Trailer ball

[RandyinTN]

Anyone drill a hole in the FEL and install a trailer ball? I have a backhoe attached and don't like removing it unless absolutely necessary.
Good or bad idea?

 

[newbury]

I bought a clamp on 2" receiver from Titan. I've also used it on my BH bucket. And both tractors.

 

[Diggin It]

Somebody posted one that could be clamped on when needed and removed easily. No tools required as I recall.

 

[John_Mc]

My neighbor drilled a hole in his bucket for a ball, and it works fine for him. He is always shuffling trailers around with his tractor, and most of the time, it's with the ball on the bucket. He might have considered the clamp-on receiver hitch, but the first time he needed to move something with the bucket, he had a spare ball and a drill handy, so that's what he did. He has never felt the need to change it.

I've debated buying a clamp-on myself, but just never had much need for it. I've added a receiver to my logging winch, and have another one ready to add to my box blade (I just haven't gotten around to it... for about 5 years now). I have one of those draw bars that goes between your lower 3 Pt hitch arms with a ball that stays on it all the time. It hasn't been used much since I broke down and bought one of those triangular gizmos that go on the 3 Pt hitch with a receiver on it. I don't use my backhoe all that much. If I did, I would definitely either drill my bucket of buy a clamp-on receiver.

 

[Deere Dude]

I hardly ever use the ball on the front bucket because I have a tough time seeing over the hood to hook it up. Plus, the top of the bucket where it is located is to tall to go under trailer hitches. It does work great for GN trailers though. It is close to the FEL pivot point so it is sturdy.

For moving trailers what works best is a sleeve that slides over front forks, Easy to see and aim from the seat but that is still not as sturdy as the bucket for moving a heavy GN around.

 

[Diggin It]

I've also used it on my BH bucket.

I was wondering about that too. Any trailer type thing I would tow is pretty light overall and shouldn't harm the boom. Just not sure how to mount a ball there.

 

[bcp]

For a lightweight trailer.

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...ailer-hitch-ball-post1612142.html#post1612142

You could add a strap around the bucket fort more security.

Bruce

 

[sixdogs]

Holes in the bucket have never worked for me and I see other guys welding them shut and getting one of the clamp-on brackets mentioned earlier. That's what I have and it works great by extending the hitch out a foot or so and that makes it easier to see when hooking up.

Here's a pic of a typical clamp-on one from the internet.

 

[PILOON]

Clamp on is the way to go!
Buddy had drilled to accept a ball in his FEL and it damaged all the trailers as his cutting edge would interfere.
I welded him up a clamp on hitch and all the problems went away.
He operates a storage facility and moving trailers are a near daily occurrence.
If U can't weld one up there are many sources on the net at affordable prices.

 

[RandyinTN]

Clamp on it is! I didnt even realize they made one. Appreciate the info.

 

[newbury]

I was wondering about that too. Any trailer type thing I would tow is pretty light overall and shouldn't harm the boom. Just not sure how to mount a ball there.

Actually upon reflection I didn't use it on the BH.

 

[RandyinTN]

Looked on Ebay and found what looks like a Titan hitch, exactly the same as the one on Amazon. But Ebay is $63.20 shipped so I have one coming my way. Bought a 3 foot section of pipe as well to make sure it is tight.
Cheers

 

[Thomas]

This idea might work for you?

 

[MH8675309]

I have a hole in my loader bucket but it is for steering my flat racks into places I'm not good enough to back them into.

 

[MESSMAKER]

Weld on a receiver to the top of bucket. slide in a 4-6 inch drop hitch when needed. You can see it out in front of the bucket. Receiver is handy for other stuff as well.

 

[joeyd]

Looked on Ebay and found what looks like a Titan hitch, exactly the same as the one on Amazon. But Ebay is $63.20 shipped so I have one coming my way. Bought a 3 foot section of pipe as well to make sure it is tight.
Cheers

I don't know if I would use the cheater bar. To keep mine from rotating during tight turns I cut 2 lengths of 2x4 to wedge between the loader wall and the clamp on hitch. Not much movement with an empty trailer but when I load it (16 ft. car hauler with rack sides) with brush and limbs or firewood it sure helps. I have never had it come off the bucket and it gets pretty tight by hand.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I have a clamp on receiver hitch for my FEL and it works well for light trailers. When I try and use it to move my dump trailer though it shifts side to side no matter how hard the clamp is tightened on the bucket.

If you have FEL with SSQA, I recommend this adapter plate:

Skidsteer 3 Point Attachment Adapter Skid Steer Trailer Hitch Front Loader Case | eBay

It also lets you mount 3 pt attachments to the FEL as well.

There is another model available with a cut out that makes it easier to see the trailer tongue.

Skidsteer 3 Point Attachment Adapter Skid Steer Trailer Hitch Front Loader Case | eBay

It lacks the 3 pt capability though.

Both these adapter plates bring the ball closer to the FEL pivot point which increases the lifting capacity for handling heavy trailers.

 

[RandyinTN]

I don't know if I would use the cheater bar. To keep mine from rotating during tight turns I cut 2 lengths of 2x4 to wedge between the loader wall and the clamp on hitch. Not much movement with an empty trailer but when I load it (16 ft. car hauler with rack sides) with brush and limbs or firewood it sure helps. I have never had it come off the bucket and it gets pretty tight by hand.

Good idea