"Bucket Hitch" Locks Into Place Automatically

Bucket Hitch Locks Into Place Automatically MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT Miscellaneous Ed Maas invented his bucket-mounted hitch so he can move trailers with his skid steer loader without having to get on and off When not in use the patent pending bucket hitch is designed to retract and store at the top of the bucket without interfering with the normal use When needed the hitch swings down 90 degrees and locks onto the bucket’s cutting edge A hydraulic cylinder that operates off the skid loader’s hydraulics is used to swing the hitch up or down The hitch extends several inches past the edge of the bucket Retracting the cylinder causes the hitch to draw back against the lip of the bucket where it wedges tight Then a pin attached to a linkage rod automatically locks the hitch into place The pin automatically unlocks to swing the hitch up out of the way The hitch is designed with a standard Class III receiver tube so a large variety of hitch options can be used such as a drawbar pintle hitch or ball hitch says Maas “I plan to offer accessories for different configurations including a splitting valve for single hydraulics If your skid loader doesn’t have auxiliary hydraulics you could use a 12-volt electric linear actuator which I also plan to offer ” He says the hitch assembly will be available in 3 different models including a manual version where the operator dismounts the machine to swing down and latch the hitch into the working position; a mid-priced model where the operator is still required to dismount for pinning and unpinning; and a completely automatic model An optional hitch rotator that lets you switch hitches without leaving the operator’s seat will also be available “Some bucket models may require some minor fabrication changes to the bucket or the hitch system mount ” notes Maas Prices will start about $175 for the basic manual model Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Ed Maas 56520 365th St Eden Valley Minn 55329 ph 320 453-2756; cell 320 493-2330; edw maas@gmail com Watch for additional information at www therock-star com

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