Quick Hitches just don't understand

[Boeing]

Would someone be kind enough to explain how the "Quick Hitches" work.
I am usually alone when I attach a box scraper or a bush hog. It takes jockeying the tractor, pulling, tugging on arms, cranking stabilizers, hammering pins etc....
I see ads for a "Quick Hitch", "don't even get out of your seat" It APPEARS that the side attachments are hooks that grab onto your implement pins and somehow lock on. Then the upper attachment is just an open HOOK. First, how can an open hook hold ANYTHING? Also, how do the side pin attachments LOCK without me getting down to lock them?
Assume that all this magically locks and I use my box scraper and now want to DEtatch the box scraper. How is the "Quick Hitch" UNLOCKED?
Here I am dazed and confused....
Thanks

 

[beppington]

Here you go: YouTube - QUICK HITCH IMPLIMENTS - WITHOUT LEAVING YOUR SEAT!

Now for me, I like to connect the PTO shaft (assuming the has one) first ... so you have enough room to get your arms in there to make the connection ... then you can get back on the seat & resume hooking up using a quick hitch.

So far, though, for me, I just put the heavy implements on home-made dolleys. I can easily roll them around & into place for connection.

 

[CharlieS]

The quick hitch's i've been around, have a hook with a spring loaded latch that latch's in place when you lift the 3 point/hitch to latch the impliments lift pins. Though i've never seen or used one, i presume the toplink has a similar hook/latch arrangement, though to be able to "not leave the seat" the length of the toplink would need to be adjusted to the proper length first.
To detach an impliment, one would need to have the latch release reachable from the seat, or dismount the tractor to release the latch's prior to dropping the impliment.

 

[beenthere]

The top hook is "just a hook", and no latch there.

The lower hooks have latches to lock on. Along with a hyd. top arm, they are priceless IMO.

That was a good video for explaining the QC, but I'd want better hyd. control (feathering) on the 3 ph, as well as finer control of movement. Lots of sudden movement and crashing into things IMO.

 

[RoyJackson]

Quick Hitches are a neat concept, but many implements will require a degree of modification to work with the quick hitch.
In theory, a Category 1 hitch should work with any Cat 1 implement....sadly, not the case.
So far, my quick hitch (Deere unit) works only with my ballast box (also a Deere unit). One of my winter tasks is to modify the mower and cutter to work too.

 

[k0ua]

I don't have a quick hitch, but I do have a Carter and Sons hitch setup. they have saved me a lot of trouble.. you do have to get off to hook up an unhook, every time. but they do not require modification of PTO length, they are inexpensive and seem to work well, I have had them about 3 months or so. they just sit on top of the lower link arms, in line with the original ball. they are hooks cut from thick plate steel. You still have to hook up the top link, but once the lower links are hooked up that is pretty easy. All in all I am very pleased with them for the $89. They have saved a lot of hide, bruises and cuss words. Oh and they require no modifications to your implements either.
James K0UA

 

[RoyJackson]

...but they do not require modification of PTO length...

That depends...they do add length to the lower (draft) links (looks like about 4"). That is something to consider...might need PTO stub shaft extender. I did with my old Pat's Easy Change (quite similar to the Carter and Son's unit) and my old Befco mower.

 

[brandoro]

I have a quick attach but seldom use it, the B3030 comes with the extendable lower links and I find that easy enough for most things. The hydraulic top link is a very handy device too.

 

[Transit]

Just ordered a set of Pats easy links, well see.

 

[k0ua]

That depends...they do add length to the lower (draft) links (looks like about 4")

The Pats add length, the Carter and Sons do not. they add height.
James K0UA

Welcome to CARTER AND SON'S TOOL AND DIE

good pix here of the carters.. they extend the height but they are in the exact same vertical plane.

 

[Soundguy]

fear not.. after you hitch and unhitch enough.. it will take you less than a minute to do so.

soundguy

 

[Boeing]

[/Thanks guys....with this info I think I will forego the Quick hitch since it might not go with my elderly bush hog and chinese box scraperI] And order the EZ hitch.....and get off my butt to hook it up.:thumbsup:

 

[Lloyd_E]

Beoing,

I bought one and royjackson nailed it. I will need to modify all of my attachments in order to work with hitch. Ditto soundguy... the more you hitch/unhitch the faster you become. My BH can be hooked up and taken off - under 5 minutes on a good day. Box blade and other stuff usually 2-4 minutes.

Lloyd

 

[texasjohn]

Every quick attach system has it's pros and cons.

EZ adds height (this would not work at all for a hay fork I have)

Pats system (which I have and love) adds length, but I didn't need a PTO extender.

Those with a top hook... can require modification of every implement.

------

For me, the perfect set up, which I have, is as follows:

lower arm extendable links... my L5030 comes with these

pin stop adjustment on lower arms, used to set and hold width with some play..standard on L5030

Pat's system on lower links for easy attach/detach to pins

hydraulic top link for easy top link adjustment when hooking up AND implement angle adjustment from the seat

I made extenders from PVC pipe so I can adjust top link and lower arms from outside the cab while hooking up

perfect for me.:thumbsup:

 

[RoyJackson]

The Pats add length, the Carter and Sons do not. they add height.
James K0UA

Welcome to CARTER AND SON'S TOOL AND DIE

good pix here of the carters.. they extend the height but they are in the exact same vertical plane.

Yeah, I see your point. First picture I saw, I thought they hooked up horizontally.
I stand corrected.

 

[RoyJackson]

fear not.. after you hitch and unhitch enough.. it will take you less than a minute to do so.

soundguy

Very true...except for a rotary cutter. That one still requires grunt work and foul language.

 

[MicroPilot]

With the "loose" hook top connection on the quick hitches, would this affect use with draft control?

 

[foggy1111]

I have the Pats EZ hitch and it will hook up any of my three point implements (or lots of other peoples too) without modifying a thing.

My Three Point Implements include: KK 5' Box Blade, KK 5' Rotary Cutter, KK 5' Tiller, KK 5/5' Box Frame Disc, Ford 6' Landscape Rake, KK Sub Soiler, KK / Cosmos Fertilizer Spreader, Woods Stump Grinder,.....and I think I could hook up my Dearborn 2 Btm Plow (but I removed the Pat's last time I plowed....and cant remember why?)

All of these implement interchange in just a few minutes. No big deal.

I tried a Horrible Freight "Quick Hitch" ....and swore that kinda hitch off. I don't want to spend lots of hours to modify my implements (and their product too). The PATS works....and I didn't have to modify any PTO shafts or top links to use it. I just moved the PAT"S to to a different tractor (790 to 3320) and if I trade again....I will take my PATS along.

(OK PAT....will you send me my endorsment check now? <---that's a joke, son)

 

[oldballs]

I'm a Carter EZ Hitch owner. It works fine on the 3 pt Hitch Reciever and on my lighter Rhino 200 rear blade. But it won't fit on the Kubota Ballast Box without some modification to the box or to the hitch. .. .. which I'm not going to do. Now, I bought a heavier rear blade, a Rhino 300. Well what a b..... to get that mounted. The tractor hitch arms have to be extended as far as they will reach, with about a 1/2 inch to spare. I don't think that this blade would even fit on my BX2660 without the EZ Hitch attachment. This make changing attachments a dread. I guess, each one of us has to tailor their tractor/attachments accordingly.

 

[cspot]

I thought about getting the quick hitch before. When I bought my new tractor it has the extendable lift arms, and they are great. You just back up a little short and then extend the arms out and hook them up, and then back the tractor up to snap them in. The nice thing about them is you don't have to modify any of your attachments.