StumpyWally
Senior Member
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2011
- Messages
- 516
- Occupation
- PE Civil Eng'r, Computer Sys. Mgr., Retired
Here's a model view confirming the dimensions of the hanger side plates:
Here is a front view of my final prototype configuration, & a close up of my "forward-dig restraint system":
Step 5, compute the weight of the custom hanger system to see if it is reasonable. Since the side plates of my quick coupler are 5/8"-thick steel, I opted for 5/8" steel plate throughout my hangers. The 2 external braces I felt should be 2"x2"x1/4" steel tube. So, using area's from my 3D model I computed the weight of my Multi-Hitch with hangers as follows:
I wish the hanger was a little lighter, but I'm leery of backing off to only 1/2"-thick plate. That would only reduce the weight by about 40 lbs, some of which might be offset by more gussets.
Of course then I will add the weight of my pallet forks @ 230 lbs frame + 270 lbs forks = 500 lbs, for a total of 904 lbs.
All of that will replace the weight of my std. trenching bucket of 545 lbs, so it will be over by 359 lbs but will be way more versatile.
Step 6, fabricate the custom hangers, weld them up & weld them to both the Multi-Hitch & the Klac blank. Fabricate the lift hole ears, but do NOT yet weld them to the hangers. Fabricate the lift hole U-brackets, & cut the lift hole pin to 18" long.
I'm a lot of things, but alas, I'm not a welder or a machinist, so I took my plans, plywood prototype, & steel pin to my trusted fabricator/machine shop just yesterday. They expect it will take about 2 weeks to complete, given the July 4th interruption.
So, stay tuned for more as it develops...
Here is a front view of my final prototype configuration, & a close up of my "forward-dig restraint system":
Step 5, compute the weight of the custom hanger system to see if it is reasonable. Since the side plates of my quick coupler are 5/8"-thick steel, I opted for 5/8" steel plate throughout my hangers. The 2 external braces I felt should be 2"x2"x1/4" steel tube. So, using area's from my 3D model I computed the weight of my Multi-Hitch with hangers as follows:
- Multi-Hitch blank...........105 lbs
- Custom hangers............246 lbs
- Klac blank..................... 53 lbs
Total = 404 lbs
I wish the hanger was a little lighter, but I'm leery of backing off to only 1/2"-thick plate. That would only reduce the weight by about 40 lbs, some of which might be offset by more gussets.
Of course then I will add the weight of my pallet forks @ 230 lbs frame + 270 lbs forks = 500 lbs, for a total of 904 lbs.
All of that will replace the weight of my std. trenching bucket of 545 lbs, so it will be over by 359 lbs but will be way more versatile.
Step 6, fabricate the custom hangers, weld them up & weld them to both the Multi-Hitch & the Klac blank. Fabricate the lift hole ears, but do NOT yet weld them to the hangers. Fabricate the lift hole U-brackets, & cut the lift hole pin to 18" long.
I'm a lot of things, but alas, I'm not a welder or a machinist, so I took my plans, plywood prototype, & steel pin to my trusted fabricator/machine shop just yesterday. They expect it will take about 2 weeks to complete, given the July 4th interruption.
So, stay tuned for more as it develops...