Quick Hitches Quick Hitch worth it?

[General Lee]

i can't speak to a quick hitch, having never used one. But I have hooked many 3 point attachments to many tractors. The "trick", if there is one, is NOT when you put it on, but when you take it off. Back up to your (level) storage spot, and set the implement down on a firm base, then lower the 3 point to where all three connections are 'loose'- free to move. Disconnecting can be done with ease, and if the implement hasn't settled six months later, re-connecting should also be a breeze. If not, well, that's what an adjustable link is for.

That said, if you are swapping implements a lot, then go with a quick hitch. I wish we had 'em 40 years ago!

I agree with finding a level base. When you attach an implement do you attach the top link first? I'm always trying to find an easier way to attach implements. I don't have a quick attach system yet. My thinking with attaching the top link first is it would allow a "little" adjustment to tweak the implement a little to get the bottom links attached in case the implement isn't exactly level??

Also may be a dumb question but what do you guys use (for those without an Imatch or similar) to keep the bottom links from swaying towards the middle? This is what I fight the most. I back up to an implement my links are swayed to the middle and when I need to swing them out to hook up they get caught on the implement causing me to make several forward and backward movements with the tractor to get it right.

 

[Glen Watkins]

Also may be a dumb question but what do you guys use (for those without an Imatch or similar) to keep the bottom links from swaying towards the middle? This is what I fight the most. I back up to an implement my links are swayed to the middle and when I need to swing them out to hook up they get caught on the implement causing me to make several forward and backward movements with the tractor to get it right.

I pin my links open with the sway bars. Maybe you can make something that would go between the draft arms just while you back to the attachment?

 

[RoyJackson]

Also may be a dumb question but what do you guys use (for those without an Imatch or similar) to keep the bottom links from swaying towards the middle?

That's one of the reasons I lower the draft (lower) links slightly below the implement pins. If one or both links drift in, it's easy to swing them outboard.
The other reason is one of the links is, invariably, at a slightly different height (most often to to the ground it's parked on).
Anyway, works for me...

 

[Reg]

OK, so I have HTL - html too (-:
The case I was thinking of is where there is an opposite tilt of the implement to the tractor.
It would SEEM that if you aim at the top link "hook" you will miss the lift arm pins, same for if you aim at the pins.
This is fairly trivial to solve with telescoping lift arms (and ACTUALLY, PHSYCICALLY GETTING OFF THE SEAT) , just aim for middle, hook up the low side one, lift it to level, do the other one, hook up top link, etc.
(While down there adjust check chains if necessary.)

Do you jiggle the lift arms to level it a bit and then send the top hook out ?
It seems that the top hook would be too high by then.
Now, if you have HTL/HST then you can jiggle the QH to match whatever position the implement has assumed.

As far as "never going back" or "wanting to never be without QH" - - ???
Yeah, I think I would be just about ready to quit when I can't climb down off the tractor and get back up again two more times per implement change (-:
Again, for anything/everything with a PTO shaft I have to do it anyway.

If you add it up over time... mayBE the minutes and seconds saved exceed the time to buy and install the QH, I don't swap implements 7 times a day, so maybe not (-:

 

[DAY]

I think I would be just about ready to quit when I can't climb down off the tractor and get back up again two more times per implement change (-:
Again, for anything/everything with a PTO shaft I have to do it anyway.
(-:

As a boy I remember the sharecroppers on granddad's farm (circa 1944) plowing with a team mules. I bet they would have loved that "Green Acres" machine!:laughing:

I don't have power windows in my truck, but it gets me there.

 

[jenkinsph]

Reg,

If you use a tractor with various impements often the IMatch or quick hitch is very handy. No comparison to connecting manually, this is a worthwhile improvement if you use a tractor alot.

For connecting implements that have tilted slightly I come up centered with the top hook, since the connecting is done with J hooks it will seat the lowest side first and will raise it slightly before fully engaging the other two points. This works in most cases but if you have an implement with lots of tilt sitting on the ground your probably going to have to block it up in any case. As I am sure you are aware anyone with a little eperience will try to avoid situations like this.

 

[KU Gator]

General Lee,

You can convert your turnbuckles to the telescopic stabilizers. It makes it a lot better. I have them plus the PAT's system and it makes life a lot easier. These are the parts normally used on the B2630 or 3030. You can get them at your dealer, but cheaper to order the kit.

Stabilizer

 

[Reg]

Reg,

If you use a tractor with various impements often the IMatch or quick hitch is very handy. No comparison to connecting manually, this is a worthwhile improvement if you use a tractor alot.

For connecting implements that have tilted slightly I come up centered with the top hook, since the connecting is done with J hooks it will seat the lowest side first and will raise it slightly before fully engaging the other two points. This works in most cases but if you have an implement with lots of tilt sitting on the ground your probably going to have to block it up in any case. As I am sure you are aware anyone with a little eperience will try to avoid situations like this.

OK, you got me there (-:
I am ALL IN FAVOR of avoiding those problems that are better avoided than solved (-:

 

[grsthegreat]

ive considered getting a quick hitch for my older jd870, even went to JD dealership to get the parts. Then i found out how much modifications id need to do for my 14 yo equipment to operate with it.

decided not to bother.. So now ive been the one that has to hook up all the impliments because its just too hard for the wife to do, and i dont blame her for not wanting to do it. Secretly, neither do i.

Now the new Kioti tractor has these adjustable 3 point hitch link arms. it also has a rear accessible control point to raise and lower the arms. I went and played with hooking up my wood splitter the other day, and man was it easy. i just drove till i was 1" from the pins, and stepped outside. After releasing the link pins, the lower section of the lift arm pulled out, and was able to lift or lower them about 2" either direction. that and the rear lift/lower control, it took only seconds to hook up the splitter. And i didnt have to push and shove the splitter to align the holes.

im in love.

 

[Reg]

ive considered getting a quick hitch for my older jd870, even went to JD dealership to get the parts. Then i found out how much modifications id need to do for my 14 yo equipment to operate with it.

decided not to bother.. So now ive been the one that has to hook up all the impliments because its just too hard for the wife to do, and i dont blame her for not wanting to do it. Secretly, neither do i.

Now the new Kioti tractor has these adjustable 3 point hitch link arms. it also has a rear accessible control point to raise and lower the arms. I went and played with hooking up my wood splitter the other day, and man was it easy. i just drove till i was 1" from the pins, and stepped outside. After releasing the link pins, the lower section of the lift arm pulled out, and was able to lift or lower them about 2" either direction. that and the rear lift/lower control, it took only seconds to hook up the splitter. And i didnt have to push and shove the splitter to align the holes.

im in love.

Right,
Telescopic lift arm ends a) come standard on newer tractors anyway b) solve 90% of the hook-up hassle if you don't come in dead straight and on axis.
Another way is to put the front up on the bucket edge and do some curl/dump for fine positioning (-:

Rear accessible control point; The standard one is just between the seat and the right wheel fender (-: I can lean over to get to it.
Come to think of it my little Kukje has another input to the position control, in addition to the draft control, supposedly for hooking a sensor from a tiller to.
I haven't looked into it much, but it seems ready for something very much like a motorcycle brake cable. I guess I could use that for fiddling/twiddling the lift arm height while back there, but it doesn't seem necessary.