Using the drawbar to pull a trailer

[North Idaho Wolfman]

If the tongue weight is more that your three point can pick up, then you shouldn't be hooking it up to the tractor and trying to move it.

I was also assuming the trailer is just being "moved" not used in operation.
But I do that all the time behind the L, as the B does become really light in the nose on hills.
And stopping is always a big concern and observable point on my part!

 

[Henro]

All I can add, is that I pulled probably 100 loads of dirt in my 5 x 8 dump trailer, using my BX 2200, with probably a ton of dirt in the trailer.

But mostly up a bit of a grade, and never downgrade. Worked really well. It was using a three point hitch adapter or whatever you call it.

Never had an issue but maybe I made sure that the tongue weight was enough that the trailer didn’t lift the three-point hitch.

This was low speed and not on the road. For what is that worth…

 

[Grandad4]

Interesting thread with sound, thoughtful comments, IMHO. Tractors had drawbars long before the 3 point hitch came along and what they pulled had long tongues (like a hay wagon). Modern highway-use trailers mostly lack a long tongue and tractor drawbars are usually fairly short, posing a potential safety concern in a sharp turn where the trailer may come in contact with one of the tractor's rear wheels.

To lessen that risk a tow bar between the lower links became a popular addition on early 3 point tractors, but it presented its own hazard because the 3 point links are not secured from lifting upward if a trailer has too much weight in back. Adding a check chain does solve that problem but it seems many/most operators don't know what one is or how to use it.

So neither the drawbar nor the 3 point is a perfect mounting place for towing a trailer. Have to be careful either way!

 

[Mruysch]

I built this year's ago to move trailers around

 

[VenisonChili]

I've never heard any concerns about pulling anything with the 3pt. What do you suppose it's doing when you pull a plow, box blade with rippers, tiller, etc?

I don't use my drawbar and leave it off the tractor. It limits my turning ability because the attachment point is inside the tires. I use a 3pt 2" receiver on a 3pt quick hitch. This keeps the attachment point out past the tires so I can make 90 degree turns if I need to. I have various ball mounts and even use one without a ball for pin attached implements. I even use it with one mount I made with a ripper for pulling roots and digging trenches.

i am brand new to OTT, first post. I have never pulled anything with my L3901, but have a light trailer I use around my property I usually use my 4 wheeler to pull it. I have a new MX6000 Cab coming next week and have been wondering about pulling my trailer. Old Machinist do you have a picture of your setup?

 

[Russell King]

i am brand new to OTT, first post. I have never pulled anything with my L3901, but have a light trailer I use around my property I usually use my 4 wheeler to pull it. I have a new MX6000 Cab coming next week and have been wondering about pulling my trailer. Old Machinist do you have a picture of your setup?

Read about the dangers of two wheeled trailers being hooked to the three point hitch (which normally has no resistance to upward movement). Then think what happens when you set a large weight behind the wheels of a two wheeled trailer. What does the trailer young want to do?

The upward movement can damage the tractor case that is designed for downforce not upforce on the three point hitch.

Also note the devices sold that are name “trailer movers” not ”trailer hitches”. It is fine to use to move trailers around but not across fields and bumps unless it is secured to the tractor so it doesn’t move up!

 

[VenisonChili]

Read about the dangers of two wheeled trailers being hooked to the three point hitch (which normally has no resistance to upward movement). Then think what happens when you set a large weight behind the wheels of a two wheeled trailer. What does the trailer young want to do?

The upward movement can damage the tractor case that is designed for downforce not upforce on the three point hitch.

Also note the devices sold that are name “trailer movers” not ”trailer hitches”. It is fine to use to move trailers around but not across fields and bumps unless it is secured to the tractor so it doesn’t move up!

Thanks for the reply. Makes sense.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

You can limit upward movement of the 3PH by simply chaining it to the axle.

 

[Old Machinist]

i am brand new to OTT, first post. I have never pulled anything with my L3901, but have a light trailer I use around my property I usually use my 4 wheeler to pull it. I have a new MX6000 Cab coming next week and have been wondering about pulling my trailer. Old Machinist do you have a picture of your setup?

I only use mine for pulling an offset Swisher mower and sometimes a seed spreader. I also have a 2 inch bar with a single ripper I can use in it.

I wouldn't hesitate to pull either of my trailers with it. I can't imagine them having a damaging lift effect stopping at tractor speeds.

