Quick Hitches Harbor Freight Quick Hitch Issues

[jlbmi]

I recently purchased a Harbor Freight Quick Hitch for my Kubota. I tried to hook up my Landpride backblade and it will not work. The centerlink hook will not fit far enough into the opening in my backblade to hook the crossbolt. I also find that it will not work with my Landpride rotary cutter either. Any suggestions?

 

[Threepoint]

Is it because the two hex-head bolts that secure the top hook in it's bracket are hitting the sides of the blade bracket before the hook can fully engage? If so, there's a quick fix for that. It involves cutting the heads off each bolt with a sawzall or hacksaw, trimming the bolt to length so that it does not protrude beyond the sides of the hook bracket, then drilling a 3/32" or 1/8" hole through the bolt shaft to receive a small hitch pin clip between the tooth and one inside wall of it's bracket. Not my idea, but I can't recall where I saw it, my bad. I did save a pic that I downloaded from the originator's post, which I'll upload here, apologies and thanks to the originator.

I did this a couple of weeks ago with a new HF QH that I just bought for my larger tractor. Works great with my 84" Woods box blade and rear blade. On mine, there was enough space between the hook and the inside bracket wall to receive the clips, but the originator of the idea needed to grind a small amount off the sided of the tooth to gain the necessary clearance (see his pic). He also just bought two hitch pins the diameter of the bolts, then cut them to length, rather than cut and drill the original bolts. I didn't want to make a trip to the store for that. The whole mod took me about thirty minutes. Hope this helps. BTW, there are other solutions, e.g. welding an extension to the original hook then boring new bolt holes. But they involve much more work.

 

[jlbmi]

Threepoint. Thank you! I appreciate the tip and that is exactly what I need to do.

 

[bcp]

Someone else here welded about a 1 inch square bar onto the front of the hook and drilled two new holes so the hook was about an inch farther back.

On mine, I cut some mild steel rod a little bit longer than the width of the hook mount, then riveted it in place. The clip idea is better since you can still adjust the hook height if needed.

Bruce

 

[Cherokee140]

Looking pretty hard at this...for less then $100 it seems like it would be worth the chance. Those that own them (the HF kind) how has it held up....we all know with HF you get something that will work great or trash can filler. Some things from them that I have are going on 20 years old and still going good...others busted on the way out of the box.

 

[Threepoint]

Looking pretty hard at this...for less then $100 it seems like it would be worth the chance. Those that own them (the HF kind) how has it held up....we all know with HF you get something that will work great or trash can filler. Some things from them that I have are going on 20 years old and still going good...others busted on the way out of the box.

The HF Cat. 1 QH on my smaller tractor has been on about 10-15 yrs. It's gotten a steady workout with a 5-ft. Howse BB maintaining about a mile of crusher run drive and moving snow with a 6-ft rear blade. I've been impressed enough to get one for my new 45 hp tractor. That will be the real test, as the larger tractor is about twice the weight. Force = Mass x Acceleration. 45 hp is the top end of the rating for that QH.

I happened to stop in HF yesterday and noticed that their Cat. 1 QH is on sale this month for $99. Take another 20 to 25 percent off with a coupon. There's a youtube video comparing the HF to the John Deere QH that struck me as pretty objective. No surprise that the HF is much closer in build quality to the less expensive brands.

 

[KennyG]

I have had mine for almost four years. With 24 hp and less than 1500 lbs lift capacity I don't challenge it but mine looks like it may last forever.

 

[Guesseral]

Had mine for two years now no problems. Love it!

Oh yea here is the second option



not my picture but this is what I did. I didn't like the other option because with some stress or strain the short ends of the pin could twist and come out. But I am a worry wort also!

 

[countrybumpkin]

I've had both of mine for about four years and use it with a bunch of different equipment and have not had any trouble, one I have a SSQA plates welded to for use on the loader. I do have to say I pretty much don't use the top link hook , I just use the adapter , you can order them from harbor freight but I just made mine. I have several pieces of equipment it would work with and several it won't but I find it just as quick and easy to use the adapter instead of switching between it or the hook.

 

[Threepoint]

[snip]I do have to say I pretty much don't use the top link hook , I just use the adapter , you can order them from harbor freight but I just made mine. I have several pieces of equipment it would work with and several it won't but I find it just as quick and easy to use the adapter instead of switching between it or the hook.

I've been planning to modify a 20-year old 6' York so that it will receive the QH hook. An adapter would sure save some cutting and welding. Didn't know HF sold one. I just checked their website and couldn't find it with the search terms I used ("quick hitch adapter"). Would love to see a pic or two of what you made.