In Reply to: 8N 1949 Draw bar question posted by Dave Davis on November 18, 2009 at 12:03:41:
I have seen several pictures in this thread showing stays, and I have seen some excellent advice on towing and pulling.
But I have not seen anyone mention (in detail) why the stays are needed, and I think it would be very wise to spell it all out in detail:
Sway bars are needed to keep the lift-arm and 11-hole bar from rocking back and forth from side to side between the tires.
Something is needed to keep the 11-hole bar from rotating - that can put a huge stress on a low-quality trailer hitch, or it can even uncouple a trailer if the ball is not held in a firm upright position.
The stays are needed to keep the lift arms fixed in the down position - remember that these tractors have no hydraulic power to push the lift arms down or hold them there - so if you load the trailer from the rear or have the load shift to the back of the trailer the ball can come up in a big hurry, 11-hole bar, lift arms and all! That can be dangerous in many ways, not the least of which is the back end of the trailer hitting the ground real fast when you might very well be standing there with your toes under the tailgate!
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