[wilburMN]

As the owner of a new X749, I am seeking advice on the best method of adding a hitch. I made the diesel decision after doing a lot of reading here, and purchased a 2010 X749 with a 54c deck and a 54” snowblower (yes, you can blame me for the lack of snow in the Midwest or at least in MN). I would eventually like to acquire a 3PT, PTO, 647 tiller and a box blade. In the interim, I need to add a hitch. My immediate needs are to pull a utility cart, move my boat and other trailers around and drag a few logs out of the woods. I would like to avoid purchasing something that will become unnecessary or redundant when I get a 3PT. Please offer some guidance on the most versatile/economical way to accomplish this.

Thanks.

 

[Diesel Powered]

I'd suggest buying the John Deere receiver bracket since they aren't very expensive, then sell it later if you want (and get most of your money back).

 

[LouMG]

I agree, for your immediate needs the receiver bracket (BM20877) MSRP $39 with the drawbar kit (BM19635) MSRP $32 or any 1 1/4 drawbar should work with trailers and carts.

 

[Jere39]

For what it's worth, if the height of the standard draw plate is not too low, I just put a 1⅞" or 2" ball on my existing plate and tow ¾Ton utility trailer loaded with firewood and a TracVac 880 on that. I know I've cheaped out, and would probably like a hitch, but with the way I have mine set up, I don't sacrifice any space, or access for draw pin attachments like seeder, sweeper and smaller cart.

Then, when your ship comes in, and you add 3pt and other attachments, you can add a nice Heavy Hitch.

Here it is, just having switched a load of mulch from truck to tractor for distribution around the house:

And I just hook a drag chain as convenient to move logs in the woods.

 

[8086bruce]

I have the JD hitch and bolted on top of the hitch plate and it works great.

 

[Deereman76]

I just put the ball hitch in the frame that is included with the tractor, like Jere said. I have pulled livestock trailers, as well as utility trailers and it works great.

Deereman

 

[Hans-X585]

Throw a ball on the integrated hitch and call it a day.

 

[andyb]

If you are planning on a 3-point hitch anyway, A Heavy Hitch is great! A ball can be added to the rear of the tractor, but it is nice being able to raise and lower the ball on the three point hitch.

 

[niarb]

this is on my X728. It's homemade. I built it to hold 6 suitcase weights. The ball is the same height as the one on my truck...so no cranking up and down the trailer all of the time. I can still use the original Deere mount at the bottom for my smaller hitch pin attachments.

 

[Tomadvanced]

I bought a BM20877 last fall and as you can see the tubing is not welded square to the plate. They sent a replacement and it was welded the same way. They would not order another as it might come from the same lot. I am surprised that the dealer could not contact JD and get an answer as to when a properly assembled receiver would be available. It looks better in this pic than it actually is. I am sure this would work as is, But in my world it needs to be plumb and square.

 

[Diesel Powered]

I bought a BM20877 last fall and as you can see the tubing is not welded square to the plate. They sent a replacement and it was welded the same way. They would not order another as it might come from the same lot. I am surprised that the dealer could not contact JD and get an answer as to when a properly assembled receiver would be available. It looks better in this pic than it actually is. I am sure this would work as is, But in my world it needs to be plumb and square.

Wow, no bueno.

 

[wizzo]

Wow, you'd think JD could make a square receiver...

 

[8086bruce]

I bought a BM20877 last fall and as you can see the tubing is not welded square to the plate. They sent a replacement and it was welded the same way. They would not order another as it might come from the same lot. I am surprised that the dealer could not contact JD and get an answer as to when a properly assembled receiver would be available. It looks better in this pic than it actually is. I am sure this would work as is, But in my world it needs to be plumb and square.

LOL!!! Mine is the same way! The first one they sent me was like that so I sent it back and the second one came the same way. Once it's on you can't see it. Did you notice it's the same hitch that is welded in your front bumper. They just took the same peice and welded it to a plate.

 

[jpa2002]

I bought a BM20877 last fall and as you can see the tubing is not welded square to the plate. They sent a replacement and it was welded the same way. They would not order another as it might come from the same lot. I am surprised that the dealer could not contact JD and get an answer as to when a properly assembled receiver would be available. It looks better in this pic than it actually is. I am sure this would work as is, But in my world it needs to be plumb and square.

Same thing happened to me. The dealer ended up having to order 3 before we got a good one.

Jon

 

[Rudolf92]

You got yourself an awesome tractor wilberMN. :fing32: I thought about the receiver idea but have been fine with the setup like Jere39. This is my 749 pulling a stump.


Hitch

You could get a changeable ball setup if you need to connect with different size trailers.

Try to put up a picture of you pulling something, please.:wwp:

 

[jpa2002]

I have a stainless convert-a-ball on mine so that I can switch between 2" and 1 7/8" balls. This is the factory receiver sold by Deere.

Jon

 

[LouMG]

I like the way the ball/hole is longer then using the hitch plate hole. With the 3PT my 10P cart could hit the sway bars.

 

[jpa2002]

My 10at does not hit the 3 pt bars with my hitch setup.

Jon