The towing hitch (also called coupling hitch or towing device) is a standardized coupling at the rear of wheel loaders, tractors, and other towing vehicles for attaching construction site trailers, compressors, light masts, roller trains, and other towed equipment. The most common standards are NATO towing eye (40 mm bolt) and Piton-Fix (50 mm).
On construction equipment, the towing hitch must be rated for the trailer load and type-approved with the towing vehicle. The permissible drawbar load at the coupling point (vertical load from the drawbar) is typically 5–15% of the trailer mass. Exceeding the drawbar load lifts the rear axle of the towing vehicle and dangerously reduces steering ability.
Modern towing hitches are designed as bolt couplings (manually or automatically locking), ball-head couplings (car-type, for light trailers), or Rockinger couplings (heavy-duty, self-engaging). On wheel loaders, the towing hitch is located on the rear frame—important in articulated steering design, as the articulation affects trailer tracking.