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leeds

Member Since: 28 Dec 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 8582

Nato Hitch

The Nato hitch also know as the Dixon Bates towing pintle.

Someone has informed me that the actual jaws are cast and that they have been know to fail.

Can anyone give me a definitive answer (preferably with a reference) to are the jaws cast or forged? There is no mention on the new Dixon bates site about construction methods

That has now got me thinking. Standard tow balls. Are they cast and then machined? How are they made?

Just me being curious as I like to try and understand things

Brendan

26th Apr 2011 7:41am

Grockle

Member Since: 24 Nov 2008
Location: Peak District National Park
Posts: 2266

2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Tonga Green

Brendan,the military ones are forged,then pintel tested for hardness I used to check new ones whilst working for the REME 2.4 90 XS
1968 1/32 scale Britains 109 Pick up.

26th Apr 2011 8:52am

RLD

Member Since: 29 Jun 2007
Location: Lancs
Posts: 858

I do think all tow balls and such like are drop forge not cast RLD fabricator of Hidden Winch Mount for D3/4 roof racks jerry can holders CB aerial mounts and much more and agent for Helsport Tents and gear

26th Apr 2011 12:02pm

Zagato
Site Supporter

Member Since: 08 Jan 2011
Location: Billingshurst West Sussex
Posts: 5013

Best to get the proper OE ones. Some of the new ones have been known to break and I have heard the jaw type ones with a ball are not reckoned to be very good! Will need the rotating type for offroad also

E.G.

Click image to enlarge

Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated

26th Apr 2011 2:55pm

bm52

Member Since: 04 Apr 2010
Location: Kent
Posts: 2189

2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Havana

RLD wrote:
I do think all tow balls and such like are drop forge not cast

errm.....what's the difference between 'drop forged' and 'cast'.

thanks BM52

26th Apr 2011 3:51pm

RLD

Member Since: 29 Jun 2007
Location: Lancs
Posts: 858

i do think one is stamped out of an ingot and one is pored into a mould or something like that drop forged is stronger RLD fabricator of Hidden Winch Mount for D3/4 roof racks jerry can holders CB aerial mounts and much more and agent for Helsport Tents and gear

26th Apr 2011 5:55pm

diesel_jim

Member Since: 13 Oct 2008
Location: hiding
Posts: 6138

The LR NATO hitches are rated to 4.07 tonnes. they're pretty strong.

I've seen challenger and chieftan hitches (considerably larger than the LR sized ones) bent outwards, but never seen one "break", you'd have to be particularly unlucky to buy/get one with the manufacturing flaw in it.

Grockle.... good to have another ex spannerman on here too!!

26th Apr 2011 7:14pm

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