Quick Hitches Survey on quick hitches

[GrantMO]

I wanted to ask anyone with a Freedom Hitch, Landpride or other quick hitch to post their comments on how they like them. I got the FH video and it looks impressive.

 

[JackIL]

I have the Freedom Hitch on 7 implements and I love it. The first reaction you have is that it is too expensive. However, after you have it and use it the cost factor just disappears. The ease of attaching and detaching from the tractor seat plus the safety of not having to try to push and shove the implement into position easily justifies the cost. In addition you don't have to spill any blood or shout out those extreme cuss words that always seemed to accompany the process of attaching and detaching any implement before the Freedom Hitch. I would never be without the Freedom Hitch again.

 

[charliek]

I use a SpeeCo quick hitch (about $160) and it works fine. Probably not as good looking as Freedom, but much better than the old way without a quick hitch.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

My SpeeCo Quik-Hitch...

I'm not a fan of being at the mercy of a mfr. and paying $200. extra for each and every attachment, I get for the rest of my life to use it...

Besides, the learning curve is short and hooking/unhooking these attachments builds up endurance, muscles, and helps make you a farmer real quick... /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

 

[GlennT]

I have the LandPride quick hitch and have been quite satisfied with it. However, you need to realize that you don't just put it on the tractor, back up to an implement and go. Many implements have to have some modification before they can be used with a quick hitch. For example, the pins on some implements are spaced too close together or too far apart to fall within the arms of the quick hitch. On other implements there may be a crossbar or part of the frame that doesn't permit the bottom hooks on the quick hitch to slide underneath the pins before being raised to complete the connection (many scoops present this problem). The connectors for the upper pin on some implements don't allow the upper hook to slip under the pin before being raised. Also, the upper hook on this type of quick hitch can only be adjusted for a few inches vertically (if at all--some are welded in place) and the upper connections on some implements are either too high or too low. If considering a quick hitch such as a LandPride, you really need to measure (1) the distance between the bottom hooks and (2) the distance the upper hook lies over a line connecting the two bottom hooks. Then measure where the pins fall on your implements and determine where the upper connector will fall in relation to the upper hook of the quick hitch. I have some back and shoulder aches and pains due to a misspent youth loading hay bales and such on a South Dakota farm and after buying my tractor I soon decided that a quick hitch was well worth the expense and the fuss and commotion involved with modifying implements to make them fit. And I should add that I haven't had any regrets. I would suggest that you shop around and compare comparable types of quick hitches sold by Tractor Supply and Northern Tools. They cost about $200, whereas the LandPride hitch with an adjustable upper hook costs about $325. One other thing to consider is that the use of a quick hitch will move all of your implements a smidgeon further back from your tractor. If you have a small tractor and some heavy implements (such as a chipper, a shredder, a finish mower, a scoop filled with gravel, something hanging on the end of a crane, etc., the front end of the tractor becomes very light--even with weights. Also, the use of a quick hitch doesn't mean that you never have to move an implement around to get at it conveniently (unless you have a lot more storage space than most of us). It probably still will be desirable (or even essential) to build dollies for your implements. I should mention too that I am never able to back up and hook up to an implement without getting off the tractor to diddle around and make final adjustments, insert a pin or two, etc. Life is just not that perfect. For some strange reason, the space in each bottom hook is 1 1/8 inches even though the bottom pins on implements with Class Two hitches are 7/8 inch. Spacers are available at low cost from tractor dealers and you probably are going to want to buy two for each of your implements. Otherwise, there is so much play in each bottom hook that the implement jerks around as you drive along. I really appreciate having a quick hitch, but do you have the option of fitting adjustable bottom arms on your tractor's three-point hitch? These really look slick; however, I understand that they are a bit pricey and they aren't available for many tractors yet. Anyway, my quick hitch enables me to walk around without a stoop and a grimace most of the time; I'm thankful I have one.

 

[ric]

John, I also have a SPEECO Quick Hitch. Curious about why you are not using the Quick Hitch bushing on the lower lift pins on your implement. Seems without these your attachment would be bouncing around all over the place.

Grant, I use mine all the time and like Glenn said you do need to "help" it connect sometimes but it beats wrestling with your implements to get them attached. Without it sometimes it seemed like I needed a second tractor just to get the first one hooked up to something in order to do anything. Not now.

 

[radman]

Like many of the others, I also have a Spee-Co quick hitch. For me the optional third link attachment (comes with quick hitch) shown in J. Miller III picture works great. On my attachments, the standard "hook" never fit the implement. I also have a hydraulic 3rd link and this makes it easy to attach. The Landpride hitch is of the same design as Spee-Co but IMHO not worth the additional cost. My Spee-Co cost $179 and came with one set of quick hitch bushings for the lift pins. Additional quick hitch bushings cost about $18 for a pair. On some of my implements, the quick hitch bushings won't work because they use essentially a 7/8 hitch pin for the lifting points. On these, I use a Cat I -II spacer and then use over this a Cat II - III spacer to get the proper 1 1/8" outside diameter. (The quick hitch bushings fit over a 7/8" lift pin and have an outside diameter of 1 1/8")

 

[Mosey]

I don’t see how the SpeeCo Quik-Hitch or others like it would work on most finish mowers or bush hogs because they won’t allow the pivot at the top to move up and down. The top link needs to be able to move up and down freely. Am I missing something?

 

[wallysue]

Mosey, Heres what works for me - finish mower same thing.

 

[BeeBop]

Try Jiffy Hitch, it's the best I have seen or used to date. I have it on all of my impliments w/the exception of a post hole digger. It makes work almost..fun.