[oifla]

hello all

i know this has been covered before to some degree (here, here, and here and maybe a couple of other places but the different ways of annotating 3 point hitch makes it hard to search for.

in any case, the three threads i found make it fairly clear that the only way to get a 3 point hitch on 1980s and later models is to use an older sears hitch and an adapter plate. now, the adapter plate doesn't look all that difficult to make and older sears hitches do pop up every now and then but i'm interested in other options (if they exist)

what have people done to get a 3 point hitch on their 1980s sears / craftsman GTs? with the number of craftsman GTs out there i know people have found ways around the limitations of the adapter plate and the older hitches. post em!! (can you tell i really don't want a sleeve hitch?)

 

[oifla]

lots of views but no samples - come on now, someone must have done this ages ago!

 

[dmorrill22]

I can't help you, but have always wondered the same thing. The hitch plates on those tractors have slotted cutouts that look like they were designed for lower arms, but I've never seen a 3pt mounted on an 80's craftsman to see how they fit.

 

[CraftMan]

Sorry I'm no help, although I am in the market for some type of rear ground engaging equipment for my GT. hopefully someone comes up with something.

 

[skyrydr2]

I would love to help you out, but I have only done hitched on my Fords . The one on my diesel conversion would definately be adaptable , if you would like to see it take a look here
http://www.mytractorforum.com/showthread.php?t=189727

 

[Sergeant]

Well here is a Idea for a aftermarket 3point Hitch That You could Probably adapt to fit On a 1980's Craftsman GT or Later and it would Be a True Cat 0 3point Hitch Not a Sears Modified Cat 0 3point Hitch http://www.kolpinpowersports.com/3-point-hitch-system/3-point-hitch-system.html Basically You would Have to Mount a Receiver Hitch like this http://www.kolpinpowersports.com/products/hitches-frame-supports/honda-rancher-at-hitch.html on your Tractor Then You could Just insert the 3point and Connect to the wiring harness and You would be in Business with a electric lift Cat 0 3point Hitch:thThumbsU

 

[oifla]

I can't help you, but have always wondered the same thing. The hitch plates on those tractors have slotted cutouts that look like they were designed for lower arms, but I've never seen a 3pt mounted on an 80's craftsman to see how they fit.

yeah, those cutouts look the part but they don't do much of anything. the problem is that there is nothing to mount the lower arms onto. see here (larrybl, i'm linking to your hulk thread, hope you don't mind), the only place where one might have something solid to grab onto (the two bolts on the side) are the place where the transaxle bolts to the chassis.

 

[oifla]

Well here is a Idea for a aftermarket 3point Hitch That You could Probably adapt to fit On a 1980's Craftsman GT or Later and it would Be a True Cat 0 3point Hitch Not a Sears Modified Cat 0 3point Hitch http://www.kolpinpowersports.com/3-point-hitch-system/3-point-hitch-system.html Basically You would Have to Mount a Receiver Hitch like this http://www.kolpinpowersports.com/products/hitches-frame-supports/honda-rancher-at-hitch.html on your Tractor Then You could Just insert the 3point and Connect to the wiring harness and You would be in Business with a electric lift Cat 0 3point Hitch:thThumbsU

thanks sergeant. problem is the fund$- lots of $ for that set up. it would make sense on a nice new ATV but it might be a bit much on a $50 tractor i'm sure it would work, just too much for my pockets

 

[oifla]

I would love to help you out, but I have only done hitched on my Fords . The one on my diesel conversion would definately be adaptable , if you would like to see it take a look here
http://www.mytractorforum.com/showthread.php?t=189727

nice set up, came out great. problem is, as i said above, that there is nowhere to attach lower arms to like you have on yours. while it might be possible to rig the upper part of the hitch, i don't know what would be a suitable way to replicate those super solid connecting points your tractor has on the axle

 

[DIRT Dog]

Does the rear of your tractor look any thing like my GT16 Varidrive?

 

[oifla]

Does the rear of your tractor look any thing like my GT16 Varidrive?

that's funny dirt dog, i was looking at another thread where you had posted pics of your GT16's hitch when i got the email about your post here.

anyhow, i think it does look like yours, here's a pic:

you know yours better (duh), do you think that style hitch you have would work?

 

[DIRT Dog]

There is a spacer you have to install between the frame and hitch mounting plate to give you clearance for the tank on that model.It can be fabed out of some channel stock.The hitch has to be the long handle type for fender clearance.Lift arms can be fabed from half inch flat stock.Gotta have the lift linkages!

 

[DIRT Dog]

The slots in the frame are for the sleeve hitch lift system.The three point arms are on the outside of the frame.

 

[Plowthesidewalk]

hello all

i know this has been covered before to some degree (here, here, and here and maybe a couple of other places but the different ways of annotating 3 point hitch makes it hard to search for.

in any case, the three threads i found make it fairly clear that the only way to get a 3 point hitch on 1980s and later models is to use an older sears hitch and an adapter plate. now, the adapter plate doesn't look all that difficult to make and older sears hitches do pop up every now and then but i'm interested in other options (if they exist)

what have people done to get a 3 point hitch on their 1980s sears / craftsman GTs? with the number of craftsman GTs out there i know people have found ways around the limitations of the adapter plate and the older hitches. post em!! (can you tell i really don't want a sleeve hitch?)

Do you want a 3 point hitch mounting kit? They were designed to work on a GT6000 like the one in the picture. A Sears 3 point hitch (917.253110) with the long lift handle works best with them.

 

[oifla]

There is a spacer you have to install between the frame and hitch mounting plate to give you clearance for the tank on that model.It can be fabed out of some channel stock.The hitch has to be the long handle type for fender clearance.Lift arms can be fabed from half inch flat stock.Gotta have the lift linkages!

thanks for the info! is the adapter necessary for the handle to clear the gas tank? or is there some other part that needs to clear? i ask because i am not planning on using the handle (i will be going electric or hydraulic lift)

 

[oifla]

The slots in the frame are for the sleeve hitch lift system.The three point arms are on the outside of the frame.

what do they mount to? is that bar that slots through the piece that holds both arms in place? i've seen many pics of hitches but nobody ever gets a pic of that connection and that bar. any chance i can bug you to put one up here so i (we) can see that detail? thanks

 

[oifla]

Do you want a 3 point hitch mounting kit? They were designed to work on a GT6000 like the one in the picture. A Sears 3 point hitch (917.253110) with the long lift handle works best with them.

if i found one at a reasonable price i might go for it (again, only if it is necessary for some reason other than the handle avoiding the tank) but if not i can fabricate something that will work.

when i originally raised the question it was about seeing how people were adapting the sears hitches but also to see what other options exist (avoiding the sears stuff and going with a more standardized cat 0 for example)

 

[lgarmon]

Do you want a 3 point hitch mounting kit? They were designed to work on a GT6000 like the one in the picture. A Sears 3 point hitch (917.253110) with the long lift handle works best with them.

I would be interested in the mounting kit. Do you have one for sale?
:thanku:

 

[CraftMan]

What kind of set up is this, anybody recognize it.

 

[oifla]

What kind of set up is this, anybody recognize it.

i don't know about the hitch setup but that looks to be a big FF series with missing fenders