Quick Hitches for Excavators
Choose the right quick hitch for your excavator. Hydraulic and manual couplers for 0.75–14 tonne machines. British manufactured, award winning premium build quality, trusted by contractors worldwide.
What is a Quick Hitch?
A quick hitch (also called a quick coupler) is a device fitted to the end of an excavator's dipper arm that allows the operator to rapidly switch between attachments — buckets, grabs, breakers, and more — without manually removing and refitting pins.
At Harford Attachments, we manufacture three distinct quick hitch systems — each designed for different operational needs. All are HSE compliant and meet EN474-1safety standards for excavator couplers.
Compare Our Quick Hitches
Three models, one standard of excellence. Every Harford quick hitch isBritish manufactured, safety tested, and backed by 30+ years of engineering.
Safelock®
The UK's most trusted dedicated quick hitch
A dedicated coupler system where the operator changes attachments from the cab without any tools. Designed specifically for rental and hire fleets where multiple operators share machines.
- Zero-tool attachment changes from cab
- Dedicated system — attachments lock to the hitch
- Ideal for rental and hire fleets
- 25,000+ units in operation
Best for: Rental fleets, hire companies, multi-operator sites
View Safelock Details
Pro-Lok®
Double-locking safety without hydraulics
A manual quick coupler with a revolutionary double-locking mechanism operated via a ratchet handle. No safety pin, no springs, no hydraulics — just reliable mechanical locking.
- Double-locking mechanism
- No safety pin required
- Spring-free design — nothing to wear out
- Most cost-effective option
Best for: Owner-operators, budget-conscious buyers, simple reliability
View Pro-Lok Details
Uni-Lok®
Full hydraulic control from the cab
A hydraulic quick hitch operated entirely from the cab with a single switch. Features automatic wear compensation and a fail-safe design that defaults to locked position if hydraulic pressure is lost.
- One-switch cab operation
- Automatic wear compensation
- Fail-safe — defaults to locked
- Fastest attachment changes
Best for: Operators wanting maximum speed and convenience
View Uni-Lok DetailsQuick Hitch Comparison Table
| Feature | Safelock® | Pro-Lok® | Uni-Lok® |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Dedicated | Manual | Hydraulic |
| Operation | Zero-tool from cab | Ratchet handle | One-switch from cab |
| Excavator Range | 0.75–8 tonnes | 0.75–8 tonnes | 0.75–8 tonnes |
| Cab Operation | — | ||
| Hydraulics Required | No | No | Yes |
| Double Locking | |||
| Fail-Safe Design | |||
| HSE & EN474-1 | |||
| Best For | Rental & hire fleets | Budget-conscious reliability | Speed & convenience |
Specialist Couplers
Beyond standard quick hitches, we manufacture specialist couplers for applications requiring rotation and tilt.
360° Rotating Hitch
Continuous 360° rotation with high-torque motor. For precision work in confined spaces. 1–9 tonnes.
View Details
Tilting Hitch
180° tilt with class-leading torque. Perfect for grading and landscaping. Up to 14 tonnes.
View DetailsWhy Choose Harford Quick Hitches?
HSE Compliant
Every hitch meets HSE requirements and EN474-1 safety standards.
British Made
Designed and manufactured in our Norfolk factory for 30+ years.
25,000+ Units
Trusted by contractors and hire companies across the UK and worldwide.
Expert Support
Our team will help you choose the right hitch for your machine.
Quick Hitch FAQ
Not Sure Which Quick Hitch You Need?
Our team can help you match the right coupler to your excavator. Tell us your machine make and model and we'll recommend the best option.