luseedhead

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