[Swirth123]

One of the main things I need to use my new tractor for, is towing firewood around my property from the point I cut it to my seasoning hut. I quickly realized my lawn carts “arm” isn’t long enough to reach into the 3 point hitch with the imatch on. So I looked some stuff up and saw a post where they said I need a “draw bar”

well after getting home, the tip of the drawbar is too long and it doesn’t align with the mounting holes at the back. Is there anyway to make this work? If not what the heck do I need to hookup this darn lawn cart?

 

[Swirth123]

That draw bar goes on your 3 point hitch.

You can get a nice 2inch receiver from mudds and put a hitch on that. Mine has a hole for a lawn cart too.

View attachment 839769

So this could work…but I would have to take off he imatch from the 3ph?

 

[Swirth123]

No, it should fit into the iMatch as well, but will need bushings. Example bushing set: B1: Category 1 Bushing Set - Heavy Hitch - Compact Tractor Attachments

I also have a lawn cart with this sort of hitch for pulling firewood. I find the most convenient thing is using the hitch receiver in my ballast box. Getting a ballast box with the receiver in it has been a godsend for almost never having to put the box down. I wouldn't tow anything heavy with the 3pt, but it's great for the 1500 lbs. max lawn cart.

Wait…does the John Deere ballast have a place to connect a hitch? I have a ballast box, I didn’t even check it for a place to connect a hitch

 

[Swirth123]

Like this,
View attachment 839787

Ohhhhh…I feel silly. Thanks

 

[Swirth123]

Just always bear in mind that the 3 point hitch only applies pressure for raising - no pressure is applied for lowering, that is dependent solely on gravity. If you your cart has 4 wheels like a trailer, then the lower link drawbar pictured above should work (be careful backing though). If the cart's tounge bears any weight, then there is always the possibility that it could send the hitch flying up if the load gets too far rearward.

Here's how I attach mine:
View attachment 839815

View attachment 839816

Both of my carts have just 2 wheels, is that okay to hook that up to my imatch with a drawbar like I’m planning to? Can’t I control the maximum distance my 3ph will lower with the black twist control knob directly below the operator seat centered on the tractor? That way it won’t tip towards the tractor

 

[Swirth123]

So I now have 2 solutions:

1: the drawbar on the imatch hitch

2:i got a small extender that seems to fit

both photo’d below. Is one method safer / better than the other? Thanks

 

[Swirth123]

View attachment 840394

This one is a big nope unless you can use two pins where it attaches.
Sometimes the trailer tries to push you. That would flop over and be bad for you and your tractor.
Are there any metal fabrication shops near you? You could get exactly what you need. An extended drawbar makes towing a lawn cart much easier for sharp cornering and backing.

You know...I spent all this time trying to figure out the lawn cart thing, then a few days later we ended up getting a Honda pioneer 1000 that has a bed & it can get a lot more places much more easily than the tractor with a cart.

But for the few times I used the lawn cart I used the 3ph draw bar and never ended up employing the method photo'd..it didn't seem safe to me either cuz it only brought the cart out JUST past the iMatch. So when I went around a bend it would have likely bent the tongue, or worse my iMatch.