Harford Attachments Celebrates 20 Years of Safelock Success in U.S. Market
Harford Attachments, a leading manufacturer of high-quality excavator attachments, is celebrating a major milestone in the U.S. rental market. The company’s Safelock Coupler System has now been in operation for 20 years, with over 25,000 units sold since its launch in 2005. This significant achievement marks two decades of reliability, durability and ease of use for rental fleets and excavator operators.
Safelock: The Fit-and-Forget Solution
The brilliance of Safelock lies in its simplicity. Designed as a “fit-and-forget” solution, it allows excavator owners to quickly swap attachments without tools, making it ideal for mixed rental fleets. Whether it’s grading a driveway or excavating hard ground, the system ensures that buckets and other attachments are interchangeable across different excavator brands, cutting down downtime and boosting productivity. The automatic wear compensation feature locks attachments securely every time. This ensures that operators don’t have to worry about attachments loosening during use. Additionally, Safelock has a compact, low-profile design that doesn’t interfere with the machine’s breakout force. This allows for maximum efficiency during heavy-duty work.
Built to Last: Reliability and Low Maintenance
The Safelock Coupler System has earned a strong reputation in the industry for its outstanding reliability and low maintenance needs. Harford Attachments provides a two-year warranty and full parts support. Backing the system with peace of mind, operators can keep their equipment running smoothly in high-demand environments.
A Legacy of Innovation and Growth
Harford Attachments, a family-owned business, has been operating in the excavator attachments market for over 30 years. The company’s expertise spans both the United States and United Kingdom. The latter is where its manufacturing hub is located. In 2024, Anna Kidd, the CEO of Harford Attachments, was honored with the prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise in Excellence in International Trade, a recognition presented at Windsor Castle by King Charles III. Photo above!
At The ARA Show in Las Vegas in 2025, Harford Attachments celebrated its milestone by presenting a Special Recognition Award to Kato Compact Excavator Sales (formerly IHI), a key partner in the success of the Safelock system. From the press release:
Anna Kidd, Harford CEO, says, “Kato CES were the first US OEM to recognize the huge benefits the Safelock system offers, quickly adopting it as their coupler of choice for rental customers. I am delighted to honor their loyalty and support for the Harford brand by presenting them with a Special Recognition Award. The special relationship is alive and well between our two family businesses, and we look forward to celebrating many more years of mutual success.”
Check out our Machine Heads video detailing John Deere’s 334 P-Tier skid steer and 335 P-Tier track loader.
A Range of High-Performance Attachment Systems
Harford Attachments offers a variety of systems that enhance excavator versatility and performance. These include the Uni-Lok, Pro-Lok and Safelock hydraulic quick couplers. These systems enable easy attachment changes with minimal downtime, allowing operators to stay productive throughout the workday.
Uni-Lok: Double-Locking Hydraulic Coupler
The Uni-Lok is a double-locking hydraulic quick hitch with safety features designed for quick attachment changes directly from the cab. This reduces downtime and increases productivity while offering a high-performance, low-maintenance solution for excavators weighing between 1,650 and 30,800 lbs.
High-Performance Tilt Couplers
Harford’s tilt couplers provide full 180º tilt movement, making them ideal for grading and landscaping tasks. The high-performance tilt motor ensures smooth operation at any angle, improving productivity and reducing machine movements. These couplers are compatible with the Uni-Lok, Pro-Lok and Safelock systems, providing flexibility across various applications.
360º Rotating Quick Coupler
The Harford 360º rotating quick coupler transforms excavator operations by allowing attachments to rotate fully within a 360-degree range. This system is particularly beneficial in tight spaces where precision and flexibility are required. Available for excavators ranging from 1,650 to 19,850 lbs, the rotating quick coupler eliminates the need for unnecessary machine movements, making operations more efficient.
High-Quality Attachments for Every Job
Harford Attachments offers a wide range of excavator buckets and specialized attachments designed to meet the demands of a variety of applications. From digging buckets to grading buckets, and even ripper teeth and brush rakes, Harford provides the tools needed to tackle tough tasks.
Digging Buckets and Grading Buckets
Harford’s digging buckets are engineered for optimum performance and durability. Designed to handle demanding jobs with minimal stress on the equipment, these buckets are available in both standard and weld-in versions. The grading buckets feature reinforced construction for tough ditching and grading jobs, ensuring long-lasting performance under heavy loads.
Tilting and Hook Buckets
Harford’s tilting buckets provide greater flexibility in complex applications, allowing operators to easily decouple and turn the bucket 90 degrees for faster material movement. Hook buckets add even more versatility, allowing multiple bucket attachments to be easily transported in a single move, improving overall site productivity.
Specialized Attachments
From clay hook buckets for smoother unloading to brush rakes for efficient scrub clearance, Harford’s specialized attachments are built to perform. The ripper teeth, designed for breaking up hard surfaces and dislodging rocks, feature wear-resistant steel for maximum strength.
Looking Forward to the Future
As Harford Attachments celebrates 20 years of the Safelock Coupler System, the company continues to innovate and expand its product line. With a focus on quality, durability and customer satisfaction, Harford remains a trusted name in the excavator attachment industry. For more information on Harford Attachments and their full range of excavator couplers and attachments, visit their website and/or contact an authorized dealer near you.
Keith Gribbins is publisher of Compact Equipment.
