is shorter hitch better?

Not really and no. It's all about the actual hitch point/pull point. The drawbar support located close to the pulling point is a good idea, but in the end has no extra (or less) effect on downward pull. The only time it does, is when the drawbar beam is so weak in design that the flexing of it lowers the hitch point. The angle of the drawbar pulling beam also has zero effect on anything as long as it is bolted solid and cannot move up or down under direct pull. This is an old wives tale. Occasionally you'll see someone who has an adjustable 3point hitch top link located in a vertical fashion going directly up from the drawbar to a high place under the seat to control the height of the drawbar beam. All they are dong is seeing an immediate tractor tip-over if the drawbar lets go at the wrong place down below. There is no pull advantage. The drawbar when bolted SOLID is an integral part of the chassis and the angle it is at means nothing.......as long as it's bolted solid with zero movement. And there will be those who will argue this until he77 freezes over.

NEVER green wrote:     MY view is, the shorter the hitch the closer the axle is to the front of the sled. This creates a steeper angle on the chain thus taking weight off front of sled and adding it to hitch.

This is a geometric thought. Someone with Fut 15 Coins    pulling experience may have a different answer