wrong type of hitch. Can I use this as it is? Will it hurt anything?