Receiver Hitch for 14-8 No Name

[8ntruck 6,991]

One of the jobs for my 14-8 is moving trailers around.  So far, I have gotten by with a 1 7/8" ball, and a stack of washers in the stock hitch, that had been drilled to fit the trailer ball.  Only problem is, the trailers I have now have a hitch weight that is testing the limits of the stock hitch.  Also, the hitch is really too low, causing the hitch jack to drag on the ground.

 

Since my truck has a 2" receiver hitch, I figured a 2" receiver hitch for the tractor would be a good idea.  Yes, I could have bought one on e-bay, but I'll have more fun building my own.

 

So, this is a small build thread for a receiver hitch.

 

I've used 2 x 2 x 3/8 angle iron, 2 x 2 x 1/4 square tube, and 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 1/4 square tube.  The receiver hitch will replace the top clamp bars on my rear Tach O Matic  bracket.  Paint will be Rustolium IH Red.

 

Here are the pieces roughed out:

 

Funny thing about the receiver piece.  I started with a piece of tubing that had a weld bead down the inside.  I had it about 1/2 way filed down when my neighbor stopped by to see what I was doing.  "Just a minute" he says. and walked into his shop.  When he came back, he had a completed receiver in his hand.  Hands it to me saying "This will be easier".  Seems he had acquired two or three somewhere along the line.

 

First test fitting on the tractor showed that the back of the receiver needed to be cleared for the tool box:  

 

 

After clearancing:

 

 

 

Now to finish the weld prep and tack it together for another test fit.

Edited May 15, 2020 by 8ntruck

[ebinmaine 67,271]

Awesome...

[CCW 1,292]

The number of homemade hitch options just keep growing and growing and growing.

 

[857 horse 2,581]

LOVE THOSE PICS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tractorhead 9,064]

Looking rock Solid dimensionated !

 

Did you wanna try to pull a Boeing with that.

For what purposes you will use it, just because i‘m Curious?

 

[8ntruck 6,991]

@Tractorhead - yes, I am over building it.  My current trailers include a 6000 + pound house trailer and a 15 foot pontoon trailer.  I'm sure I won't be able to break it with these trailers.  Maybe not a Boeing, but the guy on the other end of the lake has a Piper Cub on floats. I'll be ready just in case he needs help.

 

A couple of other reasons :

 

I don't have any wheel weights or loaded tires, so this hitch will add some weight over the drive wheels, especially when I fill the 2" square tube with lead.

 

It has been a while since I have done much wielding.  This project will give me a chance to practice wielding on some relatively forgiving material.  I just spent today doing some sheet metal welding for my nephew.  He showed up with stainless steel.  I was expecting mild steel.  All I can say is that the welds (plug welds) did stick the pieces together - frankly, I was surprised I did that well.

Edited May 17, 2020 by 8ntruck

[Tractorhead 9,064]

Ain‘t any criticism on your dimension‘s, just wondering about and curious what it will be for.👍

 

I also like to overbuild things, to have enough other options even i can not imagine in the moment of Build.

You know, nothing is happen without Pics 😂😂😂

 

 

[8ntruck 6,991]

Made more progress on the hitch today.

 

Here is the hitch clamped up in the welding jig - which is a rear Tach-a-Matic hitch.

 

Test fit on the tractor after tacking.  Looks good, so back to the welder to weld everything solid.

 

 

Mounted on the tractor after welding.  No, I'm not going to supply any closeups of the welds, they are UGLY.  But they got better as I proceeded through the project.

 

 

Tried it out by moving the pontoon.

 

 

I'll use it a bit, then remove it again for final cleanup and painting.

 

 

Edited May 25, 2020 by 8ntruck

[ebinmaine 67,271]

Functional and strong.

[SylvanLakeWH 25,490]

Nice job! Looks and functions great!

 

BTW - I have taken the advice of others on this forum and now move my trailers with the front tongue jack swivel wheel in the down position and just barely touching... kind of an insurance policy against wheelies... has no impact on movement but will prevent a dangerous flip while towing...

[8ntruck 6,991]

 

This hitch puts the towing force into the tractor ABOVE THE AXLE.

 

If excessive force is applied to the hitch, it will help pull the tractor over backwards.  It must be used with caution.

 

I will be using this hitch to move trailers on reasonably level ground, trailers that have good tires at the proper tire pressures, and are not hopelessly sunk into the ground.

 

 

[Lee1977 6,642]

12 hours ago, 8ntruck said:

 

This hitch puts the towing force into the tractor ABOVE THE AXLE.

 

If excessive force is applied to the hitch, it will help pull the tractor over backwards.  It must be used with caution.

 

I will be using this hitch to move trailers on reasonably level ground, trailers that have good tires at the proper tire pressures, and are not hopelessly sunk into the ground.

 

 

Your hitch is strong its not going to bend or break.  The only thing left to break is the axle housings. I braced both of mine one down to the hitch and the other to the top of the transmission as insurance. 

You may never have a problem with it .but I know it won't the the hitch that breaks.

[8ntruck 6,991]

10 hours ago, Lee1977 said:

Your hitch is strong its not going to bend or break.  The only thing left to break is the axle housings. I braced both of mine one down to the hitch and the other to the top of the transmission as insurance. 

You may never have a problem with it .but I know it won't the the hitch that breaks.

Actually, I think the 'fuse' in the system will be the tractor rotating around the rear axle.