Abstract: An orbital lathe for in situ resurfacing a fifth wheel kingpin, having a pin axis, where the orbital lathe includes a support column generally axially aligned with the pin axis of the kingpin, a cutting tool mounted to the support column for rotation about the pin axis and having a first positioning mechanism for moving the cutting tool at least radially relative to the pin axis, a second positioning mechanism for rotating the cutting tool about a centerline axis generally orthogonal to the pin axis, and a third positioning mechanism for moving the cutting tool parallel to the centerline axis, and a drive mechanism for rotating the cutting tool about the pin axis to cause the cutting tool to remove material from the kingpin. The position of the cutting tool in relation to the centerline axis determines a surface roughness of the kingpin. Another embodiment of the orbital lathe and a method are also disclosed.

Abstract: An orbital lathe for in situ resurfacing a fifth wheel kingpin, having a pin axis, where the orbital lathe includes a support column generally axially aligned with the pin axis of the kingpin, a cutting tool mounted to the support column for rotation about the pin axis and having a first positioning mechanism for moving the cutting tool at least radially relative to the pin axis, a second positioning mechanism for rotating the cutting tool about a centerline axis generally orthogonal to the pin axis, and a third positioning mechanism for moving the cutting tool parallel to the centerline axis, and a drive mechanism for rotating the cutting tool about the pin axis to cause the cutting tool to remove material from the kingpin. The position of the cutting tool in relation to the centerline axis determines a surface roughness of the kingpin. Another embodiment of the orbital lathe and a method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of enlarging a kingpin which attaches a trailer to a fifth wheel on a tractor includes the step of providing a collar having a base, shank and head with the shank having a desired diameter. The collar also has an internal aperture having a first portion of a certain diameter and a second portion of lesser diameter. An existing kingpin is machined in situ on the trailer to a dimension commensurate with the internal apertures of the collar. The collar and machined kingpin are then joined to form a new kingpin having the desired diameter.

Abstract: A method of enlarging a kingpin which attaches a trailer to a fifth wheel on a tractor includes the step of providing a collar having a base, shank and head with the shank having a desired diameter. The collar also has an internal aperture having a first portion of a certain diameter and a second portion of lesser diameter. An existing kingpin is machined in situ on the trailer to a dimension commensurate with the internal apertures of the collar. The collar and machined kingpin are then joined to form a new kingpin having the desired diameter.

Abstract: A gauge (100) for measuring wear of a trailer kingpin (10) provides, for each of the base (20) and shank (30) parts of a kingpin, two contiguous slots (118 and 120, and 114 and 116, respectively), one slot (118, 114) sized to indicate sufficient wear to warrant scheduling replacement or rebuilding, and the other, more lateral slot (120, 116), sized to indicate failure due to excessive wear. In described embodiments, the two pairs of contiguous slots (118 and 120, 114 and 116) are joined in the middle of the gauge (100) by an entrance area (112). A respective kingpin base (20) or shank (30) that does not pass, at its widest point, from the entrance area (112) into the respective slot (118, 114) has not worn to the point of warranting replacement or rebuilding. Embodiments of the kingpin gauge (100) may also have spaced apart open slots (141, 142) for measuring the length and trueness of a kingpin along its vertical axis (50).