ball hitch on the drawbar - is there a pin-on version?

[barndoor]

I've probably answered my own question, since I can't find one anywhere. But it got me thinking: why can't a trailer ball be pinned on instead of with the nut and lock washer? Of course the later is more secure, but I'd like to pull my little log splitter via the drawbar with the LX, unhook it at the work site, then use the drawbar for pulling chain/strap. I could buy another drawbar and mount a ball to it, but it sure would be nice to have a ball that could mount with a pin like my chain hooks and clevis hooks.

 

[G-grandpa]

thats what I was thinking about, Following

 

[MOOTS]

Million $ idea....

 

[ruger1980]

Why not use a receiver and exchange couplers?

Also you have to figure liability. Say you produce such a product and an end-user does not secure the product correctly and someone gets hurt. In a court room you end up being the bad guy or at least broke.

The way I see it the 60 sec it takes to undo a hitch ball from a drawbar I am good with to ensure safety of myself and other around me.

 

[Russell King]

You could just take the drawbar off and drill a pin hole through the trailer ball shank. I would suggest taking it to a machine shop so the hole can be placed fairly precisely so that the ball will be held down fairly tightly to the drawbar.

You may want to use a pin that is flat on the back side against the drawbar. The pins on the lower arms of the 3 point hitch may work but similar pins in smaller sizes are available.

 

[JeffL]

Why not offset the ball left or right of center, to a hole not used for other tasks. The LX is wide compared to most splitters, I bet it would still track within the tractor,

 

[mcfarmall]

You could also get an inexpensive trailer mover for the 3PH with a receiver on it. You wouldn't need to worry about the 3PH lifting due to a shift in tongue weight and you could still use the drawbar.

 

[Motion]

I suggest reaming out or drilling your draw to accept a nominal 1" pin which generally come with a brail handle, remove the handle, then buy an inexpensive 2 " trailer ball and cut the shank off, bevel the pins head and weld the ball to the pin (use plenty of heat). Now you have a hitch and a pin with a ball handle. You might want to consider adding a hammer strap to your draw bar. Just my .02

 

[Crash277]

i would buy or build something like this. You could cut off the 2 5/8" ball and weld on a plate with a hole for towing pin on implements.

 

[Thunder chicken]

I’ve posted this elsewhere before…..I had this made up to use 2” receivers over my draw bar.
Works like a charm.

 

[Crash277]

I’ve posted this elsewhere before…..I had this made up to use 2” receivers over my draw bar.
Works like a charm. View attachment 64764

mind if i steal this? my buddies old IH needs this!

 

[barndoor]

great ideas everyone. I'm certainly not looking to make any device to sell, so liability isn't a concern. But it does point to the fact that there may be some inherent issues with a pin on ball, hence they are not made. Really I'm just lazy, and could just buy a second drawbar with a ball on it, and swap it out as needed.

Another idea I had was to source, or more likely make, a big wing nut, allowing me to attach the ball as normal, just no need for a wrench.

 

[Thunder chicken]

^ if you welded on some ‘wings’ on the nut, that’s likely work great, just maybe drill a hole for a cotter pin of sorts so it don’t rattle off or come loose getting tangled in weeds.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

it's been done.. Princess Auto (and others...) sell an ATV 2" sleeve that bolts on the ATV, allows you to insall the 'ball mount' of your choice

 

[twomany]

Having a ball on the tool bar that has the "lift assist" sure makes hooking up much easier.

The tongue weight of my splitter is getting to be a bit much to handle safely.