JD Imatch vs. Land Pride QH15-01

[clarksvilleal]

I've decided to get a quick hitch for my Kubota B2910 -- either the John Deere Imatch or the Land Pride QH15-01. Both look pretty heavy duty and of good design. I was quoted a price of $388 for the QH15. I'm still waiting for a quote on the Imatch from the local John Deere dealer.

I want to be able to change implements without leaving the tractor seat. The implements I have now are a Woods LR72 6' Landscape Rake, Woods RB72 6' Rear Blade, TSC carry-all, and the Wallenstein BXM32 chipper/shredder. I will probably be getting a heavy duty 5' or 6' box scraper soon. That will be it for a while, though in the distant future I may get a 60" rototiller. All of my current implements are between 26-1/2" and 26-7/8" shoulder-to-shoulder of the lower hitch pins, which seems to meet the required specs for either hitch. And all but the TSC carry-all have the required 15" center-to-center distance from the upper pin to the center line between the lower pins. The carry-all has a 17" dimension, but can be easily modified by drilling new holes for the top pin to bring it down to 15".

The main advantage I see with the QH15 is the adjustability (up & down) of the top hook. But given that I will modify the carry-all to the 15" required dimension, and that any box blade I buy will have to be Imatch compatible, I don't see why I would need the top hook adjustability. Moreover it looks to me like the adjustment plates on the QH15 could potentially be a weak point in the QH15 under rough use or abuse. I have also read posts that claim that the top hook on the QH15 doesn't line up with the lower hooks (in the vertical plane), so that you have to tilt the QH15 to get it to hook up with most implements. The QH15 also has a floating top link option which I don't see a need for with my implements; sounds from the Land Pride manual like it is mainly for implements such as mowers with gauge wheels that you want to ride along the ground without the possibility of the tractor pulling up on it from the top link. I have a belly mower and no plans to buy a 3-point hitch mower.

I 'm looking for all opinions positive or negative about each of these two quick hitches. I'm have already ruled out Pat's Easy Change and the cheapo units like they sell at TSC or Harbor Freight, so no need to try to talk me into one of those.

Thanks much for any and all comments and assistance with my decision.

 

[ctlguy]

If you do ever end up with a rotary cutter there are quite a few that have the floating linkage built into the cutter so no need have a different hitch. You can also get from Deere the exact same adjustable quick hitch that Kubota offers as well. I have seen those side by side and you are probably right about the non adjustable maybe taking a little more abuse.

 

[kennyd]

If you do ever end up with a rotary cutter there are quite a few that have the floating linkage built into the cutter so no need have a different hitch. You can also get from Deere the exact same adjustable quick hitch that Kubota offers as well. I have seen those side by side and you are probably right about the non adjustable maybe taking a little more abuse.

I have NEVER seen a Kubota QH...

 

[kennyd]

I've decided to get a quick hitch for my Kubota B2910 -- either the John Deere Imatch or the Land Pride QH15-01. Both look pretty heavy duty and of good design. I was quoted a price of $388 for the QH15. I'm still waiting for a quote on the Imatch from the local John Deere dealer.

I want to be able to change implements without leaving the tractor seat. The implements I have now are a Woods LR72 6' Landscape Rake, Woods RB72 6' Rear Blade, TSC carry-all, and the Wallenstein BXM32 chipper/shredder. I will probably be getting a heavy duty 5' or 6' box scraper soon. That will be it for a while, though in the distant future I may get a 60" rototiller. All of my current implements are between 26-1/2" and 26-7/8" shoulder-to-shoulder of the lower hitch pins, which seems to meet the required specs for either hitch. And all but the TSC carry-all have the required 15" center-to-center distance from the upper pin to the center line between the lower pins. The carry-all has a 17" dimension, but can be easily modified by drilling new holes for the top pin to bring it down to 15".

