Bobcat E26 Quick Hitch Pin Centre Change – Modified to Fit 8" Centre Buckets

The pin centres on a mini digger quick hitch can be changed to suit different buckets, so you do not need to buy a new hitch. Simply Welding changed the pin centres on a Bobcat E26 3t mini digger quick hitch by removing the welded-in pins, welding up the old holes, drilling new holes on our milling machine and welding the pins back in, so the customer could use their existing 8" centre buckets. We modify quick hitches and attachments for machines up to 30 tonnes.

Job Description

The job was to change the pin centres on a 3t mini digger quick hitch.

Material Used

We re-used the existing pins.

Removing the Pin

We removed most of the weld around the existing pin with an annular cutter, mounted via an adapter in our milling machine. The rest of the weld was removed with a die grinder and carbide burr. We then heated the quick hitch around the pin to expand the metal and knocked the pin free with a hammer.

Closing the Existing Pin Hole

The quick hitch was cleaned up with a grinder and the paint removed from around the weld area. It was then moderately preheated, and the existing pin hole was fully welded closed and ground back flat.

Drilling the New Pin Holes

The quick hitch was marked out with the new pin centre dimensions and securely mounted on our milling machine. Using the DRO (digital readout), we drilled the new pin holes in exactly the right positions, so both holes ran concentric and parallel.

Cleaning Up the Old Pin

As the old pin was being re-used, we mounted it in our lathe and removed any weld residue left from the original weld. It was then cleaned up with a Scotch-Brite pad while turning in the lathe.

Fully Welding

The pin was tack-welded into the quick hitch and a final check was made to confirm everything was dimensionally accurate. The quick hitch and pin were then preheated to a set temperature and fully welded with dual-shield welding wire.

Final Prep

We applied three coats of etch primer and two coats of black engine enamel.

Result

The customer can now use their existing 8" centre buckets on the Bobcat E26, without buying a new hitch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you change the pin centres on a quick hitch?

Yes. The welded-in pins are removed, the old pin holes are welded closed and ground flat, then new holes are drilled at the new pin centres on a milling machine with a DRO, so both holes run concentric and parallel. The pins are then cleaned up and welded back in.

Do I need a new quick hitch to use buckets with different pin centres?

Not necessarily. Changing the pin centres on your existing quick hitch lets you use buckets you already own, without the cost of a new hitch. In this case, the customer could use their 8" centre buckets on the Bobcat E26.

What size machines can you modify quick hitches and attachments for?

We modify quick hitches and attachments on anything up to 30 tonne machines, from mini diggers like this Bobcat E26 up to larger excavators.

Can the original pins be re-used?

Often, yes. On this job the original pins were cleaned up in our lathe to remove the old weld residue and re-used, which kept the cost down.

How do you remove a welded-in quick hitch pin?

Most of the weld around the pin is removed with an annular cutter in the milling machine, and the rest with a die grinder and carbide burr. The quick hitch is then heated around the pin to expand the metal, and the pin is knocked free.

Why drill the new pin holes on a milling machine?

Drilling on a milling machine with a DRO (digital readout) puts the new holes in exactly the right positions, so both holes run concentric and parallel and the buckets pick up cleanly.

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