Slot hitch.

[Stormin 9,981]

  Slot hitches are a bit hard to come by this side of the pond. I have one, but a couple of others would be handy. So Chris Sutton and I thought it would be a good idea to make two each, while I was staying with him on my annual trip down south. Last year we knocked up a couple of belly graders/

  I decided to make a jig for when welding parts up. At the back of the bench, a piece of cast iron machined channel had been residing for years. Just the right size to fit inside the original slot hitch. A piece of plate and some bits of pipe and I had this. Apologies for the fuzzy photo.

 

 

 

     The crap welding is due to trying out a gasless mig welder for the first time.

 

    I told Chris I would get the steel and take it down with me. This was when I started to get carried away a bit. I decided to make a prototype.

   First I made some bosses for the hitch pin to fit through. Several pieces of cardboard cut outs were made to get the shape and angle of the sides, then I cut out some plate for the sides. Next thing was to get the bend on the side plates. I don't have a hydraulic press but I do have a pipe bender. With a 3/4" former mounted vertically instead of horizontal, with scribe lines on the centre and a line scribed on the plates where I wanted them bent, they turned out grand. I didn't take photo's of this, but I will while making the next ones.

  Plates cut for top and bottom of the slot, with a scrap slitting disc each side of the jig to give clearance inside the slot, things were tack welded. The assembly was removed from the jig, welded up and the result is below.

 

 

 

  I test fitted it to one of my horses and was pleased with the result. I then got carried away again and prime painted it. The eagle eyed of you will notice there is no lift arm.

 

  So flush with success I proceeded to set to on the other bits for the next three.

  

 Photo of two of side plates and two top and bottom of slot plates.

 

Plates roughed out to fit bosses.

 

40mm black bar machined down and drilled out ready to make two bosses each.

 

 Plates finished off.

 

 

Edited July 29, 2017 by Stormin

[19richie66 17,500]

Nice work there!

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,297]

Great work .

[JPWH 6,033]

Very nice work. Thanks for sharing.

[Chris G 3,296]

Looks good

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,313]

I wish I had half of the talent that you fellows have!

  Well done!

  Mike....

[skippy1969 135]

LOOKS GREAT!

Probably stronger than the original cast iron piece.

 

[JimmyJam 542]

Awesome job Guys! I will swap out 1 of yours for 1 cast iron. LOL! 

[Stormin 9,981]

 A bit more progress today.

 

 Finished off the bosses. They needed a light skim.

 

 

Finished.

 

Next  the side plates were bent using my pipe bender.

 

 

 Fitted in the jig for tack welding.

 

 Then removed, tacked t'other side then fully welded up.

 

 Unfortunately I forgot all about taking photo's at this stage. Suffice to say, two more hitches are tacked up ready to fully weld. 

 

 

[Dakota8338 115]

Really great looking work, and the photo story illustrations were fantastic!  

[Retired Wrencher 5,444]

I agree with Mike/ Sparky. You guys do great work and looks like you have the tools to get it done.

[Stormin 9,981]

  I've done as much as I can now, until I get some 1/2" x 1" flat for the lifting arms. Only three made as when doing the first of the arms, it tuned out a bit short when bent. I'd not enough material to make another by te time I'd got the rest made and correct. I may make one with shorter arms at a later date.

 

 

  I had to do a bit of fettling with a file to get two to fit the rear of the trans. But a lesson learnt there. I think the clamp holding the bosses in place was to blame. Although not tight it was enough to close them in a bit. I didn't use it on the first one.

  If I make anymore, and I say IF, at least I have a better idea of how to go about things.

 

  Thanks for all the encouraging comments from you lads.

 

P.S. I'll put a photo' or two when finished.

P.P.S. Thanks to whoever put the topic here. I wasn't sure where it should go. I know for any future projects like this now. Just don't hold your breath.

Edited July 31, 2017 by Stormin

[jeff lary 171]

What do you use the slot hitch for? I have a 3-12-8 and a 3-14-8 and don't have one for either one? I am wondering if I should try to get through the night without one? Maybe I need to go get the Lincoln fired up....

[Stormin 9,981]

 I can't answer for others, but I use one for the tool bar I mount my plough on or as in photo a scarifier or tow ball..

 

 

[Stormin 9,981]

 Well that's it folks. All done and dusted. Final paint colour to be decided.

 

 

 

[Stormin 9,981]

  Just in case anyone is interested, I've done some rough drawings for a new member over here in the UK. Hope they may be of help for someone.

 

[davem1111 2,030]

This info may come in handy when I get around to making a rear 2" receiver hitch for light use. I know I could buy one, but I can make one for a lot less $$. Right now I only want it for either mounting my winch and battery box, which I have set up for a front mule mounted 2" receiver that I made, or putting my 2" hitch cargo tray on to carry things around. I'll be downsizing in a few years so I probably won't care about plows, york rakes, etc. but that hitch looks very handy for a variety of uses.