You can find 3 point 2" receiver trailer hitches pretty reasonable. Make sure and get one that has the pin connections tabbed forward for quick hitch compatibility. I had to weld on gussets to the bottom pin tabs on this one and the top link had the wrong size hole so I welded plates over it with the correct size hole.

 

[RCW]

i am brand new to OTT, first post. I have never pulled anything with my L3901, but have a light trailer I use around my property I usually use my 4 wheeler to pull it. I have a new MX6000 Cab coming next week and have been wondering about pulling my trailer. Old Machinist do you have a picture of your setup?

Do your L3901 or the new MX6000 have a fixed drawbar below the rear axle/PTO? There's photo examples of them earlier in this thread.

Where I come from, that fixed drawbar is ALWAYS used for pulling anything, unless there's a reason you can't (e.g., trailer tongue too short, etc.).

Sounds like your trailer is light, but a 3PH arrangement would be my last choice, not first choice.

 

[Old Machinist]

Do your L3901 or the new MX6000 have a fixed drawbar below the rear axle/PTO? There's photo examples of them earlier in this thread.

Where I come from, that fixed drawbar is ALWAYS used for pulling anything, unless there's a reason you can't (e.g., trailer tongue too short, etc.).

Sounds like your trailer is light, but a 3PH arrangement would be my last choice, not first choice.

The reason I use the 3 point hitch option for my particular purpose is to increase my turning radius. A drawbar places the pivot point inside the radius of the tires and turning too sharp results in the tongue making contact with the tires. With the pivot point behind the tires you can make a 90 degree turn without this happening.

Also for a trailer ball as the OP wanted to use won't fit in the pin hole of a drawbar.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

The reason I use the 3 point hitch option for my particular purpose is to increase my turning radius. A drawbar places the pivot point inside the radius of the tires and turning too sharp results in the tongue making contact with the tires. With the pivot point behind the tires you can make a 90 degree turn without this happening.

Also for a trailer ball as the OP wanted to use won't fit in the pin hole of a drawbar.

Too logical!

I use mine because I just simply too busy ( tired ) to want to get on and off the tractor to hook up and lift the jack.
With the three point hitch, its back under, lift, relocate, drop!

 

[VenisonChili]

I only use mine for pulling an offset Swisher mower and sometimes a seed spreader. I also have a 2 inch bar with a single ripper I can use in it.

I wouldn't hesitate to pull either of my trailers with it. I can't imagine them having a damaging lift effect stopping at tractor speeds.

You can find 3 point 2" receiver trailer hitches pretty reasonable. Make sure and get one that has the pin connections tabbed forward for quick hitch compatibility. I had to weld on gussets to the bottom pin tabs on this one and the top link had the wrong size hole so I welded plates over it with the correct size hole.

View attachment 156727

Thanks! Very nice!

 

[VenisonChili]

Do your L3901 or the new MX6000 have a fixed drawbar below the rear axle/PTO? There's photo examples of them earlier in this thread.

Where I come from, that fixed drawbar is ALWAYS used for pulling anything, unless there's a reason you can't (e.g., trailer tongue too short, etc.).

Sounds like your trailer is light, but a 3PH arrangement would be my last choice, not first choice.

Yes, they have the draw bar, I had an assumed that was my only choice until I read this thread.

 

[johnjk]

I use my quick hitch for that exact reason. I can easily pick the trailer, move it and set it back down. No cranking the stand up and down

 

[RCW]

The reason I use the 3 point hitch option for my particular purpose is to increase my turning radius. A drawbar places the pivot point inside the radius of the tires and turning too sharp results in the tongue making contact with the tires. With the pivot point behind the tires you can make a 90 degree turn without this happening.

Also for a trailer ball as the OP wanted to use won't fit in the pin hole of a drawbar.

Absolutely.

Like I said, I would use the fixed drawbar unless there’s a compelling reason to use a 3PH drawbar.

I even have a 3PH drawbar on my little BX.

Sometimes rookies can get into a jam, but with practice it can be fine.

 

[sardillim]

i use this works fine for me

 

[Old Machinist]

i use this works fine for me

Will the top hook of a quick hitch connect to it?

 

[Vincecj]

When I made my folding folks, I fitted a hitch receiver. OK for empty empty trailers around the yard.

 

[Sobrbiker]

I welded a pintle ball to the back plate of the Massey MF18 box that lives on the back of my old L2850. Works great for moving horse trailer and 20ft two axle trailer around property.
No pic handy, but can grab one if interested.