PaulC 342 #1 Posted May 16, 2014 Hey guys I made myself a 2" receiver hitch for my tractor to use with my 8 x 14 snowmobile trailer. My yard is a bit tight in the back so its tough to maneuver with the truck. I only moved the trailer loaded with 3 sleds once last year and when I did I barely had reverse and it wanted to take off with a wheely going forward. I did some research on here and came to realize I had the common problem of the cracked trans mount plate. I started to redo my tractor its a 90 312-H and in that time came up with a pretty cool fix that requires no fabrication to the tractor. This may be a bit premature as I haven't really put any attachments back on my tractor yet so I cant say 100% that it wont interfere but I don't expect there to be any issues with my 42" rear discharge deck and definitely none with my snowblower. I designed a bracket that mounts to the 2 lower trans mount bolt holes and gussets and carries the load up to the frame. It mounts to the trans and the frame using existing holes (circled in blue) so I just had to get 4 longer bolts, 2 3/8-16 and 2 5/16-18. If any of you have the same problem and would like info on this bracket let me know and I can either provide u dimensions or make a bracket up and ship it to you. I only put the holes in that mount to the transmission and drilled the holes that attach it to the frame by hand to ensure a perfect line up. Let me know what you guys think!! As long as there are no interference issues I should be able to tow my house with my Horse without my tranny tilting and screwing up my linkage. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JUSS10 250 #3 Posted May 16, 2014 Looks nice, I know on some of the older tractors that may interfere with the mower deck but it may be fine on the newer models. Regardless, it should be much stronger for sure! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fordiesel69 267 #4 Posted May 16, 2014 Looks great. Did you drill stop the crack that were present and weld them shut before installing this piece? Why is this such a common problem? I thought they fixed this in a certain production year? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PaulC 342 #5 Posted May 16, 2014 Thanks guys!! I would imagine with all of the attachments available for these machines that this bracket would end up interfering with something but for what I do with mine it should be fine. Looks great. Did you drill stop the crack that were present and weld them shut before installing this piece? Why is this such a common problem? I thought they fixed this in a certain production year? No I did not drill to stop the crack. By the time I had it all cleaned up to see how bad the cracks actually were I had it up on jack stands so bringing it to work to weld was not an option. I figured as tough as this bracket will be it cant flex anymore so therefore should not crack anymore. Im not sure if its extremely common but I know im not the first one that has had this issue. Its looks like they tried to improve the design by adding small strip of steel to the two lower mount holes which was only welded on the ends. The cracks went right through that added piece as well so when I unbolted it I could literally pull the middle portion of that added piece right off the tractor. Maybe they really beefed it up in years after mine? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Butch 194 #6 Posted May 16, 2014 You wouldn't be able to drill stop the crack without separating the tranny and frame. I think that bracket will do the trick. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
can whlvr 993 #7 Posted May 18, 2014 that's nice work,heres another way using 5/16 plate 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
