Lunette to civy design

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42GPW
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Lunette to civy design

Post by 42GPW » Fri Aug 13, 2021 12:20 pm

some years back somebody had posted a bolt on civilian modification they made to adapt a military Lunette to a civilian trailer hitch so they did not have to modify their lunette. Does anybody have a picture of that?


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Re: Lunette to civy design

Post by Steve Webb » Fri Aug 13, 2021 12:26 pm

I don't know about that but another topic brought up the adaptor this company makes

https://www.crofttrailer.com/couplers/r ... -adapters/
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42GPW
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Re: Lunette to civy design

Post by 42GPW » Fri Aug 13, 2021 12:50 pm

Kinda the concept. But i remember there was some channel iron. And extended from the lunette maybe a foot. Made in the garage.

Matt R
1947 cj2a
1956 dj-3a dispatcher
1946 t3c
U.S Army (11C3P2B) 1989-2006
82nd Abn, 1st Gulf War Vet
101st Abn oif/oef Vet
2ID Korea
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45th Inf

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W. Winget
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Re: Lunette to civy design

Post by W. Winget » Fri Aug 13, 2021 1:31 pm

I have made one for hauling an artillery piece before, but looking at the design work and inclusion of the hitch in those shown in that link he sent makes those well worth the price...really cheap if you factor in buying a hitch to weld to metal and such.

Mine had a plate on the bottom, a large bolt (M1 Abrams track wedge) bolt from memory through the lunette with a chunk of waste metal to take the space, then a few pieces of angle iron welded together on one edge (formed a C Channel) to which the hitch was welded. If it can twist, it can shift when you hit the brakes and be bad, bring the angle Iron around the neck of the lunette and fix with a muffler clamp if you want added security.

If I needed one now, that link looks best, and I may buy one to keep in the shop.
Thanks
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Re: Lunette to civy design

Post by Steve Webb » Fri Aug 27, 2021 3:31 pm

Here is my adapter for my K38 that came today. Croft H3la mixer. 9.5lbs rated at 2,000 lbs.

Image


Image

2" or 1 7/8" ball. Fabricating one with parts and time not sure it would be worth it. 62.95 plus shipping.
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Re: Lunette to civy design

Post by W. Winget » Fri Aug 27, 2021 3:45 pm

It looks great, from an improvement standpoint I would possibly weld two tabs extending downward at the back (old thick long bolts?) which would keep it centered on the lunette tongue.
But then it' is designed and made for the rated weight so it will do just fine as is. :D
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Looking for 1918 Standard B 'Liberty' truck parts

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Re: Lunette to civy design

Post by Steve Webb » Fri Aug 27, 2021 6:31 pm

I am doing one through bolt. There is a spacer welded on the bottom plate that is very close to the inside diameter of the ring. I have it up against the back of the lunette tight and with the bolt through and tightening that 3/4 bolt doubt it can move anywhere. I will disassemble it for painting and show all the pieces. K38 only weighs 410lbs.
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Re: Lunette to civy design

Post by Rus Curtis » Sat Aug 28, 2021 8:19 am

Very slick adapter. I can see notches in that odd looking handle on the top. When you do get around to posting more pics, could you include some detail on how that knob uses the notches to stay in place?
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Re: Lunette to civy design

Post by Steve Webb » Sat Aug 28, 2021 6:20 pm

Here is the parts for the adapter

Image

The ring is 2 1/4" diameter and the K38 is 2 3/4" inside, The height of the ring is 5/8" and the thickness of the lunette is 13/16" so it gets a good bite when tightened. I have the ring touching the back side and when I drill a through bolt it won't be able to move.The bar is also 5/8" thick and the bolt is welded to the plate on the bottom

Image

Here is the ball workings. Inside the casting is a shelf that the curved part looking like a birds head fits into. The bolt and lockwasher go into the lower part in line wth the opening and they can't move with those 2 ears holding the square bolt. The spring goes on top and the bolt then goes through the casting and the loop nut spins down until tight. The notches keep it from coming loose and it also allows for it to fit 2' and 1 7/8" balls. It is a 5/8" bolt so plenty beefy.

I hope that a homemade set up is found as it will be interesting to see what was done or possibly this set up could help someone who has parts to make something similar.
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Re: Lunette to civy design

Post by Rus Curtis » Sun Aug 29, 2021 7:39 am

Interesting setup. Thanks for sharing!
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Re: Lunette to civy design

Post by Steve Webb » Sat Sep 18, 2021 9:49 am

Well it is on the road. Got new tires and tubes wired in lights and chains so about a 25 mile drive today. Easy to hook up and pulled and yanked on hitch and trailer to see if it would loosen up and stayed tight. Like the 1/7'8 or 2" ball feature

Image
Stand for the Flag, Kneel for the Cross Psalm 55; 9-11


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