2538 HST Quick Hitch - Fender Modification Tip

[Snowback]

Picked up a quick hitch from Ranch Ex. (Sourced through Walmart.com and delivered for free).

http://www.walmart.com/ip/RanchEx-C...75035&wl11=online&wl12=54055973&wl13=&veh=sem

This hitch has the thicker and proper offset top link hook as seen in the last picture, and also comes with bushings and a top link float connector, so that checked off two add on items that made it price competitive with some other brands. (Plus Walmart is great at returns if you ever have the need...) The hitch appears to be sturdy and well constructed. I made some additional slide on bushings by cutting back a few pairs of the standard bushings. Trimmed two sets up to be 2.5" long and one at 3.5". Each of our Mahindra MD and HD cutter and box blade, as well as our EA Extreme Landscape Rake have clevis pins, so it will be quick and easy to swap out attachments now.

A word of caution here in that the 2538 has long rear mud flaps off the fenders. They are in fact so long that when top link is fully retracted and you lift the 3pt all the way up, it can cause interference between the quick hitch and the fender. Although that combo of full retraction and max height might be rare, it still might be a good idea to trim some of the fender to avoid major damage down the road.

Here are a few shots of what I did. The mounting bolt is far enough in that you can trim towards it and get enough clearance without compromising strength. Not quite as pretty as before, but not too bad, and it very usable now.

Remember to trim some excess on the sides for sway as well.

 

[Btown]

Nice job. What if somewhat funny is on Mahindra's website they have a video and on that video is the 2538 with a quick hitch mowing with a brush hog

 

[Snowback]

Nice job. What if somewhat funny is on Mahindra's website they have a video and on that video is the 2538 with a quick hitch mowing with a brush hog

Thanks!

That is funny about the video on their site. I guess they didn't raise the cutter all the way up until the end of the video shoot...

Hopefully this advice will save someone from that awful crunching sound that I have heard far too many times in my life.

 

[Neversosure]

Thanks Snow...... I heard rumors about a close fit, but you nailed it. I was waiting to see how others dealt with fitment issues before I got a quick hitch.

 

[Sittingbull2]

Did you have any problems about connecting it to your lower arms ? I have a 3540 PST and just bought the exact same hitch as you own from Walmart. My arms will not fit in the 3 point quick hitch because of lower arm swivel balls at the end of the arms are wider than the slot in the 3 point quick hitch.

 

[Sittingbull2]

Snowback did you have any problems about connecting it to your lower arms ? I have a 3540 PST and just bought the exact same hitch as you own from Walmart. My arms will not fit in the 3 point quick hitch because of lower arm swivel balls at the end of the arms are wider than the slot in the 3 point quick hitch.

 

[Snowback]

Snowback did you have any problems about connecting it to your lower arms ? I have a 3540 PST and just bought the exact same hitch as you own from Walmart. My arms will not fit in the 3 point quick hitch because of lower arm swivel balls at the end of the arms are wider than the slot in the 3 point quick hitch.

Sorry to hear that.

I did not have any problems at all. Just slid right in. You must have heavier duty ends on your lift arms. How much clearance do you lack? You might be able to gently spread that section of the quick hitch channel if only a 16th of an inch or so... Once it is in there the only movement would be slight pivoting and a tiny bit of side to side for the balls to accommodate, so it can be tight. Another option would be to gently grind a sliver off the sides of the swivels.

I hope it works out for you.

EE

 

[Sittingbull2]

Sorry to hear that.

I did not have any problems at all. Just slid right in. You must have heavier duty ends on your lift arms. How much clearance do you lack? You might be able to gently spread that section of the quick hitch channel if only a 16th of an inch or so... Once it is in there the only movement would be slight pivoting and a tiny bit of side to side for the balls to accommodate, so it can be tight. Another option would be to gently grind a sliver off the sides of the swivels.

I hope it works out for you.

EE

I had to grind on the Swivel Ball and spread the section where the ends go in. I didn't know if your ends where as wide as mine or not. They are heavy duty for sure. But I managed to get it to work. Thanks for your reply.