Low-Cost Hitch Pin Solution Making Trucks Safer in PennDOT District 10

Some newer truck models come with a bolt-on style hitch that uses just one pin to hold the receiver in place. If the pin isn’t put in correctly, it can  look  like the hitch is secure when it is not. This can cause a trailer to come loose, leading to dangerous and costly accidents. Even one accident where a trailer comes loose can cost thousands of dollars in equipment damage, and even worse, it can cause injuries or loss of life.

At an  Armstrong County Safety Stand Down Day, workers discussed an accident caused by this issue. That is when  Dalton Park, a transportation equipment operator, came up with a low-cost idea to make the hitch safer and  collaborated with Corey Neal, a welder in Armstrong County, to produce it.

Park and Neal suggested adding two guide pins to the existing hitch pin design. These guide pins help align the hitch correctly and make it impossible to insert the pin unless it is fully secured, adding an extra layer of safety.

“Dalton and I are happy and proud that we were able to create and make a new product to keep folks safer,” said Neal. “We’ll continue to look for ways to expand its use.”

Park and Neal drew up the first design with measurements and built the new hitch pin prototype. After making a few small improvements, the design went into production. PennDOT’s Fleet Management Division approved it, and now the pin can be added to any truck with this type of hitch.

“We saw how this could make the hitch system better,” said Armstrong County Highway Maintenance Manager Aaron Raible. “Making things safer is always a good thing, especially when it is a cost-effective solution.”

The new hitch pin is already in use on all trucks in PennDOT’s Engineering District 10, located in northwestern Pennsylvania, and has been shared with other PennDOT maintenance organizations across Pennsylvania.

“This hitch pin makes our operations safer which, in turn, makes our employees safer,” said PennDOT District 10 Executive Brian Allen. “This is a great example of how a simple, low-cost idea can make a big difference.”

By improving a small piece of equipment, Park and Neal have helped protect workers, save money, and prevent accidents.