How to make a do-it-yourself hitch for a walk-behind tractor?

The hitch for the walk-behind tractor is an important component of its entire structure. By means of a hitch, almost all available attachments are connected to motor vehicles, which seriously reduces labor costs when performing agricultural work. The design of this component from different manufacturers may have their own characteristics and differences, however, the most common is the universal U-shaped hitch.

We will talk about how to independently and competently make it and attach it in this publication.

Any trailed or attachment for motor vehicles, whether it be a trailer-trailer, a mower, a hiller, a harrow or any other equipment, is fixed by means of a hitch. If the basic element does not fit, the owner has a choice - to buy a suitable one or to make a coupler for the unit with his own hands.

Be that as it may, when deciding which of the mechanism options is capable of meeting the functions that the unit performs to the maximum, it is necessary to take into account a number of factors, in the list of which:

• distinctive features of a cultivator or walk-behind tractor;

• the scope of use of the unit - the duties that it performs;
• equipment that will integrate with it;
• loads;

• the need for versatility.

When choosing a hitch for a unit, you should take as a basis a more relevant type of element.

There are several varieties.

• Single and double - it is used in the presence of various models of weights. It all depends on which ones are practiced and in what numbers.

• Reinforced - ideal for heavy motor vehicles. Its distinctive feature is that it is more impressive - it has a greater length and thickness, which makes it possible for the auxiliary equipment to sink deeper into the soil.

• Customizable - suggesting the option to change the angle of the shaft, whereby you can adjust the level of fixation of attachments and thereby increase the productivity of work.

• Universal hitch - assumes aggregation with many modifications.

If the coupling device for motor vehicles of the desired modification is not available for sale or there are individual requirements for it, it will not be difficult to create it on your own, since the conversation is about a rather unsophisticated mechanism.

Craftsmen, who make most of the "accessories" for motor vehicles with their own hands, construct a coupling device for a "pipe in a pipe" trailer, from a crosspiece, from a cardan shaft and other improvised elements preserved from various devices. The owners of such devices claim that it is possible to create such a node without any problems, sharing personal experience and drawings of the coupling device on the Internet.

When performing its functions, the hitch for the walk-behind tractor will carry heavy loads, which means that it is necessary to comply with the recommended strength and dimensional parameters of all assembly components.

Then the following properties of the hitch will be ensured:

• guarantee of a durable pairing with the walk-behind tractor;
• attachment to attachments;
• guarantee of the declared operational properties of the product;
• acceptable price;
• quality, long service life.

When choosing a modification, it is necessary to check the dimensions of the towing device (hitch) of the walk-behind tractor and attachments (harrow, trailer, plow, etc.).

The main component of the multifunctional hitch is the U-shaped holder. Through the holes on one side, it is fixed to the motorcycle by means of pins, on the other side, the rack of the required attachments is fixed to the casing of the device.

There is a specific set of tools that are needed to create a hitch. Basically, everything that is needed to assemble such elements is available on the farm of everyone who cultivates their own plot of land.

You will need the following tools:

• angle grinder;
• electric drill or drilling machine;
• measuring instruments: square, tape measure, ruler;
• welding machine;
• set of wrenches;
• fasteners (pins, bolts).

At the same time, in the course of work, it is important to first make holes in the element of the smallest diameter (from 5 millimeters), and then drill out with larger drills (up to 12-16 millimeters, in accordance with the diameters of the bolts). This method will speed up and simplify this part of the work, while at the same time allowing you to measure the holes as accurately as possible. To create a skeleton, you can use a channel of a suitable size, and if it is not available, you can assemble an element from an iron sheet.

It is very practical to modify an adjustable hitch - such a design will make it possible to link attachments of different generations, classes and brands. Despite the fact that such a design is not in demand for the current period, one should not forget that various devices will gradually appear on the farm, and the possibility of convenient aggregation of each of them will seriously increase the choice, making it possible to proceed only from the necessary functional features of the equipment.

Assembling a hitch for motor vehicles on our own involves the use of drawing materials. There are many different options, but it is better to take the most suitable one as a basis and correct it, taking into account the characteristics of your own technique.

The drawing should reflect the following elements:

• 2 U-shaped parts, equal in all characteristics, but with a different number of holes - in the first 6, in the second 8;
• a body containing 2 threads with diameters M12 and M16 and equipped with a mounting structure for fixing with one of the units;
• adjustment element - a handle placed on the element body, its structure includes a screw connected to the holder and having a handle for comfort (it is important to calculate the exact direction of the holder - only up or down and so that it does not interfere with the operation of the motorcycle).

To make a multifunctional connection, you need an extremely flat plane - a special work table. The plan for the manufacture of a coupling device for a walk-behind tractor is as follows.

• Mark up according to the drawing: mark the outlines of the elements on the workpiece.
• Using an electric drill or drilling machine, make holes according to the marks... Make sure they are correct using a vernier caliper and a pin (bolt) with which to fix. Achieve a suitable bore diameter where there is no play and fasteners do not wedge.
• Weld connections... It is preferable to use electric arc welding, in which heating occurs exclusively in the joint zones without any harm to the working properties of the steel.
• Assemble the part... Tie the holder and channel with bolts. If your structure has a customization tool, secure it as well.

Recall for the second time that the part is performed so that the versatility of the walk-behind tractor is ultimate... In the presence of an ideally suited coupling device, comfortable aggregation and long-term effective operation of each suspended or trailed equipment is possible, including: adapter, hiller, harrow, plow, trailer, all kinds of mowers, potato planters and any other devices.

And for the reason that the fixing components on different equipment may differ, which usually makes it difficult to be able to interact with the walk-behind tractor, the successful design of the coupling device and the ability to configure it solve this problem.

Having completed the assembly of the part, the main thing is to correctly attach it. Installation techniques are quite simple, but it is important to follow them. In essence, docking the equipment to the walk-behind tractor is reduced to a rather ingenuous action: it is necessary to make sure that the holes of the hitch and the hitch coincide and fix them with bolts or pins. Radial holes make it possible to adjust the position of the connector during operation.

Upon completion of the installation, it is necessary to tighten the components of the threaded fastening of the device with motor vehicles. Then attachments are attached.

After the initial aggregation of the devices, the final fixation will follow, which must be done right before starting work. The adjusting elements (bolts) must be loosened, the ideal level of fixation must be found, and then tightened with wrenches.

There are some more tips to give. To preserve the functional properties of the steel and increase the strength of the bond, after assembly, it is necessary to cover it with an anti-corrosion solution or paint for iron. Taking into account the possibility of customizing the self-made design in different ranges, it is possible to install radial slots and fix them to zero.

The presence of an adjusting handle makes it possible to change the level of fastening and fix the hinged mechanism.

You will learn how to make a do-it-yourself hitch for a walk-behind tractor in the video below.