Rear hitch options 310-8

[BeninCT 451]

Currently have the stock hitch and I do have a boat I need to tow around the yard and after cleaning it all up yesterday I realized its pretty low for the boat trailer. Also realized I have a 2” receiver lying around my shop that I could cut up and make into something multipurpose for the rear of this thing. 

Anyone have any pictures of something that might be of interest?   Could dream up my own but best to do a little homework first. 

Edited February 7, 2021 by BeninCT

[Racinbob 11,045]

Ya can't beat this one available here:

 

Hitches Archives - Wheel Horse Parts and More

 

[953 nut 55,106]

Lowell makes some very nice hitches for the rear of a Wheel Horse at a reasonable price.  https://wheelhorsepartsandmore.com/product-category/hitches/

Several members have made up hitches that clip into the front Atach-A-Matic where the mule drive goes which make backing a boat up much easier. 

[ebinmaine 67,310]

First I'll put in another vote for Wheelhorse parts and more. 

Great people. Great quality. 

 

I have one I got of the fleabay a few years ago. It's ...... 

NOT my pic or tractor:

 

 

It REALLY should have a bottom side set of braces that goes to the lower pin. 

That said I've had it loaded pretty heavy and it's been fine. 

 

 

You could easily fab up something similar out of an existing hitch. 

 

 

[Maxwell-8 4,275]

 I don't know how big your boat is and on which type trailer, but be careful about tongue weight. She will pull almost everything, and like @ebinmaine always says the brakes are your limit.

 

[BeninCT 451]

53 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

Lowell makes some very nice hitches for the rear of a Wheel Horse at a reasonable price.  https://wheelhorsepartsandmore.com/product-category/hitches/

Several members have made up hitches that clip into the front Atach-A-Matic where the mule drive goes which make backing a boat up much easier. 

 

OK that is what i had in mind sort of though I will have to raise or lower my tail light which is fine. I have the parts so will make one I think. 

Also saved a pic of a front hitch from somewhere because I put one on my F150 and its the cats ass for moving trailers!  Not so much close quarters around here though and I will have the forklift attachment on in warmer months so will be able to put a ball on that easily I think.    Thanks

 

 

[BeninCT 451]

Just now, Maxwell-8 said:

 I don't know how big your boat is and on which type trailer, but be careful about tongue weight. She will pull almost everything, and like @ebinmaine always says the brakes are your limit.

 

Flat ground on grass mostly but its a 17’er and think the boat and trailer are maybe 2500. Great point though @ebinmaine about the brakes!  

[BeninCT 451]

33 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

First I'll put in another vote for Wheelhorse parts and more. 

Great people. Great quality. 

 

I have one I got of the fleabay a few years ago. It's ...... 

NOT my pic or tractor:

 

 

It REALLY should have a bottom side set of braces that goes to the lower pin. 

That said I've had it loaded pretty heavy and it's been fine. 

 

 

You could easily fab up something similar out of an existing hitch. 

 

 

 

Going to make one- def put braces down to lower pin on either side of cast center support. Should be easy/fun like most of working on this thing!  Thx for posting. 

[cschannuth 3,816]

I have a receiver that goes on the front of my spray tractor that I use to add a couple of suitcase weights to the front when my sprayer out back is full. It also works well with a hitch. I think I got it off of flee Bay but I really can’t remember. They also have some on there that just have a regular hitch pin hole that works for a trailer ball I think.  

Edited February 7, 2021 by cschannuth

[ebinmaine 67,310]

20 minutes ago, BeninCT said:

 

Going to make one- def put braces down to lower pin on either side of cast center support. Should be easy/fun like most of working on this thing!  Thx for posting. 

Of course you know we'll need lots of pictures!!!

[Lee1977 6,648]

[stevasaurus 22,711]

Like was said, the ball needs to be high enough to get the jack up.  The rear one here was made by  1Niederfan from Michigan...also one of our vendors.  The front hitch was made by Shorts.  Sometimes it is easier to push the boat trailer...easier on the neck also.

 

 

 

[BeninCT 451]

Great forum you guys have here!  So many really useful responses in such short time!

 

So as I mentioned I have an old piece of a receiver hitch extension in my shop and some angle. Went out there and came up with this in short time this morning.  

 

The angles are 3 x 3 x 1/4 which is overkill but there is room and its what I had. Didn’t want to go thinner (though looks like most people did and no problem) because the bolts from the plow mount will hold this on the axle and the bars for those bolts are 1/4 x 1” or so. May rip them down to 3x2 or 2x2 or so if I get inspired and plasma cutter will do it. I have a Chinese plasma cutter that is able to cut 1/4 but I haven’t yet learned the patience to do it well (go slow). 

 

Cross tube is 1 1/2”  with 1/4 walls so very heavy and fits inside the piece of receiver hitch so I am going to notch out the sides on the front end of the receiver tube to just leave the top and bottom of it so I can weld all around- cope it over the smaller tube.  Should be really strong and plenty high.  Braces to lower pin will be incorporated once the top piece is together. 

 

 

[BeninCT 451]

@stevasaurus nice rig!  

 

[Bill D 1,911]

I made this for my tractor.  Just curious what you did with the old Trac Vac hitch?

[roadapples 6,983]

Looks good. I wouldn't  cut it down. You can use the extra weight...

[David414 289]

This is my rear and front hitch on a 414-8. The hitch extension with the ball can be turned up, given an extra 4" on ball height.

[ebinmaine 67,310]

3 hours ago, BeninCT said:

plenty high

I do keep several 2" square ball mounts on hand for different trailers. 

[BeninCT 451]

6 hours ago, Bill D said:

I made this for my tractor.  Just curious what you did with the old Trac Vac hitch?

Nice mine will be very similar. 

 

I have that trac vac hitch on a shelf. No intent to use it, interested?  Not sure I have the time to ship it right now. Too GD busy but let me know. 

[Bill D 1,911]

3 hours ago, BeninCT said:

Nice mine will be very similar. 

 

I have that trac vac hitch on a shelf. No intent to use it, interested?  Not sure I have the time to ship it right now. Too GD busy but let me know. 

I could use that if you don't want it. PM with your asking price and we can go from there.  No rush on shipping.  No plans to vacuum my snow.

Edited February 8, 2021 by Bill D

[SylvanLakeWH 25,495]

When moving heavy trailers I keep my tongue jack / wheel down and let it just skim the ground... that way if something goes wrong I’m not flipping the tractor... I do this front or rear towing...

 

Here’s my set up: rear is my current tractor. Front I made but tractor is now in @pullstart’s barn...

 

 

[Pullstart 62,806]

I cut and welded up a 4 way lug wrench to fit snug in a front tach-a-matic then welded and braced a hitch to it...

 

 

[BeninCT 451]

Getting there!  Thanks all for your suggestions. This thing is so strong its ridiculous lol. 

[ebinmaine 67,310]

15 minutes ago, BeninCT said:

Getting there!  Thanks all for your suggestions. This thing is so strong its ridiculous lol. 

VERY nice work!!!

[BeninCT 451]

@ebinmaine thank you but there is some ugly welding on this thing.  Still working on my beads and maybe 1/3 of them are respectable that that leaves a majority to rule.  I make up for it with grinding when I feel like it.  

Can you believe how big it is compared to the factory unit?  Haha. Had to move my tail light to the hitch to keep it safe.