Towing

Usmcsrt1 · May 28, 2016

When pulling a heavy object with a rope or chain, such as a downed tree or whatever, what is the recommended attachment point on the tractor? Is it the hitch bar where I can install a ball or the 3.pt system? And if the 3.pt, how exactly would I rig it? Do I need one of those contraptions that attaches to the 3.pt? I know how to rig a rope or chain. I just want to do it the safest and easiest on the tractor. Thanks! And yes, I'm a rookie tractor owner. ;-). For reference sake, 2016 2555 HST.

Oldpath05 · May 28, 2016

Do I need one of those contraptions that attaches to the 3.pt?<<<<Yes, for one a 3 point draw bar will lift a tree butt off the ground so it can be pull in a safer/easier way, you make something or buy one.

A short story, once upon a time 40 years ago I was pulling a tree out of the woods in the fall, and coming up near the house there was a small piece of wood froze in the ground, the tractor went over it fine in 1st. gear, but the tree I was dragging on the ground come against it, stopped the tree, the tractor came up and over so fast that I had barely enough time to jump, the tractor had some damage.

That was a rare event but I suppose it could happen again to someone somewhere and a tree could catch on something else. In hind sight, if I didn't panic and had a quick working mind, I could reach for the off switch, but then again when I'm pulling something I'm looking back at what I'm dragging and in doing that I loose the sensation of the front end of a tractor coming of the ground until it's to late the n there's nothing to do but panic.

Luke'sScreenName · May 28, 2016

He's got a HST so that's an unlikely occurrence IMO.

Beltzington · May 28, 2016

Use a fixed bar and a clevis. From experience I found you can bend things you don't want to bend pulling logs. Picture shows what I am talking about.

I also had a 3-point 2" hitch receiver fabricated and found I do not use it much. My thought was I would use it to move my RV trailers around the property but the FEL is faster for the small boat trailers and the heavier camper wants to push the tractor around too much.

JerryK · May 28, 2016

Pulling anything can cause your tractor to flip over backwards. If you have to pull, use a clevis on your drawbar. The drawbar is usually below the centerline of the rear axle, and pulling from there has the least chance of flipping over. But, if you tires get good traction [ on roots, cement, etc... ] the tractor still can quickly flip over backwards. Not saying I have never pulled with a boom pole or higher up... but not a very smart thing to do. If you have to, keep your speed extremly slow..the thing you are pulling snags on something.... and get ready for Mr. Toads Wild Ride at any moment....

mcfarmall · May 28, 2016

The lower the attachment point (drawbar) the less likely to pop a wheelie. As you start pulling with anything attached to the 3 point hitch your odds for a wheelie increase due to the leverage effect relative to the axle centerline. For a whopping good time, try pulling a load with a boom pole on the 3 point (seriously, DON'T DO THIS).

This is the reason why competitive tractor pullers must adhere to strict rules regarding the height of the hitch point from the ground. The height of the hitch causes a weight transfer effect on the pulling tractor which could give some pullers an advantage over others if they didn't adhere to the NTPA hitch height rules.

Usmcsrt1 · May 29, 2016

Thanks guys! All great responses. When I was a Trooper in Florida, I assisted on a fatality where a woman was pulling a tree and her tractor wheelied over and killed her. That's why I'm pretty animate on doing this correctly. I'm attaching some pics to zero in on the exact device. I'm okay with spending $300.00 or less. Any recommendations?

Howling · May 29, 2016

Your tractor does have hitch point on the rear axle below the PTO, between the 3-point arms. This in the point I connect a chain to when dragging big rocks, etc. It is lowest connect point on tractor and don't have to take ballast box off to drag.

Also have 3-point piece like your second picture for trailer moving.

Luke'sScreenName · May 29, 2016

I've happily used one like the second for years with ZERO issues.

sdef · May 29, 2016

JerryK said:
Pulling anything can cause your tractor to flip over backwards. If you have to pull, use a clevis on your drawbar. The drawbar is usually below the centerline of the rear axle, and pulling from there has the least chance of flipping over. But, if you tires get good traction [ on roots, cement, etc... ] the tractor still can quickly flip over backwards. Not saying I have never pulled with a boom pole or higher up... but not a very smart thing to do. If you have to, keep your speed extremly slow..the thing you are pulling snags on something.... and get ready for Mr. Toads Wild Ride at any moment....

+ 1 as the generally preferred method and the method I use if possible. But if dragging something like a tree that may be prone to dig into the ground as it is being pulled, it is probably best to chain the log end to the 3PH in some manner and lift the end off the ground a small amount to keep it from digging in. The easiest way to do this for myself is to have a 3PH attachment with a chain grab hook. Simply wrap the chain around the end of the log, drop the chain into the grab hook on the 3PH attachment and lift the log end a small amount to keep it from digging in. One could also use the FEL but it is the rear of the tractor designed to pull things, not the front of the tractor.

This is what I use. Note the grab hook mounted ~ 1/3 down from the top of the top cylinder. A grab hook can easily be welded to many different types of 3PH attachments with the lower the mount the safer.