Hensley Arrow: How does it REALLY work?

Ron Gratz wrote:

willald wrote:
Hmmm...Looking at Milt's picture, I'm trying to visualize another model we could build, that will prove the point about locking (when Hensley is under tension), and prove it beyond reproach by even someone like Ron. :)

Will,

No need to build a model. Just use your own HA mounted on your truck. You would have to unhook the trailer from the rear of the HA though. I know that requires some effort; but, hey, it's for the sake of science. Then you just have to duplicate Milt's experiment.

But, to be fair, you would have to document results at more than one angle. Proper experimental technique does not allow one to suppress results which disprove his theory while he shows only that one special case which appears to support it. However, if you do want to do the test using the special case, I can tell you how to do it.

If you could attach the cable directly to the right rear pin, you would need to pull at the magic angle of 4.3 degrees relative to the longitudinal centerline of the truck. However, if you choose to attach to the strut pin as Milt did, then you would have to increase the magic angle to about 6 degrees (assuming 2" of eccentricity) to account for the eccentric loading. Better yet, you should attach the cable to the ball; but this means the magic angle would be zero degrees and, of course, it's pretty obvious that if you pull at zero degrees, nothing will happen. If you hook to the strut pin and pull at Milt's fortuitous angle, the back of the hitch will not move off center. But, if you pull to the left of that, the hitch will move left. And, if you pull to the right of the magic angle, the hitch will move right.

So, I would suggest you try to duplicate Milt's experiment; except you should present results of pulling at angles other than the magic 6 degrees. And, it really doesn't make any difference how hard you pull; but, if you have something which can exert a lot of force, have at it.

I guess Milt is not going to answer my questions about angles. Maybe, he's out taking more photos.

Ron

The struts are connected to the hitch in a fixed relationship Ron, with big steel bars.

There is only one angle to concern yourself with on a real hitch, there ain't no magic angle except on a Ron Gratz imaginary hitch.

But in answer to your unnecessary question, changing the angle only changes the force vector, it does not unlock the hitch.