quick attach receiver.

[torch]

It's that time of year again -- time to pack away all the boats and bikes.

My tractor came with a hitch ball mounted to the front bumper. It was really nice for tucking away trailers in tight spots, both because of visibility and the geometry, but unfortunately I had to lose it as part of the FEL build.

Or do I? I built it with SSQA mounts so the bucket literally pops on and off in seconds. So yesterday I dug around in the scrap metal bin and cobbled together this:

I can drive up to the trailer, lean out the side to see the ball and tuck it into the coupler, lift the tongue so the dolly wheel clears the ground and relocate the trailer without ever leaving the seat.

Of course, I can't go outside without my assistant. If it wasn't for his help, things would take half as long to accomplish :

 

[bambam31]

Great idea !!

 

[D2Cat]

That's creative! It's better on the loader then mounted to the tractor. You have more flexibility.

It that a Deutz model your helper has?

 

[skeets]

I miss my helpers,, they grow up way to fast

 

[torch]

I'm not certain what model tractor his toy is based on. Could be Deutz, or could be a generic, don't-have-to-pay-copyright-fees, model.

Technically, the young man is my helper's helper because yes, they do grow up too damn fast. We serve as the daycare service at any time that both parents are still at work and school is out. He is often joined by his older cousins for pretty much the same reasons.

I don't get as much done when they are around, but I cherish every moment with them. And when I'm done stuffing them with cookies and ice cream, I can send them home again.

 

[skeets]

And when I'm done stuffing them with cookies and ice cream, I can send them home again.

Yeah aint that fun...LMAO

 

[Newlyme]

Of course, I can't go outside without my assistant. If it wasn't for his help, things would take half as long to accomplish.

Man, that brings back the memories. I was Grandpa's little helper and I told everyone. It was many years later when I finally learned what that meant.
Grandma could distract us with cookies and milk and send us home too. But not for long we lived next door so I was always there to "help".

 

[maclean]

You need to center the weight between the arms of your FEL. Plenty of posts out there with out of alignment arms. Otherwise...solid idea...I'd just make two plates with a 2" crosstube and center the receiver. Add a couple of chain hooks too...

 

[sdk1968]

great idea that i'll rig up for my bucket!

will probably go center mount though, since i got a small tractor.

thanks for sharing & enjoy that helper while you can, they grow up before you know it.

 

[torch]

You need to center the weight between the arms of your FEL.

If I was moving heavier trailers, then yes. But I can easily lift the tongue by hand, even on the sailboat, so I'm not too worried about torquing the arms. Yours (fitted out with that WD mount) looks like you must move heavier stuff around.

Chain hooks are on the bucket. I plan to make a pallet fork attachment this fall, I might add hooks to that too.