2" receiver welded into Mini-Excavator blade

[Sodo]

Project story. I know you fellas like pics.

Decided I wanted a hitch on the KX41 mini-excavator so I can drag a trailer or ATV to the worksite. Also in the plan is to tow a snowmobile trailer while picking up logs, stumps, sticks, brush etc with the thumb, spin around and set it on the trailer.

Cut the 3/8" thick blade with a skilsaw-type metal cutting saw. It was easy. Even the plungecut across the bottom was easy. I finished up the corners with a sawzall then welded up the overcuts.

Tacked the receiver tube in. This receiver tube is 5 inches of an 18" long (2.06" x 2.06" inside dimension to fit 2x2) tube section from Harbor freight. You can make several receivers from one 18" tube.

Decided to make a plug to cover the hole, so the receiver doesn't get packed with dirt. And because I'm **** and couldn't think of anything that entertained better. Getting these ears tacked on to the cutout blade plug - such that the cross-pin can go thru AND the blade plug aligns ( and aligns PERFECTLY, OF COURSE ! ) was a headscratcher.

After headscratching awhile; welded the ears to a nail, a bendable jig. This worked really well, just pried the ears (thru the hole) until the pin went thru. Then pulled the plug out and straightened the ears, tested again, and ready to weld. Stopped short of grinding the nail/jig out since it looked pretty well centered.

Receiver plug in the receiver, aligned, and straight.

Welded the receiver plug ears solid.

Pinned and done! Can't even tell this blade's been hacked.

Little guy looks kinda proud doesn't he?

 

[dragoneggs]

Hey Sodo... I can't see the pics!

 

[FreshRouteFarm]

Me either.

 

[Sodo]

Hey Sodo... I can't see the pics!

oops sorry, re-uploaded images. I'll plug my 12,000 lb winch in there for you (hope it doesn't tip it over )

 

[Big Barn]

Wow Good thinking on how to align those ears for alignment.

My headscratching sessions usually turn to disaster... the more I think about it the more far fetched (and impractical) my solutions become. Most often resembling something out of a sci-fi cartoon...

Terry

 

[dragoneggs]

Very cool... and yeah smart thinking on the nail hold. I will have to remember that simple trick. The hard part will be the remembering.

 

[Deere Dude]

You cut that with that sawblade on the first picture?? I cannot imagine that at all. Any saw blade of mine will turn to crap after hitting a nail.

 

[Sodo]

You cut that with that sawblade on the first picture?? I cannot imagine that at all. Any saw blade of mine will turn to crap after hitting a nail.

Not a skilsaw, it's for cutting metal. It will cut a sheet of 1/4" steel (it seems) about the same speed as a skilsaw cutting a 1 1/8" sheet of plywood.

DE heres a pic for you. Notice this winch is so heavy it needs a dolly (100 lbs).

 

[Thomas]

Will make BIG difference try to back trailer in tight spot. :thumbsup:

 

[Big Barn]

Will make BIG difference try to back trailer in tight spot. :thumbsup:

Having one mounted on the end of the dipper would make it even more fun!

Terry

 

[bcp]

DE heres a pic for you. Notice this winch is so heavy it needs a dolly (100 lbs).

I have one of those winches still in the box. I bought two and put one on my Wrangler. I was going to use the other as a portable: truck, tractor, skid, etc., but some recent back problems are keeping me from slinging 100 lbs around like I used to. I'm thinking of selling it and getting a 5000 (double or triple line for extreme work), or maybe mounting it on a little trailer or on the box blade. I would anchor it both directions so it didn't try to separate the tractor.

Bruce

 

[dragoneggs]

I have to be honest, although i have my little 2500lb mounted, I haven't used it yet. But at least I can pick it up!

 

[two_bit_score]

Good idea and nice work!

 

[k0ua]

Very nice work Sodo.:thumbsup:

 

[Kernopelli]

Nice Job Soto!

You cut that with that sawblade on the first picture?? I cannot imagine that at all. Any saw blade of mine will turn to crap after hitting a nail.

Before I finally broke down and bought a plasma cuter, I used to use the blades Sodo described on my Skilsaw. Not as nice as the dedicated saws that have chip collectors but very effective. The blades aren't cheap an do wear out but they make a very clean cut and are fast. There are a lot of brands out there and even see Harbor Freight sells them for about 1/2 the price of a Lenox or Milwaukee( no idea on the HF quality but might be worth trying).

 

[FreshRouteFarm]

That turned out great.

 

[Sodo]

Thanks you guys!

Not sure why hiding it was so satisfying. Prob because the blade cutout didn't go to waste. Added a cross brace so the ears cant be bent if its dropped or.

 

[Big Barn]

OMG Sodo. You're as bad as me!!

Embed a chip in it in case the pin falls out and you lose it. Then you can use your GPS.

Terry

 

[Sodo]

Terry I'm certain that I'm worse than you. Because of this I try to keep ahead of the game. Made the pin long enough to capture the plug.
Don't worry I'll find a way to lose it anyway. That drop-hitch dinger up-ended for the mini-ex?------I'll lose that for sure!

 

[Big Barn]

Hmmm. If space permitted I would have left the receiver a tad longer to accommodate the plug on the opposite end for storage.

Or maybe it could be used as a step somewhere while in storage mode.

Or,,,, maybe I'll just shut up now.

Nice work !

Terry