Eapele Trailer Hitch for Lawn Mower, Garden Tractor Trailer Hitch, Solid Iron Construction, Compatible with John Deere Ariens Cub Cadet Poulan Pro Husky Husqvarna Craftsman Riding Mower

Pros: - Very Sturdy once mounted - Places ball at perfect height for larger log splitter (CountyLine 40 ton) - Ball and hole placement further back enhances backup maneuverability (improves 'jackknife' performance) Cons: - Makes tractor slightly longer (like 9" longer) so storing tractor may be more difficult Review: After looking at several options to add a trailer mounting 'structure' to my John Deere X590 tractor, I settled on this unit. I liked the way this mount retained (but relocated) the lower hole and provided a higher mounting location to move a 2" ball. Before getting this unit I was switching back and forth between installing a 2" ball to move my log splitter (CountyLine 40 Ton) and removing it to use my John Deere 17P trailer. It was a bit of a pain to keep swapping between the ball mount and the hole for the trailer-but the real problem for me was the fact that the log splitter's tongue sat down really low, making the splitter angle up pretty steeply, and made it difficult to clamp down the mount on the splitter. Additionally, I would have to support the weight of the log splitter with one leg, and use the other foot to push down the 'stand' on the log splitter while holding it with one leg (not easy, nor safe given the log splitter weight a total of approx 700 lb, so I was supporting at least 150 lb awkwardly). When reading the reviews I was a bit concerned about installation as I read several people saying they needed to heat up and bend the brackets because the angles weren't correct. I didn't want to have to do that, but decided to buy the unit anyway. Installation: I largely disregarded the instructions when installing the unit-not because they weren't helpful, but because it was pretty obvious how to put the unit together. I started off by installing the main bolt through the bottom to hold the main post (roughly) in position. I tightened up the bolt until it was snug, but I could still rotate the unit. This helped me decide which support brackets would be the correct length to use for mounting (I chose the shorter brackets). As I mocked those up, I did see the angles didn't match perfectly, but decided to mount the brackets to the tractor frame first. After that, I mounted the long center bolt through the two support arms and main beam, threaded on the nut and washer. I then tightened up the frame bolts, through bolt, and then tightened up the large. bottom bolt. When I tightened up the cross bolt, it did 'bend' and 'flatten down' the two cross pieces to mount almost perfectly flat to the main bar, to no custom 'vice' or 'torch' work was needed. In the end, it was a pretty easy install that took about 10 minutes to complete with hand tools and a Milwaukee 18V driver. Use: Note: I added a Magnetic hitch pin (also bought on Amazon) and Curt 40003 chrome 2" ball to complete the install. I first started by installing my 17P trailer and taking it for a short spin using the magnetic hitch pin. No drama or surprises-worked great. Surprise bonus: with the mounting hole now positioned about 6" further back, I was pleased to see that the maneuverability of the trailer (both going forward and backing up) was notably improved. I then took the trailer off and took the tractor over by my log splitter. I had read that the ball was a bit 'too high', requiring lifting the log splitter 'up' to mount to the higher ball location (measured 22.5" to the top of my 2" ball after install). I backed up the tractor to see how it lined up, and sure enough, the ball is indeed higher than the mount (see pictures). HOWEVER, the benefit of this: it actually allowed me to kick the 'stand' on the log splitter back under the log splitter with the unit mounted to the ball. This is a HUGE benefit in my opinion as you can actuate the stand when the log splitter is securely mounted to the ball-a very big improvement! This goes for kicking the stand up, or setting it down. While driving the log splitter around I noticed a couple more improvements: 1) the log splitter was now almost perfectly level when mounted to the ball, 2) Moving the mount backwards by about 9" resulted in MUCH improved maneuvering of the log splitter-especially when backing up (much more 'jack knife' tolerant and allows more extreme articulation for backing the log splitter into parking positions). This was not expected and a VERY welcome improvement! Again: loading the heavy log splitter on and off the ball was a greatly improved experience due to being able move the splitter's stand into the needed position. Lastly, when I went to put the tractor back away in the garage (we don't have a large garage) I realized potentially the only 'downside' to the new mount: it did make the tractor about 6-9" longer. When I backed it into its (tight) parking space behind my car, it didn't end up really mattering, but I thought I'd note it since others may not realize the implication. Anyway, I'm really pleased overall with the purchase-especially since it really wasn't too expensive. Hopefully these 'user' notes from first hand use will help others with making the decision if they're on the fence. Overall: Very pleased and definitely would recommend for a JD X500 series tractor.

