Ball Mount Re-purposed for Easy Bucket Use

[nikdfish]

We recently picked up a trailer with a 2 5/16" hitch where our other two smaller trailers had 2". I picked up a multi-ball mount for the truck, so the old 2" ball & ball mount were surplus as the other tow vehicle uses a different size mount.

Since we now have three different trailers hanging around, I figured the 1025R would be handy for moving them around if it had a ball mounted. The now surplus 2" mount with 2" ball could make that easier. Rather than have the ball mounted directly on the bucket, I decided to adapt the mount to be a "pin on" for the bucket. This involved slotting the sides of the mount to accommodate the bucket cutting edge & drilling a vertical hole in the mount & a corresponding hole in the bucket to permit the 5/8" pin to be used to secure the two together.

It pretty much used up a disc on the angle grinder

Nick

 

[Diamondpilot]

I did something similar but I just welded a receiver tube from TSC on top of my bucket.

Chris

 

[nikdfish]

I considered that, but this was a bit cheaper/easier & only required drilling one hole in the bucket. I may end up welding on a receiver later on for the flexibility that it would add (once the wife stops cringing at the thought of "messing up" her new machine).

Nick

 

[Diamondpilot]

Just be careful with the tongue weight of the trailers you are moving. It will be easy to bend your bucket.

Chris

 

[dusty3030]

Also on your curl you can tweak the snot out of the inside of a coupler. I know from the hard way. My old big tractor I had mine mounted like yours, didn't have the angle right and curled a little too much, tweaked the crap out of the innards of one trailer coupler that didn't break it but made it hard to release from then on out. Never did "loosen" up again.

 

[nikdfish]

I appreciate the cautions. My intended use is moving empty trailers in and out of storage locations at the house. The H120 FEL has a bucket level indicator so I can place a marker showing the proper orientation at my carrying height.

Nick

 

[dusty3030]

Good deal, wasn't trying to be a Debbie Downer either. What you made should work great. Just wanted to share where I had messed up doing the same. Good luck!