atwood Specialty Couplers - Manual (Page 2)

2
STRADDLE MOUNT COUPLERS
ƽ CAUTION
COUPLER OR FRAME DAMAGE
•
MPD 83462 AND MPD 83549 - 44,000 LB. MOBILE HOME COUPLERS -
Use only on mobile home applications These couplers are for one time use
to tow a mobile home.
DO NOT RECYCLE/REUSE THE COUPLER - TOW BAR ASSEMBLY.
•
Straddle mount couplers are to be used only on mobile homes.
• Top and bottom support plates MUST be used with all Straddle
Mount Couplers.
•
Do not mount couplers directly onto corrugated type beams
•
Must use 50 ˚ coupler with a 50 ˚ A-frame only.
• Must use 60 ˚ coupler with a 60 ˚ A-frame only.
• Larger beam reinforcements and improved attachments may be nec-
essary for adequate structural capacity.
PART # 83461, 84102 - 50˚ coupler 32,000 lb. Capacity
PART # 83462 - 50˚ coupler 44,000 lb. Capacity
PART # 83551, 83556 - 60˚ coupler 32,000 lb. Capacity
PART # 83549 - 60˚ coupler 44,000 lb. Capacity
Top Plate
PART # 22375, 82740, or 83480 (50 ˚) , or 83670 (60 ˚)
Bottom Plate 82672, 83400, 83470, 83511, 84150, 84151, 84160, 84161, 86081
1. Butt front edge of beam web against the end of slot in top of coupler
and back of plate at bottom of coupler ( FIG 3).
2. If necessary, remove the front inside corners ( FIG 2-C) of the I-beam
flange to allow beams to penetrate fully into both sides of the coupler.
ƽ CAUTION
COUPLER OR FRAME DAMAGE
•
Following WELDING INSTRUCTIONS weld around front of beam and on inside
of beam.
3. Following WELDING INSTRUCTIONS weld along top, back and sides specifically
under flange and around slots in coupler ( FIG 3-A).
4. When installing coupler at top of I-beam, provide for clearance between
latch and flanges of beams for proper operation. Weld coupler to front
edge of I-beam flange and top of coupler sides to underside of I-beam
flange (
FIG 3-B).
5. Align hole in top support plate with hole in bottom support plate ( FIG 3-C,
4-B). Following WELDING INSTRUCTIONS to assure structural integrity of coupler
attachment system weld bottom support plate to trailer frame full length
both sides and around the corner to inside edges of the trailer frame.
Part # 84140 - 50˚ coupler 40,000 lb. Capacity
Part # 84060 - 60˚ coupler 40,000 lb. Capacity
Top Plate
PART # 83480 (50 ˚ ), or 83670 (60 ˚ )
Bottom Plate
PART # 82672, 83511, 84150, 84160
1. Butt front edge of beam web against the end of slot in top and bot-
tom of coupler ( FIG 4).
2. If necessary, remove the front inside corners ( FIG 2-C) of the I-beam
flange to allow beams to penetrate fully into both sides of the coupler.
ƽ CAUTION
COUPLER OR FRAME DAMAGE
• Following WELDING INSTRUCTIONS weld around front of beam and on inside
of beam.
3. Using WELDING INSTRUCTIONS weld along top, back and sides specifically under
flange and around slots in coupler completely to integrate coupler and I-
beams (
FIG 4-A).
4. When installing coupler at top of I-beam provide for clearance between
latch and flanges of beams for proper operation. Weld coupler to front
edge of I-beam flange and top of coupler sides to underside of I-beam
flange (
FIG 4-B).
5. Align hole in top support plate with hole in bottom support plate ( FIG 4-C).
Following WELDING INSTRUCTIONS to assure structural integrity of coupler
attachment system weld bottom support plate to trailer frame full length
both sides and around the corner to inside edges of the trailer frame.
ƽ CAUTION
COUPLER OR FRAME DAMAGE
• Weld top and bottom of coupler, both sides.
ADJUSTABLE COUPLER
.................................. WELD ON BRACKET APPLICATION ................................
1. POSITIONING BRACKET - Center bracket side to side on trailer tongue with
bracket height adjusted to meet your towing needs ( FIG 9). Allow adequate
ground clearance and provide position options for coupler. Trailer must
travel in a level, horizontal to ground position. This will provide optimal cou-
pler axle loading and range of motion. Support mounting bracket sides
with C-clamps or bolts before welding to prevent distortion of brackets
during welding process. Inside dimension of bracket must be 3.00˝±.03˝
after welding (
FIG 4-A).
2. Follow WELDING INSTRUCTIONS .
3. Weld along top, bottom and sides of bracket where it meets trailer tongue.
Add gussets (5/16˝ thick steel plate) ( FIG 9-B) equal in height to bracket ( FIG
9-A) to fully support bracket. Weld along all joint edges of gusset using
welding instructions.
................................................ BOLT ON APPLICATION ..............................................
1. Fasten coupler to bracket with two 5/8˝ diameter bolts S.A.E. grade 8
and lock nuts or nuts and lock washers.
2. Torque bolts to 200-230 ft. lbs. (dry).
3. Retorque bolts after first two hours of service, then continue to follow
maintenance schedule.
OPERATION
ƽ
WARNING
PERSONAL INJURY
• Safe towing practice requires the proper use of safety chains used in
accordance with instructions provided by the trailer manufacturer.
• Check that the ball has been completely inserted into the coupler ball sock-
et and the ball clamp (inside the coupler) is closed around the underside of
the tow ball and the handle is in the closed position.
• The loaded weight of the trailer must never exceed the maximum
capacity marked on the coupler, tow ball and hitch of the trailer or vehi-
cle.
• Check coupler, hitch and ball for damage or wear before each use.
Assure all parts operate freely. Replace any component if worn or dam-
aged.
• Failure to follow warnings and instructions could result in separation of
tow vehicle and trailer which can result in death, personal injury and
property damage.
• For proper tow vehicle and trailer hookup, towing performance and to
prevent damage to hitch and trailer coupling, the tow vehicle and trailer
are to be level with respect to flat ground after hitching up. If your trail-
er is not level, equipment is available to raise or lower the hitch ball.
ƽ
CAUTION
PRODUCT DAMAGE
• Use caution when backing or towing vehicle for hook-up.
• Do not set closed coupler on ball.
•
Avoid sharp turns when towing or backing. Jack-knifing could bend
coupler or create extreme stress or fracture to coupler, coupler
attachment and trailer frame.
LATCHING INSTRUCTIONS
THUMB LATCH COUPLERS
PART # 80281, 81906, 81911, 81912, 81915, 81916, 82680, 82681, 82682,
83461, 83551, 83556, 84060, 84102, 84140, 86040
ƽ
WARNING
PERSONAL INJURY
• Always open latch handle before inserting ball.
1. With thumb, press down and back on latch ( FIG 8-A). Latch will catch
at rear of slot and remain open ( FIG 8-B).
2. Place coupler on 2-5/16˝ ball of same or greater capacity than trailer GVW.
3. When ball is completely nested in ball socket, push down and for-
ward on latch until rear of latch locks in slot FIG 9-C.