tell me about "I-match"

jmt1271 · May 29, 2006

tell me about \"I-match\"

i recently got a JD 3520 with FEL, LX5 and a hawkline box blade. my first tractor. i didnt get the I-match. after spending 15 minutes hooking up the bush hog to move it, i think i want it. my dealer said he would trade out my hawkline boxblade for a heavier duty frontier. i believe the frontier is compatible with Imatch, whereas the hawkline is not.
is the imatch worth it, assuming all my implements are compatible? what is the hook up process when you have i-match. i am seriosly thinking about getting it, if the hook up process is substantially easier. thanks.

jmt1271 · May 29, 2006

tell me about \"I-match\"

i recently got a JD 3520 with FEL, LX5 and a hawkline box blade. my first tractor. i didnt get the I-match. after spending 15 minutes hooking up the bush hog to move it, i think i want it. my dealer said he would trade out my hawkline boxblade for a heavier duty frontier. i believe the frontier is compatible with Imatch, whereas the hawkline is not.
is the imatch worth it, assuming all my implements are compatible? what is the hook up process when you have i-match. i am seriosly thinking about getting it, if the hook up process is substantially easier. thanks.

beenthere · May 29, 2006

Re: tell me about \"I-match\"

Without a doubt, the hook-up time is faster and 'more fun' than what you are doing now.

I have a ballast box, and don't get off the tractor to disconnect it (unlatch the lock bars by reaching back, then lower the 3pt and drive off). Nor do I get off the tractor to hook the ballast box back up.
If I want the RC or blade on, just back up to them, lower the 3pt, and raise the 3pt. Flip the latches to lock it on from the seat.
The RC requires me to get off and hook up the PTO. But no more using the 2" pipe to move the attachment around to slip the 3pt arms onto the pins.

No doubt you will wonder how, or why, you ever tried to get along without it. Try moving that ballast box around to get both lift arms aligned with the pins. Doesn't get any easier with the iMatch.

beenthere · May 29, 2006

Re: tell me about \"I-match\"

Without a doubt, the hook-up time is faster and 'more fun' than what you are doing now.

I have a ballast box, and don't get off the tractor to disconnect it (unlatch the lock bars by reaching back, then lower the 3pt and drive off). Nor do I get off the tractor to hook the ballast box back up.
If I want the RC or blade on, just back up to them, lower the 3pt, and raise the 3pt. Flip the latches to lock it on from the seat.
The RC requires me to get off and hook up the PTO. But no more using the 2" pipe to move the attachment around to slip the 3pt arms onto the pins.

No doubt you will wonder how, or why, you ever tried to get along without it. Try moving that ballast box around to get both lift arms aligned with the pins. Doesn't get any easier with the iMatch.

fitzisprint955 · May 29, 2006

Re: tell me about \"I-match\"

If you mean substantially easier by just backing up to the equipment and it being attached in under 30 seconds, then yes it is much easier. Lets not forget pinched fingers and vulgar language not being a isssue. I bought non-green equipment used, and lets just say that I make sure that it is modified safely to fit the imatch. Frountier makes good stuff, wish I had more....Right now I havea Frountier 6' blade and a ballast box and its nice to just back up and it be on. fitz /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

fitzisprint955 · May 29, 2006

Re: tell me about \"I-match\"

If you mean substantially easier by just backing up to the equipment and it being attached in under 30 seconds, then yes it is much easier. Lets not forget pinched fingers and vulgar language not being a isssue. I bought non-green equipment used, and lets just say that I make sure that it is modified safely to fit the imatch. Frountier makes good stuff, wish I had more....Right now I havea Frountier 6' blade and a ballast box and its nice to just back up and it be on. fitz /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

DanielAlexander · May 29, 2006

Re: tell me about \"I-match\"

The I-match sounds real good to me, I ordered a HF on sale, it's backordered and I might have to modify it to get it to fit on the 3-pt. Frontier implements look nice, I am building a rake, the only ones I had seen were in pictures until I went to the JD dealer and saw a real one.I was so impressed with the welds and the finish, that I went home and painted our bathroom walls JD green,when my wife came home,startled, I told her, all we need are yellow towels.Funny thing is I don't really like green I love my little red tractor. John Deere is a nice machine and I respect them ,I just am parcial to red. measure your implements link spacing and see if there in the I-match range. It would be a wonderful tool.

DanielAlexander · May 29, 2006

Re: tell me about \"I-match\"

The I-match sounds real good to me, I ordered a HF on sale, it's backordered and I might have to modify it to get it to fit on the 3-pt. Frontier implements look nice, I am building a rake, the only ones I had seen were in pictures until I went to the JD dealer and saw a real one.I was so impressed with the welds and the finish, that I went home and painted our bathroom walls JD green,when my wife came home,startled, I told her, all we need are yellow towels.Funny thing is I don't really like green I love my little red tractor. John Deere is a nice machine and I respect them ,I just am parcial to red. measure your implements link spacing and see if there in the I-match range. It would be a wonderful tool.

BloomingtonMike · May 29, 2006

Re: tell me about \"I-match\"

Outstanding tractor addition if your implements fit it. I have a Frontier tiller and rear blade, and JD ballast box that were designed with I-match in mind. I modified my carry all in about 30 minutes to use I match and am now modifing a rear rake to do the same. I think it is a fantastic addition to my 3320.

I would do it just to move to the medium duty box blade.

