Quick Hitches Quick hitch - much quicker????

[hotchkiss]

For those of you that own a quick hitch system, how much quicker can it actually be when using it with implements that run off the PTO? You have to get off the tractor to hook and unhook the shaft. I have a New Holland with telescoping arms and it doesn't seem to take long to hook up anything. Seriously, is it really worth it to have a quick hitch???

P.S. Okay, it has been about 10 days since I purchased something for use around the farm and which involves one of the tractors. My wife says I need to see a counselor.

 

[Wombat125]

I run a 6' rotary cutter and I don't have telescoping lower links. The quick hitch (iMatch in my case), works so well, got a little misty eyed the first time I used it.

If you have smaller implements and/or you have telescoping lower links and/or you have the strength of ten men, maybe it isn't so useful. But as for me, I wouldn't even consider it an optional accessory anymore.

 

[gerard]

I had a quick hitch and was pretty happy with it until I got Pats easy change system. Sold the quick hitch and now just use the easy change system. Still don't understand why manufacturers don't design OEM equipment with this type of hitch (like they do on the bigger tractors). The quick hitch was good but I had several implements that I couldn't just hook the top link to and had to use an adapter. Not hard but it did take a little time. Now I just back up, raise the three point and hook up the top link. Well worth the money

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I have the iMatch and I would never own a tractor without one (or a variant)...
Any equipment I would buy I either make sure its ASAE QH Compatible, or I'll modify it within hours of landing here to ASAE Specs so it goes on the QH...

 

[hotchkiss]

I must admit that I am surprised by the support for quick hitches or similar products thus far. Especially since you still have to get off the tractor to hook up the PTO.

It seems to take me longer to hook up the PTO shaft than anything else.

 

[JDeerekid]

I have never owned a quick hitch until yesterday. I put it on and hooked up to my bush hog in literally 2 seconds. Same think with the rear blade, york rake, and tiller. The only thing is that I bought the one from harbor freight and dont really like it. Mostly because the lower pins dont fit into the lower hooks on anything(maybe I dont have it hooked up right). Also the top hook doesn't hook right either. Some people say you need a special adapter, I dont understand why you would want to buy an adapter. This means you hook lower links and still have to get off to line up and put top link pin in. Would be cheaper to get a system like Pats hitch.
Anyway any system that makes it easier to hook up heavy 3 pt equipement is usually worth it.

The PTO shaft doesnt bother me much. It usually takes me seconds to put on as long as you have it greased up enough and are able to turn either end of shaft to line up the splines.

 

[blueriver]

I don't know, just ordered Pat's should be here in a couple days. I simply hate trying to back up and be on the money and for some reason it seems as thought I am always trying to tug, lift, push or something to get the darn thing lined up. They say this hitch from Pat eliminates that portion.

 

[Wombat125]

The only thing is that I bought the one from harbor freight and dont really like it. Mostly because the lower pins dont fit into the lower hooks on anything(maybe I dont have it hooked up right).

Are you using any bushings on the lower pins on your implements?

I have no idea why this is, but for some reason all of the Cat 1 quick hitch variants use Cat 3 sized lower hooks. The JD iMatch comes with one set of bushings, but I've found these to be the best:

Tractor Supply Company - SpeeCo Cat 1 Quick Hitch Bush 3 Point Kit

Unfortunately, Tractor Supply seems to be perpetually out of them.

 

[ctpres]

Love my Land Pride quick hitch. Can hookup and remove without getting off tractor: carryall, disk, landscape rake, and weight box. Can remove without getting off: subsoiler and plow. Also use it as a log arch dragging logs with stump thru woods with minimal ground damage, ax holder for in field touch up with file ( lay ax in bottom hooks-blade up and close. holds axe very nicely.) Even use it with PHD. I use quick hitch in place of PHD"S 3 pt frame. Yup pto stuff requires on and of seat work, but I need to exercise my legs once in a while.

 

[pitt_md]

I also have the telescoping lower arms and don't find a need for one on the back but it sure would be nice to have something like that up front when changing the bucket for the grapple. I just put wheels on a palet and store what ever I am not using on that so I can move it around without to much trouble.

 

[KML]

My TSC is always out of the bushings also. I started using these instead.

Tractor Supply Company - Category 1-2 Draw Pin

Cat 1 - 2 pins. They are cat1 threaded portion and cat 2 where it goes in the quick hitch. They have worked out well are always in stock at my local TSC and are alot cheaper. They don't have the flared out section on the end but that hasn't been a problem. I use them on my 6' rear blade, sub-soiler, and rock rake with no problems. I'll try to get a pic or two up if anyone's interested.

 

[KML]

As to the original question.
The quick hitch is a wash on the sub-soiler but when I'm leveling dirt or working the road, being able to swap between the blade and the rake is sooo much faster. My blade is ~300 lbs + 160lbs of weights and can be a pain to move around. Before the quick hitch I would be less inclined to swap during a job out of laziness. Now I will actually switch back and forth as needed for the "right" implement without even thinking about it. For the money I'd do it again!

 

[allen in texas]

So I could shred the weeds growing amongst them, yesterday I moved all of my implements.
I never got off the tractor until I picked up my shredder and that was only to hook up the pto.
I will never be without my quick hitch and any tool that doesn't fit will go under the knife (cutting torch or welder) to make it fit.

 

[mrutkaus]

I was new to CUTs a few years ago and I was surprised at how easy it was to hook up bush hog, tiller, blade. From my little corner I don't see a use for a quick hitch.

Mike

 

[Texas Dodge]

I have the QH from HF and it takes me less than a minute to hook up my rotary cutter or my BB.

 

[Ray2210]

The quick hitch is it. Way faster and far less knuckle busting hooking up implements. I also forgo that stupid spreader bar for the mower that needed to go into the arms every time I took an implement off.

 

[Charlesaf3]

I also have the telescoping lower arms and don't find a need for one on the back but it sure would be nice to have something like that up front when changing the bucket for the grapple. I just put wheels on a palet and store what ever I am not using on that so I can move it around without to much trouble.

THat's called a Quick attach, and really is awesome!

I have telescoping links and didn't find the regular I-match style quick hitchs a lot better. Bought Pats and it was noticeably better. Just switched to delta hook, which is like a FEL Quick Attach, but for 3pt, and it really is amazingly fast and better. Only problem with it is the cost.

 

[BlacknTan]

I've got the Land Pride QH also and love it..

No more kicking lower links to get things to unhitch... a definite work saver!

 

[Sackett2]

Love mine. back up to the implement and put some pressure on it to "square" it up with the tractor, raise the 3 point, attach the top link and drive shaft.
No hammers, no cussin, no raising or moving the tractor a weee bit to line up the hole.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I was new to CUTs a few years ago and I was surprised at how easy it was to hook up bush hog, tiller, blade. From my little corner I don't see a use for a quick hitch.

Mike

I agree. It is a little faster and requires less finesse, but there are multiple drawbacks. The true QHs require all std spacing, and all, even Pats, set the implement back 4" or so giving it more leverage on the tractor [a less stable setup] and often have to have a longer top link and pto etc [$]. Ill suffer with extendable lift arms until I become invalid, Pats is for the wifes tractor.
larry