Mattrix37495 11 #1 Posted October 5, 2015 I've got a couple of trailers to pull around so I built a hitch. The tractor isn't modified in any way so I could remove it without leaving a trace.Next thing I need to build is a weight box for the front. Trying to move my flatbed, the front came off the ground before I pulled it out of where it had been setting... One more picture of the underside of the hitch. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel-N-It 2,976 #2 Posted October 5, 2015 Nice work, that looks good ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JC 1965 1,532 #3 Posted October 5, 2015 Looks great, nice and strong, should do the job. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 10,716 #4 Posted October 5, 2015 Nice and stout! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 41,988 #5 Posted October 5, 2015 Mattrix. Nice work on the hitch. Just be careful moving heavy equipment, especially if you have some hills. The front weight will help, but with 2-400lbs typical. tongue weight on the hitch of such a short wheelbase tractor, they don't have the geometry to be very stable and have a tendency to flip over when you least expect it.Ever since I flipped mine while moving a 3000lb boat, I always leave the trailer dolly wheel locked in the down position to catch the trailer in case the tractor does do a flip. BTW, I was pulling the boat out of the garage on level paved driveway with my 8HP 3 speed when a wheel on the trailer hit a 2x4 block that I didn't see.The additional resistance was enough to flip the tractor before I could get to the clutch. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mattrix37495 11 #6 Posted October 5, 2015 Mattrix. Nice work on the hitch. Just be careful moving heavy equipment, especially if you have some hills. The front weight will help, but with 2-400lbs typical. tongue weight on the hitch of such a short wheelbase tractor, they don't have the geometry to be very stable and have a tendency to flip over when you least expect it. Ever since I flipped mine while moving a 3000lb boat, I always leave the trailer dolly wheel locked in the down position to catch the trailer in case the tractor does do a flip. BTW, I was pulling the boat out of the garage on level paved driveway with my 8HP 3 speed when a wheel on the trailer hit a 2x4 block that I didn't see. The additional resistance was enough to flip the tractor before I could get to the clutch. That's good advice. Thank you. I'm only going to pull the flatbed while empty. It's just too heavy otherwise. I am going to build a 4x6 yard trailer for all the cleanup chores and hauling split firewood. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elcamino/wheelhorse 9,362 #7 Posted October 5, 2015 I like your work , very sturdy looking. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KC9KAS 4,744 #9 Posted October 5, 2015 and you did a fine fabrication job on the hitch.Glad to have another Hoosier here. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 28,408 #10 Posted October 13, 2015 Looks great! Question to the group - I have a rear hitch as well and plan to move my 14' boat and trailer around the yard with it. Any issues? Should I go with a front hitch instead?I have a C-105.Any thoughts appreciated... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DennisThornton 4,771 #11 Posted October 13, 2015 Certainly sturdy and I would use some of your ideas if I were to build one. One thing to keep in mind though, is why WH placed the hitch bar where they did. Might not be convenient or ideal for other reasons but lower is better for pulling. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JackC 617 #12 Posted October 13, 2015 (edited) Looks great! Question to the group - I have a rear hitch as well and plan to move my 14' boat and trailer around the yard with it. Any issues? Should I go with a front hitch instead?I have a C-105.Any thoughts appreciated... Rear hitch should be fine. A front hitch comes in handy on occasion.I bought this one off eBay. I do not use it much.I use the rear hitch a lot. Edited October 13, 2015 by JackC Update pictures 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 28,408 #13 Posted October 13, 2015 Thanks!Appreciate the input! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mattrix37495 11 #14 Posted October 13, 2015 Looks great! Question to the group - I have a rear hitch as well and plan to move my 14' boat and trailer around the yard with it. Any issues? Should I go with a front hitch instead?I have a C-105.Any thoughts appreciated... The biggest issue is weight. Too much weight and the tractor drives out from under the weight and tips over backward. If the boad is light and has little tongue weight I wouldn't worry about it. My flatbed had a bunch of tongue weight and the tractor wanted to try to to drive out from under the trailer (tried to flip backwards).As far as hitch location, I treated my WH like the big tractors. All the strongest parts are on the back. The front hitch is only held on by three 3/8" carriage bolts. Certainly sturdy and I would use some of your ideas if I were to build one. One thing to keep in mind though, is why WH placed the hitch bar where they did. Might not be convenient or ideal for other reasons but lower is better for pulling. While you're right, I would think WH put the hitch where most of the towable accessories for it would be level. The cart and other towables didn't have a lot of ground clearance.For the other posters: Ideally, you want the hitch point below the axle center line. The reason for this is when you pull on the drawbar the force is trying to rotate the tractor around the axle (like an L shaped lever where the axle is where the sides meet). If the drawbar is below the axle the front will try to rotate down and the tractor is stable. If the drawbar is above the axle the front will try to rotate up and the tractor will try to flip over backwards. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CasualObserver 3,411 #15 Posted October 13, 2015 For the other posters: Ideally, you want the hitch point below the axle center line. The reason for this is when you pull on the drawbar the force is trying to rotate the tractor around the axle (like an L shaped lever where the axle is where the sides meet). If the drawbar is below the axle the front will try to rotate down and the tractor is stable. If the drawbar is above the axle the front will try to rotate up and the tractor will try to flip over backwards. Bingo! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 28,408 #16 Posted October 13, 2015 Great info - thank you! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 28,408 #17 Posted October 23, 2015 Follow up Question...I noticed that the standard rear hitch on my c-105 pivots and "rests" on the underside of the trans case. More weight on the hitch transfers more upward pressure on the trans case bottom. Will pulling using the standard hitch put too much weight on the trans? Tongue weight of boat is ~100 lbs... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mattrix37495 11 #18 Posted October 23, 2015 Follow up Question...I noticed that the standard rear hitch on my c-105 pivots and "rests" on the underside of the trans case. More weight on the hitch transfers more upward pressure on the trans case bottom. Will pulling using the standard hitch put too much weight on the trans? Tongue weight of boat is ~100 lbs... I would think you'd be fine as long as the tongue isn't bouncing. I was able to stand on the drawbar. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 28,408 #19 Posted October 23, 2015 Thank you! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
