John Deere 9 Series Tracked Tractor with Planetary Steering

[cooker2003]

Hi guys,

Inspired by our on-farm 9510RT, I've begun designing a 1/16 scale remote control 9RT. I really wanted to do it the "right" way with real double differential/planetary steering & it is even better than I anticipated. Steering control is very precise.

Features so far:
- True double planetary steering
- Continuous rotation GoBilda Speed servo for precise steering control
- Brushless sensored 540 1800Kv motor for unbelievable torque & smooth control
- All metal Actobotics gears & shafts
- Fully designed and 3D printed, less the hood, cab, and tracks.

Tractor is currently in 9300T form, but I'm working on the components to create a newer 9RT.

I have a sound module on the way also.

The 2700 Ripper has a servo to control up/down movements. I'm hoping to replicate a decent sized Deere 2660VT variable intensite tillage tool to go behind the tractor.

Quick progress video here: https://youtu.be/CkZ-da93lEI

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Du7s-qsy7cm2O7oNdEdramM39oUVkL8hOe6qsy1IB4m8LG5-kbFdO6vqKOLGDw8lPROztkInNGq7J54EhFUHtHP7ln4WnENb6F Q2nTL0y19zHNaxB7-yBlm38F6hxt9fY0MUISaR4W8=w800

Solidworks design of the differential steering and drive gears:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KCeeiRd4BKMd5kszfxdKeHTH7AQ2le46nHWgekJ4Nid1F6ON47 RKrfmKGFZnTnYQyU3CoIFgYlgD-cGVanBf25YDGG12ZaX2tQRjbw2d8O8vr8IZhEYHYZgCdDQBtUw aoP_1reYdN4Y=w800

Some mini-lathe work to create adapters for the planetary sun gear. I found these planetaries on eBay as part of a brushless gear reduction motor.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/fp4BRFnPfEa0YNdYTWI6gF8mER40LL1rzJZaWeKr80Ce6BIt_3 g7QI01-zKiLgZtfdFXf9_SdcNCly8Ixd9flu0Xl2meRJ1IXcuCJP25FpK sZSyvj8IJAxGp0QdgDItX0A36hzlcXNs=w800

Early design of the small planetary assemblies, modified to accept a ring gear for the steering.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pSFk5oSErPzTiYl2pC84MBlKzoGauj6nTL9MU6rayhiTa4V3GZ E8i6ZzY9hw_SUa4Xw5iNc3oELksPze-paGTEiTO6JTuUZL8-v2NbejiohkH2mvLaNjEh4v96ja-L52EJjLSPAstvg=w800

All parts use M3 fasteners and heat-set inserts. Sealed ball bearings throughout.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/7i7JrS_wCUfopZJ-x3OUCgcQ3aJW6Xxf0yZu8DRwjG0aqLuO2Sk4tqh8J7kPazitJ-Tugu-UqWwJHLQ7I6BKFHqiezB7JlaAAGCJ1UR9LGdGbIjbsDVxmrPu1 mmlM7TibZF561thWdY=w800

Since the base 9300T that I sourced the original cab, hood, and tracks from hasn't been made in 20+ years, I had to soften the tracks in a mixture of boiling water and wintergreen oil. Worked very well!
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/saEbAmzx4MzKZW7Scips3-MfFAi9mzFhzfRXN3YeVK8BFoCtV03xqlE6JqB-KgIGpcJn41dNCl_K3_Fzh4F63eoChABZXni0HC3T9K1W_Jm4PT 1TGy85Q65znjiaHWdok0_XlJyX9IQ=w800

Final iteration of the track frame assembly. Has functional track tensioner & walking beam articulation.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Bh8-Fmz9IL5gHEWm72xk02kQHLjvnlASL3rseREHToI6uPSIrOWzdK X1jQXIEfFfG_WHuJOhKj1MQ0syiYZ7Xx88JJ3sEClSziVGrLrs FALACVimHMBWDkcfBBolt_N6C1PPTA7cJCo=w800
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ACyW1zjb1hbX20GOPWbXWxOAanh2nd6hBW8EFmaG92YoIAGAPi ifOQMdRIWsqJQttFa6Fr3uaUdMMrnSotqzX1H7ww9ftyYzxRYS jvQFnEy7ooodNJ3KHoGCddK-ykuQuk58VkNNtb4=w800

Cheers!
Dave

[jerry56]

Wow just watched the video your steering is super smooth. What sound board are you going to use.

