Simple Drawbar Question

[HARBAW]

Can someone educate me on drawbars? What I expected to be a simple purchase now has me confused. I got a Cat 1 drawbar from TSC for my Kubota M5400. It looks like it will mount on the tractor just fine. However it has round dowels on each end with holes undoubtedly for pins. I have no idea what those dowels would be for & can't connect my trailer to the bar with those pins there. Are there multiple types of drawbars? The manual shows a simple flat bar that can swing to either sidewithout the dowels, that's what I really need. Thanks.

 

[Indydirtfarmer]

Sounds like you've got a THREE POINT HITCH drawbar, trying to mount it to the "under tractor" drawbar location.... (Although I may be confused...OK I AM confused)

The one you bought is made to attach to the lower draft arms of the three point hitch. The "dowels" go through the balls at the end of the draft arms. (paralell to the rear axle) You may need to go to your dealer for the O.E.M. "fixed" drawbar.

 

[FL_Cracker]

You can put a trailer hitch ball on one of the holes in the middle of the flat bar. The only thing you didn't talk about is a bracket that keeps the cross style drawbar from spinning. This bracket attaches to one of the 3PH arms and has a square hole in it that the drawbar goes through.

Post a picture and we can be sure we understand what you are talking about.

 

[slowzuki]

You bought a drawbar that goes between the balls on the 3 point hitch. They are meant for older tractors that don't have a proper fixed drawbar. For various reasons the 3 point type isn't the best choice on your model.

The drawbar you are looking for won't be found at anywhere but a kubota dealer or a machine shop. A machine shop could build you what you need.

 

[KiotiJohn]

I'm really surprised that your tractor didn't come with a fixed drawbar that comes out just below the PTO shaft, as this is usually included.
As the others have said, you bought a horizontal drawbar designed to work on the hitch arms, but don't hitch a trailer to it without a drawbar brace to keep it from turning. These bars can be useful for some tasks, but you really need to check with your dealer where you bought the tractor to find out why yours wasn't on the tractor.
John

 

[HARBAW]

You guys have it right, it seems so obvious now. I certainly have the 3pt type.

I called my local Kubota dealer & they want $134 for the straight draw bar! That's a lot of money for a straight piece of steel with four holes in it. I may indeed try to have one made.

Thanks for the help guys!

 

[DMF]

OK, I use a drawbar on my 3-point quite often as opposed to the fixed one. IMO, both have their good and bad points. Some of you mention a bracke or brace to keep the 3-point style bar from turning; what a novel idea! Does anyone have a picture of one? I'd certainly like to get/make one...

 

[Farwell]

I think that a draw bar is made from a better grade of steel and that may be a reason for the higher cost. If you had the specs you could probably get one made cheaper at a machine shop out of a good grade of metal if you shop around.

 

[Farwell]

FL,
I had a picture of a draw bar lock that I got off of the net but can't find it. I think it was made out of four inch piece of 3 inch box steel with a 1/4 inch wall. It was grooved to slide over the ball and the draw bar. It had a couple pieces of metal welded on the edge of the grove with a hole drilled through them so a pin or bolt would fit through the first hole in the draw bar. Not sure if I explained it well enough so you get the idea on how it is made. I will keep looking for the photo.
Farwell

 

[JerryG]

Is your tractor new? If it is, it should have come with a belly drawbar, unless Kubota has changed something. I'm sure that some of the members can tell us if they have. Get a hold of your salesman/dealer and tell them that they missed it and you need to get it.

 

[Farwell]

FL,
Found the photo but it is of a very poor quality. I was wrong about the earlier post. The draw bar lock is made from a 4 or 5 inch piece of 3 inch channel with a hole drilled in it big enough to slide over the draw bar pin. There are two pieces of 1/2 inch square stock welded on the outside of the channel wide enough to fit the top and bottom of the flat surface of the draw bar. The channel part goes around the 3 point ball area. Again hope I gave you enough info.

 

[fig]

DMF,

I will try to get a picture of what I made for mine this weekend. I have the draw bar that attaches under the PTO, but found that it was not long enough to be too useful. When I hooked up a trailer to move or use; it was not long enough to make any type of turn. It would take 3 acres to turn around.

I purchased the 3ph draw bar and made a verticle "stabilizer" piece (with a bolt at one end that goes in the center hole of the draw bar and top link connection at the other). That ment that the ball had to be offset to one side or the other of the draw bar. I didn't like that too much either. I then made a piece that "sandwiches" around the verticle stabilizer that I mounted the ball on. Not pretty at all, but it serves the purpose and was made from scrap pieces of metal from work...FREE.

Fig

 

[anthonyk]

okay, now this is gonna really sound dumb.... but,

what is the drawbar for? Is it that straight bar that sticks out from the rear of the tractor, near the pto?

I've looked at it, and thought maybe it was for towing something, but I've never really known. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

anthony

 

[Keith_B]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( okay, now this is gonna really sound dumb.... but,

what is the drawbar for? Is it that straight bar that sticks out from the rear of the tractor, near the pto?

I've looked at it, and thought maybe it was for towing something, but I've never really known. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

anthony )</font>

The drawbar you are referring to is the swinging drawbar, as it can be set to swing from side to side on most tractors.

Here is a pic of one sold by Northern Tool.

The swinging drawbar is intended to connect to trailers, pull type implements, etc.

The other type of drawbard is the 3PH drawbar. It looks like this:

You can use this drawbar for some of the same things as the swinging drawbar, but it is going to be a lot less rigid. We mostly use our 3PH drawbars to pull trees, logs, posts, etc., with. Trailers we use the 3PH drawbar with are those with a pin hitch, and not a ball hitch.

 

[Inspector507]

DMF,
Bought this one on eBay for $19.

 

[bigpete]

If you intend to tow a trailer, Bad River makes a well-designed setup for using your 3-point drawbar safely. There are a bunch of TBNers who have built their own, as well.

Bad River, Inc. Website

 

[Farwell]

DMF,
Found the photos of the draw bar lock I told you about.
Farwell

 

[anthonyk]

thanks ya'll /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

that' clears it up.

anthony

 

[Marine1]

Farwell,
Where did you get that drawbar lock? I have been looking for one like that. My TPH is the NewHolland deluxe type. The one from TSC wont work on mine but it looks as if yours will. If you or anyone else knows where to get it I would appreciate the info.
Thanks.

 

[Farwell]

Marine1,
I downloaded the picture off of the Internet last year and haven't got the slightest idea of where the photo came from. I liked the idea and like other ideas that I see on the Internet, I copy the pictures or blueprints, save them to disk or print them out for future reference. I have a folder full in my file cabinet. Never know when you need something.
I really liked the simple design of this draw bar lock. (hope I didn't infringe on someone's patent.)
Farwell