The main advantage I see with the QH15 is the adjustability (up & down) of the top hook. But given that I will modify the carry-all to the 15" required dimension, and that any box blade I buy will have to be Imatch compatible, I don't see why I would need the top hook adjustability. Moreover it looks to me like the adjustment plates on the QH15 could potentially be a weak point in the QH15 under rough use or abuse. I have also read posts that claim that the top hook on the QH15 doesn't line up with the lower hooks (in the vertical plane), so that you have to tilt the QH15 to get it to hook up with most implements. The QH15 also has a floating top link option which I don't see a need for with my implements; sounds from the Land Pride manual like it is mainly for implements such as mowers with gauge wheels that you want to ride along the ground without the possibility of the tractor pulling up on it from the top link. I have a belly mower and no plans to buy a 3-point hitch mower.

I 'm looking for all opinions positive or negative about each of these two quick hitches. I'm have already ruled out Pat's Easy Change and the cheapo units like they sell at TSC or Harbor Freight, so no need to try to talk me into one of those.

Thanks much for any and all comments and assistance with my decision.

I don't see the need for an adjustable top hook either...and I think you find the iMatch will be about $100 cheaper.

 

[Johndeere3720]

I don't see the need for an adjustable top hook either...and I think you find the iMatch will be about $100 cheaper.

I have 2 imatch systems. 1 on my tractor, 1 i bought for my grandpa's tractor. I payed $250 for the first one and $300 for the second one. Definatly worth the $$$ and my grandpa loves it on his little Deere.:thumbsup:

 

[clarksvilleal]

I don't see the need for an adjustable top hook either...and I think you find the iMatch will be about $100 cheaper.

Thanks, Kenny. You wouldn't be with Finch, would you? If yes, do you stock the Imatch in the Eldersburg location?

Al

 

[clarksvilleal]

I have 2 imatch systems. 1 on my tractor, 1 i bought for my grandpa's tractor. I payed $250 for the first one and $300 for the second one. Definatly worth the $$$ and my grandpa loves it on his little Deere.:thumbsup:

Thanks, JD3270. I believe the Imatch is the way I'll go, too. Nice to hear from someone who has actually used it.

Al

 

[kennyd]

Thanks, Kenny. You wouldn't be with Finch, would you? If yes, do you stock the Imatch in the Eldersburg location?

Al

I do not work for Finch or JD, sorry.

 

[BlacknTan]

I've got the Land pride QH-15, and I've been very happy with it!

That said, I have NEVER had to alter the location of the top hook...

 

[Johndeere3720]

Thanks, JD3270. I believe the Imatch is the way I'll go, too. Nice to hear from someone who has actually used it.

Al

In your case, I'd paint it orange to match your bota.:thumbsup:

 

[jenkinsph]

I bought my first IMatch for $250 and the second one for $300 too. The first on I found gathering dust at a dealer when shopping for a tractor last year. I think the IMatch list for $299 currently.

I prefer the fixed hook and have found there are some implements that needed minor modifications to work. Well worth it to me since once these are fixed you are good to go. You might want to consider the auto hitch version with the pto connection as well. I tried it at the dealer a few weeks ago with an MX6 and it worked very well. So no need to leave the seat to hook up the pto shaft either.:thumbsup: Cost is about $135 added to the standard IMatch. This is great if you have newer IMatch implements, I have a new RC and tiller but would have to see what is needed for the other pto implements to make them all work. Which leads me to the important consideration with IMatch or other quick hitches that all the implements need to be set up properly to reap the benefits, but once done it is smooth sailing.

 

[Runner]

I'm not familiar with the Landpride quick hitch, but at least on the HF quick hitch, the flanges for the adjustable top hook tended to get in the way of some of my attachments, particularly the box blade. I had to grind on them to get them to fit.

Also, the bolts/pins that hold the adjustable top hook got in the way, so I had to cut them off and weld them flush (once I got the top hook where I wanted it).

I also have a JD iMatch with the fixed hook that had no such problems. For me, the adjustable top hook is a nuisance and the only reason I bought the HF quick hitch was because it was cheap and I knew I'd be modifying it to be a loader-mounted quick hitch, so I planned on making some adjustments.

If I were doing it again, I'd just buy two JD iMatches, one for the rear and the other to make into the loader mounted unit.

 

[ctlguy]

I have NEVER seen a Kubota QH...

Sorry, Kubota, Land Pride, aftermarket, twizzlers (my fav licorice:licking. The one you can get at your local Kubota dealer will most likely be a center hook adjustable. Other than that a steel quick hitch is a steel quick hitch.

