Can I use a Cat 2 quick hitch on my cat 1 tractor, but with mostly cat 2 implements?

[Piston]

With all the talk of quick hitch setups on this forum, and all the happy owners out there, I'm starting to contemplate the idea of purchasing a quick hitch setup. I really enjoy the 'convenience' factor of certain things, and I think I'd really like a quick hitch.

My question is:
Can I purchase a cat 2 quick hitch, for use on my tractor (which is category 1)? Most of my implements are cat 1 or 2 compatible. I think the only thing that isn't, is my homemade log splitter, and my landscape rake, both of them being the 2 implements I use the least.

Any of my future implement purchases, are going to be category 2 compatible, as I plan on my next tractor also being category 2.

Since my next tractor will be cat 2, it would be nice if I can take my new quick hitch setup with me on my new tractor (which won't be purchased for most likely a couple years now).


Or, should I just buy a cat 1 quick hitch and setup all my implements for that, and when I get a bigger tractor, buy a cat 2 hitch?

I'm looking at the Landpride quick hitch, does anyone know what I can expect to pay for one?

 

[greg_g]

You may have unstated reasons for going the QuickHitch route, but I found mine to be a pain in the ***. The lower link spacing was inconsistent with that of several of my implements, and you still have to get off the tractor to connect the toplink. And the implement side of the QH toplink was not compatible with my implements designed for flexible toplink operation. I sold mine in favor of the Pat's Easy Change system. With PEC, you avoid the issue with lower link spacing - as your lift arms are not tied together horizontally as with the QH. And - since there's no toplink component of PEC - flexible toplinks of any type can be used without interference. I put a Cat1 PEC on one of my tractors, and a Cat2 on the other.

But then I traded both for a John Deere, and ordered it with the optional lift arm system. Used in conjunction with the pinnable sidelinks, the extendable lift arm ball ends can be maneuvered individually into place. So instead of manhandling the implement to connect with the lift arms, you extend and maneuver the lift arms to connect with the implement pins. It's not a quick connect design, but I still prefer it over both the QH and the PEC. You may find your future tractor to have a similar capability, hence negating the need for a Cat2 quick hitch altogether.

//greg//

 

[murphy1244]

the landpride is about 500.00$ and the only implement that I need to get off my tractor to connect the top link separate is my shredder.

 

[Piston]

I was under the impression that you did NOT need to get off the tractor to connect the top link? That was really the appeal for me. Also, the Land pride quick hitch does have an adjustable top link bracket so it can fit varied equipment, but of course the side links are still the same.

Greg,
What is the 'optional lift arm system'?
My tractor came with telescoping lift arms like you are mentioning. It certainly isn't a PIA for me to hook up implements, which is why I haven't felt the "need" for the quick hitch. I do get along just fine without it. However, I'm not against making things even easier than they already are :laughing:

In fact, I'll still have to get off my seat with almost everything I hook up. The chipper, rotary cutter, and stump grinder all have PTO shafts to hook up, and the box blade and splitter both have hydraulic lines to hook up.
Murph, Is that for the cat 1 quick hitch?

 

[ovrszd]

Piston, a CAT I hitch and a CAT II hitch have different established widths. You can attach the CAT II hitch to your CAT I tractor with no problem but you'll have to change all of your attachments that are CAT I designed. Here's a Google search that will give you all sorts of reading materials covering this size issue.

Google

I'm on the other side of the fence as Greg with my experiences. I started with a Pat's on fixed lower arms. It was a dramatic improvement. When I went to a CAT II tractor and CAT II attachments I quickly preferred the Quick Hitch method. Now if I get a new attachment I immediately convert it, if necessary, to fit my CAT II Quick Hitch. It's never removed from the tractor.

I've got a 3pt weight rack that I often use for ballast. With the Quick Hitch design I can pick it up, do the task, and sit it back down without ever getting off the tractor. With a PAT'S system you always have to get off to hook the top link, not necessary with the Quick Hitch.

