Plate thickness for pintle hitch

[bdog]

I am wanting to add a pintle hitch to my dump truck. I was thinking of putting a 30 ton hook but really don't plan on pulling much more than 10-15 tons though I may in the future go up to 20 tons.

I was thinking of recessing it similar to the attached photo. Is 3/4" plate (with gussets of course) sufficient or do I need to go thicker? Figure this would be a perfect job to try out my new harbor freight 120volt wire feed machine and learn how to use it.

 

[Walkin Horse]

This ought to be fun.

 

[Shield Arc]

I would look into putting strong backs on the back side. Last hitch I built for my 1-ton Dodge I used angle iron on the backside of the safety chain D-rings.
Also do this to strengthen the web of beams.

 

[Big Barn]

IFigure this would be a perfect job to try out my new harbor freight 120volt wire feed machine and learn how to use it.

good one!

Terry

 

[RickB]

good one!

Terry

Glad I don't drive inTexas.

 

[bdog]

I would look into putting strong backs on the back side. Last hitch I built for my 1-ton Dodge I used angle iron on the backside of the safety chain D-rings.
Also do this to strengthen the web of beams.

That is a really good idea. I think I will do that.

 

[Shield Arc]

That is a really good idea. I think I will do that.

If you go that route, no need in welding all the way around. Just skip weld the strong backs. I like to use caulking between the welds before painting.

 

[tcreeley]

I know I can't weld for beans. I have an old stick welder and I couldn't get the penetration I needed for a decent weld.

I'd tack it together, try grinding through a few welds to see what I had before going on. You don't want a trailer busting free on the road.
Good luck. Sounds like a fun project.

 

[Arc weld]

If you have to grind into your welds to determine if they are good enough, you probably shouldn't be welding a hitch, especially one for 10 tons. 3/4" plate with even 3/8" x 2 1/2" or 3" flat bar(at 90 deg's.) would be sufficient. If you had 1/2" flat bar would add a little piece of mind.

 

[Sodo]

Figure this would be a perfect job to try out my new harbor freight 120volt wire feed machine and learn how to use it.

I think there are a lot more folks buying better machines for welding a license plate bracket.
Sounds like you've got it worked out, as long as you don't try to run the welder on an extension cord. Hope all your eqpt arrives at the jobsite at the same time.
:shocked:

 

[Big Barn]

Okay. I'm confused. (what's new ). I assumed the OP said Harbor Freight 'tongue in cheek'??

Terry

 

[stevecobb76]

I did this job on a peterbuilt otr truck from canada that was converted to a dump truck. We added a hitch to haul equipment for AJAX paving company and 3/4" plate worked great.
we hauled all kinds of paving equipment. dozers, loaders, rollers, broom trucks, pavers, graders and more.

just be carefull of any harbor freight welders. you have to mod them to get decent beads. and even then the penetration sucks.
I would recommend just going to lowes or home depot and getting a good name brand arc welder. you dont want to see your trailer rolling up next to you while you are going down the road do you???
think about that... your putting your life and the people around you lives at risk.


dont use a wire feed/mig welder for this job. they do not have the penetration you need for this job.
you want to look into a 220v AC arc welder and 60-10 or 60 -11 rods. Dont use 70-18 rods and dont use 70-24 rods even though they are easier to weld with.

wire feed welders work great on trucks when you are welding on mud flap brackets or light brackets and little stuff like that.

I am saying this because I do have experience. I am a welder. I went to school for welding at tampa bay vo tech in tampa florida for 4 years.
And I am not trying to be a smart *** about it... I just know what I am talking about. I dont want to see anyone get hurt because of a crappy harbor freight welder.

 

[Shield Arc]

wire feed welders work great on trucks when you are welding on mud flap brackets or light brackets and little stuff like that.

Rut roe, I welded these down with a wire feed.

 

[stevecobb76]

Rut roe, I welded these down with a wire feed.

with all due respect, I am sure you know what you are doing and you know how to set up a machine and multipass a beveled vertical t joint while laying on your back. and then have it xrayed... I get it... you know what YOU are doing with a wire feed.

BUT we are talking about a first time welder doing load bearing work with a harbor freight wire feed.

maybe I am right, maybe I am wrong. Weigh the facts here and you make up your own mind.

 

[PILOON]

HF wire 110 vac welder?
Crazy glue might be safer.

 

[stevecobb76]

oops sorry... double post

 

[Sodo]

BUT we are talking about a first time welder doing load bearing work with a harbor freight wire feed.

Pretty sure this post contains elements of fiction using newbies & their Harbor freight purchases for entertainment.

 

[Shield Arc]

with all due respect, I am sure you know what you are doing and you know how to set up a machine and multipass a beved vertical t joint....

I haven't been welding very long. But I did stay at a Holiday Inn once!

 

[Arc weld]

I did this job on a peterbuilt otr truck from canada that was converted to a dump truck. We added a hitch to haul equipment for AJAX paving company and 3/4" plate worked great.
we hauled all kinds of paving equipment. dozers, loaders, rollers, broom trucks, pavers, graders and more.

just be carefull of any harbor freight welders. you have to mod them to get decent beads. and even then the penetration sucks.
I would recommend just going to lowes or home depot and getting a good name brand arc welder. you dont want to see your trailer rolling up next to you while you are going down the road do you???
think about that... your putting your life and the people around you lives at risk.
View attachment 434545

dont use a wire feed/mig welder for this job. they do not have the penetration you need for this job.
you want to look into a 220v AC arc welder and 60-10 or 60 -11 rods. Dont use 70-18 rods and dont use 70-24 rods even though they are easier to weld with.

wire feed welders work great on trucks when you are welding on mud flap brackets or light brackets and little stuff like that.

I am saying this because I do have experience. I am a welder. I went to school for welding at tampa bay vo tech in tampa florida for 4 years.
And I am not trying to be a smart *** about it... I just know what I am talking about. I dont want to see anyone get hurt because of a crappy harbor freight welder.

Your broken weld might be more a fault of using the wrong wire or welding on a heat treated frame without the using the proper procedure rather than from welding with a wire feeder. What ever process is used, a 10 ton hitch on a truck should not even be considered by a beginner welder. Some jobs just require experience and know how and a heavy duty hitch is one of those things. There are flux-cored and solid wires to cross to most stick electrodes. The welders sold at Home Depot even though they say Lincoln on them aren't a whole lot better than HF welders. If you want a good welder the box stores aren't the place to go.

 

[Shield Arc]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. When it comes to wire feed welding, there is no substitute for horse power! :thumbsup: