Welding Square Tube Question

[Beltzington]

I am going to modify a Warn winch to be used with my 3-point hitch, I am using Class III hitch tubing for part of the project so here is the question. If I am going to weld 2" OD tubing into a 2" square receiver do I need to be concerned on how deep the 2" OD is inserted before welding? My shortest Class III setup has 6" inside the tube but that of coarse would rotate around the pin not be welded firmly in place. It is a 12,000lb winch so stout is good. Why does this question seem like it should be in Penthouse forum?

 

[BukitCase]

If possible, I'd insert the 2" deep enough to weld BOTH ends - that way your outer weld won't be tempted to act as a PIVOT under heavy loading... Steve

 

[Beltzington]

If possible, I'd insert the 2" deep enough to weld BOTH ends - that way your outer weld won't be tempted to act as a PIVOT under heavy loading... Steve

Can't do that as the other end of the receiving tube will be needed for other 2" hitch components, clevis, etc. Would simply drilling and bolting the interior tube accomplish the same? Thanks

 

[GPintheMitten]

Maybe you could draw up a sketch of what you have in mind ... how you would like it mounted. I welded up a winch mount with trailer hitch. I'm sure we could help with options.

 

[Big Barn]

Whoa!!! Do they still HAVE Penthouse Forum???? Terry

 

[George2615]

Whoa!!! Do they still HAVE Penthouse Forum???? Terry

C'mon now, like you actually read the forum let alone knew about a forum.

 

[metalmaster]

figure out how far you can insert 2 inch tube and drill holes in the side of the 2 1/2 inch tube, weld inner tube to outer tube filling in hole.

 

[BukitCase]

Agreed, plug welds would accomplish the same thing which is NOT letting the single weld point "work" - a bolt would help, but they'll still loosen and allow the inner end to move.

Another option, if you ever need to take the winch back out, might be to cut your 2" tubing on a slant, weld a 5/8" nut across the inner end, cap the outer end and drill, and run a 5/8" bolt thru the whole thing - when you tighten up that bolt, you'll WEDGE the two sections together and remove all the slop... Steve

Edit- scratch that last idea, it'd work well for mounting a vise on a bench but a winch would probably pull it out...

 

[Beltzington]

Maybe you could draw up a sketch of what you have in mind ... how you would like it mounted. I welded up a winch mount with trailer hitch. I'm sure we could help with options.

Sorry, maybe the purpose was of no value to this discussion. Basically I am building an extension as shown and wanted to know how far the skinny end should go into the fat end before welding. The plug welds are a great idea.

 

[LD1]

As far as you ca would be best. But it depends on your welding ability. A proper weld could simply be butt welded with nothing inside the tube and hold just fine as if it were 1-piece of tubing.

 

[crystallake]

The lenght of insert does nothing for the strenght of the weld. From a fabrication standpoint, if it were mine I would insert about 4-5 inches, drill a hole for a bolt or place two plug welds in holes, seam weld the end joint and call it good.

 

[bdog]

The lenght of insert does nothing for the strenght of the weld. From a fabrication standpoint, if it were mine I would insert about 4-5 inches, drill a hole for a bolt or place two plug welds in holes, seam weld the end joint and call it good.

Yes and no. If it is a really good weld it should be just as strong as the tube. Look at how factory made receiver hitch inserts are. They just weld the tube on to the bar that drops down to bolt the ball to. That being said if you can insert the tube a bit and plug weld it you will reduce a lot of the stress on the weld. For example when welding ears on to plate to mount hydraulic cylinders to we never just put the ear on top of the plate and weld around it. We trace the outline of the ear on the plate and cut a hole so the base of the ear can slide down inside the plate. We then slide the ear about halfway down into the plate and tack it and then weld around it on the top and on the bottom as well. Much stronger.