 

[rjkobbeman]

I just researched Land Pride's offerings and purchased a Land Pride QH-20 Quick Hitch.

The QH-15 is a "Category I" quick hitch. It has an adjustable top hook. I believe it is adjustable because Category I implements are less standard (old ones maybe?). Feel free to correct me if I am wrong here.

The QH-20 is a "Category II" quick hitch. It has a fixed top hook. I believe it is fixed because Category II implements are more standard. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong here.

To use an implement that requires a floating top link (a rotary cutter for example), a "Floating Top Link Kit" is required. You can order the floating top link separately or together when you order your quick hitch.

My rotary cutter does have the "floating" mechanism already built in, but it floats with the top link. Since the quick hitch will hold your top link in a fixed position (fixed meaning up and down, you can still lengthen/shorten your top link as required), you need the floating top link kit to add the linkage necessary to float.

The lower hooks on the QH-20 are Category III in size. You need Category II to Category III bushings for each implement. I'm not sure what size the top hook is. The QH comes with one set of bushings.

I believe the lower hooks on the QH-15 are also Category III in size. You need bushings for each implement as well.

Once set up, the QH works great!

 

[Victory Pete]

I am doing research for these 2 hitches as well. I would be dissapointed if the LP does need bushings on all my implements. Also I would not want the adjustable top link to be a nuisance. All my implements are either Frontier or Land Pride and they are all new.

VP

 

[jenkinsph]

Yesterday evening I had the chance to convert all my small lawn and garden stuff to IMatch. Not a big deal but thought that it was the same as dealing with the larger implements, that is have it where I can change implements on a whim.

After a few years use I can't see how you would wan't an adjustable hook, better to fit the implement one time and be done with it.

 

[Victory Pete]

Yesterday evening I had the chance to convert all my small lawn and garden stuff to IMatch. Not a big deal but thought that it was the same as dealing with the larger implements, that is have it where I can change implements on a whim.

After a few years use I can't see how you would wan't an adjustable hook, better to fit the implement one time and be done with it.

Did you have to modify some of your implements because you dont have the adjustable hook?

VP

 

[Victory Pete]

QH15

Description

Not all 3-point products are quick-hitch adaptable, especially older units of any brand. With our adjustable top hook, Land Pride's hitch has a better chance of fitting older 3-point attachments. Look for the Quick Hitch logo to denote applicable Land Pride products. Land Pride's 3-Point Quick-Hitch is available for a Cat. 1 hitch allowing you to easily hook on to implements, some without ever leaving the tractor seat. Implement dealers, rental yards, implement manufacturers, landscape contractors, professional turf managers, nurseries, municipalities, and large feedlot operations can increase productivity by using the Land Pride QH15 Quick-Hitch.

Features and Benefits



FEATURES

BENEFITS



Adjustable top hook

Enables adjustment if needed on implements that are not true Cat. l



Standard Lower link pin size

7/8 Cat. l pin size. 1 1/8 Cat ll pin size.



Accepts various lower hitch pin sizes

Various pin sizes up to 1 1/8 can be securely locked in. Various pin sizes up to 1 7/16 can be securely locked in.



Design fits variety of Land Pride products

Useful time saver when working on multiple projects.



Optional top link

For implements that have a swiveling top link.



Automatic lock on lower 3-point

Lower pins on implement lock into place, no need to get off tractor.



Cost effective versatility

Only one unit needed per tractor and implement. No separate piece for the implement side.

 

[Victory Pete]

Apparently the QH15 is meant for multiple category of implements, therefore you will have to use bushings on CAT 1. I dont want to have to add bushings to all my implements.

VP

 

[GGB]

I first bought a JD IMatch and really liked how easy it was to use, but traded it for a Land Pride Quick Hitch, thinking the adjustable toplink would be handier than modifying my IMCO brush mower (older CAT 1/not new specs) and Frontier 3PT Spreader (CAT 0/1). Both the JD and Land Pride are very well built, but the Land Pride might be slightly beefier, but I doubt anyone could hurt the JD.

But I think I'd have been smarter to just modify both attachments, which is what I'm going to do anyway just because it will save time, which was the point of the quick hitch in the first place. And I doubt I'll ever buy any attachments in the future that aren't already quick hitch compatible.