Loader bucket mounted trailer spotter / wagon backing attachment

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I've been wanting a trailer spotter / wagon backing attachment for a while now, but I really didn't want to build a dedicated skid loader attachment that would be heavy and require the machine to move around.  I'd also thought that it would be nice if I had something that would also work with a backhoe or the loader tractor if need be. I thought about it a while and one day when I really needed something to use, this is what I came up with.  I had remembered seeing a round bale spear that mounted to a loader bucket this way.  As you can see in the bottom picture, you just hook the angle iron over the cutting edge of the bucket, wrap a chain all the way around and use a binder to draw it up tight.  This was cheap to build, I can carry it with one hand and keep it in the tool box of my truck or trailer if I want to.  I also like that I can mount it off to one side of the bucket if I need to do something like move a square baler and want to put the hitch right up again a wall.I initially thought that I'd attach a short length of chain on to the attachment and leave a dedicated binder on there, but I think I'm going to leave it alone because its so much lighter to carry around without all that attached to it.  I'm never to far from chains and binders anyway.Material was a 16" piece of 4" angle iron from the scrap pile, a 24" long 2" receiver tube and a couple 1/2" chain couplers. Attached ImagesLast edited by Chuck; 11-28-2011 at 08:51 AM.Miller 250x & Lincoln V205-TSmith Oxy-Prop torch
Reply:That looks great, simple design.  I am about 1 weekend away from building one, nice to see your idea in pictures, I think I will use it since it is simpler than what I had in mind.Hobart LX235Victor 250 Oxy-Acetylene Rig (welding and cutting)Bobcat 773F-350, 1999, 4x4, 16' 10K# trailerOutdoor Wood Burner - 10 cords/year
Reply:Originally Posted by gwileyThat looks great, simple design.  I am about 1 weekend away from building one, nice to see your idea in pictures, I think I will use it since it is simpler than what I had in mind.
Reply:That's a pretty slick design.
Reply:Looks good, nice and simple like gwiley said, except I would substitute a solid ring in place of the chain connectors you have, much stouter and less likely to come loose if you get carried away and over tighten the binders or have to pull hard on a heavy trailer.
Reply:I like that,nice.
Reply:Very nice! Simple, clean and compact, great job."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"