Day: November 24, 2025

Meet the New Adjustable Spring Hitch: 12 Inches of Field-Adjustable Flexibility

DJ Products is rolling out a new adjustable spring hitch that replaces our fixed, welded design. It delivers 12 inches of vertical adjustment and can be set in minutes with basic hand tools (a 3/4″ wrench) so your team can dial in the perfect hook height without welding, shims, or guesswork.

Why we built it

Material handling isn’t static. Dock plates change, bins vary, carts get swapped, and facilities evolve. A fixed-height, welded hitch forces you to adapt the fleet to the hardware. The new adjustable spring hitch flips that script:
  • One hitch, many heights: Up to 12″ of vertical travel to match different carts or bin lips.
  • No welding required: Loosen, slide, tighten… you’re done.
  • Less back-and-forth: No need to send dimensions when ordering a replacement; final fit happens on-site.
  • Keep moving: Once tightened, the spring action still works for quick, confident engagement.

new style spring hitch

How it works (fast)

  1. Install into the Fifth Wheel Arm on your DJ Products unit.
  2. Loosen the locking bolts with a 3/4″ wrench.
  3. Slide the inner spring‑loaded section to your required height.
  4. Tighten the bolts. The hitch remains fully functional.
  5. Hook and go. If your application changes, repeat the steps in minutes.
The spring‑loaded inner piece lifts to engage (commonly with a J‑hook), which helps compensate for small misalignments during daily operations.

Swap it in: retrofit‑ready

If you’re running a welded hitch today, you don’t need to fabricate a new one. Replace the welded assembly with this adjustable spring hitch and fine‑tune heights right in the field as needs change.
Compatible with any DJ Products unit using a Fifth Wheel Arm, including:
  • WasteCaddy and WasteCaddy Lite
  • CartCaddy 5W
  • CartCaddy Lite
  • CartCaddy Shorty
  • Select RiderCaddy configurations equipped with a Fifth Wheel Arm
(If your unit uses a Fifth Wheel Arm, this hitch is designed to fit.)

Quick specs

  • Adjustment range: 12 inches of vertical travel
  • Field setup: Basic hand tools; 3/4″ wrench for locking bolts
  • Mechanism: Spring‑loaded inner section for positive, repeatable engagement
  • Upgrade path: Direct retrofit for existing welded hitches

new style spring hitch 2 new style spring hitch 2

What this means for your operation

  • Fewer delays, less hassle: Keep maintenance in-house with quick height changes—no welding bay or outside fab required.
  • Standardize the fleet: One hitch style covers multiple cart/buffer heights across shifts and sites.
  • Future‑proofing: When carts or containers change, your hitch adapts with them.
  • Confidence at the hook: The spring action helps you line up and latch cleanly.

Field testing & rollout

We’re conducting initial field trials with five beta units placed at customer sites for roughly 30 days to monitor performance in real‑world conditions. Early feedback will continue to inform documentation and training resources as we complete the rollout across our product lines.

See it in action

FAQs

Does this replace the current hitch?
Yes. The new adjustable spring hitch replaces our fixed, welded design, and from now on it becomes the standard option across our lineup.

Will I need to provide measurements when ordering?
No. Since the hitch offers 12 inches of vertical adjustment, you can set the final height on-site… which means no measurements are needed during ordering.

What tools are needed?
You only need a 3/4″ wrench to loosen and tighten the locking bolts, so setup stays simple from start to finish.

How long does it take to adjust?
In most cases, adjustment takes only a few minutes. First you loosen the bolts, then you slide the hitch to the right height, and finally you tighten it back down so the unit can return to service quickly.

Which units are supported?
This hitch works with any DJ Products unit equipped with a Fifth Wheel Arm, including WasteCaddy, WasteCaddy Lite, CartCaddy 5W, CartCaddy Lite, CartCaddy Shorty, and select RiderCaddy configurations.