Quick Hitch Mod

[dlsmith]

I've been using my BX to pull my utility trailer loaded with mulch around to unload it where I need it. I have a quick hitch attachment that came with a 2" ball, a 1 7/8" ball and a hole for a clevis or whatever. Sometimes when maneuvering the BX can turn sharp enough that the tongue will hit the hitch and bind up, so I decided to install a 2" trailer hitch receiver to end the tight turn problem and get rid of the 1 7/8" ball that I'll never use.
I bought a receiver tube, cut it a little shorter, about 8" and welded it securely on the draw bar. Then I cut a piece of 2" tube to mount the 2" ball on, drilled holes for the retaining pin and added some 2" X 1/4" strap to reinforce the tube where the ball mounts.
I decided to also make a tube that has a clevis on the end that can be swapped in place of the ball. Used some more 2" X 1/4" bar stock to make two Z shaped pieces that I welded to the tube and drilled a 3/4" hole for the clevis.
That done, I took the cut off piece of receiver tubing that was about 3" long, drilled 5/8" holes for a retaining pin, and welded it to the right leg of the QH attachment. With that, I can store whichever insert I'm not using right on the hitch itself.

Thinking about a chainsaw mount to attach on the FEL mount. Every now and then I need to take it out and do some tree trimming, and I don't like carrying it in the bucket.

Oh yeah, and the more I use my Miller 211 Autoset MIG welder, the more I like it. Every now and then I even make some decent looking welds.

 

[i7win7]

If you have a Harbor Freight nearby you can get some accessories to make it more versatile.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

nice mods !!! I got rid of the 1 7/8" balls...changed over the ONE trailer with that need to 2" coupler. Having the 'pockets' for the sleeves is GREAT, pinning them in even better !! Wondering about the hole on the top of the receiver. Is that factory or an 'oopsy' ?

 

[UpNorthMI]

Nice modification. I changed every 1 7/8” trailer or attachment I own to 2”, never understood why there is no common standard,

 

[chim]

Nice modification. I changed every 1 7/8” trailer or attachment I own to 2”, never understood why there is no common standard,

There is a standard:

Ball Diameter Weight Capacity
1-7/8" 2,000 to 3,500 lbs.

2" 3,500 to 12,000 lbs.

2-5/16" 6,000 to 30,000 lbs.

 

[UpNorthMI]

There is a standard:

Ball Diameter Weight Capacity
1-7/8" 2,000 to 3,500 lbs.

2" 3,500 to 12,000 lbs.

2-5/16" 6,000 to 30,000 lbs.

Chin,
Thanks for that clarification. Things get more confusing as you move into receiver apature sizing, again I always fit a 2” hitch on a car or SUV regardless of towing capacity, it’s about just having a common size for convenience. I do make sure I understand the towing vehicles capacity.

I do most of my towing with a 3500 diesel and don’t own a 1 7/8” ball. Many trailer manufacturers skip to 2” for single axle, even if not required, I’m not convinced that 1 7/8” has a useful function.

 

[dlsmith]

nice mods !!! I got rid of the 1 7/8" balls...changed over the ONE trailer with that need to 2" coupler. Having the 'pockets' for the sleeves is GREAT, pinning them in even better !! Wondering about the hole on the top of the receiver. Is that factory or an 'oopsy' ?

Thanks, retirement has given me more time to think up projects to keep me busy.
Yeah, I don't know of anything that uses 1 7/8" ball anymore. I chucked it in the scrap barrel.

The hole is the factory hole, however, when I welded the receiver to the angle, I thought, gee I can run a bolt through that and the hole in the angle to hold it in place while I weld it. Well, I already had a matching hole in the tube with the ball mounted on it oriented horizontally. So after I welded the receiver and went to stick the tube in it, I realized my error. Another trip to the drill press and all was well. I had already drilled a second hole in the receiver 90° from the original hole as a just in case I would need it, so it all worked out in the end.
Never hurts to have options available.

 

[dlsmith]

Nice modification. I changed every 1 7/8” trailer or attachment I own to 2”, never understood why there is no common standard,

Thanks. I have converted all my towed implements like wagon and roller to 2" ball hitches. Better than fooling with hitch pins and clips that somehow mysteriously pop out and vanish.

 

[dlsmith]

If you have a Harbor Freight nearby you can get some accessories to make it more versatile.

I don't really need many more attachments that I can think of. My local HF doesn't carry any quick hitch parts that I have seen.

That's quite an array of weapons on the back of your tractor!

 

[i7win7]

Started with TSC trailer mover

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/county-line-trailer-mover?cm_mmc%3DSEM-_-Bing-_-DynamicAllSite-_-AllSiteTSCExtAd&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Dynamic%20All%20Site&utm_term=tractorsupply&utm_content=All%20Site%20TSC

winch mounting bracket was for Kawasaki Mule???
all other parts came from Urbana, Il HF

Bought rusted out roller and filled with concrete. Automotive style coupler only way to easily hook it up.

 

[dlsmith]

I have a 5 foot wide roll I've had for years, it's got a few rust holes, so I think I'm going to fill it with concrete too. Going to be pretty heavy, as by my calculations it will hold .4 of a cubic yard or almost 11 cubic feet. At 150 lbs per cubic foot that's 1600 lbs. The BX will know when it's hitched to that.

 

[i7win7]

I have a ford 4000 that can lift a ton. When this roller is in the bucket, I can't curl it (1 cycinder) the 2 lift cylinders can lift it.

Big difference between lifting and pulling, the BX2370 has no problem pulling the cement filled roller or a 6' Hoelscher rolling box blade.

On the BX, I use it to shear off mole hills and roll lawn. Use bigger equipment to "work it"

 

[GreensvilleJay]

pulling heavy rollers is easy... it's TURNING tight that's 'fun', and well STOPPING can be 'interesting'....

 

[dlsmith]

pulling heavy rollers is easy... it's TURNING tight that's 'fun', and well STOPPING can be 'interesting'....

That's what I was concerned about, turning a 1600 lb roller, I know it'll pull it on the flat no problem.

 

[dlsmith]

I have a ford 4000 that can lift a ton. When this roller is in the bucket, I can't curl it (1 cycinder) the 2 lift cylinders can lift it.

Big difference between lifting and pulling, the BX2370 has no problem pulling the cement filled roller or a 6' Hoelscher rolling box blade.

On the BX, I use it to shear off mole hills and roll lawn. Use bigger equipment to "work it"

That reminds me of one of the old cable operated scrapers that were pulled by dozers. Dad had one he pulled with and old TD-14 way back in the '50s.