Is this wrong? How wrong? (trailer hitch setup)

[kylemorley]

I needed to tow a trailer in a hurry, and didn't have one of those locks to keep the bar from rolling, so I just bolted the top link to the drawbar with a 3/4" bolt. Seemed to work fine, and has the advantage of preventing the drawbar from pushing/lifting up.

Seems too easy though. What am I overlooking?

 

[HCooke]

As long as you are not towing a heavy load or going down hill I think you would be OK.
 

[HCooke]

As long as you are not towing a heavy load or going down hill I think you would be OK.
 

[old]

Well as long as your being careful it will maybe be ok. I have seen center links break and if that happens and the trailer is tail heavy you can be a dead man with a trailer hitch sticking out your chest
 

[Switchflicker]

What other arrangements would be safer to prevent the drawbar from moving up or down during the tow?

Thanks

Sw
 

[JMOR]

[TheOldHokie]

[Royse]

If you stay with that I would make sure the PTO is off so you don't
bump the lever and try to lift it by accident.
It looks like you have a swinging drawbar hitch under the tractor.
Why not just add the drawbar and stay bars?


 

[Switchflicker]

The arrangement above is exactly what I need. Thanks Royse.

Is that one store bought or home grown?

Thanks

Sw
 

[TheOldHokie]

[Royse]

[55deere70]

I used a receiver hitch blank welded to a plate and bolted it in place of the swinging drawbar hitch. That way I can use any number of different ball mounts and towing arrangements.
 

[TheOldHokie]

[Royse]

Thanks for pointing that out TOH.
I didn't mean to say you could buy the OEM parts, I just meant that
similar ones were readily available. I didn't make that very clear.
Like 55deere70 mentioned, I also use what was a bumper mounted receiver,
flipped upside down and bolted to the top of a 13 hole drawbar on one of my tractors.
I welded on flat stock sticking upright to meet the top link.
I then use the 3pt to lower the hitch, back under the trailer tongue and lift it.
I use it to move my boats and empty trailers around the yard for mowing etc.
I wouldn't recommend that for much weight, but it's nice to be able to move
light stuff around the yard without climbing on and off every time.
 

[Switchflicker]

Thanks for your responces fellas

Sw