ri702bill 9,697 #1 Posted May 26, 2024 (edited) So, #1 Son bought a nice 14 foot flat bottom boat, motor & trailer. It is now Yard Art for 28 or so days a month. Whipped up at front mounted hitch receiver to move it so I could cut the grass. Move it with one WH, cut the grass with the other... Came home with this 13 buck HFT ATV front hitch - showed it to my son - he said "Is'nt that just adorable!!" Hence the name. I replied that I did not think they could be away from their Mother when that small!! I cannot even purchase the flat & round stock for that price. Mated it to a rusty Mule Drive - used the round stock from a old worn out C81 tierod to stand it off the lower mount . Works fine.... You can look thru the lower left grill slots to align the ball to the hitch for an easy lineup... Edited May 26, 2024 by ri702bill 3 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 52,318 #2 Posted May 26, 2024 How is it fastened to the mule? Doesn't look welded. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 9,356 #3 Posted May 26, 2024 @ri702bill love those ball hitches , once I started using them , now on all my attachments , like backing up to my lawn aerators , single or double tow , yard trailer , you can also make up a ball hitch bolt on or slide pin set up . based on the original connection point . what ever you can dream up , heavy flat stock base , my grandson does all my welding now , also builds submarines , pete Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 9,697 #4 Posted May 26, 2024 (edited) 1 hour ago, WHX?? said: How is it fastened to the mule? Doesn't look welded. It IS welded. I milled a slot thru the face of the Mule Drive, cut the back of the adapter so it hits the diagonal 3/4" down rod (that extended out for the pulleys). Welded inside, outside underneath and up the sides of the slot - solid. Edited May 26, 2024 by ri702bill 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 9,697 #5 Posted May 26, 2024 18 minutes ago, peter lena said: @ri702bill love those ball hitches , once I started using them , now on all my attachments , like backing up to my lawn aerators , single or double tow , yard trailer , you can also make up a ball hitch bolt on or slide pin set up . based on the original connection point . what ever you can dream up , heavy flat stock base , my grandson does all my welding now , also builds submarines , pete Working at "The 'Boat" has some off shift benefits.... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 9,697 #6 Posted May 27, 2024 (edited) Interesting history on the boat, motor & trailer... Seems that the NW town of Gloucester (RI) got some Federal Money in 1998 to purchase three identical Pond Search & Rescue Boats. This is the 3rd unit and it NEVER GOT WET until the town sold it last year. The black lettering "MARINE" is still on both sides mid-hull. 14 foot aluminum boat, galvanized trailer (with 2 new tires installed last year) and a sweet 9.9HP 4 stroke Yamaha motor - $3K... Motor alone is $2.5K new... Edited May 27, 2024 by ri702bill 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bar Nuthin 1,174 #7 Posted August 22 (edited) I wasn't gonna post this because my little flux wire welder (combined with my lack of skill) made for some UGLY welding, but then I decided f**k it! Here's a quick detach receiver I dreamed up. Fortunately, it works amazingly well moving my rock trailer and my buddy's bass boat with no issues! Here's how it looked in my mind! Edited August 22 by Bar Nuthin 3 3 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 29,012 #8 Posted August 22 I just bought this and will be making a bolt on one out of a front hitch o matic... 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 29,012 #9 Posted August 23 Here's the one I just made: 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indawire 0 #10 Posted August 27 There's my next little project! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wayne0 1,317 #11 Posted August 27 On 8/23/2025 at 2:35 PM, SylvanLakeWH said: Here's the one I just made: It's great on the mule. Would be nice to use the mule as well! Gonna' take some tinkering. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 29,012 #12 Posted August 27 (edited) 21 minutes ago, Wayne0 said: It's great on the mule. Would be nice to use the mule as well! Gonna' take some tinkering. The mule works perfectly with the hitch removed... I kept the adjustment bolt on there in back. That was my design goal. Edited August 27 by SylvanLakeWH 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 9,356 #13 Posted August 27 @Wayne0 have you cleaned out and repacked those 6203 3/4 2rsc3 , mule drive bearings ? wide side grease shields , makes it simple easy , every related spindle , and pulley lucas X- TRA HD green chassis grease , 550 deg flash point / polyurea rated , stays with it , also pto lever start area , the detailing of this set up , makes it amazingly smooth / quiet . once you start eliminating hang up / drag areas , even quiets down , screaming clutch area , only a reference , pete Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
