Let’s Talk Manure Tank Hitches
Manure tank hitches are a pretty small (in size) portion of a manure tank setup. However, they become not so small if they break. We certainly don’t have to tell you why a hitch replacement delay is not an ideal situation in the middle of manure season because chances are you’ve been there. For those who haven’t, we wish you nothing but positive hitch thoughts.
With that in mind, it is important to evaluate what hitch would be best suited for your operation when (or after) you purchase a GEA tank. We currently have three hitch options available, each of which could be the right fit depending on those needs.
GEA 3-Axis Manure Tank Hitch
The GEA 3-Axis hitch is the new standard offering for GEA tanks, replacing the standard clevis hitch beginning in October 2023. While replacement parts are still available on the standard clevis hitch, new GEA tanks that are 7300 gallons and up will no longer come with them installed. The GEA 3-Axis hitch does the job well, especially for producers who might not be putting as much wear and tear on their tank and hitch.
Heavy Duty Swivel King Hitch
We first brought the Swivel King hitch, now referred to as the Heavy Duty Swivel King, as an offering after the prototype successfully passed an 80-million-gallon trial in the spring of 2020. Swivel King hitches are designed and made in Iowa. They can withstand terrain stresses by flexing to the environment at a 45-degree angle up and down. The Heavy Duty Swivel King retrofits into the GEA hitch and is specific to the tractor being used with the tank.
The hitch is installed and bolted directly onto the tractor. The Heavy Duty Swivel King is (as the name suggests) meant for heavy-duty situations such as when running large 9500- or 10500-gallon tanks. Because of the hardiness of this hitch option, it has been popular with our custom applicators who operate larger tanks and run on rougher terrains.
Standard Duty Swivel King Hitch
The Standard Duty Swivel King is a newer Swivel King offering designed to be more universal than its predecessor. Unlike the Heavy Duty Swivel King, this hitch does not need to be designed specifically for the tractor being used. If you are potentially using different tractors with a manure tank, this could be beneficial for you. It is also lighter duty and designed for smaller steerable GEA tanks (up to 7300 gallons).
Overall, the main difference between the three manure tank hitch hitches is how they are mounted. While all three hitch options are made to be hardy, factors like the size of the tank, usage, terrain and crossing types, territory and tractor are all important factors to weigh as well. There might not be a one-size-fits-all approach for manure equipment in general, but by taking these factors into consideration you can be equipped with a hitch that doesn’t cause you to send a hitch gopher on a parts run this spring.
Check out all three hitches in action!
