Landscape Rakes and quickhitches

[couchsachraga]

One of my "upgrades" for my new tractor (JD4520) is a quick hitch (imatch in my case). It appears it will work with all my implements (Woods HBL84-2 back blade, HB72 box blade, and the two new implements I'm ordering with the machine (MX6 and land plane), BUT it appears it will not work with my Woods LR800 8' landscape rake.

I feel fortunate it looks like I'll only have to modify one piece of equipment to work with the quick hitch vs. several, but looking at the rake I'm not sure what to do - is there an easy way? Here are my thoughts, not having measured anything yet or having the quick hitch in hand:
1) Replace the lower pins with proper busings / end pieces, and if the hitch matches up just manually pin the top (there isn't room for the hitch to come up and under it)
2) Find / build a frame from something that DOES match and bolt / pin it to the landscape rake.

What other things have folks done to modify rakes to work with quick hitches?

Thank you all in advance!

 

[zzvyb6]

The two pins are all that matter. Use a chain for the upper 'link'. That lets the rake float and will provide more leveling action. I find a lot of chains on the expressway that are perfect for this job. They fall off the car haulers. They have a big oval link in one end (to pin onto the tractor) and a hook on the other (to adjust the lift position),

 

[jenkinsph]

One of my "upgrades" for my new tractor (JD4520) is a quick hitch (imatch in my case). It appears it will work with all my implements (Woods HBL84-2 back blade, HB72 box blade, and the two new implements I'm ordering with the machine (MX6 and land plane), BUT it appears it will not work with my Woods LR800 8' landscape rake.

I feel fortunate it looks like I'll only have to modify one piece of equipment to work with the quick hitch vs. several, but looking at the rake I'm not sure what to do - is there an easy way? Here are my thoughts, not having measured anything yet or having the quick hitch in hand:
1) Replace the lower pins with proper busings / end pieces, and if the hitch matches up just manually pin the top (there isn't room for the hitch to come up and under it)
2) Find / build a frame from something that DOES match and bolt / pin it to the landscape rake.

What other things have folks done to modify rakes to work with quick hitches?

Thank you all in advance!

I use bushings for both lower pins as you noted and a bushing for the top pin in most cases. The most common modification needed it seems is that lots of top link setups have a small piece of flatbar (horizontal ) between the top link holes. This would interfere with the hook coming up from below. What I have come up with to solve this problem is to cut this out and weld in a segment of a Cat 3 top link pin. This is the correct size you need for the hook on the IMatch and still provides the connection needed for the implement.

If this doesn't make sense can you include a close up of your implement that needs modification?

 

[JB4310]

Without seeing it,it's hard to say. But I would mod what ever needed to be done to make it work with out having to manually pin it. After all that's what a "quick" hitch is all about.

If your only gonna use the rake a few times a year then manual top pin wouldn't be an issue. But even for one job where you want to swap implements back and forth, it would be worth it to have it quick.

Like I said modding what ever is needed is well worth it, since it's forever done. I had to mod some of mine, no big deal.
All implements need the bushings, you want all points on contact to be as tight as possible.

The chain recommendation would limit you options, if you have the wheels and HTL, you need a solid connection.

JB

 

[couchsachraga]

The LR800 is an offsetting rake, so the hinge to allow it to offset is directly below the toplink pin.... hence the thought of building something that goes between the two. I'm assuming that it is the standard height - if it is lower than standard all I'll have to do is extend it up and I'm golden. I'll try and bring my tape measure, and camera, next time I'm up for uncovering the implements (tarped for the winter if outside. I used to keep them all in the barn, but not enough room these days. I may build a pole barn just for the implements!)

 

[couchsachraga]

And you are correct - I do have wheels on the rake, so a solid top link is a must. Otherwise the chain idea is a good one!

 

[couchsachraga]

Has anyone ever tried this unit from Speeco? I'm assuming that it might change the geometry a little (pins not in line with toplink), but it still might work just fine with an adjustable top link... (I'll have top and tilt... I went CCM with last tractor and now can't imagine not having it, especially for dirt work)

Speeco quick hitch adapter for use with economy quick hitch adapter