Bending 3/8" Steel Hitch

[Underdog57]

Thanks for all the replies, lot of good ideas. Most of the fixes are beyond my skill level and for the time & effort involved probably not worth it.

I ordered a new one which was $82 plus shipping (was expecting much higher price).

I can practice on the old one!!!

 

[Gary Fowler]

Well if practicing, take your torch and cut the attachment from the plate taking care to not screw up the attachment. Rather than waste oxygen and acetylene trying to straighten that under strength plate, invest in a piece of half inch thick plate to replace it. Maybe use your new hitch as a pattern to lay out the new steel plate dimensions.
In the new design, put some gussets on the back side if possible so it doesn't bend again. If you can find some scrap drops from a steel fabricator that are large enough, the cost of new plate will be very easy on your pocket. You could likely use some of the old plate for gusset material if needed. Cut them out first then using a big hammer and anvil, straighten them out. Much easier with small pieces to straighten.

Now you have a heavy duty hitch for those tough jobs. You may not even need the new one.

 

[Underdog57]

Thanks Gary, I think that is what I'm going to do! (someday if it ever warms up -15 F today)

 

[pmsmechanic]

Thanks for all the replies, lot of good ideas. Most of the fixes are beyond my skill level and for the time & effort involved probably not worth it.

I ordered a new one which was $82 plus shipping (was expecting much higher price).

I can practice on the old one!!!

I wondered if it wouldn't turn out like this. Sometimes parts are priced reasonable and the next time the price is totally out of line.

 

[Sodo]

Agreed just the powdercoat is worth half of $82.

But NOW what are you gonna do for a project? I'm quite enjoying fixing that thing, especially because you can go pull on it again and se how ya did. It can be braced up easily, even just a simple doubler (welded all around) would do a lot. But gussets would be more elegant.

Onward, to "shop time", as it's not -15* where I'm typing.

I think the simplest, quickest repair is to make 2 simple cuts across the web (the part that stretched the most). Easy cut with an angle grinder, each cut about 1 minute. Bolt it back onto the tractor then with a long lever, cold bend the receiver back straight to the tractor & beat the ears down until flat with a sledge or two. Then weld up the cuts. Could be easier with heat, but I bet a sledge or two would do it - it's only 3/8". Grind and polish the weld to your satisfaction. And rattlecan.

 

[Big Barn]

Agreed just the powdercoat is worth half of $82. But NOW what are you gonna do for a project? I'm quite enjoying fixing that thing, especially because you can go pull on it again and se how ya did. It can be braced up easily, even just a simple doubler (welded all around) would do a lot. But gussets would be more elegant. Onward, to "shop time", as it's not -15* where I'm typing. I think the simplest, quickest repair is to bolt it back onto the tractor then make 2 simple cuts across the web (the part that stretched the most) and with a long lever, cold bend the receiver back straight to the tractor. Easy cut with an angle grinder, each cut about 1 minute. Then beat the ears down until flat, (I'd un-bolt it) and weld up the cuts. Could be easier with heat, but I bet a just sledge would do it - it's only 3/8". Grind and polish the weld to your satisfaction. And rattlecan. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/welding/413108-bending-3-8-steel-hitch-hitch-jpg"/>

Sodo there are only a couple of powdercoaters in my area, and I doubt either would do it for under $100.

Terry

 

[Underdog57]

Another good idea!!! Thanks Sodo.

 

[Underdog57]

Well I bought a new hitch and I'm ready to weld some gussets on it. I need some advice on how to weld it up. I have an Everlast 300 amp DC stick and have 3/32" 6011 & 7018 & 1/8" 6010 & 7018 rods. The gussets are 1/2" being welded to 3/8" plate. My plan was either 6010 or 6011 for the root and cover with 1/8" 7018. What size rod should I do the root with 3/32" or 1/8" and how many amps would you use?

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[Sodo]

Underdog you want to prevent that lower edge from stretching. I think your gusset needs to strengthen that lower edge and carry the load to the first bolt hole. I'd do it with 3/8" plate, it will look right, and 1/2 wont help anything (if you have 3/8). It won't be a critical weld, you can bevel and weld on both sides and it will be hella strong.

Straight is stronger, but if you can put a little bend in the ear that boxes in the bolt hole (not cut to a point as in my pic) it will look real good. Can't draw it any better with the pic I have of the bent part. I can draw you better a pic if you post a new pic at an oblique angle, showing the gusset area that I drew.

You're probably all done welding by now. Of course your gusset as shown will increase the strength too.

Is this item OEM or aftermarket? If OEM don't discount the possibility that it was designed with that stretchable membrane to inform you when you're pulling too hard on those four bolts.

 

[Underdog57]

1st pic is the way the hitch is mounted. It is an OEM part but it was totally my fault that it bent like that, I got to aggressive with a stump (won't be jerking it that hard again!)



1st pass 1/8" 7018 155 amps