Pat's Easy Change: For Cat. I & Cat. II mix?

[CobyRupert]

My tractor has a Cat II 3 PTH.
Some of my implements are Cat I, some Cat II?
Some of the Cat I implements have: Cat I pins (bolted on), but some of them have what I can only describe as "2 vertical plates with holes that the tractor's lift arm goes between, and you insert the (CAT I) pin through the (CAT I) holes of the implement" [like a farm wagon tongue turned 90 degrees sideways]
(See photo)


Typically I use bushings for connecting the CAT I implement to CAT II tractor.
Can I use a Pat's Easy Change (CAT II) on the Cat I implements?
Just put the bushings on the pins before you snap in?

Granted, when possible I'd change the (bolted on) pins to CAT II, but that's not possible for the other type in the picture (unless I re-drill the holes the pin goes through)

 

[gwdixon]

Not sure why this would be a problem. Yes, it would work to put bushings on the CAT 1 pins to make them CAT 2 diameter.

The mounts that you describe are usually called "clevis" mounts.

Below is a photo of what I did with a CAT 1 to CAT 2 bushing. The homemade orange spacer is to keep the CAT 2 bushing in place so it doesn't slide. The spacer was eventually reversed so the washer part of the spacer faced the bushing. Works just fine for a Pat's CAT 2.

Later, I cut a larger hole in the mount with a plasma cutter and welded in CAT 2 to CAT 3 bushings in the holes. Then I could slide a CAT 2 pin through the mount and have it fit perfectly. I haven't taken a picture of that modification yet.

 

[Texasmark]

I bought Pat's QH in Cat II size. For Cat I installations I just use a Cat I - II sleeve. Works fine.

 

[CobyRupert]

Not sure why this would be a problem. Yes, it would work to put bushings on the CAT 1 pins to make them CAT 2 diameter.

I bought Pat's QH in Cat II size. For Cat I installations I just use a Cat I - II sleeve. Works fine.

Thanks for replies.

In theory, it didn't seem like it would be a problem.
It's good to hear from Experience that there's not some of the "unexpected nuances" that we often encounter when we transition from theory to "hold my beer and watch this".


(Especially if it involves spending a couple hundred dollars)

 

[MinnesotaEric]

My tractor has a Cat II 3 PTH.
Some of my implements are Cat I, some Cat II?
Some of the Cat I implements have: Cat I pins (bolted on), but some of them have what I can only describe as "2 vertical plates with holes that the tractor's lift arm goes between, and you insert the (CAT I) pin through the (CAT I) holes of the implement" [like a farm wagon tongue turned 90 degrees sideways]
(See photo)
View attachment 489793

Typically I use bushings for connecting the CAT I implement to CAT II tractor.
Can I use a Pat's Easy Change (CAT II) on the Cat I implements?
Just put the bushings on the pins before you snap in?

Granted, when possible I'd change the (bolted on) pins to CAT II, but that's not possible for the other type in the picture (unless I re-drill the holes the pin goes through)

FWIW, a fellow on YouTube reported through two videos on the installation and then subsequent removal, that Pat's Cat2 are too wimpy for his 5000E series John Deere tractor. I took his experience to heart and purchased a SpeeCo Cat2 quick hitch.

 

[CobyRupert]

FWIW, a fellow on YouTube reported through two videos on the installation and then subsequent removal, that Pat's Cat2 are too wimpy for his 5000E series John Deere tractor. I took his experience to heart and purchased a SpeeCo Cat2 quick hitch.

Hmmm.... interesting. Thanks for the reply, these are the "nuances" I was wondering about.
He's says they are weak for a 10 foot 3pth mower. Wonder what that weighs? He says its a 3 point, but wouldn't 10' mower be pulled from drawbar or 2 points?
I have a 7' (about 1100 lb) mower that's probably the heaviest load they'd see unless I'm pulling some really big trees with my 500lb skidding winch.

Couple things I find interesting:

1) On his Part I Installation video, many of the comments, like Texasmark's above, say the Pat's system is the greatest thing since sliced bread.
2) How easy does this guy need it? His tractor has already has extendable lift arms!! The whole reason I'm looking at Pat's is because I overlooked getting these when I bought my tractor. ("You mean it's an option?! Why every "modern" tractor I ever drove growing up had them..! This 30lb little bar of metal (with extendable ball) is over $400?!! A piece??!! That green paint is expensive!!" )

If one goes to the Speeco quick-hitch option, aren't you then locked into having only Cat II (or Cat I) attachments only?

 

[Texasmark]

Hmmm.... interesting. Thanks for the reply, these are the "nuances" I was wondering about.
He's says they are weak for a 10 foot 3pth mower. Wonder what that weighs? He says its a 3 point, but wouldn't 10' mower be pulled from drawbar or 2 points?
I have a 7' (about 1100 lb) mower that's probably the heaviest load they'd see unless I'm pulling some really big trees with my 500lb skidding winch.

Couple things I find interesting:

1) On his Part I Installation video, many of the comments, like Texasmark's above, say the Pat's system is the greatest thing since sliced bread.
2) How easy does this guy need it? His tractor has already has extendable lift arms!! The whole reason I'm looking at Pat's is because I overlooked getting these when I bought my tractor. ("You mean it's an option?! Why every "modern" tractor I ever drove growing up had them..! This 30lb little bar of metal (with extendable ball) is over $400?!! A piece??!! That green paint is expensive!!" )

If one goes to the quick-hitch option, aren't you then locked into having only Cat II (or Cat I) attachments only?

I bought mine for my 3000 which has aftermarket Cat II lift arms (non-extendable and flop from side to side having only limit chains, from a PO mod. Some of my implements are Cat I. I figured I can go down (with a sleeve) but not up.

On not working on a 10' 3 pt mower, I can understand that. I'm going to guesstimate that Pat didn't have that in mind when he designed his. 2 problems with that being a 3 pt: Weight at the lift arms initially plus the distance to the end of the implement....feet to go with the pounds.