My 8N project got sidetracked this week by a washer and dryer replacement. Wife and I decided a new set would make a good Christmas present for ourselves this year. What started as a simple change out ended up being a total redo of the laundry room; paint, flooring, and new plumbing. I did find some shop time make a hitch and tighten up the three point arms. I have lots of small trailers around and using the N to move them is handy. I made a slip-over ball adapter in 1-7/8 and 2" for the draw bar. I have a Hosfeild bender so set it up and bent a couple chain loops to weld on it.
You can make all kinds of stiff with that bender and quickly too. Next I tightened up the ends of the three point arms. Mine were very loose. I found a guide on this forum that said to cut out a 1/4 inch section of the ring, hammer the opening shut and weld it. It worked great.
The trick is getting 100% fill with the weld while not leaving a bead on the inside of the ring that prevents the ball from moving freely. One was perfect the other just a bit tight, but it will wear in I'm sure. A great example of how much valuable info is on this site, and I appreciate it.
You can make all kinds of stiff with that bender and quickly too. Next I tightened up the ends of the three point arms. Mine were very loose. I found a guide on this forum that said to cut out a 1/4 inch section of the ring, hammer the opening shut and weld it. It worked great.