Quick Hitches Quick Hitch attachment?

[thumperjb]

I have been away from the tractorbynet forums for about a year now. Unable to use my tractor due to increasing physical problems (back surgery) The good news is I am feeling somewhat better now and I am looking forward to using my tractor again but am afraid I will never be able to connect the attachments without some form of quick hitch. I am not a welder and will not be able to modify any of my attachments... anyone have a recommendation on what brand of quick hitch would be best for me? Cost is not as important as ease of use.

 

[beenthere]

Glad you are back (and your back is back). Are you indicating to us that you cannot get your 3pt attachments welded elsewhere either? Also, I have a local welder with a truck/welder and he will come to my place to weld if needed.

I have the Deere I-match which is very similar to several others (see pic). The changes I have to make are mostly to the top hook, as the attachments don't allow the room needed to slip that top hook up under the top pin. The lower pins are pretty good, but need some fine tuning for the right width and the correct bushing diameter.

I don't find the need to go to the adapters that are added to each attachment to conform to the quick hitch. They seem to be a bit pricey, but worse they add weight and length to the 3pt, which I don't prefer. I sure wouldn't want to be without the quick hitch. Sometimes it feels like a stretch from the seat to reach the levers that lock the quick hitch onto the lower pins, and that may be tough to do with the back - but a short walk to the rear just to flip levers isn't as bad as wrestling with the attachments to line them up.

Would you be able to post some pics of the attachments you want to adapt to the quick hitch? Maybe TBN members can offer some tips to make the changes. Critical would be the distance between the lower pins, and the vertical height of the top pin from a line between the lower pins. Plus, as I mentioned before, the room for the top hook to come up under the top pin.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Glad to hear you're doing better.

There is a thread about the Midwest Quick Hitch where Jim McCuan describes how his conforms to ASAE 3PH scecs as opposed to ASAE Quick Hitch Spec. It sounds like it might be better for use with older implements without as much modification. I am looking into it, but have no experience with it.

Maybe you need a whole new setup, as a write-off for medical therepy.... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[thumperjb]

BeenThere,

Thanks for the information. I live in backwoods Alabama and am not aware of any traveling welders in my area but if I know what modifications my attachments needed I would be willing to pay whatever it would take (within reason) to get someone out here to fix them.

I am attaching pictures of my implements, sorry the oicture is so very small when I tried to post I kept getting an error message saying I was over size limits. I don't really have much just a brush cutter, rock rake and a blade. I was in the process of researching a post whole digger when these most recent medical problems came up. The brush cutter has been attached to the tractor for the past 8 months as I have not been up to wresling it off. I was supprised at the differences in measurement between the implements (Rake 15.5", Blade 14", and mower 19") I didn't reallize there was no standard measurement.

Thanks for your help.

 

[gerard]

If cost is less of an issue the Freedom hitch would be your best bet. I have a quick hitch just like the one in the previous post. They work well but, as indicated do require some modifications and a little grunt work, just a lot less than NOT having one. With the Freedom Hitch you can attach/detach an implement totally from the tractor seat. You could be in a wheel chair and (if you could drive the tyractor) still attach/detach. Downside is the tractor portion of the Freedom Hitch is about $200, then you need an implement portion for every implement you have which also cost about $200. If the price doesn't scare you away I don't think you'll find an easier more efficient way of hooking up implements. (If you go to the website they'll send you a demo video)

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I was thinking about doing this too but decided they were all to rich for my budget and was going to get adjustable draft links instead. In addition to those already listed, you can check into Delta Hook too.

 

[normde2001]

Jacque, what are the measurements you are listing? Your lower pins appear to be standard 26" cat 1.

 

[PJR]

Abelle,

Can you tell me were you found adjustable draftlinks? Are they after market?

I have been looking for some for a JD 970.

Thanks Pat

 

[thumperjb]

Normde2001,

I was measuring to answer a question asked by BeenThere about “the vertical height of the top pin from a line between the lower pins ” I have read many postings about trouble with the top hook on a quick hitch. And thought this measurement might have some bearing on whether a quick hitch would work for me.

 

[MossRoad]

I replied to your Delta Hook post and believe that one of the triangle type quick hitches would work better, just based on experience with the quick attach system on my Power Trac(very similar). With the other systems, you might have to modify the pin locations on your implements to get them to work. With the triangle systems, all you would need is for some one to weld the female part of the hitch to each implement. Also, you could probably have someone fabricate a system using a small hydraulic cylinder to operate the lever for the release mechanism, which would eliminate the need to twist around in the seat and reach back for it.

I've had back problems since childhood. It is no fun. It was probably the #1 factor in my decision to purchase a tractor with all of the implements out front. The quick attach feature sealed the deal. If I had stayed with a tractor with rear 3pt, I'd have spent the money for the triangular type quick hitch. Good luck in your search. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif