Pat's Easy Change Implements with different bottom pin widths with Pats

[canoetrpr]

As I have acquired implements I have found that even the bottom pin widths are not uniform. Mine range from around 25" to about 28".

This is a tad irritating as it means that if I am switching from my snowblower to my bale spear or vice versa I have to get a wrench out and adjust the turn buckles (would be nice if my lower links had the pin style adjustment).

Do the rest of you have any tips on how you deal with this?

Things I have thought of:

- Pick up one of those stabilizer bars from Pats. Adjust the turnbuckles permanently down to 25" and put the stabilizer bar on to hold the arms into place at the right width for each implement I have.

- Look into modifying the implements so that they can all be the same width. This is a bit of a pain. Possible for some, much harder for others.

- Look into finding a replacement for my turn buckles with the pin type. Don't know if Kubota sells them as an option for my tractor or I would have to find parts from another model and see if they fit.

Right now I am thinking of going with the stablizer bar from Pats.

Any other ideas?

 

[RalphVa]

My turn buckles came with tiny cotter pins. Those were the first things to be thrown away. I just tighten them up and then use tension cords attached between the turnbuckle sides and ROPS. Keeps them tight.

Don't know what to do about your Pat's. Some implements are designed to fit Cat 0 as well as Cat I. They aren't all the same widths.

I don't have much trouble mounting and demounted implements as long as they can be moved. Put them either on castors or on pieces of wood.

Ralph

 

[greg_g]

Any other ideas?

Yup. Deal with it, just like every other tractor owner in the world. Adjusting the three point hitch to accommodate various implements is a normal everyday fact of life.

The PEC bar to which you refer won't stabilize a thing. Matter of fact, it's not a stabilizer, it's just an installation tool - a temporary spacer used only until the implement is attached. If you leave it on after that, you'll end up wasting several hours searching the field to find out where it fell off.

You are getting closer though, when considering changing to the pin-type side links. I have one tractor that's turnbuckle style, and one that's pin-type. Of the two, I prefer the pin-type.

//greg//

 

[jdbower]

You could replace the turnbuckles with hydraulics, but now you're getting a little expensive! Eventually I plan on adapting my implements to all of the same dimensions, preferably so I can use a U-shaped quick-tach (maybe even the one Deere's working on that handles the PTO as well - drool...), but that's a fairly long term project.

 

[milkman]

I think your best solution would be to check out the other Kubota's close to your size that has the pin type stabilizer links and either adapt those to fit your tractor, or make a set to fit your tractor. The spacer bar that Pat sells is to be used to hold the arms at the correct spacing to hook up the implement and not meant as a stabilizer bar to be used when operating implements. If you get rid of the PITA turnbuckle stabilizers, you'll find that it was well worth the time and $$$$, and will be a lasting fix, you'll thank yourself everytime you hook up something.

 

[GIJOE]

If you decide to go with the pin style side links, you will not need the spacer adjustment bar from Pats. Once you adjust the side link to accommodate an implement the lower lift arms will stay in that position until you readjust.

Joe

 

[mjfox6]

canoetrpr,
I have the adjustment bar for Pat's. Definitely just for holding them at the correct width while you back up. I used a Sharpie and marked the width for each of my implements to make it easier to use. I actually stripped out the plastic adjustment knob that comes with it (I fixed it by drilling through it and the bolt underneath and installing a cotter pin.). Then, I decided to check my connections by raising my rotary cutter before I removed the adjustment bar. Those PTO shafts are tough, bent that adjustment bar real good. Had to use the hydraulic press to straighten it back out.

I bought the correct wrench for the turnbuckle nut and keep it in my tractor toolbox, that makes it a little easier. I guess having Pat's over the old method was such an improvement that I never thought about the turnbuckles as a hassle. The amount of time I save with Pat's makes me not mind changing implements now. I can't remember if you got your PEC when you bought the tractor of if you upgraded later, but, if you haven't done it the old way, you should try it ONCE!

BTW, love wilderness canoeing and Bill Mason!

 

[greg_g]

If you decide to go with the pin style side links, you will not need the spacer adjustment bar from Pats. Once you adjust the side link to accommodate an implement the lower lift arms will stay in that position until you readjust.

You wouldn't say that if you had to pick up implements that were parked on an incline. I've got 30 acres of diagonal, nowhere at all to store idle implements where it's perfectly horizontal. As such - pin or no pin - gravity is going to pull the downhill lift arm downhill. I definitely use the spacer bar with my pin-type sidelinks.

//greg//

 

[GIJOE]

You wouldn't say that if you had to pick up implements that were parked on an incline. I've got 30 acres of diagonal, nowhere at all to store idle implements where it's perfectly horizontal. As such - pin or no pin - gravity is going to pull the downhill lift arm downhill. I definitely use the spacer bar with my pin-type side links.

//greg//

How do you know I don't? I do it often enough and have never had an issue as you describe. Gravity will pull both lift arms to the downhill side.

Joe

 

[canoetrpr]

Thanks folks. I didn't imply that I would leave the stablizer bar on - just for backing up and hooking up the implement. I've got a wrench for the right size in my tractor toolbox too.

I did have my tractor before the PEC and it was a PAIN to change the implements. I guess I'm being uber lazy here trying to not adjust the turn buckles when I think a back at how much less effort it is compared to without the PEC!.

It is pretty silly that all these CAT 1 implements aren't exactly the speced size.

mjfox - great to see another canoeist here! Bill Mason did a lot to promote the activity. I have his books and videos. Learned a lot from them.