New Sleeve Hitch on 523Dxi

[shallowwatersailor 3,213]

I made another addition to "Paladin" to make it my primary worker. Right now I am setting it up for winter and installed a Johnny Bucket Universal Electric Sleeve Hitch. This is the tractor that will have the snowthrower so I am using a scrape plow on the rear to get up near the garage doors for snow.

 

Once again the unique Wheel Horse hitch caused fitment issues ( attaching a Cyclone Rake was my previous challenge.) I needed to install the tongue bracket that bolts to the existing hitch backwards so that it didn't interfere with attaching the sleeve hitch. I lose the ability to put a trailer ball through the extra hole. But it would be too low to use anyway so I have plans on how to remedy this. The frame has holes at the rear for the OEM weight box and I used two of these for the metal straps. I sprung for the optional suitcase weight brackets as well. It took three tries at wiring it until I came up with actually a simple solution which doesn't require the wiring extension included with the kit and allows a quick disconnect if I need to remove the hitch.

 

It is a well made item and should provide years of service. I was concerned about the additional length but that doesn't seem to be a problem.

Edited October 21, 2014 by shallowwatersailor

[doc724 925]

John, you are one determined and clever guy!  I am amazed at the solutions you come up with!

[shallowwatersailor 3,213]

Don, thanks for the complement. It is a tractor series that I really like, and enjoy making improvements on. I just wish that I could learn how to weld but until then its figuring out how to "bolt" things together.

[Fun Engineer 859]

Looks great John. Any idea what the weight of the hitch is?

This would work great on my 530 as I have the same problem as you re: operating the front and rear implements independently.

[KyBlue 655]

Looks awesome!!

[shallowwatersailor 3,213]

The shipping weight for the hitch was 55 pounds. He does make a rather robust product! I am figuring on this tractor being almost 1,800 pounds to blow snow.

[RMCIII 838]

Looks good John. Just curious, why the Johnny B???? I think there is a FEL up by you on CL that would fit the "D"... Just wondering is all.

 

Rob

[vinnyfish1 9]

Nice ...I love those linear actuators .... I modified a sears sleeve hitch to work with one....FYI : I just moved 25 tons of rock (#53 driveway base ) with a JB loader ...

[Fun Engineer 859]

Have you played with it yet John? What's the model of the blade that's on it? Looks pretty heavy duty.

[shallowwatersailor 3,213]

I'm still setting the tractor up. Ran into an issue with the input shaft bearing on the snowthrower. Snow is still about 8 weeks away as I am just going to start on the leaves today. Tomorrow is predicted to have high winds so hopefully I don't have to work on future wood for the fireplace as well. Should have more leaves to do after tomorrow.

 

The blade is a Sears 917.252390 Sleeve Hitch Grader Blade and, I think, made by Roper in the '70s. It weighs about 40 lbs. I plan on some paint to freshen it. Scored a snowplow for the MW/Simplicity walk behinds and will pick it up next week. I bought a HF 6.5 hp engine yesterday for the MW Chor Trac while I tear down the Clinton this winter. Winter will be over before I have everything ready!!!

[DennisThornton 4,769]

Now that time has passed what are your thoughts? 

[WNYPCRepair 1,914]

On October 21, 2014 at 10:33 AM, shallowwatersailor said:

I just wish that I could learn how to weld but until then its figuring out how to "bolt" things together.

 

 

If I can do it, you can.

 

[shallowwatersailor 3,213]

3 hours ago, DennisThornton said:

Now that time has passed what are your thoughts? 

The JB Sleeve Hitch is extremely well made! It definitely added to the 523Dxi capability as I can still use the hydraulics for another attachment. It does require a tractor with a frame to the rear which precludes the "Classic" Wheel Horse. I could just order the sides for the sleeve hitch and be able to put it on one of the other 5xi as well.

 

Besides the Roper Scratch Blade I did add the trash can hauler attachment that I had made. I could probably rig up a fork lift attachment for pallets as well do to the 250 lb. rating. There may be other uses, besides the standard garden attachments associated with a sleeve hitch.

 

One thing I would do differently is to install the switch for the sleeve hitch on the High-Low console. I have it on the dash where It is awkward to operate and watch behind at the same time, especially with the cab on. It is a simple thing to move when I have time.