[cooker2003]

Thanks Jerry. I should grab a quick video showing the steering a bit better.

I have a Sense Innovations ESS One on the way. I'm open to suggestions, though. Trying to fit it in might be the bigger challenge. The 9RT series tractors offer more room under the hood and in the cab.

[egronvold]

Cool project, and so unique:)

[jerry56]

Same here I'm trying to decide on a sound module for my builds.. obviously size and cost are a big factor....

[skeeter]

For space saving, I liek the Servonaut sound units. They are a bit pricier than other options. With this said, their small footprint makes the cost worth it, to me.

[frizzen]

Very cool project!

Don't think i'd ever heard of softening rubber by boiling wintergreen oil into it.

[cooker2003]

Working on the conversion to RT series currently & thought I'd share my Solidworks mockup so far. Drawing up the hood was quite tedious as I've never really drawn up many curved/non-planar objects. Learned a lot! The fuel tanks are really testing my patience with the complex design and ribs, etc. I wouldn't have any hair left if I tried to get it exact, so we'll go with "close enough".

I have a 9560R cab that I found, so it's just a matter of making the lower cab/mounts & fuel tanks now.

The hood printed up nicely without any supports and needs minimal touch up, so that's a positive. Planning to go with magnetic latching for easy hood removal.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/w0CI4xva8YFbgdUCWU0fIQ_1RyS9mGKUCPSNd3Njpz065sljT-FQ5AN4yvYuRVr-kKfYv8TnIY2YpEwXg9rH1ljTMNwvGSCr92ZwF94XqJC-eUuwcuzX20E2uhTevr8wf_SL50UriCU=w800

I'll have to grab some better photos of the hood.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/HFMMHcdSoDzGNOEjJP8eNAWWylOWf9FuXC7FGKGULshzSM7Z_W tGAjJd8MMai9aZHSDywMfiaxpmyrtnExNC9SCPJuUyGFMfglm0 07J8DmfAP-sxi0XyqP2VKuHpmGgn4OkT31-P7kU=w800

[Lil Giants]

Cool Works man! :cool:

Trying to figure out - understand how you make it steer :thinking: ...electro magnetics?

How much static weight do you think it could pull without driveline damage?

[cooker2003]

I've pulled a few bricks around and a home made beet harvester so far and it takes it no sweat. My spur gear and hub are plastic and hub is only press fit onto the shaft. All other driveline components are metal, so it should stand up to some abuse. Which reminds me - I should pull the planetaries apart again and check grease. What do you guys use for heavy grease in these things? I just used some regular old John Deere grease from the farm, but its actually pretty light stuff. I've heard there is some heavy weight grease folks use for differentials?

The limiting factor so far has been traction. I need more weight. New drive wheels will have heavy hex nuts embedded for more weight. I thought about redoing the frame and having it CNC cut from aluminum to add some weight. We will see. My RT components are coming along great. Really excited for this project to be complete.

Where is a good place to source headlights, taillights?

[Lil Giants]

I don't do anything with lights or sound myself, less clutter inside the better for me :D ..but here's one site to look at in the USA for lighting.

https://store.rc4wd.com/LED-and-Lighting-Units_c_192.html

[jerry56]

If you just want to do headlight and taillights I use this switch
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BKSGW3D/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
and these 3mm lights they come with resistors
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077XFLX13/ref=twister_B077XDS62P?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
or these 5mm
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AUI4VQU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
But you need to buy resistors
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QKBRP9D/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

it's pretty simple to wire them up once you get used to it... or look here.
https://rctruckandconstruction.com/showthread.php?t=441
We can help you thru it... this way you can customize your lighting..

[cooker2003]

This is a bit of a tease, since I'm reworking my 3D printed hood, but it shows that we're getting close!

Shown here with a 9570RX hood installed (how much easier/quicker would it be just to put some new decals on a 9R hood!):
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/JtoRWjjScxUw8G2jp8yD4UoIfnml_ovtQOW7Llm_TUnFsE6XaN DAsHXlueqDAldtGfM-bIFw-Blmxb5M8in20_KgZqcNC1HOPUfEJzzDlOdmO8h5RD7FRJnCS2z 9QBms7OEZy3FbCQ4=w800

Side by side with my Gen 1 hood and brother 9570RX:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ty5bNxq1xDmBHuONiiEgpv0a7dasHNMROwpPP1vu4CDTa8P6Vh tMQw4k5zjp43I6lVLoLcxxIj1MGzx0RCYwsY6kaPOAB6D4AGfZ waVhBln_88A3gm8ZzzC8YgjpJCI8HMsDQTsb-zY=w800

New Gen 2 hood printing tonight:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gDPYR4ZvAsn1TCBbcvkRsf_OtbXeEOwEASZAnx0wkJ2TgFB9ZZ Y8_z15t9DXacaAIGSS1wyDi9sCm1zCxFiU6AQqH6hDR4jNWlqW oP1O5BR8OeM84Pw7mI10kuNWZE2LOfU6W_fZfHE=w800

[ddmckee54]

For weight in your drive wheels, instead of the hex nuts use shot for shot gun shells. That's what I used to add some weight to the wheels for my Manitou 2150. (It's a WIP.)

I tried a couple of the local sporting goods dealers and even Cabella's, but the smallest they had was #8 shot I think. Anyway, it was freaking huge for model work. I went on-line and ordered some shot for snake-loads from a re-loading supplier. That crap is tiny, from next to nothing up to about 1.5mm max diameter. I think the minimum I could order was about 15 pounds which sounds like a lot, but it's not that big of a bag.

Don

[cooker2003]

Hood turned out great. Hot off the printer & I don't think I'm going to spend any more time on the hood design as it's pretty darn close! Going to get this one sanded, prepped, and painted.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/kLZP4nPksUtvDLdx35p4TjGrkeEG4Kt5uKo2DRxQNlzsTxkRn-cMqypRTRF6UyQa4PvjJhJIhvZLpF9IIBPcRspJmAtuQtukCXnP Aiz7cE8q7qPstNc87uaY6769JbXiZu3iXR8EMMA=w800
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bloOgXo0qLtOmF8xVy2wPdJwHjFz6riO3MBZAPPISXFeDaz0Cb 51uaAKXESzOxuJI90ySM3aNXgFpoV7hyC24cS65EbHbl6tBKcn VP14sjVRkma0D2P6vIOAeuED2kSBLtxM8Bt8SFc=w800

Hooked up my Sense Innovations ESS One (that I picked up off eBaya while back), unfortunately they didn't send me the S Link adapter, so I can't change the sound. Found them for $25, but at that point I might as well buy another new one that comes with the adapter. The sound does add another dimension, which is pretty cool.

[cooker2003]

More progress today. First coat of paint on the new hood and a couple other parts.

Action: https://youtu.be/3mVQ_Qlcyus

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/iFH9_eiVwEW0E3bOmt6XgD77aF-TNm3NqTpiIF8DSP8MmGbyEg5dnsbvkuJWjfypBNHwcZQyHoj1w pT8hn7ahwwYBg23RwLd5nO_VIhhi4hkwAsklCRbVQTeVsCBRrw 2dWUDZKnXyHA=w800

[jerry56]

**** what a fantastic job on that hood....I'm still studying "Tinkercad for dummies"

[cooker2003]

**** what a fantastic job on that hood....I'm still studying "Tinkercad for dummies"
Not familiar with TinkerCAD. All Solidworks here. Been using it a little over the last 10 years. Once I got my 3D printer, projects came to life a little quicker and my design skills improved as well. Plenty of tutorials and YouTube videos.

[jerry56]

LOL me either...but working on it... it's a free online CAD program.

[dremu]

This is one of those projects that at once makes me happy to look at, and very sad as I don't have the time or patience to pull off myself =))

I use OpenSCAD for my printing, I like coding, but it's difficult to describe rounded, curved, non-primitive geometric objects. I can churn out structural stuff frame pieces and even oddly-shaped 2D pieces, but trying to do that hood, man, that makes my head hurt.

That there is a thing of beauty. Hats off to your CAD skills.

[cooker2003]

Really looking good with some fresh paint.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/lDAx1_A4V_z1-V5FdmlLbbnSER5nOX2T-oeRI0cUwfWrnKMq4mNQJd1QIcB0m0qKbfYXbWHu7CKBfLeTDQc N60vYLjJzxXf96hG6jGCPN7iX7xyYIhbK2OL3aXYz_xw6XdT4O ehcuO8=w800

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/R1iDDhUNNHwqGrPDrO9aEGVvWRYfrq85RtGEuNhWCf0jPZa_dO yCA3jywFqGapND3UjylXEsPbIFznVpmbw3Sa3itT7jE7fXFDv0 5JN5RuAxPq1Kb3D-qzS8Sv5xZ5Cf-tbRe06u9h0=w800

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/4j3wigTemyxyWdw7nuKSp1yLjkWq0bev7d6Ay_1Lfn2a-95MshoXxPmsBeHVwRLMgoc4ra035h07wnBgaNkGwEaoGy87DPR TvCoN-mQnUracv4V7aQa_kVRGbXQnvyGTwlk-zrbZ3RQ=w800

[egronvold]

Looking good!

[cooker2003]

Next up: disk based on Deere 2660VT design. Close to finalizing, then printing.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/uWqno0Ag5drAGlnYjO27SsJIN47F67Qtsqq482fh0ARgHfAf2r YzFmdz_aEs0m9zLk1QRVRRuBSVWU6-iIeKqM4-nF3xtcS1cpHuyL45UCk5O1myJeYo-HnwptENUhBoTo2LHzQcAkQ=w800

[ddmckee54]

How much of the disc will be printed? At first I assumed that all the green would be printed; but then I realized that those were probably just the painted parts on the full-sized disc.

Any possibility of another shot of the disc from a different angle? I'd like to see how your lift linkage works. I've got a Quad-trac that I've been planning on converting to RC and building a 3D printed pan scraper to pull. I'm not above shamelessly copying a good idea when I see one.

Don

[cooker2003]

Basically everything will be printed aside from the disk gangs themselves. The discs are 1.25” fender washers with 3/16” shafting.

Would like more weight to the unit, but the tractor needs to bulk up first.

[cooker2003]

How much of the disc will be printed? At first I assumed that all the green would be printed; but then I realized that those were probably just the painted parts on the full-sized disc.

Any possibility of another shot of the disc from a different angle? I'd like to see how your lift linkage works. I've got a Quad-trac that I've been planning on converting to RC and building a 3D printed pan scraper to pull. I'm not above shamelessly copying a good idea when I see one.

Don

Don,

Here is the section showing the lift linkage. I'm using ~1" linear actuators. The linkage should help the implement lift somewhat level.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/WFbUIOGT5e7JDii2IBR_GMD5vPK6a8HOq2umn7zGJIL4wIqnDz __FTwHt5Vi4FnBzFVNxiaT8ub6pJyCJB8u8HVrRjoW7ph6Zf1x w_WU1iFv0dH_qTUZtgqIn1y2rVMbZ2XMOmlQ2D4=w1000

[ddmckee54]

OK... I'm guessing that there's a shaft that's not shown which connects the lift cylinder to the pivot arms for the wheel assemblies. It looks like you've got hangers that will allow you to extend the shaft out to the wheel assemblies on the wings. Or will the wings just be along for the ride when you lift the center section? If you are lifting with the wing wheels too, how are you going to deal with that shaft when the wings fold? If you've got the centerline of the shaft and the centerline of the hinges lined up correctly, is a u-joint all you need?