This product is definitely strong and sturdy. Had to drill two holes in the backplate of my John Deere X380 lawn tractor, which took some sharp drill bits, and easily done with a good drill. The supports will NOT align with the factory holes. Started holes with small drill bit, then a bigger one. Makes it a little easier. Once installed, you'll love it. VERY strong. Fit a 2" ball with 3/4" shank on it. Fit is a little tight with very little play, but great after tightening all bolts. Horizontal support bars are thick iron. Ends of each bar are bent at different angles so installation points on back of tractor can be fairly close together or fairly spread out, depending on how you turn the bars. For those who say they had to bend the horizontal support bars a little to have a good fit -- sorry, but I don't believe these folks bent 3/10"+ thick iron bars without a professional bending machine. You will NOT be able to put these bars in a vise and bend anything very easily (not even with a hammer), except maybe your vise, but I didn't have to in the first place. Thankfully, everything fit just fine after having to drill two holes in the back plate. Great addition to the lawn tractor. Would definitely buy it again.

This works for the 2025 JD X380, but I had to drill 2 holes in the mounting plate for it to mount properly. Aside from the mounting issue, the hitch looks great and performs well. I gave this 4 stars for the mounting issue, otherwise this is a great hitch if you are looking for one.

Not an exact fit (deduct 1/2 star), but it worked as sturdy mount on a Husqvarna TS540XD lawn tractor . Also it worked for an unadvertised purpose as a support for a bicycle basket to hold supplies.

Fits my MTD mower perfectly. Easy install and very sturdy.

Works great. Yes, it fits John Deere lawn tractors, but may need some hints to help with installation. I installed it on my John Deere S100, using the shorter arms. First, mount the center part of the hitch with the big bolt and nut, making almost tight, but easily movable. To install the side arms, they must be assembled very loosely at first, with just a few threads engaged on nut of the long bolt that holds them to the center part. There is only an extremely small space available to place the washer and nut behind the mounting panel of the tractor. I used a long drill bit through the mounting slot so I could place the washer and nut onto the drill bit (placing washer and nut from behind panel by way of the small access). While withdrawing the drill bit, I pressed the washer and nut up against the back of the tractor panel. Insert the bolt and washer through the hole at the end of one arm, and get the thread started into the nut that is still being held by your finger. In order to tighten the bolt, you need to fish an open end wrench up from the bottom to hold the nut still. Then do the same at the other side. Then tighten the long center bolt. Then tighten the large center bolt. The hole for mounting the ball is only 0.732 inch diameter, so it won't fit a ball with a 3/4 thread as it was advertised. I had spend $24 to go to Ace to buy a drill bit to enlarge the hole.

Really nice piece of kit. Very heavy duty, I was pleasantly surprised. On my customers Cub Cadet I had to straighten out some of the brackets, make them shorter and drill new holes. Not very difficult and you could hardly ever tell! The steel strap that they use on this hitch is very heavy duty and I was only able to straighten it with a big sledge hammer and bench vise. Some black paint rustoleum and quick work with a file and everyone was happy. I used factory holes and that was one of the reasons I had to modify the support braces. Still 5 stars because great price and nice hardware too

I purchased this to install on my John Deere D125 to pull my 8' utility trailer. The installation was a little difficult on my tractor as the slots in the metal plate did not allow easy hand access to the rear of the plate. Keep in mind, this was an issue with the design of the tractor, not the hitch. The hitch installation is only 5 bolts and the ball. The slot for the ball bolt was extremely tight so I had to bang it through with a hammer. I suppose it's good that's its a tight fit, better for towing. Once I worked through the access issue on the tractor and installed the hitch, it works perfectly. Great product. Pulls my utility trailer with ease. The trailer is pretty level, and the hitch allows my to pull the trailer around my yard for a variety of uses. The hitch also come with a lower hole attachment that can be used for tractor utility attachments like carts. This is a wonderful product. Wish I had found it earlier.