Farmall H & M Drawbar Capacities

Rein_Quest · Feb 13, 2018

I was trying to look this up but all the treads were really old and didn't quite answer my question.

The topic of an aftermarket 3pt has been stuck in my head because of current market they dominate implement hitches. A 3pt goes on the axle brackets and not the swinging drawbar.

So I got to wondering what the capacities are of the hitch as a whole. The swinging drawbar takes the brunt of the horizontal load and puts it on the center of the tractor. The fixed U drawbar takes the down force loading.

Does anyone know what capacity these were rated for?

rustyfarmall · Feb 13, 2018

I don't think there was a rated capacity. They were designed to stand up to the loads encountered with the machinery of that day, but sadly, many of the horseshoe drawbars did NOT, and would eventually develop a "bow". Many Hs and Ms had reinforcements added, which basically doubled the thickness.

Oldiron29 · Feb 13, 2018

As rusty said it was very common to see H and M U shape drawbar where two were welded together to carry heavy loads.

old · Feb 13, 2018

Most load them down to the point that if the front end comes off the ground you need to lighten the load and that was just how it was done. Same holds true with the 3 point if you try to lift something and the front end comes up then you either add weight to the front end or lighten the load. Never seen any thing written in manuals etc. that say load is X number of pounds

Rein_Quest · Feb 13, 2018

Ok. Thought I should check.

That also explains why my grandpa's Farmall had what looked like a cut U bar welded to the existing one.

I guess I'm just left to ponder how the load distribution compares where the 3 point bolts to the axle vs the center attached swinging drawbar.

old · Feb 13, 2018

That is the good thing about a 3 point over a draw bar pull. If you start to loose traction and have a 3 point you can lift the equipment to add weight to the tires so then your traction problem goes away if all is as one wants it to be where as pulling form the draw bar if you start to loose traction one can end up stuck

gab · Feb 13, 2018

The two Ms on the farm when I was a kid had the rear of the u shape doubled up and also the swinging draw bars. My Super M had a plate welded on the bottom of the swinging DB, about 4 inches wide, looked like shark fin, first farmer modification to go after I got it.

DeltaRed · Feb 13, 2018

I think you are 'overthinking'.

Rein_Quest · Feb 13, 2018

(quoted from post at 21:22:47 02/13/18) I think you are 'overthinking'.

I probably am. Just don't want to break something needlessly because of an aftermarket add-on.

D beatty · Feb 14, 2018

I have known the D drawbar to break from heavy pulling. I took my 450 that I pull farmstock with and and added top links like the ones in
the picture to my tractor but I also lift the stock braces on to.

Farmall H & M Drawbar Capacities

Rein_Quest

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rustyfarmall

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Oldiron29

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old

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Rein_Quest

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old

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gab

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DeltaRed

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Rein_Quest

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D beatty

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