Hitch Ball Question

[msmit62]

My dad was cleaning out his garage and gave me this old 1-7/8" hitch ball. See attached pictures. It looks like it is two piece so the ball and "bolt" would be separate parts. Can anyone tell me if these two pieces are supposed to come apart? Currently they don't so I'm not sure if it's pressed together when new or just rusted from decades of sitting. I tried a few cycles of heating with Mapp gas and soaking with oil and then using my arbor press but so far no luck. It obviously works just fine the way it is, LOL, but he might just have a 2" ball in his garage somewhere that works with the same "bolt." That would be handy around our property. Anyhow, I just thought maybe someone on this forum would recognize it and say "yep, two piece" or "nope, one piece". Thanks in advance!

 

[yatg]

Is it worth the effort?
For $40 you can get a set, 1-7/8, 2, 2-5/16, on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000AYES4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

This could be useful if the ball was mounted on the bumper, or all your trailers were the same ride height and you used the same drawbar. Usually not.

 

[msmit62]

I know what you mean about the time, but it was just something I was "putzing around" with.

 

[seber]

I've had a few of those. They do come apart, but I've only seen them in 1 7/8.

 

[msmit62]

Thank-you, that's very helpful. This one looks older than dirt. Are yours VERY old too or a newer version than mine?

 

[dmdc411]

I had one 20 years ago. Think it was my dad's also. As rusty as the ball is, throw it, buy a new one. I switched my one and only over to 2 inch years ago. More common today. You want everything to be nice and smooth so the ball doesn't get a twist from binding, and come loose.

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[msmit62]

I agree it's rusty, but the small thread fits perfectly in the pre-drilled hole in the back of my Toro tractor so I can pull a small utility trailer. This hitch ball will never see road use. However, if my dad, who is still cleaning out his garage, finds a 2" ball (maybe from the same "set") then I could pull other small trailers too...if indeed the bolt is supposed to come out. For example, when I need to winterize the fishing boat and bring it towards a water source. That particular trailer has a 2" ball. Again, I totally agree it's seen better days but right now I'm just trying to determine if the bolt is intended to stay inserted (ie pressed in at the factory) or if it's rusted in place.

 

[marinusdees]

In this case, you can tow a trailer with a 2" coupler on a 1 7/8" ball. At those low speeds the latch will be secure enough. Just don't go on the road with it. IMHO I'd do it myself.

 

[msmit62]

That's a good point. Not a big deal if just putzing around the yard. We have a few acres, so there is no shortage of tree branches to pick up using that trailer.

 

[Shootinok]

I seem to remember having a set like that that did give both the 1 7/8” and 2” balls. Many years ago.
Try soaking that baby some more in penetrating oil or ATF and acetone mix.
I’d bet they come apart.



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[FTG-05]

The first hitch I ever had (back in the late 70's) had one of those balls. Mine came apart; the bolt looked like a carriage bolt. It was only a 5/8" or 3/4" bolt, so it was very light duty.

I still have it around here somewhere, I think.

 

[msmit62]

Yes, the bolt head makes it appear to be just like a carriage bolt. Based on the thread size, I agree 100% that it's light duty. Thanks everyone for the feedback!

 

[NUTTSGT]

My thoughts, scrap and convert any 1 7/8" hitch to 2".

No having to switch hitches nor the chance of grabbing the wrong one and having an accident.

 

[bugnut]

If you have evaporust around drop it in a container and let it sit a day or two. May remove enough rust in the mechanical joint to allow you to remove the shaft.

 

[Bretny]

For around the yard on a lawn tractor that's totally fine as it sits. Why even bother trying to take it appart? The smaller shank bolts are still easily available and not worth trying to recondition a 40yr old one.

 

[msmit62]

bugnut, great idea on the evaporust. Thanks!