My easy FEL hitch

[ametcalf]

I picked up a step bumper bolt on receiver at HF the other day for about $15 on sale. My plan was to do some welding on it to be able to easily mount it to my FEL. That night I happened to think, with my lack of welding skills maybe I should just try putting some of my HF C-clamps to good use. I used 2-4" and 2-6" C-clamps. It works well and will do me until I have more time to properly weld one up.

 

[Thomas]

Gotta love it when plan comes together.

 

[jimmysisson]

Seems like if you bolted it right where it is that would be much more secure than those clamps. Kind of risky for sliding around the way it is.
Jim

 

[RoyJackson]

Seems like if you bolted it right where it is that would be much more secure than those clamps. Kind of risky for sliding around the way it is.
Jim

Yeah, bolting is the way to go...

Maybe I'm misunderstanding ametcalf's post, but why would you want the hitch welded on to the bucket? Don't you use the bucket for any kind of loader work?

 

[JB4310]

I wouldn't go to far with that set up, especially any slopes.

I think that HF receiver with the mounting plate is perfect for a loader bucket mounted hitch. You could either weld it or bolt it.

I think you are planing to mount it to the top of the bucket right ?

If you were to only have occasional use for it, then you could just drill holes and bolt it in the bottom of the bucket when needed.
I agree with Roy I wouldn't weld it in the bucket.

JB

 

[Perplexed]

Ametcalf - what kind of hat were you wearing in that last pic?

JB - do you actually use each and every one of those doodads on the top of your bucket?? :confused2:

 

[ametcalf]

Thanks for the feedback.

Sorry for the confusion. The type of welding I was talking about would be to weld a spacer under the front part of the plate and then weld another flat plate to the spacer so that their would be a gap that the lip of the bucket would slide into. There would then be a strap that would run to the top of the loader to hold it in place. I have seen pictures of this type of set up and would copy and post it but I don't know the ethics of posting someone else's pictures.

I agree that drilling holes would be a better way to go. The reason I didn't do that I am not sure what drilling holes would do to the integrity of the bucket. Also, the tractor is so new to me that I don't want to drill holes at this time that would mess up plans for later putting on a bucket expander or some other thing.

I don't plan on moving heavy trailers this way or doing it on any slopes. A pontoon boat would be the heaviest and it would be for moving it a few feet so we can mow under it or backing it into the barn to work on it out of the weather. The other trailer is a 16' tandem trailer that I use to carry the BX23.

JB, Thanks for posting the picture of your loader. It is really impressive. My hesitation for doing what you did is that with my temperment by the time I decided which hitch to use I would have to stop for lunch. After lunch I would not remember which one I had selected and would have to start the whole process over again.

 

[SeymourBota]

Four grade 8 bolts and some extra plating under the bucket has served me well since 2004.

Used for a snow plow in the winter and moving trailers in the summer.

 

[JB4310]

JB - do you actually use each and every one of those doodads on the top of your bucket?? :confused2:

No, just showing what is possible. I use the pintle hitch, the 2 inch ball with 5 inch drop, the boom pole and the 10K HF hook. I use that hitch almost everyday.

JB, Thanks for posting the picture of your loader. It is really impressive. My hesitation for doing what you did is that with my temperment by the time I decided which hitch to use I would have to stop for lunch. After lunch I would not remember which one I had selected and would have to start the whole process over again.

:laughing: Yeah I got a little compulsive at HF with the 20% off coupons.

JB

 

[wdchyd]

ametcalf,

Here's my rendition of your idea......it clamps and unclamps without any tools....wedge/spacer used for added strength and rigidity......

The only thing I would have changed is to make it stick out further as it's hard to see the ball when sitting on the tractor seat (the bucket has to be tilted all the way up).....