Trailer Hitch on a Skid Steer???

[Tdawg]

Hey Guys,
I'm thinking about building a kind of hybrid log arch/skidding winch (I'm a welder/fitter by trade). Anyway, I have a Cat skid steer and it would be a lot nicer to pull the unit from the rear than using the attachment plate and dragging it while driving in reverse. Has anyone added a trailer hitch to the rear end of a skid steer? And if so has it caused any problems?

Thanks.

[Holmes]

The back end of my ASV has a place for a hitch built in.

[Buck]

Dawg, just watch your hyd temp....I have run into this plowing and drum chopping(dozers). Just a suggestion, but I'd try it.

[Tdawg]

Done deal, I'm gonna give it a try.

Thanks

[Bobus2003]

I've seen it done a time or two.. seems to work well.. ASV has a receiver tube built into the machin on the rear for a winch.. seen that used as a hitch

[Ironwood]

On an older Bobcat (perhaps others with "operable" rear doors), you could use the area inside the rear door on each lower side near the battery to create a mount point working to the center and then extending the reciever tube rearward thru a hole cut in the door, thereby allowing normal door funtion by simply removing whatever male reciever tube you had in the hole. It is a good idea.

Ironwood

[shinnlinger]

If I had a skid steer, I would probably have a hitch on it myself.  That said I would be very careful pulling anything of weight on wheels behind me going down a hill.  That short wheelbase might have you in trouble pretty quick and I doubt the brakes are designed to stop a whole lot more weight than the machine itself.
I had a good size load of logs push my tractor down a hill once and it wasn't fun.
Since then it has been lighter loads, higher revs and slower speeds.

[allmosdone]

 Dawg, one very important point. Your skid steer(and all of them) is designed to carry a lot of weight UP FRONT! I think any weight on the rear may upset the balance of the machine. Riding wheelies all the time might be fun, but your gonna loose the traction and manuverability that is built into that loader. Preety sure thatswhy most skidsteer equipment hitches to the front. That being said, go for it! you'll be the first to know if it won't work, or if it's gonna create a safty problem. Good luck! Stay Safe!!! 

[westyswoods]

I've done a couple. The first being on a Prime Mover and the second on a Bobcat 773. I build a rear guard across the back door as working in close quarters can't count the times I slammed into trees. Guard slid into receivers welded on both side of rear and then pinned so could remove. Hitch was mounted on the guard. No problem and it sure is a lot better skidding going forward. Do have to be cautious of weight but can always counter with something in bucket.

Westy

[Tdawg]

Trust me boys, I know all about rockin' an rollin' inside a skid steer. That being said, any design would have to keep the tongue weight to a minimum...and a couple of boulders handy to throw in the bucket. The more I think about it (and the more suggestions I get), the more I think it will work.