Get this...

Our fire department gave us a F250 as they upgraded to new trucks. Some genius put a 2" ball on it but then didn't give us the keys to unlock the hitch pin so I can't put on the required 2 5/16" ball for our search and rescue trailers.

I have a 4" electric angle grinder, but I'm thinking I probably won't be able to cut all the way through due to the proximity of the metal underside of the bumper and the square tube of the actual receiver.

Has any of you ever had to cut through a hitch pin? Is this a 'torch only' type of job?

Thanks!

 

Call the FD? If not, got dremel? Thick disk and about an hour.

 

You're fired, pack your things and go home

I would just angle grind it in as many different areas as possible until I found one that I could get all the way through with.

 

I figured if the FD donated it, they probably have the keys for it.

Why not remove the ball from the drawbar instead?

 

x2 on Dremel. Way less than an hour in my personal experience. Cutting oil helps.

 

A pipe wrench, big crescent, and a 2 5/16 ball is an easy fix.

 

I've cut 4 of them off over the years, each a different way. Angle grinder with 6" wheel (had plenty of room on that hitch), high speed die grinder with thin 4" cutting disc (popped 3 discs before I was done, scary!), Plasma torch and Oxy/Map torch.
I think it's a FireFighter thing, all 4 were on either FD vehicles or FFs POVs.
Expect to do a little touch up on the hitch paint when you are done.

 

on my brothers 01 F150 i took a big donkey hammer and just nailed the lock, that sucker popped right off. Took five seconds LOL

iPhone from IB AutoGroup

 

This is also the way I do it. At the most you'll need a hammer, big screwdriver, and two pair of Channel-Locks. I've never cut any type of them. The locks are only there for opportunist(cheap and fragile)wanting a quick grab of your draw bar.

 

Got a picture of what you're dealing with? Are you trying to remove the male portion of the receiver or change the ball?

 

So I see I should have provided some additional info. Inquiring minds want to know, so here goes:

1. For some unknown reason the FD didn't put the key to the lock on the same ring as the ignition key, and therefore lost the lock key.

2. The ball from the drawbar would work - if we had a 2 5/16" ball - which we don't. We have one of those three-way setups that are welded on, so we don't want to go out and buy another ball and the BFW (Big Friggin Wrench) to spin the old one off when we have a tri-ball setup sitting in the bed collecting dust.


3. That would work - if the site where the truck is now had electricity (it doesn't).

I was hoping the truck or engine that would be heading over there would have had a torch on it but it doesn't (that's on the heavy rescue rig)...they only have the bada$$ saw - the gas powered 16" disc on it that won't reach back in far enough without cutting the bumper off in the process.

Oh, I KNOW it's a Firefighter thing. Those trucks and engines are set up beautifully where you couldn't get into a situation like this unless you tried. Take 2 steps AWAY from said truck or engine into a POV or fleet utility or something that doesn't put wet stuff on the red stuff, and it all goes to ******.

 

I used my cordless sawzall and a good blade. Took just a couple of minutes. Getting the angle just right on the blade was a pain though.

 

This ^^^^^

 

Seriously? A cordless sawzall through hardened steel?

 

Try drilling the lock out?