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: