Hitch-Mounted Mini Workbench

A Hitch-Mounted Mini Workbench allows one to transport, set up, and use his/her bench-mounted shop tools (e.g., grinder, vise, anvil) where bench-top mounting is not possible. The commercially-made version consists of a 11/2-inch-square L-shaped metal frame plus a top-plate and fastening hardware. Its horizontal leg inserts into the pickup’s 2-inch x 2-inch receiver hitch and is long enough so the vertical leg is beyond the tailgate when lowered. The height-adjustable, fold-down vertical leg accommodates the top-plate, onto which can be bolted either a wood or metal mini-workbench or one of the bench tools. (Electric-powered bench tools can be run off a generator in the truck bed.) Willows, CA, farmer Brad Mallory constructed a homemade version that was described in the Farm Show Magazine issue noted below.

Cost: $75-$260

Impairment Category: Back, Lower extremity, Strength/endurance, Upper extremity