It must be attached to the frame. Welding to either repair a broken part or build up a worn surface is prohibited. Such weld repairs can reduce the strength of the device, cause metal fatigue, and ultimately cause equipment failure. All coupling devices and safety chains must be regularly inspected. Additional inspection must be conducted immediately upon binding of the drawbar during backing, jackknifing, or if bottoming of articulation or oscillation occurs.
Immediate replacement is required if cracks or excessive wear is detected.
Operators must adhere to instructions in the operator manual regarding safe towing speeds. Road and weather conditions will also determine safe speed. Up and down motion of the drawbar could cause the upper portion of the pintle hook to fail or fracture. Weight of the towed equipment must be distributed so that downpressure is applied to the pintle hook. For example, load distribution on a trailer should create slight downpressure of the drawbar on the pintle hook.