1st project # trailer attachment

[1ofU]

here's my first attachment for my bobcat , may not use it alot but when i do i will have one to move the couple trailer around that i have . works great
used all scrap 1/2 X2 and a 3/4 coil rod

 

[Jukinju]

That is a great idea. I'm going to mount a couple balls to my grapple bucket thing. Nice work.

 

[Tazza]

That is a great idea. I'm going to mount a couple balls to my grapple bucket thing. Nice work.

Nice and simple idea.
Just be careful with it. I have heard of people pushing trailers up hills with a ball out front mounted to the attach plate. Somehow it came off and the draw bar came into the cab and touched up the operator. Dragging wouldn't be an issue, but pushing, there is some risk, be careful with it.

 

[1ofU]

Nice and simple idea.
Just be careful with it. I have heard of people pushing trailers up hills with a ball out front mounted to the attach plate. Somehow it came off and the draw bar came into the cab and touched up the operator. Dragging wouldn't be an issue, but pushing, there is some risk, be careful with it.

Hello,
yeah i could see where it could come off the ball , i would think it would go into the bucket before it could raise 3 ft or so and come into the operator area with the weight of the tongue forward , when i use this it would be to move a trailer straight out to mow in that area . but it's like anything else if you half @ss anything it may bite you in the @ss
1 of U
Jess

 

[joer]

Hello,
yeah i could see where it could come off the ball , i would think it would go into the bucket before it could raise 3 ft or so and come into the operator area with the weight of the tongue forward , when i use this it would be to move a trailer straight out to mow in that area . but it's like anything else if you half @ss anything it may bite you in the @ss
1 of U
Jess

Why not just put a 3/4 hole in the Wear plate on the front edge and put a ball in it?

 

[SkidRoe]

Why not just put a 3/4 hole in the Wear plate on the front edge and put a ball in it?

A few reasons:
-Visibility - you can't always see the leading edge of your bucket when it is at trailer hitch level.
- Trailer tongue configuration - Having the ball set back behind the leading edge of your bucket will impact the angle at which you are able to jacknife your trailer, which is one of the beauties of manuevering a trailer with a skidsteer. Having teeth on your bucket or connecting to a farm-type clevis hitch makes this situation even worse.
- Personal preference - I don't really want a 3/4" - 1" hole in my cutting edge, and I want something that I can add/remove without tools.
Make sense?

 

[SkidRoe]

A few reasons:
-Visibility - you can't always see the leading edge of your bucket when it is at trailer hitch level.
- Trailer tongue configuration - Having the ball set back behind the leading edge of your bucket will impact the angle at which you are able to jacknife your trailer, which is one of the beauties of manuevering a trailer with a skidsteer. Having teeth on your bucket or connecting to a farm-type clevis hitch makes this situation even worse.
- Personal preference - I don't really want a 3/4" - 1" hole in my cutting edge, and I want something that I can add/remove without tools.
Make sense?

I actually talked myself into building one. I had enough scrap in the shop to put one together, plus it was an excuse to use my new MIG.

 

[schneidp20]

I actually talked myself into building one. I had enough scrap in the shop to put one together, plus it was an excuse to use my new MIG.

I like this simple design, and the ball looks to be far enough in front so you can see it. I punched a hole in my bucket just behind the cutting blade to accept a ball. I hate it and will be building something like in this thread. Problems with mine are 1) can't seen the ball from a seated position. 2) if the bucket is tilted too far back, the cutter bar hits the tongue and pops the hitch off the ball. Dave 553

 

[Chalmers]

Nice and simple idea.
Just be careful with it. I have heard of people pushing trailers up hills with a ball out front mounted to the attach plate. Somehow it came off and the draw bar came into the cab and touched up the operator. Dragging wouldn't be an issue, but pushing, there is some risk, be careful with it.

To address the risk of being skewered if the hitch detaches from the ball - just attach safety chains ? Same as when you hitch a trailer to the receiver on the back of your truck. The alternative is to rig a ball hitch receiver at the REAR of your skid steer. ASV had then, Gehl/Mustang/Yanmar have them now as an option built in to the rear counterweight below the engine door at the rear.

 

[Tazza]

To address the risk of being skewered if the hitch detaches from the ball - just attach safety chains ? Same as when you hitch a trailer to the receiver on the back of your truck. The alternative is to rig a ball hitch receiver at the REAR of your skid steer. ASV had then, Gehl/Mustang/Yanmar have them now as an option built in to the rear counterweight below the engine door at the rear.

Why didn't someone come up with that idea earlier? We have them on vehicles already....
You could simply drill a hole in the cutting edge to attach a small chain to so if it was to pop off, it will not come into the cab and touch you up.