Another drawbar question

Toora Stephen · Jun 8, 2009

When I bought my tractor about 18 months ago it did not have a drawbar. (In fact I didn't even know what a drawbar was for a while!) I bought one last week, along with a tow ball and attached it on the weekend and towed my trailer around.

OK, so it works as expected, but there are a couple of issues. First, the drawbar is connected to the lift arms, which are, by design, flexible in terms of lateral movement. I know you can get stabiliser bars to stop this movement. Is that a worthwhile / desirable idea? Is it much safer? Is there actually a problem towing a trailer where the drawbar is free to move about a bit?

The second issue is the fact that the drawbar rotates (ie. the tow ball can go upside down). I have heard that you can also get some sort of device that stops the rotation. Personally I don't see a need for one though. Again, is it safer or somehow better to have a drawbar that doesn't rotate?

Thanks for any ideas or opinions.

- TS

Richard L · Jun 8, 2009

I will get a piece to install on the lift arms and also slide over the drawbar to keep it from rotating forward and backward when pulling anything with a ball coupling. When growing up we did not have anything to keep drawbar from rotating some and now I can see where it will be "much" safer and I have seen them at a salvage yard "new" for $25.00. Good luck with which ever way you decide to do it. Richard

Randyr · Jun 8, 2009

I had the same issues with mine.
I put on stabilizer bars that attach to brackets under the axle. My drawbar is about 32" long, I had another one that was 26" and the bars wouldn't fit. One bar would attach, but it didn't eliminate all the movement. The 32" bar allows both stabilizer bars to attach and that eliminates almost all the movement. The little bit it moves now doesn't affect anything.
As for the draw bar rotating, I bent some 1/8" x 2" flat steel so I had 2 pieces that would bolt into the extra holes on the bar, 2 bolts each, then bent them up and in towards each other, bolted together with a 2" spacer (I used pipe), and then holes for the top link to attach to above that. It couldn't rotate if it wanted to. The whole assembly looks like an "A" with an extension at the top. I have backed the tractor up to my trailer, lifted the ball into the socket, snapped the lock on and towed 3000 lbs of gravel around with no trouble.
Works for me!

Jeff-oh · Jun 9, 2009

Here is the drawbar anti-rotation devise they sell at TSC ($18)

The second is of the "V" drawbar. It bolts to your standard drawbar near the point, then the legs hook the lift arms and are held in place with "J" bolts. This one just came up on e-bay and is for sale in 6 days.

Two options for you.

Leighton VT · Jun 9, 2009

I agree with the other fellows who replied. I
bought a piece that slides over one end of the
drawbar keeping it from rotating and I haul a
trailer full of firewood with no problems. I
believe it is much safer that way.
I also have purchased 2 sway bars (not yet
installed) that are 32", and they should keep any
swinging from side to side at a bare minimum,
such as when a winch is attached.

Jeff-oh · Jun 9, 2009

Did you get that bumber you were looking for?

Fred Hart · Jun 9, 2009

http://secure.external_link/cgi-bin/quikstore.cgi?search=yes&product=MFSDK510

MF swinging drawbar kit.

I think this is what you want, it is very handy and will not let your ball hitch roate. I have one on my to-35.

I also have the complete hitch system for the cross bar hitch, but never use it because the above swinging drawbar system is so much eaiser to use.

you can keep your drawbar that fits into the lift arms and use it to pull up fence post.

Eldon Booth · Jun 9, 2009

Drawbar Stay Straps or similar equipment should be used with a trailer or wagon. Remember there is nothing holding your 11 hole drawbar from going up farther then what you have it set. If you happen to have enough weight on the back of the trailer to make the tung go up it will. With a wagon if it starts to push you when going down hill there is a posability that the tung could push the drawbar all the way up and make things rather dificult.
Eldon

Leighton VT · Jun 11, 2009

Will send a photo when I get it installed.

Another drawbar question

Toora Stephen

Member

Richard L

Well-known Member

Randyr

Member

Jeff-oh

Well-known Member

Leighton VT

Member

Jeff-oh

Well-known Member

Fred Hart

Member

Eldon Booth

Member

Leighton VT

Member

Similar threads