Harbor Freight Quick hitch

1MOA · Mar 9, 2016

Anyone using a Harbor Freight Quick hitch on implements? Looking to use it on a JD-2520 for a bush hog,blade and rake .
3-Point Quick Hitch for Tractors - 27-3/16" Clearance

TheSpoon · Mar 9, 2016

Do a quick search through the forums, you'll find lots of threads about it, as well as the modifications you will probably need to do to get it work to work correctly with your implements.

Burtonbr · Mar 9, 2016

I absolutely love it and wouldn't be without a quick hitch of some type. I think the HF one for a CUT is tough as is needed. I've had mine for a couple years now and keep it attached for all my implements except post hole digger. only drawback I've found is that most the used implements I have bought are not QH friendly so I've had to adapt each one to mount to it but once that's done then I can change from my box blade to scrape blade to rotary cutter and my boom pole without leaving the seat except to hook up the PTO shaft.
I think mine has been pretty tough through using it when my box blade is attached, though I'm sure it could be damaged if abused enough but for the money compared to the others that are over $200 for basically the same thing
I'm sure there are hundreds of threads here about it if you search for them and I don't remember reading many negative ones about the QH.

KennyG · Mar 9, 2016

Mine has been working great for over 5 years. I did a little grinding to make the pins fit easier, but it was pretty minor.

PhysAssist · Mar 9, 2016

Burtonbr said:
I absolutely love it and wouldn't be without a quick hitch of some type. I think the HF one for a CUT is tough as is needed. I've had mine for a couple years now and keep it attached for all my implements except post hole digger. only drawback I've found is that most the used implements I have bought are not QH friendly so I've had to adapt each one to mount to it but once that's done then I can change from my box blade to scrape blade to rotary cutter and my boom pole without leaving the seat except to hook up the PTO shaft.
I think mine has been pretty tough through using it when my box blade is attached, though I'm sure it could be damaged if abused enough but for the money compared to the others that are over $200 for basically the same thing
I'm sure there are hundreds of threads here about it if you search for them and I don't remember reading many negative ones about the QH.

What he said.

There have been more than a few discussions about the relative strengths and weaknesses of various Quick Hitches, mainly with a lot of criticism for the HF QH, however ours has given us 5 years of great service, so far and has made changing implements night and day compared with before we had it.

It shows no wear so far and will likely be passed down with the tractor.

NO ONE had been able to provide ANY reasonable accounts or proof of someone damaging one or having one fail in normal use on a tractor it is rated to be used on.

rtgt · Mar 13, 2016

They are very popular and certainly the least expensive QH out there.

I understand Harbor Freight sends out coupons for 10 to 20% off that many use to get the QH even cheaper.

Personally, I would rather not support another Chinese sweat shop.

I paid a little more for one made here.

stuckmotor · Mar 13, 2016

There are links to three more threads on the HF quick hitch threads at the bottom of this page.

PhysAssist · Mar 13, 2016

rtgt said:
They are very popular and certainly the least expensive QH out there.

I understand Harbor Freight sends out coupons for 10 to 20% off that many use to get the QH even cheaper.

Personally, I would rather not support another Chinese sweat shop.

I paid a little more for one made here.

Which would that be?

murphy1244 · Mar 13, 2016

PhysAssist said:
Which would that be?

My Land Pride was made here.

PhysAssist · Mar 13, 2016

murphy1244 said:
My Land Pride was made here.

Hi Murph,

Thanks for answering, I sure can't say anything bad about that choice.

Couldn't find a US-made tractor?

Sorry, had to ask...

No disrespect,
Thomas

Threepoint · Mar 13, 2016

Another testimonial for the HF Cat 1 quick hitch. :thumbsup: I have two, one over 10 ys/o and the other 2 ys/o. Both are going strong despite heavy use with box blades and rear blades.

The newer one,and all current ones sold, have larger openings in the two lower hooks than the earlier versions. This lets you use quick-hitch bushings that you can get through Northern Equipment and Tractor Supply Company, like this: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200479426_200479426

In case you don't have a HF near you, I was just on the Northern site to get the link and noticed their own Cat 1 QH is on sale for about what HF's costs on sale after a coupon. I suspect they are very similar.

