Past's Easy Change vs. Kubota Quick Hitch on Kubota M4 with Cat 2

[HarleyBob]

I have used Pat's Easy Change for years on my smaller Kubota L3010 and love it. I now have an M4 with extendable lower 3 pt arms. It is Cat 2 hitch. I also now have a cab which makes hook ups not so easy (I used to have access to the HST pedal from the ground before....I know...not safe).
I use mowers and box blade mostly and tiller sometimes. Will I like the Pat's for this setup? I used to be able to muscle my implements around when they where smaller, but not with the size I have now.

 

[HarleyBob]

I did not mention I do have hydraulic top link...if that helps with the advice on Pat's vs. QH.

 

[3gunr]

I have the pats on my 2538 and love them , i would think they would work good on your new rig , Sometimes visibility can be a problem when backing up to hook up,I built a rack for my rops to store tools and my chainsaw on and i had to raise it way up so i could see my 3 pt.

 

[Texasmark]

I don't see Pat's working on the adjustable arm tips. I Have Pats on 2 cat 2 non adjustable lifters, both Ford 8 speeds and have adjustable arms on my 6530. The mechanism that contains the locking pin would be in your way. This doesn't help your situation, but when I was shopping for a cab tractor back in 2007 another of the unique things about my 6530 24 speed shuttle shift, was the fact that besides the adjustable tips, it had a lower 3 pt limit lever right there with you standing beside the 3 pt and had Pin type slot and sleeve horizontal positioners. I could set the front-rear and side to side distance and height, all standing in one spot beside the arms. I'm telling you, it's a one man operation dream.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

My understanding is that the Pat's is not all that great for cat 2 tractors. Just a few things that I have read as well as understanding the advantage of having the ball swivels.

Also you will find that with the added 3 3/4" in length, your hydraulic top link is most likely going to end up on the short side.

In your situation, as long as all of your implements are cat 2 and quick hitch compatible, I would seriously consider the full 3pt quick hitch.

Just my :2cents:

 

[rademamj1]

No design changes occur between CAT1 and CAT2 on Pat's except for the size of the implement pins. I have been using a quick hitch for several years, and lining up all three points with my implements was serious frustration. I finally went with Pat's for the lower extendable arms, and use my standard top link, and all my frustration disappeared.

I worked hard getting all my implements Quick Hitch ready, but still the implements industry still not quite there yet. Here are my approximate connect times:

Rear:

Woodmax Chipper 4 mins
Woods Stump Grinder 5 mins (with hydraulics)
Woods Post Hole Digger. 6 mins (with hydraulics)
Landscape Rake 30sec
Box Blade. 30 sec
Woods Tiller 30 sec
Woods Rotary Cutter. 1 mins

 

[ptsg]

Take a look at the Euro hooks. It does require some cutting and welding but works sooo good. Several happy users here on TBN.

Doesn't extend the lift arms like the Pats or other QH do, therefore doesn't reduce the lifting capacity of the 3pt. It's very easy to connect. The balls offer freedom of movement, so it doesn't bind or bend pins. It's very robust and strong.

 

[HarleyBob]

No design changes occur between CAT1 and CAT2 on Pat's except for the size of the implement pins. I have been using a quick hitch for several years, and lining up all three points with my implements was serious frustration. I finally went with Pat's for the lower extendable arms, and use my standard top link, and all my frustration disappeared.

I worked hard getting all my implements Quick Hitch ready, but still the implements industry still not quite there yet. Here are my approximate connect times:

Rear:

Woodmax Chipper 4 mins
Woods Stump Grinder 5 mins (with hydraulics)
Woods Post Hole Digger. 6 mins (with hydraulics)
Landscape Rake 30sec
Box Blade. 30 sec
Woods Tiller 30 sec
Woods Rotary Cutter. 1 mins

Are those timings for QH or Pats?

 

[rademamj1]

Are those timings for QH or Pats?

Yep....those times are for Pat's. Which means most of the time is spent popping that Top Link into position

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Have to say, if you can get off the tractor connect the top link and get back on the tractor in 30 seconds, you are moving pretty quick. I think it takes me that long just to get off the tractor.

 

[RickB]

My understanding is that the Pat's is not all that great for cat 2 tractors. Just a few things that I have read as well as understanding the advantage of having the ball swivels.

Also you will find that with the added 3 3/4" in length, your hydraulic top link is most likely going to end up on the short side.

In your situation, as long as all of your implements are cat 2 and quick hitch compatible, I would seriously consider the full 3pt quick hitch.

Just my :2cents:

I agree with all of this and would add that my enthusiasm about quick hitches is tied firmly to a hydraulic top link. Having a QH and manual top link is not nearly as useful as a QH with HTL.

 

[workinonit]

A QH without a toplink is the same as having Pat's. I just don't see the allure of Pat's. My tractor has extendable arms and I can hook those bad boys up in the same amount of time you can hook ole Pat up. Now a QH, that's another conversation. With a hyd toplink it's the way to go.

 

[LouNY]

And I'll go for the Euro hooks and balls with a hydraulic top link any day.
Then add the Euro hook to the top link and it's even better.

 

[rademamj1]

Nah....it goes quick when you got everything on parking stands and ready to go. The tiller and chipper is parked on a pallets to raise them to the perfect height. It's those wierd implements like Post Hole Diggers, that swing and move around when hooking up. They take the most time.

 

[workinonit]

I have my post hole digger suspended on a chain fall from the truss of my equipment shed. I can hook it up in a couple of minutes.

 

[Texasmark]

A QH without a toplink is the same as having Pat's. I just don't see the allure of Pat's. My tractor has extendable arms and I can hook those bad boys up in the same amount of time you can hook ole Pat up. Now a QH, that's another conversation. With a hyd toplink it's the way to go.

"Well sir......if you have extendable links, why would you even consider anything else???????????

 

[HarleyBob]

"Well sir......if you have extendable links, why would you even consider anything else???????????

Which anything else are you speaking of? My current setup is extendable links and HYDRAULIC top link (as soon as my Hyd Toplink arrives). Are you suggesting Pat or QH? Or just Hydraulic top link and extendable lowers and no need for either extra help?

 

[WranglerX]

Which anything else are you speaking of? My current setup is extendable links and HYDRAULIC top link (as soon as my Hyd Toplink arrives). Are you suggesting Pat or QH? Or just Hydraulic top link and extendable lowers and no need for either extra help?

Quick hitch is next step in evolution in connecting implement to tractor..... Once implement is "adjusted" to fit QH connecting up just gets easier....

Dale

 

[smittydog]

I had pat’s on my BX. Was still work to hook up implements. I upgraded to L3901 and M5200 and two QH with them, No comparison.QH is much better.

 

[RidgeHiker]

I replaced my 3 point quick hitch with Pat's because I was having trouble getting optimal angles for the pto shaft due to interference of the cross (horizontal) members of the quick hitch. I preferred not having to attach the top link each time with the quick hitch though.