Art, not sure about the hitch, but I have to say that it is a good idea. Sort of thinking about making one for my units.
Here is a BIG question that I have... I noticed on the Original that I am refurbishing, that the input shaft is bent. It is the one that the reduction housing's gear meshes with. Here is the deal, the big gear on the input shaft moves from left to right about 1/8th of an inch. The things that really confuse me is that the driveshaft for the Originals are small, and how all that power is able to not only bend the input shaft, but it actually twisted it. It had a creeper on it, and I thought that the roll pins, drive shaft, clutch, creeper, or rag joint would have failed long before a 1" shaft would bend and twist. So, here is the 2 possibilities that I came up with. 1. Just leave it alone and reassemble. 2. Change it out with a new shaft. I am thinking that it only goes 6.9 MPH. Yet, I really don't like having a bent shaft in there. My gut says to change it out. So I am asking what you guys think. And also how the hell that big of a shaft could have gotten bent especially with just a 7hp. Oh, and it doesn't appear to have been dropped.
BTW, I had a great time today hanging out with Doug Barnett. He had his 149 tore all to peices, and is starting the repairs. He has a few interesting questions as well. I tried talking him into letting me take it home, but he wouldn't.... Man, no luck at all. Seriously, thanks Doug for everything. I appreciatted you letting me use the <strike>toys</strike> tools and parts cleaner. You are awesome! Don't know about you, but those cold tools were just way too good.