Integrated Hitch System for Off Road Equipment

Abstract

A integrated hitch system for off road equipment is provided that includes various styles of non receiver stile hitches ( 30 ) ( 32 ), combinations of a receiver hitch ( 14 ), plate ( 24 ), opening ( 28 ) and tool ( 18 ) attached to the front ( 20 ) or rear ( 22 ) of an off road machine ( 12 ) making a positive and secure connection between a trailer and off road machine ( 12 ) for towing purposes.

1 . An integrated hitch system for off road equipment comprising:
 an off road machine with at least one tool holder, the tool holder configured to interchangeably attach thereto at least a first of a plurality of tools; and   a hitch attachment tool attached to the tool holder.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first tool includes a fork. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first tool includes a blade. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first tool includes a bucket. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the hitch attachment tool comprises a hitch receiver and a corresponding trailer hitch. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the off road machine is one of a skid loader, an excavator, and a utility tractor. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the hitch attachment tool is integral with the first tool. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the off road machine is one of a skid loader, an excavator, and a utility tractor, and the first tool is one of a fork, a blade, and a bucket, and the hitch attachment tool is integral with the first tool. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the machine comprises controls for operating the first tool and wherein hitch attachment tool is integral with the first tool such that an operator of the machine may lower and raise the hitch attachment tool using the controls. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the hitch attachment tool is pivotally attached to the tool holder, allowing the hitch attachment tool to pivot between an open and retracted position. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the hitch attachment tool comprises a pivoting member that pivots between an open and closed position, wherein in the open position the pivoting member allows a trailer to be attached to a trailer ball and in the closed position the pivoting member secures the trailer to the trailer ball. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the pivoting member is operable by a user with a controller associated with the machine. 
     
     
         13 . An integrated hitch system for off road equipment comprising:
 an off road machine with at least one tool holder, the tool holder configured to interchangeably attach thereto at least a first of a plurality of tools; and   a hitch attachment tool attached to the tool holder, wherein the off road machine is one of a skid loader, an excavator, and a utility tractor, and the first tool is one of a fork, a blade, and a bucket, and the hitch attachment tool is attached directly to the first tool, wherein the machine comprises controls for operating the first tool and wherein hitch attachment tool is integral with the first tool such that an operator of the machine may lower and raise the hitch attachment tool using the controls, and wherein the hitch attachment tool comprises a pivoting member that pivots controllable between an open and closed position, wherein in the open position the pivoting member allows a trailer to be attached to a trailer ball and in the closed position the pivoting member secures the trailer to the trailer ball.