3 Point Attachment Switching not enjoying.

[jenkinsph]

greenwellmfg - Home

Pat's ECS is the best quick system that I have ever used. The big plus with it instead of block access to the PTO it enhances it.

I agree with the post the most important thing is to think ahead instead of after the fact.

If one is stressed by switching 3PH equipment and who has not been then taking a little time and attach/remove the same piece five times back to back the same day should help.

While Pat's ECS may seem to be the lazy man's way to some it seems like a smart man's way in our case because our equipment/tractor is old.

Even without a Pat's ECS, etc millions and millions of hitches have been made over the last 60-70 years. Cutting some blocks to keep things level and from getting down onto the ground is awesome we have found. Having the equipment higher than the rear of the tractor a bit helps us since we do NOT have any truly level places to park equipment.

Pat's ECS is decent but no where near the best choice for someone with IMatch compatible equipment. The OP has IMatch equipment so no need for the Pat's.

When I am mowing around my equipment parking area I can move 10 implements out of the way then mow the area and put them back in 20 minutes.

 

[vjcoppola]

Noodlez914,
Not necessarily installed wrong. You can use the top link to adjust the angle of your implement. Usually you adjust the top link so your implement is level from from to back but sometimes you want it to dig in more or less and you can use the top link for that. When you want to remove somethink just drop it down then turn the top link untill you can easilt pull the pin. The Arms should now move easily. If the top link is too hard to turn you can put so rotational pressure on it and bump the lift lever up and down untill it turns easy. You may have to play with lift, turn a little, play with the lift again and turn a little until it finally turns free. On some tractors you can do this from the seat.

 

[rpeter]

Flat level surface is the key for me. I use Pat's but it what made it easy was when I got the new barn with the cement floor. Before that I swore a lot too.

 

[MuleMn]

Pats Hitch, have 4, gonna keep them as cat 1 implements are not standard from all mfg.

 

[troutsqueezer]

Always the contrarian, I have a different view. You've only changed out the implement once. Of course it went a little buggy. Don't buy anything until you've changed it out at least ten more times. By then, you will have worked out the kinks. Just like anything in life. Save the money. Deal with it, you'll be a pro in no time.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Always the contrarian, I have a different view. You've only changed out the implement once. Of course it went a little buggy. Don't buy anything until you've changed it out at least ten more times. By then, you will have worked out the kinks. Just like anything in life. Save the money. Deal with it, you'll be a pro in no time.

2X

I just find Pat's ECS makes things safer but we do not have level places to park the equipment. The 50 years before Pat's ECS we got by OK without it.

Personally having equipment the JD I Hitch would work on would not be smart in a financial sense. Now if I professional used the equipment or had $10K a month income for the next 50 years then that could change things.:thumbsup:

One banker was trying to save a local farmer from being sold out so he told him to sell 2 of his three tractors. The green farmer said then he would have to hitch and unhitch equipment.

The banker should have just told him about PAT'S ECS.:laughing:

 

[Guesseral]

I bought the used unit so I could see if I liked them and how well they worked. If they don't work and make my day easier then I don't want to be spending the money on something that I just don't like!

Well that was a huge waist of time and money. I sure am glad I only paid $20 for it at the auction. I tried it on 4 different 3pt hitch units yeaterday and it didn't fit anyone of them. I know some modifications should be anticipated but give me a break. Two of the units are within 10 years old so I figured I would try to modify them first. They are a 5' brushhog and tiller from tractor supply and they are exactly the same as what is sitting on the lot right now, so I figured that moving this and that re-arranging some braces that made no difference where they were before everything should be new. Not so it was close but not close enough to fit without major repairs.
I really wanted this to work, from the looks it's a really great idea back up in line lift up get off and latch the arms and go. I was also going to get a hydraulic top link so I could adjust from the seat as needed to fit the application. I did find out that it was one of the units from harbor freight because of the name on it darn I can't remember it now though. Has anyone else had this problem is it common or was it just the brand? I think it is a great idea that is if it would work!

 

[NativeSon]

good suggestions already...one additional

get a 3 to 5 lb hammer....makes a big difference sometimes....keep it in your tool box.

I keep one of those big rubber malets on the tractor at all times.......it helps.

 

[wcampbell47]

My most important asset is time - even more than money. Time is money as they say. So if I can attach the mower in 10 minutes rather than 30 minutes that's about $20 in my pocket.

I said all that to say this. Get a quick hitch. Also, do not buy a piece of 3 point equipment unless you can easily attach it - quick hitch or no. I have made that costly mistake twice.

I use the quick hitch that is made in the shape of an upside down U or an arch. I find that using the Y shaped top link attachment fits more equipment than relying on all the hook up points to be in exactly the right formation.

Northern Tools has an inexpensive model.
NorTrac Three-Point Quick Hitch — Category 1 | 3-Point + PTO Hardware | Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[Guesseral]

My most important asset is time - even more than money. Time is money as they say. So if I can attach the mower in 10 minutes rather than 30 minutes that's about $20 in my pocket.

I said all that to say this. Get a quick hitch. Also, do not buy a piece of 3 point equipment unless you can easily attach it - quick hitch or no. I have made that costly mistake twice.

I use the quick hitch that is made in the shape of an upside down U or an arch. I find that using the Y shaped top link attachment fits more equipment than relying on all the hook up points to be in exactly the right formation.

Northern Tools has an inexpensive model.
NorTrac Three-Point Quick Hitch Category 1 | 3-Point + PTO Hardware | Northern Tool + Equipment

Yea that's just like the one that I got that didn't fai anything I had, and the directions that came with it (harbor freight) were exactly the same basiclly word for word. On my tiller the bottom hooks (after the spacers were installed) would not go between the pins and the tiller frame because they were too wide, on the brush hog after moving the brackets around so the bottom hooks and the bottom pins were the same distance apart so the hooks could grab the pins then all three of the hooks were to short and did not extend out far enough to hook to the 3pt pins. It just didn't work those were the 2 that I spent the most time on trying to get it to work before I gave up. You know I wonder if the one that I got was just made wrong from the start and wouldn't fit anything period.