Another poster mentioned mods that you might want to make. A couple of years ago I made the mod that one of our members came up with to replace the bolt holding the adjustable top hook with a pin that is flush with the outer walls of its bracket. Prevents interference that the head and nut on the factory-supplied bolt can cause with some implements. See pic:

PhysAssist · Mar 13, 2016

Threepoint said:
Another testimonial for the HF Cat 1 quick hitch. :thumbsup: I have two, one over 10 ys/o and the other 2 ys/o. Both are going strong despite heavy use with box blades and rear blades.

The newer one,and all current ones sold, have larger openings in the two lower hooks than the earlier versions. This lets you use quick-hitch bushings that you can get through Northern Equipment and Tractor Supply Company, like this: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200479426_200479426

In case you don't have a HF near you, I was just on the Northern site to get the link and noticed their own Cat 1 QH is on sale for about what HF's costs on sale after a coupon. I suspect they are very similar.

Another poster mentioned mods that you might want to make. A couple of years ago I made the mod that one of our members came up with to replace the bolt holding the adjustable top hook with a pin that is flush with the outer walls of its bracket. Prevents interference that the head and nut on the factory-supplied bolt can cause with some implements. See pic:

Then too, there is this: Category 1 Quick Hitch 14116 by Speeco for $119.99 in Misc. Equipment - 3 Point Utility Equipment - 3 Point Equipment & Accessories - Agriculture : Rural King

They have it on a sale price at $79.99, if there is a Rural King near you.

Threepoint · Mar 13, 2016

PhysAssist said:
Then too, there is this: Category 1 Quick Hitch 14116 by Speeco for $119.99 in Misc. Equipment - 3 Point Utility Equipment - 3 Point Equipment & Accessories - Agriculture : Rural King

They have it on a sale price at $79.99, if there is a Rural King near you.

Wow!! You sure that's a branded Speeco, rather than a clone? Lowest sale price I've seen recently for a Speeco is $170. e.g. SpeeCo Category 1 Tractor Quick Hitch at Blain's Farm & Fleet

For all I know, though, they may all be made in the same Asian factory, with quality control by the importer being the only difference.

PhysAssist · Mar 13, 2016

Threepoint said:
Wow!! You sure that's a branded Speeco, rather than a clone? Lowest sale price I've seen recently for a Speeco is $170. e.g. SpeeCo Category 1 Tractor Quick Hitch at Blain's Farm & Fleet

For all I know, though, they may all be made in the same Asian factory, with quality control by the importer being the only difference.

All I know is what the website says:

One of the FAQs is whether or not it is a Speeco brand, and the answer was yes, it is.

grandpajay · Mar 13, 2016

That Rural King quick hitch is on sale for $79.99!

murphy1244 · Mar 13, 2016

PhysAssist said:
Hi Murph,

Thanks for answering, I sure can't say anything bad about that choice.

Couldn't find a US-made tractor?

Sorry, had to ask...

No disrespect,
Thomas

No I couldn't. And I see neither could you.

Sorry I just had to say...

JRobyn · Mar 13, 2016

Thanks for the RK/Speeco tip. I just ordered one. My nearest RK is about 150mi round trip, but their delivery charge for UPS Ground was only $18.

JRobyn · Mar 13, 2016

And there is no such thing as a US-made tractor.

PhysAssist · Mar 14, 2016

murphy1244 said:
No I couldn't. And I see neither could you.

Sorry I just had to say...

No need to apologize, I was the first smart "alec" in the exchange.

And to JRobyn,

Congrats, you'll really appreciate the utility and ease of changing implements, (once all your 3-pt 'tachables are QH-compliant), I'm glad the sale worked out for you!

Also, I knew the there were no US-made tractors, I checked before I bought mine too.

For what it's worth, we have a Ford F-350- made in Canada, a Honda Element made in Ohio, and a Honda Fit made in Mexico, and our Kubota made in the old country. (Nippon)

murphy1244 · Mar 14, 2016

PhysAssist said:
No need to apologize, I was the first smart "alec" in the exchange.

And to JRobyn,

Congrats, you'll really appreciate the utility and ease of changing implements, (once all your 3-pt 'tachables are QH-compliant), I'm glad the sale worked out for you!

Also, I knew the there were no US-made tractors, I checked before I bought mine too.

For what it's worth, we have a Ford F-350- made in Canada, a Honda Element made in Ohio, and a Honda Fit made in Mexico, and our Kubota made in the old country. (Nippon)

I do have a Ventrac made in Orrville Ohio, and a Massey Ferguson made in somewhere USA