Modified Bridge Hitch

Modified Bridge Hitch HITCHES Hitches 16-1-8 Tom Renner, Belleville, Ill., modified a 13-ft. long Lely gooseneck drill hitch by removing the original high clearance hitch that mounts on the tractor and replacing it with a more rigid hitch of his own design. He uses the bridge hitch to pull his 13-ft. wide Deere 8300 grain drill behind a 13-ft. wide Roterra tillage implement. Renner pulls both rigs with a 100 hp Deere tractor. "Before I built this rig I needed one man to plant and one man to operate the Roterra." The original Lely bridge hitch consisted of an A-frame that mounted on the tractor drawbar and was supported by chains that fastened to the tractor axle. However, according to Renner, it wasn't built strong enough to stay rigid, and it also interfered with opening of the cab's rear window on some tractor models. Renner's hitch consists of a steel bar across the rear of the tractor that's sup-ported on each end by arms that clamp onto the tractor axle. "It's much more rigid and allows the cab's rear window to be opened on all tractor models," says Renner. "The hitch is long enough to allow short turns. It would also work to pull the drill behind a field cultivator or roller." The bridge hitch bolts to the drill in several places and can be disconnected from the tractor by pulling a single hitch pin. Chains connect both ends of the drill to the bridge hitch to keep it rigid while turning. Renner sells the hitch for $700. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Tom Renner, RR 1, 4050 E. Hwy. 161, Belleville, Ill. 62221 (ph 618 744-0433).

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