3pt frame

Kodiak45 · Jan 18, 2016

Give me your thoughts on this frame. I plan on using this to attach to a toolbar for a set of planters I'm rebuilding. I was planning on adding gussets to the vertical bar, but the more I look at it, I'm not sure if the pin tabs I welded on will be able to withstand a decent amount of force. I used 3" square tubing 1/8" thick and the pin tabs are 3/8" thick. I think I might should add reinforcement to the tabs from the top side and bottom side of the tubing. I'm not a fabricator nor a welder, but I enjoy doing a little of each, so you can't hurt my feelings with criticism and I would rather learn something from someone than argue. Please give me your thoughts

Fallon · Jan 18, 2016

Looks solid to me. Gussets on the side will help, but assuming you get proper penetration on your existing welds they won't help a lot. Clevis style like you have is a lot stronger than a pin into one tab. A clevis gets pulled straight on both tabs with minimal lateral or twisting force. The pin type are only supported on one side, so get a huge twisting force, bending the tabs.

Its tractor gear, so slapping on more weight & steel for strength benefits strength weight is always good though.

4570Man · Jan 18, 2016

I think it will be fine with a little reinforcements. The good thing is if it breaks you will know who to get to fix it.

Kodiak45 · Jan 18, 2016

That's good to hear. Welds seemed to penetrate fine with bevel on pin tabs with mig. I was afraid of burn through with stick and I knew it would at least look good with some solid wire. I have a quick hitch, that this will mainly be used for and I love the clevis style strength as I have seen and dealt with way too many bent and twisted pin types.

Kodiak45 · Jan 18, 2016

4570Man said:
I think it will be fine with a little reinforcements. The good thing is if it breaks you will know who to get to fix it.

That is true! I like to try and get it right the first round as redoing projects takes way too much time that I don't have.

4570Man · Jan 18, 2016

I think you definitely need more bracing around the tabs. My box blade had 1/2 thick tabs and I still bent them. I added a piece of steel across the top which seems to have fixed the problem. The piece that sticks up needs bracing.

Kodiak45 · Jan 18, 2016

4570Man said:
I think you definitely need more bracing around the tabs. My box blade had 1/2 thick tabs and I still bent them. I added a piece of steel across the top which seems to have fixed the problem. The piece that sticks up needs bracing.

View attachment 454130

View attachment 454131

my box blade has the same problem, I can barely get the pins on the arms. I bought it this way and haven't had time to get around to fooling with it yet and I was actually planning on cutting out the old 3pt frame and just redoing it all rather than trying to bend it back into shape. I'll add some reinforcement to the tabs and I now have a good excuse to get in the garage this week and play with some metal. I think next frame I do I will probably go with 1/2 inch tabs on the next one

ovrszd · Jan 18, 2016

I think you've got a great start. Brace according to your desired uses. Hard for us to predict weakness. I've got one similar that I use the snot out of on a 95HP tractor. I don't like failure either and usually overkill the build.

When you get the planter setup finished, post pics.