Mk2 carrier tow hitch on a Mk1

[rob love]

So I managed to pick up a hitch assembly for my mk1 carrier. It is the Mk2 type, although it came off a mk1 carrier. I am happy with the way the pieces sandblasted and look after their coats of POR-15 and olive. But as I measure it all up, I am starting to see a forthcoming problem. Can anyone who has done this confirm if the plate on the back of the POW holder on the battery box has to go? I suspect the hitch will interfere or come close to interfering with it. What about the POW bracket itself? Does it clear the hitch?
Seems to me I recall that the left arm will require the shovel bracket to be bent or modified.

[Colin Alford]

Rob,

There are definitely clearance problems when fitting the Stacey tow hitch on a Mk1*.

I did not do the fitting myself, and I suspect that it may have been done while the vehicle was still in service.

The registration plate on the back of the POW holder was removed.

The majority of the angle iron cross-bar of the hitch assembly just clears the back of the POW holder, but the enlarged right end where the tail-light and white/red switch are housed requires a notch to be cut in the POW holder.

The pick handle socket needs to be removed as it interferes with the left arm. I will need to inspect if there was any trimming done on the shovel bracket to clear the left arm.

The rear fenders will need to be modified.

I should be able to take some images tomorrow evening.

Colin

[rob love]

Thanks Colin, I expected there would be a few issues. I'm hoping to eat my cake and have it too. That is, I want the hitch, but not have to lose too much of the original mk1 standard fitments.

I expected the rear fenders would have to either have the holes elongated on the top, or the bends on the inside edges moved in a bit. I might just make new fenders to suit the application. I bent one last year when backing out of the storage area when it rubbed against the artillery tractor tire, so it requires attention anyway.

If the light and switch are a clearance issue on the hitch angle iron, I may just leave them off and stick with the one on the registraion plate. I might cut the bottom couple inches off the registration plate to make everythign fit and adjust the brackets for said plate accordingly.

I recall seeing the mk1 shovel bracket (with the included pick axe bracket) being bent or cut....just don't remember by how much was neccessary.

Looking forward to the photos.

Rob

[Petr Brezina]

I believe that during upgrade from Mk.I to Mk.II specification which included also STA installation was rear battery box dismounted and standard MK.II large stowage box was installed on the rear plate instead.

[rob love]

I am at the workshop now where I have a carrier from 2PPCLI sitting a few feet from my desk. I held the left towing bracket nearby to the carrier, and noticed the pick handle bracket appears to have been notched to allow the installation of the towing bracket. Perhaps that is the route to go.
I won't be getting my carrier out until the weather warms up at least 30 or 40 degrees. It's -15C outside right now, which is the heat of the day, so perhaps in April.

[Colin Alford]

Rob,

Attached is a very old image of a pick/shovel/pry bar bracket on a mortar carrier that appears to be notched in the same manner as the one on the 2PPCLI carrier.

The outdoor image of the hitch on a Mk1* is another old image, but it gives a general view in decent light

There are also a couple of images taken today of a notch job that appears more crude than the other examples.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by rob love

I am at the workshop now where I have a carrier from 2PPCLI sitting a few feet from my desk. I held the left towing bracket nearby to the carrier, and noticed the pick handle bracket appears to have been notched to allow the installation of the towing bracket. Perhaps that is the route to go.....

Sigh. You have the life!