As far as bulking up the tractor, if you're just looking for weight I've got a suggestion.... Google "shotgun reloading supplies snake shot for sale". (Or rat shot, same thing.) I used it to add some weight to the tires for my Bruder Manitou 2150 RC conversion, that stuff is great. I had to order a bag of it on-line, I can't remember if it was 20 or 25 pounds, I think it was about $40-$50 - but you get a lot of added weight in a small volume. The snake/rat load shot is a maximum of 1.5mm in diameter and goes down to grain of sand size, so it will fit/fill all the small nooks and crannies.

I 3D printed containers that fit through the wheel opening and also fit around my printed drive wheel/hub. I calculated the volume of the containers at their original size and realized that even using a conservative fill estimate of 50% I woulld be adding over 8 oz. of weight per wheel. I had to reduce the size of the containers, the current size adds about 2.5-3 oz. per wheel. I just used the model rail-roaders' trick of gluing things together with diluted white-glue. I filled the containers with the snake shot, then dribbled on the 50-50 white-glue/water mix until they were completely full, then set things aside for a week to dry. Once dry, everything was bonded together and no amount of banging on the table top would dislodge any of the snake shot.

Just be careful when adding the snake shot, you spill some of it and that crap will go everywhere - DAMHIK.

Don

One more question - in your section view showing the lift linkage the front disc gang supports all appear to be facing the same direction but in the rear gangs they seem to be facing both directions. I assume that's the way they did it on the real thing, any clue as to why?

[frizzen]

I really like the looks of that disk plan.

Great idea using fender washers for the coulters. makes a lot of sence, would simplify making it, and add weight.

I've never tried snake-shot for ballast, i've used mostly #7 or #8 shot.

[cooker2003]

Yes, there is a shaft I didn't model for the lift mechanism. Easy enough to do, just not necessary for all the mates to work properly. Using a universal joint out to the wings, but will have to index them properly so that you can fold the wings without binding (lift will have to be in the up position and you won't be able to let it down without unfolding first). Open to other ideas but this seemed simple. Hydraulics would solve the issue!

The gang supports should all be facing the same way. I did a rebuild in Solidworks and it was fixed - just a quirk with the mirror feature I imagine.

I have some iterating to do on the fold linkage. 1" travel out of the actuator just isn't quite enough. Have a 2" but it's quite a bit bigger. Was trying to avoid using it if possible. Made all the parts like this modular for this exact reason - just some quick linkage parts to reprint, rather than the big frame sections.

[cooker2003]

I found an 8R cab that seems to work a bit better. Had to reprint the cab base to match the new geometry.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/zJqeXk378lToCk-iPTyTD60gsNlspm5w5NjRgLLyjdsX_RD5UeTC8pDfL3C36s6Iy 9yCz5EUtZKkoSjjQMbgLIsu6ZrBoz6Kcy5nGfHk5Cxz50-_KeBhSaK6XoiwT9m3o9cD5dooHIQ=w800

[ddmckee54]

Nice excavator, very realistic - looks like a real kid. Bet the controls can get kinda glitchy on it at times - sometimes does what you don't want it to do?

Had a couple of ideas about the fold linkage, rejected both of them because they really wouldn't work. It'll be interesting to see what you come up with.

I've probably already asked, but what layer height do you normally print at?

Don

[skeeter]

:jaw: I'm LOVING that disk!

[cooker2003]

Reprinted the fuel tanks hollow and filled with #7.5 lead shot. Worked awesome! Maxed out my scale with 500+g added to each tank. Pulls the disk much better now in the dirt. Dry steering without speed is harder on the steering servo for sure.

[redneckfgf]

WOW can you PM me so we can talk about the Stl files you used.
Regards
Frank

[ddmckee54]

Dry steering without speed is harder on the steering servo for sure.
That's true for any vehicle that can pivot in place. There's just something about being forced to move sideways that treads/wheels don't like. Sometimes friction is our friend and then at other times....

Don

[cooker2003]

9RT got a big upgrade here recently to hydraulics! Now just to finish the disk!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xpKt3OSqTiJNVK4V5_gHtRxPbQ8Omt9d5aamzOcCHiPK5dnI7f np8pgQp7KaWuE8wDt14WDxe_3HEs7ZFyWSAZ21c9ocYvbTfcOU 5gMxxkazJvPHkjmU22jtCgjSO8ZWzD3PRzcJmD8=w800

[Lil Giants]

KOOL

What system did you go with?

