Long time reader, first time poster...
I picked up an M416 on March 13.. just before the lockdowns(lucky me)... so I am in the process of getting it ready for when we can get out and start using it... In so doing one of the things I want to do is put a multiaxis hitch on it. As I started looking at what was on it now.. I am a bit confused by what is already on it. So I am hoping I can leverage some of you for some feedback on what I am looking at, and what my options are.
My assumption is that that the lunette ring was removed and replaced with a 2x2 bar that was narrowed down and mounted just like the lunette ring would have been. (the mounting bolt/castle nut/spring etc.. is all there) This would theoretically allow the bar to rotate, like the lunette ring would. However then a mounting bracket for a jackstand was added at some point that connects the main frame with the bar, which eliminates the ability to rotate the bar. It has a standard 2" ball hitch on the end of the bar.
If I was to remove the jack stand bracket, would I have a rotating ball hitch? (Note it is screwed into the bar at the front, but welded onto the frame.) Is this really even a good idea? It wouldn't have full articulation, but maybe it would be good enough, not sure the vertical limits of a ball hitch, but left right and rotational would be good I suppose.
I was thinking I would have a receiver tube welded onto the top of the existing bar. This would let me use any multiaxis hitch on the market by sliding it into the receiver bar.
I picked up an M416 on March 13.. just before the lockdowns(lucky me)... so I am in the process of getting it ready for when we can get out and start using it... In so doing one of the things I want to do is put a multiaxis hitch on it. As I started looking at what was on it now.. I am a bit confused by what is already on it. So I am hoping I can leverage some of you for some feedback on what I am looking at, and what my options are.
My assumption is that that the lunette ring was removed and replaced with a 2x2 bar that was narrowed down and mounted just like the lunette ring would have been. (the mounting bolt/castle nut/spring etc.. is all there) This would theoretically allow the bar to rotate, like the lunette ring would. However then a mounting bracket for a jackstand was added at some point that connects the main frame with the bar, which eliminates the ability to rotate the bar. It has a standard 2" ball hitch on the end of the bar.
If I was to remove the jack stand bracket, would I have a rotating ball hitch? (Note it is screwed into the bar at the front, but welded onto the frame.) Is this really even a good idea? It wouldn't have full articulation, but maybe it would be good enough, not sure the vertical limits of a ball hitch, but left right and rotational would be good I suppose.
I was thinking I would have a receiver tube welded onto the top of the existing bar. This would let me use any multiaxis hitch on the market by sliding it into the receiver bar.