Anyone break a Harbor Freight Quick Hitch?

[TractorNH]

Comes with a sticker that says 1000 lb limit but I'm sure it's over engineered to hold more. Just wondering if anyone on here has actually broken one. If so, where did it break and what were you doing when it happened?

 

[countrybumpkin]

If that’s the case I’ve been running mine for many years now way over rating I’ve. It had any issues with mine , and I run a 1600 lbs cutter all the time with it.

 

[Threepoint]

If that’s the case I’ve been running mine for many years now way over rating I’ve. It had any issues with mine , and I run a 1600 lbs cutter all the time with it.

1,600 lbs on the HF Cat I hitch?! Country, I think you probably hold the record for product testing.

 

[countrybumpkin]

I think Fallon has used his with a 1700 flail mower, with no issues.

 

[Fallon]

I think Fallon has used his with a 1700 flail mower, with no issues.

Not even with all 1,700lbs offset way to one side & snagging on 2" thick scrub oak.

I'm on my 4th or 5th QH. All were still working when they were given to friends or sold with previous machines. None of the various makes of QH have been any better than the rest, but I havent owned a nicer LandPride or JD iMatch (and dont see any big reason to pay double or triple for one). Current one is Harbor Freight, not that it matters.

 

[N2DFire]

I'll have to go back and see if I can find said sticker on ours & see what it says, but the manual for the QH states "Maximum Weight Capacity: 2000 lbs., dependent on tractor’s hitch capacity." and claims it good for up to a 45HP tractor.

https://manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/97000-97999/97214.pdf

I can't see them having 1000lb limit and rating it for 45HP. Honestly I felt 2000lb was weak for 45HP but since I'm at 35HP and the 3pt is rated at around 1900 I didn't figure I'd have any trouble with it & so far I haven't.

 

[TnFarm]

I had one that failed on me when using my 1100lb Bushhog 296 rotary cutter. It just completely collapsed in the center.

 

[Threepoint]

I had one that failed on me when using my 1100lb Bushhog 296 rotary cutter. It just completely collapsed in the center.

Interesting. Curious if this might have happened while underway with the hitch and cutter raised? I've wondered about durability of the QHs (and hydraulic toplinks, for that matter) when a big rotary cutter is in the raised position. So much of the weight is cantilevered well behind the tractor. The rotational forces must be enormous, especially traveling over rough ground where things really start bouncing. I've heard of the rod being yanked right out of a Cat II hydraulic toplink by a big rotary cutter in an extreme case.

 

[TnFarm]

Interesting. Curious if this might have happened while underway with the hitch and cutter raised? I've wondered about durability of the QHs (and hydraulic toplinks, for that matter) when a big rotary cutter is in the raised position. So much of the weight is cantilevered well behind the tractor. The rotational forces must be enormous, especially traveling over rough ground where things really start bouncing. I've heard of the rod being yanked right out of a Cat II hydraulic toplink by a big rotary cutter in an extreme case.

It actually happened when it was down and I was actively cutting. Also, it could possibly have been weakened by carrying it around in the raised position but not sure on that. After the thing broke on me it was pretty obvious the metal was very thin and cheap. I didn稚 bother replacing it with another.

 

[Threepoint]

It actually happened when it was down and I was actively cutting. Also, it could possibly have been weakened by carrying it around in the raised position but not sure on that. After the thing broke on me it was pretty obvious the metal was very thin and cheap. I didn稚 bother replacing it with another.

Coincidentally, another TBN member, "Oversized", just posted this link to his YouTube video where he demonstrates his QH on a very heavy rotary cutter with four tail wheels. Quick Hitch 3pt attachment hookup - YouTube His QH is Cat II, but his tractor and cutter are much heavier than yours as well. So if you liked the convenience of a QH, I wouldn't necessarily give up on the idea.