The couplers look the part at the back. :cool:

[cooker2003]

Most of the hydraulic components are from Magom HRC in Spain. It's nice that they provide the CAD models to help with mock-up.

Made some more progress on the disk & getting close to wrapping it up. Functionally, it works really well. I'd like to swap tires with actual rubber ones (versus 3D printed) but haven't pulled the trigger yet.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/hpehHEfDwoaNpBwC1xhSe1u0MFXaYwWKKAN6rMINXV-m5WniImnw8cSaUh05AjdDSmS1-gzKkICSSwDQpEiVuFyI3fEH9JDyTmbscLnzlrb5SdsIHDqfEfx FAovayC5HR1hAZRjy08U=w1000

I've got a couple videos demonstrating the hydraulics - which are quite impressive (strong) for being 10mm diameter. I started to machine my own cylinders on my lathe & quickly realized that is some tedious work. I found the components were available separately from Magom & went that route, which allowed me some more freedom on determining cylinder lengths, etc before brazing them together.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/gVYeEzB3ZYydXE4Z6

https://photos.app.goo.gl/5PG7kBGV1rn3Cmtp9

Going to be switching gears to a planter soon! Got started with a preliminary mock. It will be mainly steel with the row units likely being 3D printed. Planter will be a lot of work, so we'll see how far I get.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/uNdRfTolNtMZlimtzRAbe_0YbMMGs-0hMVnNTdhBvLkm5dRkjzHp3hmDnW6HCgDGExfuhWooDlcsbnew MqmdPcufqX-ODCEn2oteakmxufq1vncPRQRDjFZ_395ZmEV7bgLELkdkj38=w 800

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/8b4-Vzcmgy27GU99f0WECtDrgRyenwJDwdIPKXHUNZa7XcktPHRk8t T-QNi8T5KPdn84wK2acVpjGH-XaQqypmqO0dnubVTJ-qAgha_mYLpYK7tVuRjwYsbliQV0xao2Gdf82M9ANwE=w800

[ddmckee54]

Something is not making sense to me on the planter drawings, and that's the length of the triangle braces for the wings. It would seem to me that as the wings fold in, either those braces need to get shorter, or that center support frame needs to get longer, which is it? Or do you have something else to astound us with? (Nice drawings by the way. I've probably asked this before, but what CAD package do you use?)

Don

[cooker2003]

No magic! The forward (insert) part of the hitch telescopes into the rear part of the center frame hitch, just like on the real DB planters.

I use SolidWorks for all my CAD work.

[frizzen]

Very cool.
I still can't get over how good looking that disk came out

Do you plan on the planter using hydraulics or a linear actuator?

[cooker2003]

The planter will be hydraulic. Now that the tractor is running hydraulics, it's tough to go back to electric. So much more power and control with hydraulics.

[ddmckee54]

No magic! The forward (insert) part of the hitch telescopes into the rear part of the center frame hitch, just like on the real DB planters.

I thought it was probably something like that. If I'm reading it right, the center section will telescope back when the wings fold, and telescope forward when the wings open. I know this is just a model, and that it won't be under the stresses of the real machine. But once they're unfolded is there a mechanical stop to keep the wings from trying to go beyond their open position? A hard stop so that the center section can't move any farther forward maybe? I would think that the wings will want to fold back if there is any kind of drag on them once they are open.

[cooker2003]

I thought it was probably something like that. If I'm reading it right, the center section will telescope back when the wings fold, and telescope forward when the wings open. I know this is just a model, and that it won't be under the stresses of the real machine. But once they're unfolded is there a mechanical stop to keep the wings from trying to go beyond their open position? A hard stop so that the center section can't move any farther forward maybe? I would think that the wings will want to fold back if there is any kind of drag on them once they are open.

The real planter has a latch near the front of the hitch that captures the insert-part of the hitch when the planter is unfolded. I haven't figured out yet what I'll do about that.

There are stops on the real planter that keep the wings from over-extending. I'll have some adjustable stops on mine to make sure everything lines up & has some room for adjustment.