Towing with sleeve hitch

[dmoore 952]

Anyone make some sort of adapter for sleeve hitch on my 64 854 to be able to tow cart, wagon and pivot, turn?

[Achto 28,801]

A flat piece of metal, at least 1/4" thick ( up to 5/8" ) with 2 holes drilled in it works well. 1 hole to hold it in the sleeve hitch and one for your hitch pin. I have made several.

 

 

 

Edited March 11 by Achto

[ri702bill 8,993]

I run the later style welded one on my 854.... some folks run both at the same time...

 

Edited March 11 by ri702bill

[dmoore 952]

Thanks, I was wondering what Wheel Horse used when tractors were new.

[WHX?? 50,776]

9 minutes ago, dmoore said:

used when tractors were new

What Dan showed. Just guessing a draw bar was also a desirable option in the day since there is a ton of them out there. 

I like to run a regular  draw bar and a sleeve. 

In our business we seldom use a sleeve except on plow mules. 

Edited March 11 by WHX??

[dmoore 952]

Didn't think about that hitch..he'll I've got 3 or 4 somewhere. Thanks WHX!

[WHX?? 50,776]

4 minutes ago, dmoore said:

Thanks WHX!

Your 

[ri702bill 8,993]

!!

[953 nut 57,991]

I have cut down one end of a scrap piece of 2" channel iron and bent it to allow a hitch with a ball to ride a bit higher using the sleeve hitch in the up position.

[WHX?? 50,776]

2 hours ago, 953 nut said:

allow a hitch with a ball to

You can't do that Richard ... Not sorry but the rules are quite clear... and you of all people should know this.

 

If a ball hitch is desirable one must obtain another horse dedicated with a permanently attached ball for such use. 

 

Preferably a round hood...

 

[Handy Don 13,340]

2 hours ago, 953 nut said:

I have cut down one end of a scrap piece of 2" channel iron and bent it to allow a hitch with a ball to ride a bit higher using the sleeve hitch in the up position.

This one is on my 854 as I type! 😉

 

When putting a ball on a slot or clevis hitch it is good to remember that trailer forces can lift the hitch unexpectedly.

Also, having a lifted blower or dozer blade while also putting a trailer on the hitch puts the weight of both implements onto the center rock shaft and, for non-hydros, on the lift lever latch. 

[sergeant 310]

Here is what I use On any of My sleeves: integral hitch and clevis hitch, whatever the Manufacturer calls it.  https://johnnyproducts.com/products/generic-multi-tongue-to-sleeve-hitch-towing-adaptor-attaches-to-any-sleeve-hitch-on-your-tractor-fits-elitewill-nixface-nubehone-craftsman-cub-cadet-and-other-sleeve-hitches-black

 

Do You have  a slot Hitch or clevis Hitch ?

 

If You Just have the slot Hitch add this https://wheelhorsepartsandmore.com/product/toro-wheel-horse-slot-hitch-adapter/  Plus John's adapter

Edited March 11 by sergeant

[peter lena 9,092]

 @sergeant  like the idea of adapting to a problem , for my set ups , going over to a  ball hitch , lets me tandem  and or  quick switch , just back up ,  push the  cup down / ball , lever  lock , go ,  also did that same idea on problem elimination , my 3 horses are set up the same way , with used to be chronic  issues , verify the  fix / change , to problem , then adapt  to other tractor . pete 

[squonk 42,579]

Always have both style hitches on the rear. Cheap and flexible. Then add a front mount for trailer moving! 

 

[dmoore 952]

On 3/10/2025 at 8:42 PM, WHX?? said:

What Dan showed. Just guessing a draw bar was also a desirable option in the day since there is a ton of them out there. 

I like to run a regular  draw bar and a sleeve. 

In our business we seldom use a sleeve except on plow mules. 

Is there enough of the pin sticking out to install the clips? 

[WHX?? 50,776]

Most times yes. If a sleeve hitch was not used there were two spacers involved to take up the space of the sleeve. 

[Racinbob 11,727]

For many years I used the 2"x1/2" bar stock in the slot hitch. I had an extra hole drilled in it and ran a bolt through it and the drawbar hitch. In addition to the usual smaller trailers I would pull a 30' travel trailer in and out of the pole barn. To keep the front end down I had to mount the snowblower. I always had the tongue jack fairly close to the ground just in case but surprisingly never broke the cable. That set-up has been retired since I latched on to two of Lowells receiver hitches. 

 

[WHX?? 50,776]

Nice chains Bob 

[953 nut 57,991]

On 3/11/2025 at 10:21 AM, WHX?? said:

You can't do that Richard ... Not sorry but the rules are quite clear... and you of all people should know this.

 

If a ball hitch is desirable one must obtain another horse dedicated with a permanently attached ball for such use. 

 

Preferably a round hood...

Father, please forgive me for I have sinned. Though I thought I was doing the right thing in a moment of weakness I commitment the unforgivable sin of having my Wheel Horse multitask.     

[ML3 1,448]

On 3/11/2025 at 10:21 AM, WHX?? said:

You can't do that Richard ... Not sorry but the rules are quite clear... and you of all people should know this.

 

If a ball hitch is desirable one must obtain another horse dedicated with a permanently attached ball for such use. 

 

Preferably a round hood...

 

 

[ML3 1,448]

Although I have plenty round hoods with hitches I needed to use the 953 to move trailer load of stone last summer. Almost 2000lbs including trailer. Front end of tractor was very light especially when going uphill into back of yard. I was surprised how relatively easy 953 pulled that amount of weight

Edited March 15 by ML3

[WHX?? 50,776]

1 hour ago, 953 nut said:

Father, please forgive me for I have sinned.

You are forgiven. Your penance will be go save two more horses and put a ball hitches on them. One on the front and one on the rear.  

Edited March 15 by WHX??

[Handy Don 13,340]

1 hour ago, ML3 said:

Although I have plenty round hoods with hitches I needed to use the 953 to move trailer load of stone last summer. Almost 2000lbs including trailer. Front end of tractor was very light especially when going uphill into back of yard. I was surprised how relatively easy 953 pulled that amount of weight

Good thing you left the stone at the top of the hill. Descending with that load might’ve been more exciting than you liked!

[dmoore 952]

On 3/10/2025 at 8:42 PM, WHX?? said:

What Dan showed. Just guessing a draw bar was also a desirable option in the day since there is a ton of them out there. 

I like to run a regular  draw bar and a sleeve. 

In our business we seldom use a sleeve except on plow mules. 

Looks like the pin is shorter on my 854. Not enough length to use the standard hitch. My C-101 has the standard hitch like in your pic. I guess 2 different pin lengths or the 854 has a wider trans which I don't think so.   

[Lee1977 7,044]

I used a 3/4" pin from a standard 3 point top link. They are just a fraction under 3/4" usually plated to prevent rust.