Not happy with Pat's easy change

[dmiletich]

I have a New Holland TK100, which is their crawler. I wanted a quick change system because I sometimes use a Rears flail mower on the 3 point and it is no fun connecting. I bought Pat's setupup, read the instructions carefully, called to ask questions when I was installing. Once I had it installed, I could see there were problems. First of all, the angle of the lower arms with Pat's quick change installed was off quite a bit and would not slide in at the right angles to receive the pins correctly. Also the Rears flail has pockets that the Pat's hitch has to fit into. The hook end of Pat's hitch is too big and would bottom out before it went in far enough to connect to the pins. I called Pat's and I explained the problem to the lady that answered. She was very nice but said that there are times when their system will not work. I still wanted to try to make it work so I took Pat's quick connect to a local welding shop and had them cut off 3/4" off the bottom of the hook. The welding shop said that even though my flail mower weighed 2,500 pounds, cutting off 3/4" should not give me any problems. I then went back and reinstalled them, now they clear and do not bottom out. Now my problem is the angle of the unit. The pins do not sit into the hooks at the right angle. My tractor and flail are both cat 3. I am somewhat mechanical so I know I installed their system correctly. So, beware, they will not work on all equipment. Just want to let everyone know so they can be sure they will work and not be as frustrated as I got.

 

[greg_g]

I've had a Cat 1 and a Cat 2 set of PECs, so I'll assume their Cat 3 is yet a bigger copy of the same. In my perception, they're designed around the concept that most lower lift arms angle inward slightly (toward the center) on the implement end. From that point the PEC slips over and pins through the swivel ball. The movement of the ball itself allows for fine tuning of the desired angle before locking down the side bolts

My guess is that you've got straight lift arms. That is, without that inward angle in the last 6-8" or so. Have you considered a little heat and a press - to make that bend yourself?

//greg//

 

[magicheater]

I would say that you are not happy with the fact that it did not work for your application. The product is fine.

 

[tessiers]

I too bought and was not happy with the pats system. I have been around tractors all my life and I have and would buy in the future extending draft links 10 to 1 over pats for versatile implement hook up. It may be a good system for some applications but not mine for sure.

 

[TripleR]

I have two sets I don't use; not a bad system, I just don't care for them.

 

[JohninCT]

It's been awhile since I've owned the tractor that I had a Pats Easy Change on, but as I recall there were screws on the sides to adjust the angle. Maybe you could loosen one side an tighten the other to get it angled properly.

 

[Army grunt]

I have "PATS" I think their better than sliced bread. My first install was not good. Then i installed with everything lose an hooked up to attachment once locked on I tightened the locking bolts now its fine, would not be with ought them.
Army Grunt

 

[628pm]

Since I bought the telescoping stabilizer upgrade and pat's system, I am real happy with my 3 pt connections. It was really a pain to connect 3 point systems before I upgraded with the 2 items listed above. Might not work well for others with more experience, but for me, I am happy with my purchases.

Bill

 

[dmiletich]

It's been awhile since I've owned the tractor that I had a Pats Easy Change on, but as I recall there were screws on the sides to adjust the angle. Maybe you could loosen one side an tighten the other to get it angled properly.

I did all that and still not nearly enough angle.

 

[dmiletich]

Are there any other systems out there that might work for me?