My Brother has a CAT I tractor. When I modify equipment that he might use I build it with two sets of pins so he can pick it up with his CAT I hitch and I can pick it up with my CAT II hitch. Best modifications I've ever made. Now my complaint is that I have to get off to latch the Quick Hitch if using an attachment that needs latched. Far cry from the days of trying to hook up with standard tractor 3pt arms.

 

[greg_g]

Since no quality name brand defined your use of "quick hitch"' my comments were relative to the generics. Yes, The likes of patented QH systems result in a "hands-free" hook-up. But as you say, we quite often have to get off the tractor regardless, for PTO/hydraulic/electrical hook ups. Trouble with the name brands - besides price - is that they can often be incompatible with implements that are not of the SAME name brand. Generics don't fit all implements either, so essentially the practical differences are pretty much color and price.

Yes, my JD has the optional telescoping list arms that - in conjunction with the pin type side links - make generic quick hitches (to include PEC) unnecessary.

//greg//

 

[Piston]

Since no quality name brand defined your use of "quick hitch"' my comments were relative to the generics. Yes, The likes of patented QH systems result in a "hands-free" hook-up. But as you say, we quite often have to get off the tractor regardless, for PTO/hydraulic/electrical hook ups. Trouble with the name brands - besides price - is that they can often be incompatible with implements that are not of the SAME name brand. Generics don't fit all implements either, so essentially the practical differences are pretty much color and price.

Yes, my JD has the optional telescoping list arms that - in conjunction with the pin type side links - make generic quick hitches (to include PEC) unnecessary.

//greg//

Greg, I forgot to mention in my first post that I was looking at the Landpride quick hitch. Upon further inspection, it looks like the cat 1 QH has the adjustable top link, whereas the Cat 2 QH doesn't. Hmmm. I can see what you mean about certain implements not fitting when you have no adjustments.

I think I mentioned as well that I have the same setup as you with telescoping lift arms and pin type sway bars. I agree that the QH is unnecessary, it's simply a convenience.

 

[Piston]

Piston, a CAT I hitch and a CAT II hitch have different established widths. You can attach the CAT II hitch to your CAT I tractor with no problem but you'll have to change all of your attachments that are CAT I designed. Here's a Google search that will give you all sorts of reading materials covering this size issue.

Richard,
I thought about the Pats easy change but was a bit concerned with the amount that it would extend the lower link hook up point while not simultaneously extending the top link.

Thanks for the clarification on the cat 2 QH being able to work with my tractor. The majority of my implements are both Cat 1/2 compatible so I don't think I'd have much of an issue.

I will contact my dealer for pricing and see how much this may run me.
I emailed Shaver Manufacturing, Brown Manufacturing, and Landpride asking if the implements I own (provided SN) should work with a quick hitch. Hopefully ill hear back from them with positive news. I did not bother emailing Vermeer about the chipper because they no longer make PTO implements and most likely wouldn't know. Plus, it wouldn't be a show stopper anyways.

My other concern is that it moves the implements back 5" (cat 1 QH only 4") and I have some pretty heavy implements, I hope that won't pose a problem.

I'd certainly need a new PTO shaft for the chipper as it is already a bit on the short side, but the others would be fine.

 

[case245]

I would get by with extandable 3pt lift arms mine are fixed its A pita TO HOOK UP THE 8 foot BLADE THE 3 bottom PLOW and in the future a rotary cutter I have cat 2

 

[ovrszd]

I would get by with extandable 3pt lift arms mine are fixed its A pita TO HOOK UP THE 8 foot BLADE THE 3 bottom PLOW and in the future a rotary cutter I have cat 2

Yeah, Piston already has an advantage over you with his extendable arms. Compared to what you are fighting, they are a breeze to hook up. When I had my L4400 I did some research and found that I could buy extendable arms for it off a Grand model, can't remember now which one. They were less than $400 for both arms. My point being, you could possibly add extendable arms to your tractor. They are the best solution in that they don't add length like the Pat's and don't require attachment modifications like the QH. But for the totally lazy guy like me, QH and modified equipment was the best solution.