IMatch Mod for Non Comptable Attachments

[8934]

I recently purched the JD IMatch Quick Hitch, and was dismayed to find that it did not fit some of my existing impliments. One was a Woods bush hog. I have seen some other posts that mod the bush hog, but I did not have the materials to do the same mods.

So I came up with a solution that replaces the 3ph upper rod with a 3/8 forged chain, to allow the mower to float over rough ground, and just welded the float part of the bush hog. So far, it is working great.

Entire mod was done in less than 1/2 hour with parts on hand, which included 2 crosby removable links that were large enough to accept the tractor pins.

 

[JB4310]

Can't tell by your picture why the stock top link would not be compatible with that implement.
I have an i-match and had to mod a couple of implements, picked up a second Quick hitch from harbor freight and had to modify the hitch considerably.
JB.

 

[JB4310]

OK maybe I get it, with the mower you need to be able to have the back of the deck float as well as the front, not just the whole deck moving up and down in a fixed position, but can you lift the the mower with that much slack in the chain, Maybe I still don't get it.
JB.

 

[8934]

JB,

You are correct.

IMatch would not work on stock Woods mower. When I picked it up, the the top attachment point rotated in a way that caused it to become unhitched.

If I just welded the top attachment, I would not get any float capability. Others have removed the bars that run from from front to back, and installed chains there.

So I came up with the chain idea. Even with the slack shown (mower was sitting on ground) it gets tigher when you lift to operating position. Tractor will still lift mower very high ~3 feet at back of mower when fully raised.
I started with the chain long on purpose, it is easier to shorten than lengthen, but it worked fine the first time.

 

[JB4310]

Yea I should have gotten the chain thing as I did something similar with a snow plow, still a work in progress. My chain is hanging on the I-match so it's easy to figure that if you keep raising the 3pt, the chain will tighten, didn't realize that with the chain in place of the top link that as you raised the lower lift arms the slack would be taken out eventually also.

If you see by my plow pics that the back of the plow needed to have more travel downward, since I'll be operating this with the 3pt all the way down, if the chain was taught then the blade would not float down into swales or over driveway aprons. It looks a little funny when raised but it's still off the ground almost 2'
JB.

 

[Runner]

89,

Looks like a good solution.

On the i-Match compatible stuff (Frontier), they have a "hinge" to allow the necessary longitudinal movement.

 

[dirt clod]

The extra adapter you can buy for the harbour freight quick hitch allows bushhog to work just like it has a toplink hooked straight to it. would think this adapter would fit your imatch also.

 

[8934]

The extra adapter you can buy for the harbour freight quick hitch allows bushhog to work just like it has a toplink hooked straight to it. would think this adapter would fit your imatch also.

I wasnt aware of an adapter, do you have a picture you can share?

 

[dirt clod]

Pictures and info here........ http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/119074-my-harbor-freight-quick-hitch.html

You want find this listed on harbour freights site. It's like a top secret item they offerIf you click the box on there site to order from catalog put in item number 29309-ovga price was $8.75.

 

[8934]

Thanks for the link, its a good idea I may be able to use on some of my other equipment.