BloomingtonMike · May 29, 2006

Re: tell me about \"I-match\"

Outstanding tractor addition if your implements fit it. I have a Frontier tiller and rear blade, and JD ballast box that were designed with I-match in mind. I modified my carry all in about 30 minutes to use I match and am now modifing a rear rake to do the same. I think it is a fantastic addition to my 3320.

I would do it just to move to the medium duty box blade.

jmt1271 · May 29, 2006

Re: tell me about \"I-match\"

speaking of the boxblade, does anyone have tips on its use. i have cleared most of the acre i need cleared with the FEL. now i would like to try and level it. i want to use the boxblade to do it. do you just drag it over the high spots and pull the dirt to the low spots?

jmt1271 · May 29, 2006

Re: tell me about \"I-match\"

speaking of the boxblade, does anyone have tips on its use. i have cleared most of the acre i need cleared with the FEL. now i would like to try and level it. i want to use the boxblade to do it. do you just drag it over the high spots and pull the dirt to the low spots?

gordon21 · May 29, 2006

Re: tell me about \"I-match\"

Since you are just now starting to accumulate attachments, I highly recommend getting the I-match, especially if your dealer will do a swap out. You can hook up or release rear items from the drivers seat without even shutting the tractor down. Swing around in your seat, flip 2 levers and off you go with the engine still running. You will also find that anything I-match compatible is usually better built and heavier. There are lots of 3-pt attachments that are narrower or not standard sized. They also tend to be cheaper built and lighter. As you look back, this will be the best $225 you spend.

gordon21 · May 29, 2006

Re: tell me about \"I-match\"

Since you are just now starting to accumulate attachments, I highly recommend getting the I-match, especially if your dealer will do a swap out. You can hook up or release rear items from the drivers seat without even shutting the tractor down. Swing around in your seat, flip 2 levers and off you go with the engine still running. You will also find that anything I-match compatible is usually better built and heavier. There are lots of 3-pt attachments that are narrower or not standard sized. They also tend to be cheaper built and lighter. As you look back, this will be the best $225 you spend.

ddivinia · May 29, 2006

Re: tell me about \"I-match\"

I used to be 100% sold on the i-match but for my current situation I will be sellin gmy CAT 1 imatch, etc. I have a 4720 and a 5525. The imatch stuff is not the same CAT I vs CAT II. So, it always ends up being a hassle. The extendable links (forget the offical name) on my 5525 rock. I don't currently have them on my 4720, but I have them on order.

I always find myself having to pull the imatch off to put other implements on the tractor. Also, if I have the bushings, etc on my imatch implements, I have to drive the roll pin out to pull the bushings to put them on my 5525.

I am going ot put adjustable links on my 4720 and sell the imatch and bushings. Let me know if anybody is interested.

Wanting to use multiple implements on the two tractor is a pain with the imatch. Also, I have a number of implements that are not imatch compatible. Oh well - somebody will get a deal on the imatch.

D.

ddivinia · May 29, 2006

Re: tell me about \"I-match\"

I used to be 100% sold on the i-match but for my current situation I will be sellin gmy CAT 1 imatch, etc. I have a 4720 and a 5525. The imatch stuff is not the same CAT I vs CAT II. So, it always ends up being a hassle. The extendable links (forget the offical name) on my 5525 rock. I don't currently have them on my 4720, but I have them on order.

I always find myself having to pull the imatch off to put other implements on the tractor. Also, if I have the bushings, etc on my imatch implements, I have to drive the roll pin out to pull the bushings to put them on my 5525.

I am going ot put adjustable links on my 4720 and sell the imatch and bushings. Let me know if anybody is interested.

Wanting to use multiple implements on the two tractor is a pain with the imatch. Also, I have a number of implements that are not imatch compatible. Oh well - somebody will get a deal on the imatch.

D.

AKfish · Jun 4, 2006

Re: tell me about \"I-match\"

I am a recent convert to the "iMatch". I've got JD attachments -- 660 tiller, 7' 45 BB, landscape rake. I've had enough "fun" wrestling that finger-pinching, back-aching heavy iron! After reading a number of posts here, I decided that I'd be a much happier tractor operator with the iMatch.
My question is in regards to the bushing's. It looks like I'll have to have bushing (3 each) for every attachment that hooks up to the iMatch. Is that correct?
(I also noted earlier on the forum that JD wants ~$18 for a set of bushing's...) At least I assumed it was for a set!!! I hope it's not $18 bucks a piece! Thanks for any feedback.
AKfish

AKfish · Jun 4, 2006

Re: tell me about \"I-match\"

I am a recent convert to the "iMatch". I've got JD attachments -- 660 tiller, 7' 45 BB, landscape rake. I've had enough "fun" wrestling that finger-pinching, back-aching heavy iron! After reading a number of posts here, I decided that I'd be a much happier tractor operator with the iMatch.
My question is in regards to the bushing's. It looks like I'll have to have bushing (3 each) for every attachment that hooks up to the iMatch. Is that correct?
(I also noted earlier on the forum that JD wants ~$18 for a set of bushing's...) At least I assumed it was for a set!!! I hope it's not $18 bucks a piece! Thanks for any feedback.
AKfish

jeepinator · Jun 4, 2006

Re: tell me about \"I-match\"

You want part BW15056
I don't remember the price.
But these are a much better value than $2 cheesy metal bushings sold for $18.

pic 1 pic 2 pic 3

jeepinator · Jun 4, 2006

Re: tell me about \"I-match\"

You want part BW15056
I don't remember the price.
But these are a much better value than $2 cheesy metal bushings sold for $18.

pic 1 pic 2 pic 3