Here are some of the recent threads ported over to the forum: This event is linked to the triangle quick hitch tool http://farmhack.net/tools/triangle-quick-attach-3-point-hitch
A hackpad for logistics has been created here https://farmhack.hackpad.com/Triangle-Build-Weekend-Hackpad-0qA9NfDysS6
Hi, i would like to host a build-it weekend at the Firehouse, for farmers and tool makers. The tool proposed is the adabio jiffy hitch, which makes picking up and dropping off implements from a tractor faster, easier, and safer. Attached is the pdf for this tool, in French. The proposed weekend is November 9,10. The Firehouse is 98 Reed Rd Wesport MA.
Are you interested? Are any other farmers interested? Do any farms actually want to order such a tool in advance? How much will they cost? How many implement parts are needed on your farm (ie. How many implements need to be outfitted?)? Can someone translate the document to English? What SAE unit steel channels nest and would be appropriate size for the "American translation" of the dimensions? Can you bring: 1.an abrasive chopsaw 2. an angle grinder. 3. welding mask 4. blowtorch 5. food 6. a tractor and implement to use as a demonstration.
If i know in advance how many we hope to build, i could cut most of the parts out the week before so less time is wasted. i could also build one so we have a working model.
People can bring sleeping bags and roll out on the floor Saturday night.
Please spread this to farmers that might be interested.
Let me know what you think, lu
Lu --
I, for one, would be interested. I like the idea especially because it addresses the issue of brute strength (people like me and women farmers) and poor safety present in hooking up equipment. I don't need one but I'd join in building 'em.
I have some thoughts about the design. To mention one, for example, it looks like the female part of the hitch is custom/permanently built onto the tool but there's no provision for picking the tool up with a tractor having only a standard hitch; we should either add pickup points for a conventional hitch to the female part or make the female part removeable.
The nesting parts are channel iron for the female - I didn't check what size it would be - and they are using 2.5" square, 1/4" wall steel tubing for the male pickup frame.
I could bring a few tools to the event.
I'm leaving tomorrow for a few days and won't be thinking much about anything for a week or so, but then I'll rejoin the conversation.
Warmly,
Brian Huckins
Count me in. I can't bring a chop-saw and i'd rather not bring a tractor and implement because my trailer is too small. Otherwise I think I can cover the other items mentioned. Not sure what you meant by blowtorch. I have an oxy-propane cutting rig or a little MAPP gas plumber's torch.
Pete
Sounds good to me! Lets do it. I can bring tools and equip mentioned. I did some calcs on metric conversion - here is my best guess-as posted on farmhack "standard 3” c channel has about 2.54” interior surface - leaving very little play (less than 1/16th) but should work using 2.5” tube .120 wall 3.8840 lbs/ft - which is close to the specification but with less play than the design specified (about 1/8" play)"
I will add to Farmhack with the upcoming tools build day feature.
Dorn
Nice! I can bring items 1 - 5 also. I think for almost any farm of any size this hitch pays for itself quickly, and once a farm has one, the Farmhack/Adabio mentality is likely to set in: if we got another piece made, that could do so and so, we could double efficiency.... I can also bring 1 or 2 people from the Boston area - thanks Lu,
Tim
Hello,
metal fabricators seem interested in the Build IT weekend here at the firehouse, November 9 and 10. i have yet to hear from lots of farms but i assume after the frost farmers will have time to get interested.
i am about to (this week) enlist Emily's help making a 3D model for "la version americaine" of the triangle attacher. i will use Dorn's recommendation of 2.5 " by 11g square tubing nesting in 3x4.1 c channel. Will the square tubing nest deeply enough?
i solicit any other comments about the design. For example, on the tractor triangle the bottom element (part E3) is simply a piece of thick flat stock. Should it have a web? Could it be just another piece of square tubing (same amount of steel)? Another question i have: Is the implement triangle always welded to the implement? Does the articulating implement triangle also have to be fabricated around the implement. Is there a way to make the implement triangle just bolt on or pin on so that they can be completely fabricated separate from the implements?
Also, if there is anything an american farmer knows is different on american three point hitches from french ones, we could make changes. For example, the top link to bottom link vertical distance is given as 488 mm (19 1/4") . Is that OK? Also, the hole sizes for the links and the bar sizes for the implements. Are these good? And the spacing of the link brackets, 2" for the top link and 2 5/32" for the bottoms; is that standard here?
The brackets that reach out from the tractor triangle and grab the links onthe tractor are specified as 9/16" thick. The problem here is that i was hoping to cut the holes with my plasma cutter, which can only cut up to about 3/8 inch thick. i am therefore of a mind to make all the parts with holes 3/8" strap unless someone thinks that is really to thin. i know "la robustesse de cette piece ne peut pas etre negligee blah blah blah..." If necessary the holes can be cut with a blow torch, but with my puny drill press: Jamais!. Maybe 3/8 can be used and a little gusset plated over the top between the two brackets to reinforce them...
i hope to get the design done this week. THen, find out how many we will build and order the steel. The square tubing and channel will be new metal, while the strap and plate i hope to get scrap.
i think we should be able to construct one or two sets of these in a weekend. i only have one 50 amp outlet and one stick welder. Does anyone have a mobile welder? Also, can people bring extra leathers, goggles, earphones, welding shields, gloves, welding magnets, and quick clamps?
Finally, does anyone want to help pay forthe steel, welding rod (i'm thnkgin 6013, 5/32", but open to suggestions) , and abrasive discs we will burn through! THanks! lu
Wow, I forgot how much goes into making something the first time!
Questions in paragraph 1 and 2, I don't know.
Questions about 3 point hitch dimensions, they vary a lot and those numbers are good - but maybe each of us should post numbers for a specific tractor and implement?
3/8 sounds thin for the force it takes - the shop near me would do the 9/16 if you send me the dimensions and I could get them to you.
I'll bring gloves, goggles, 2 masks, and clamps, and the tools we mentioned before, also 2 boxes of 6013 5/32 (5#). I can bring a little 90 amp inverter welder if it's useful for the 11 gauge.
Thanks again Lu, this is going to rock -
Tim