%$#^&*(* HF rear hitch

   / %$#^&*(* HF rear hitch #1  

foggy1111

Elite Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2008
Messages
2,649
Location
Nisswa, MN
Tractor
Kubota L 3560 HSTC, 805 Loader
OK....so, after reading the reviews for the various 3 point hitches I figured I would go cheap and buy the HF 27 1/2" hitch for my JD 790. I recieved it in a few days but the top link is on back order for another month. :( I figured I would make it work for my box blade with the top hook and then doctor the rest of my implements later.....WRONG.

First, I had to jack the hitch open about anther 1/4" or so to bring it up to the width of my BB. Then, I had to grind out a section of the gussets on my box blade to fit the hitch, then I had to grind off part of the HF hitch itself to allow the 3 point pins to fit onto the hitch. Then the top link bolts protrude too far to allow the top link to fit with my box blade. Without the HF top link something seems awry in the geometry to let the implement fit all the way into the HF hitch.....I got disgusted and took the HF hitch off and put my BB back to its original condition.

So far I have over 4 hours time spent and alot of grunt time to not get anything to fit. I'm not sure I want to go through this with the other implements I have planned. Some of the problems could be so easily prevented if the "engineering staff" (ha) would try hooking up a few implements.

I sure wish I would have saved my money......maybe the pats links would have been a better investment....but I see some problems people have with them too. Grrrrrrrrr......I just hate it when stuff don't work right. :mad:
 
   / %$#^&*(* HF rear hitch
  • Thread Starter
#2  
Errrrrrrr.......Rant over. :D
 
   / %$#^&*(* HF rear hitch #3  
Ya, I've just received a bunch of implements for mine, and I'm finding the same thing with my SpeeCo hitch. A lot of implements are going to need a little (or a lot) or grinding here, a little bracket there, or a whole new freakin' 3pt assembly!!!!!

I'm taking as an opportunity to learn to cut and weld, but it'll be a job, that's for sure.

I've found that most things fit the bottom links on the QH, and those were the toughest to connect. I'm not able to do the true 'back up and lift' maneuver on most of the implements, but I can pick most up with the bottom links and then manually put the toplink pin in.

Agreed on the 'Engineers'. There are ASAE standards to follow for 3pt implements......"STANDARDS"!!!!.... meaning the same way, everytime!! Uuuugghhhhh...... I suppose some things are made outside of America (the first "A" is ASAE, I think), but still.....
 
   / %$#^&*(* HF rear hitch #4  
I sure wish I would have saved my money......maybe the pats links would have been a better investment....but I see some problems people have with them too.

Genuine JD iMatch...cant go wrong...the Woods/Land Pride QA's are nice also...The JD One is just very easy to get...

You have to view HF Tools & equipment as projects in of themselves....Google "HF Cordless Grease Gun" You'll find MANY Farmers with em and love em (especially at the price) and whole tutorial threads on how to get em working...remove this, plug that, re pack with grease, etc...
The people who dislike HF tools are the ones expecting them to work like a Makita/Milwaukee/DeWalt right out of the box...

My Dad has the HF QA, and its been Cut/Welded/Modified etc.. to match my iMatch...Working good now....Like he said, they should just ship it un-painted...or heck even un-assembled, just the parts needed to assemble it...

Edit---Is your gripe with the QA or the implement?
 
   / %$#^&*(* HF rear hitch #5  
I've got a HF hitch. I did get the optional top link connector because some of my implements have bracing that's in the way of the standard top link hook. I don't believe the hitch is the problem so much as different implement manufacturers use slightly different 3 pt. dimensions/designs. My neighbor has i-match and even it wont work with all after market implements.

M.D.
 
   / %$#^&*(* HF rear hitch #6  
Yep, its not the hitch, its the implements. There is no standard so things are all over the place. I have a Ford bush hog, Caroni finish mower, Woods back blade, and other implements none are the same.

Chris
 
   / %$#^&*(* HF rear hitch #7  
Now see, I view the HF hitch as an opportunity to have fun.
A little push outwards here, a little grind there, a couple cuts and welds. Paint it to match your favorite flavor and there you go. I couldn't buy the steel and start from scratch for less than I paid for mine.
 
   / %$#^&*(* HF rear hitch #8  
Is your gripe with the QA or the implement?

Hmmm... that's a very deep and philosophical question!!! I'd say the implement. But what came first, the hitch or the implement?? Which one should be made to fit the other??

Ah, who cares..... bottom line is I have some serious grinding to do!!

-Jer.
 
   / %$#^&*(* HF rear hitch #9  
Yep, I bought a used KK 6' back snow blade and tried to hook it up to the JD Imatch last night , it's a no go. I looked at it from every angle I could, ended up taking off the Imatch and connecting it right to the three point arms works great! I will just leave it on for the winter and then put the Imatch back on in the spring. MH
 
   / %$#^&*(* HF rear hitch #10  
I find this rather funny just because these quick hitches are suppose to make things easier but it seems like they are creating more work:)

Oh and I just use the 3pt and find it works with everything I got with no problems.
 
 
 
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