Quick attach plate light, cheap and simple

[BobRip]

With my right arm limited to 7 pounds for a few more days and probably not very strong for the next month, I got to thinking how heavy the quick attach plates are, not to mention costly. I would like to start a thread on different versions of the home made quick attach plate. I have mocked up the start of one made from angle iron. I will probably weld a 2 inch receiver onto it. It is made from 1.5 inch angle iron, mostly.

The 2 inch receiver quick attach plate that I already have is very strong, and appropriate for heavy loads, but I don't think that strength is needed for most applications. I would appreciate any feed back on the one I am building before I weld it together. Please see attached pictures.

Also send you pictures of any you have made.

 

[sawdust_maker]

With my right arm limited to 7 pounds for a few more days and probably not very strong for the next month, I got to thinking how heavy the quick attach plates are, not to mention costly. I would like to start a thread on different versions of the home made quick attach plate. I have mocked up the start of one made from angle iron. I will probably weld a 2 inch receiver onto it. It is made from 1.5 inch angle iron, mostly.

The 2 inch receiver quick attach plate that I already have is very strong, and appropriate for heavy loads, but I don't think that strength is needed for most applications. I would appreciate any feed back on the one I am building before I weld it together. Please see attached pictures.

I'd think all those C clamps will get in the way for normal use.

Ok, if you want a serious response, this will probably work well enough to lift a reasonable load, but how will it handle any side loads? Will it tend to slide off?

John

 

[Rivco]

Bob, Interesting idea- but I think if you attach a light duty configuration like the one you are showing you will run the risk of bending, twisting, or torquing the quick attach plate. The PT custom attachment plate is 3/8", and when mounted to the 3/8" quick attach plate you are creating 3/4" of plate to resist bending and twisting. With that said- your idea might work for very light duty uses

 

[BobRip]

I'd think all those C clamps will get in the way for normal use.

Ok, if you want a serious response, this will probably work well enough to lift a reasonable load, but how will it handle any side loads? Will it tend to slide off?

John

John, thanks for the response. I will probably take the C clamps off as I need them for other things .

I and going to bend the top bar down on each end to keep it from sliding off. Similar to the PT design. I plan to limit the load, but sometimes we get too enthusiastic and don't limit as we should.

 

[BobRip]

Bob, Interesting idea- but I think if you attach a light duty configuration like the one you are showing you will run the risk of bending, twisting, or torquing the quick attach plate. The PT custom attachment plate is 3/8", and when mounted to the 3/8" quick attach plate you are creating 3/4" of plate to resist bending and twisting. With that said- your idea might work for very light duty uses

Rivco, I think you make a good point about the bending/twisting the quick attach front plate. I have damaged mine from previous work and had to straighten it and I know it has limits. I will load it up and look for deflection. I think I will add extra support on the bottom angle iron to stiffen it just like the PT plate has where the locking dogs go through the bottom.

 

[MrJimi]

Bob, before you weld it up, would your 2 inch rec. do better lower for getting under lower trailers?
If its to high I think you will be limited to the ones on stands

 

[ldabe]

Bob,
I think you have a pretty good idea there!
Especially for those of us who have little to no welding experiance.
I was wondering about the cost though...how much was the material, how thick is the angle iron and where did you get it from?
The receiver also?

Thanks and good luck,
Abe.

 

[MossRoad]

Bob, before you weld it up, would your 2 inch rec. do better lower for getting under lower trailers?
If its to high I think you will be limited to the ones on stands

Since it is on the FEL, all you have to do is roll the joystick forward and the thing could probably go under the grass to dig up under the hitch. I made one for mine and the 2" tubing goes about in the center of my quick attach plate, too. Kind of just scoops up a trailer. Then you roll it back a bit to center it on the ball, lift enough to put some pressure on it and off you go.

 

[BobRip]

Bob,
I think you have a pretty good idea there!
Especially for those of us who have little to no welding experiance.
I was wondering about the cost though...how much was the material, how thick is the angle iron and where did you get it from?
The receiver also?

Thanks and good luck,
Abe.

Since the PT plate is listed as $150, it would be hard not to go below that. The 2 inch trailer adapter from PT was $275 dollars (I believe, the description is not clear). I had all of the parts in stock. Most of it is scrap I got from a local metal salvage yard and I would guess it was less that $25. The 2 inch receiver tube was about $13 from Northern Tools.(Buyers 2in. Standard Receiver Tube | Hitch Receivers | Northern Tool + Equipment

The angle iron is about 1/4 inch thick.

 

[BobRip]

I took pictures of the top and bottom pieces. I picked up a brass rod today and did some brazing. So some of the welds are copper colored. This is OK, but I did not know it was brass and I don't know how to braze. It seems to work OK anyway. That stuff sure melts easier than steel and it is just as strong.

I used a piece of rebar for the inside lip on the top piece. See picture 007.

I made the bottom piece extra wide to support twisting loads and to protect the front plate on the PT. See picture 006. This is kinda hard to see. It is a flat plate welded to the angle iron.
I made the slots for the attachment locking dogs too wide on the bottom piece. I will probably have to weld something back in. I miss the MIG welding, but maybe with a little more practice the gas welding will go easier. It seems kinda slow, and you have to heat the part a lot.