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Registered
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Dahlonega , Georgia
Posts: 14,563
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any trick on how to weld hitch balls ?
I have a John Deere garden tractor with a sleeve hitch that is hydraulically operated to lift/lower. Going on memory the sleeve hitch takes a 5/8 hitch pin for implements. I want to modify three hitch balls to easily be used/interchanged on the sleeve hitch. So my thoughts are to cut off the threaded shank on a hitch ball and weld on a 5/8 pin. That pin would take a clevis/hitch pin to hold it in place. So to change the hitch ball size just pull the pin, slide out one size and slide in another and push in the pin. Would do this to a 1 7/8 , 2 and 2 5/16 so I will have all three sizes covered. Now to the welding question. I don't think just butt welding the pin to the bottom of the ball will be strong enough but I don't know that as fact can anyone comment on that ? Or should the hitch ball be placed in a lathe and a hole cut in the ball for the pin to go into and then weld ? The tractor will be used to move my car trailer and boat trailer around the yard and for tight maneuvers into the garage.
I already have for the tractor a Category 3 automotive hitch adapter that takes the standard 2 " slide in hitch ball holder but the overall length adds too much leverage and overpowers the hydraulics so I want to shorten the length so that's why I want to do the hitch ball/welding thing.
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2002 Boxster S . Arctic silver + black top/int. Jake Raby 3.6 SS engine " the beast ". GT3 front bumper, GT3 side skirts and GT3 TEK rear diffuser. 1999 996 C4 coupe black/grey with FSI 3.8 engine . Rear diffuser , front spoiler lip with ducktail spoiler . |
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12-18-2015, 02:04 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 748
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So are trying to end up with something like this?
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12-18-2015, 03:01 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 9,733
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I think rather than cutting off and rewelding, I would turn the threads down in a lathe to make a smooth 5/8" shaft that you could then drill a hole across the end of the shaft for a cotter pin or a hitch pin. Use a large washer with a 5/8" hole to protect the hitch pin.
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12-18-2015, 03:03 AM
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
Posts: 20,921
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12-18-2015, 04:34 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Dahlonega , Georgia
Posts: 14,563
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None of these are exactly what I'm looking for but the pictures made the light bulb go off in my head
 . Yes if the shank on a hitch ball was long enough I could just have it turned down smooth on a lathe to 5/8 and drill a hole and be done. But none are long enough. However if an adapter was made that was a pin on the bottom and a female thread at the top a hitch ball could just be screwed in ! Brilliant and it keeps the strength of the hitch ball intact. Thanks guys.
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2002 Boxster S . Arctic silver + black top/int. Jake Raby 3.6 SS engine " the beast ". GT3 front bumper, GT3 side skirts and GT3 TEK rear diffuser. 1999 996 C4 coupe black/grey with FSI 3.8 engine . Rear diffuser , front spoiler lip with ducktail spoiler . |
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12-18-2015, 07:09 AM
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