Tongue weight on factory hitch?

[JoeliusZ28 77]

So i recently fabricated weight rack that slides onto the factory hitch and functions as you see in the pictures here.  I've got 120lbs on it right now but its probably more like 200lbs on the hitch with the leverage.  It seems solid.   I also shimmed the factory hitch so it wont bounce and added 2 more welds for strength.  I just want to make sure this isn't too much.  I'm not so much worried about the hitch itself as i am the hitch pressing up against the bottom of the transmission... is there any chance this could crack the trans case?  Or am I good?  Obviously I can reduce the weight pretty easily with this setup if need be.  Thanks!

 

 

Edited February 11, 2016 by JoeliusZ28
fixed pictures

[WH nut 553]

This has been discussed here before but I would say 300 pounds no problem

[Ed Kennell 38,319]

This would worry me that the sharp front edge of the drawbar might  crack the tranny housing from the impact if the weight would bounce.  I don't have my weights mounted this way, but if I did, I would add a plate between the drawbar and the case to spread out the load.  The plate could be tapped for a couple small bolts and fender washers  that could clamp it to the  bar to keep it in place.

[JoeliusZ28 77]

1 hour ago, ekennell said:

This would worry me that the sharp front edge of the drawbar might  crack the tranny housing from the impact if the weight would bounce.  I don't have my weights mounted this way, but if I did, I would add a plate between the drawbar and the case to spread out the load.  The plate could be tapped for a couple small bolts and fender washers  that could clamp it to the  bar to keep it in place.

 

This is exactly my concern, especially in the cold temps.  I put a shim on the front of the draw bar which i think is better than the original sharp edge, but still not by much.  I probably should have welded a piece of flat stock on the full width of the transmission instead.  So for now, i decided to play it safe, I removed 45lbs and made a crude triangulation system with a ratchet strap.  I'll look into re-engineering the front of the draw bar soon and maybe adding a more permanent triangulation brace as well.

 

Thanks for the input!

Edited February 11, 2016 by JoeliusZ28

[Phatboy 565]

I often thought about adding extra weight this way myself,, and thought a good way to cushion the draw bar against the trans case was to put a either bicycle or motorcycle grip from like a motor cross bike on the drawbar so it is cusioned against the trans,, because of the width of it they seem to fit tight enought they wont move and should provide adiquit protection,, just a thought,, or maybe a piece of minning belt , or simular hard rubber.

Edited February 11, 2016 by Phatboy

[KC9KAS 4,741]

Why don't you make brackets for the weights and mount them to the wheels?

Then you could use the hitch for....well, a hitch!

[can whlvr 993]

I would not put that much on that hitch,ya you can get away with it for a while,but I broke one years ago with a ball attachment that slides on the factory hitch,hit a bump trying to pull to much and it cracked the case,put a hitch on from one of our vendors that allows you to use a 2 inch receiver,it spreads weight on axles and draw bar,i make my own but it is a little involved and a few special tools are needed

[JoeliusZ28 77]

1 hour ago, KC9KAS said:

Why don't you make brackets for the weights and mount them to the wheels?

Then you could use the hitch for....well, a hitch!

Thought about that but unlike the wheel weights i can take this off and on in a minute or two.  its just for traction in the snow and to help balance out the weight of the snowblower.  The steering is noticeably easier with the weight behind the axle. 

58 minutes ago, can whlvr said:

I would not put that much on that hitch,ya you can get away with it for a while,but I broke one years ago with a ball attachment that slides on the factory hitch,hit a bump trying to pull to much and it cracked the case,put a hitch on from one of our vendors that allows you to use a 2 inch receiver,it spreads weight on axles and draw bar,i make my own but it is a little involved and a few special tools are needed

Where does that attach to the tractor?  It seems like options are limited.  Id like to make something like this but i need to do some thinking on how i want to design it.

Edited February 12, 2016 by JoeliusZ28

[can whlvr 993]

that is my snow cab not a receiver hitch,thats the ball attachment that I broke my tranny case with heres a pic or 2 of my receiver hitch,sorry no close ups,we have a member that sells these,someone will have to chime in with his name for you

[WVHillbilly520H 10,373]

Or fab up something like the factory "Berco" weight...like I did and use it front for tilling/rear attachments or on the rear for snow plows/blowers and I do have the rear pin hitch just in case...hopefully after the winter storm I'll post more pics and dimensions in a new mods thread,Jeff.

Edited February 16, 2016 by WVHillbilly520H
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