pulling drawbar?

[Spud30]

I have a farmall 340 that i will be pulling and because it is a short tractor i was wanting some thoughts on how far out i should have the drawbar? i belive we are allowed 18" form center of rear end? so is it better short or long with a short tractor? thanks

 

[Anonymous-0]

General rule of thumb short is better to a point. Think of it as a lever, the farther the weight is in front of the rear wheels the longer your hitch can be, the closer the weight to the rear wheels the shorter your hitch needs to be. Your rear wheels are your pivot point in this balancing act. 18" is a good starting point, you go much longer you lose hitch height when the front lifts. Ideally you want the front wheels to be just touching the ground when you really start to feel the weight of the sled. It will take you a couple of hooks to figure the balance of your tractor.

Warhorse

 

[VicS]

Your rear hitch should be exactly 18in back from the axle center. also your front weight bracket can be 11ft forward of the axle center. make it this long and put your suitcase weights on sideways. Then your tractor being short don't make any difference.Hang in there everybody said I was messing with a tractor that never stood a chance of wining. A 435 John Deere. If you want to look at it go to you tube, John Deere 435 @ Tunica. I didn't win but I came close. LOL Vic

 

[showcrop]

95% of the guys on here will tell you to always, no matter what, have it in as far as possible. I agree that 95% of the time that is true, but with a short wheel base tractor, if you find yourself spinning out with all possible weight on the back and your front tires nailed to the ground, well guess what, pull your draw bar out, and get a little more draft off from the sled, and go a little, and maybe even a lot further.

 

[a4]

I was always impressed with 340's pulling ability,they never seem to give up.kinda ratchet themselves down the track.Shortest drawbar length with the front weights sticking forward as far as possible or allowable. Motor cubes are low as u already know.See what else fits in them

 

[david orourke]

yes i agree with short, but the other question is the angle of the drawbar, does is there a certain angle that is ideal? and the pivot point, in front of the rear axle or no drawbar just pulling of a rear hitch with all of the pull behind the rear axle. example, a farmall m or h using the rear hoop for a hooking point, is that better than having a drawbar in there???? lots of variables.

 

[VicS]

If it is all steel and can't give, doesn't make any difference what angle your drawbar is. I have seen some cut out of a plate with 2 in from edge to hole, I think they are trying to hold up the hook somehow, maybe it helps. I have read some rules that said it couldn't be but 1 1/2 in from edge to hole. If they would let me I would make mine 6 in from edge to hole, and mount my hitch level.

 

[Spud30]

thanks for all the interesting replys, i think i will try the 18" the first weekend and see what happend. I have invested in 3 sets of wheel weights because i feel that i do not want all that weight behind me with a short tractor?!!