Backhoe / Trailer Receiver Hitch

mdbarb · Aug 19, 2005

I want to have an easy on/off trailer receiver hitch that I can attach to the bucket of my backhoe.
I have been directed to a thread here by GuglioLS but in that setup the bucket is replaced with the hitch.
There must be a way to weld a flange or something along the side of the bucket so I could simply slip the hitch on.
Or now that I think about it maybe just a heavy duty tab somewhere that won't get bent, with a hole in it to insert the ball......

dltimmons · Aug 20, 2005

On my backhoe, I bolted a tow hook, from an old four wheel drive winch bumber I no longer used, to the back of the bucket. It is up at the top of the bucket, on the back, and doesn't interfere with digging at all. I use this hook to pick up items with the backhoe, like a small crane.
I can also back up to my trailers, and running the backhoe from the drivers seat, I can hook the hitch on my trailers, pick up the hitch, and move the trailer around. Works well on the flat parking area where I keep the trailers. I would not try to move one up or down any hills like this. For that, I have a bumper mount receiver hitch that I bought at Wally World, mounted to the top center of my front loader bucket. I use a long drop hitch in it, and can move trailers with the front loader that way. I also made my own three point hitch using a draw bar, receiver tube with angle iron uprights welded to it, and move the bigger trailers with it when I need to take them very far.
The tow hook, (large slip hook) has two bolt holes in it, about 1/2" diameter, and can easily be removed from the backhoe bucket if I need to take it off. So far, year and a half, it has not been necessary.
Sorry, no pictures.
Try it, you'll like it.

DT

Mike_C · Aug 20, 2005

I used to move my trailers with the safety chains of the trailer hooked onto the backhoe. I wanted to put a receiver hitch on my backhoe too, but then these guys on TBN told me that it's easier to move trailers with a hitch on the front loader. I tried it, and I'll never go back to the backhoe! Sorry for posting this link in multiple forums, but not everyone reads every forum.
My solution, based on ideas from people here: web page

pat32rf · Aug 27, 2005

I have a drawbar receiver hitch but it is no help when the hoe is installed so I welded a receiver to the parallel bars above the bucket, then made up a bent draw bar (so it wouldn't wipe out my hydraulics when the bucket is in the dump position). I have hitches up to 2 5/16 but leave a 1 7/8 ball on the bar. Works great when trying to back a trailer into a tight spot, just swing the hoe to steer the trailer, even my tractor float. The only trick is to swing the hoe to the side so you can see the ball when hooking up, then lift gently. I also use this to launch my boat as our shoreline is too muddy to back the tractor far enough out. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

mdbarb · Aug 29, 2005

Any Pictures?

pat32rf · Aug 29, 2005

I'm doing good to remember my password and get logged in!
Posting pictures is a whole new world! (finding the camera is the first problem, batteries the next...) /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Pat

mdbarb · Sep 6, 2005

I'm looking at my backhoe trying to figure out how you did it.
/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
(maybe one of the neighbor's kids has a digital camera and can download for you? That what I do when I'm tech'd out /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

fiddler kelly · Jul 9, 2007

I am in the process of making a trailor for moving gravel and rock which wil be hooked onto the back of my tractor and that has a backhoe on it. I haven't fully figured it out yet as to how I am going to mount a hitch to the backhoe but I will be using a pintel hitch. Once I figure it out I willl post some pics.