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

[smittydog]

I solved the PTO shaft issue with a quick connect. Easy PTO quick connect for tractor attachments - Tractor PTO Link

Worth every nickel and spares me frustration.

 

[Randy Gann]

I added Pat’s to my MF1528. It does not have extendable links. The “magic” to the Pat’s system is the adjustable bar that holds the lift arms at the proper width. Without that bar the Pat’s is worthless. Before Pat’s my problem was alignment of the lift arms with the implement. Makes me curious if anyone has every offered a lift arm “adjustable spreader” bar. This bar could be set slightly wider than the implement. Back the tractor up to align lift arms then loosen the adjustable spreader bar to push lift arms inwards for connecting. Has to be easier than t trying to align with the lift arms swinging loosely.

 

[ptsg]

I added Pat’s to my MF1528. It does not have extendable links. The “magic” to the Pat’s system is the adjustable bar that holds the lift arms at the proper width. Without that bar the Pat’s is worthless. Before Pat’s my problem was alignment of the lift arms with the implement. Makes me curious if anyone has every offered a lift arm “adjustable spreader” bar. This bar could be set slightly wider than the implement. Back the tractor up to align lift arms then loosen the adjustable spreader bar to push lift arms inwards for connecting. Has to be easier than t trying to align with the lift arms swinging loosely.

Yes, it's called telescopic stabilizers. Came standard on my tractor along with the Euro hooks. It's a breeze to hook up, doesn't extend the arms any longer like the Pats, neither have a frame in the way of connecting implements like the QA.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

I solved the PTO shaft issue with a quick connect. Easy PTO quick connect for tractor attachments - Tractor PTO Link

Worth every nickel and spares me frustration.

Woah... that's sweet! Gonna look that one up. Thanks.

 

[Texasmark]

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?

I'm saying Pats takes the guess work out of lining up with your implement's lower link pins, as does extendable tips and rigid sway tubes. How you choose hook the top link is not part of that equation. That part is easily done. Its backing up to the implement and getting the lower arms hooked is what normally takes time....and Pats over the rigid 3 pt QH is yes you have to work the top link separately, but Pats allows you to hook up to any implement whereby the 2 pin and top link rigid assembly is limited to properly dimensioned implements/tractors.

 

[Texasmark]

Yes, it's called telescopic stabilizers. Came standard on my tractor along with the Euro hooks. It's a breeze to hook up, doesn't extend the arms any longer like the Pats, neither have a frame in the way of connecting implements like the QA.

If I had my way on Telescopic, I wouldn't have any other. I am appalled at the high end tractors selling today that still use ancient hookup techniques......definitely steered me away from them when buying my new cab tractor.

 

[Texasmark]

I added Pat’s to my MF1528. It does not have extendable links. The “magic” to the Pat’s system is the adjustable bar that holds the lift arms at the proper width. Without that bar the Pat’s is worthless. Before Pat’s my problem was alignment of the lift arms with the implement. Makes me curious if anyone has every offered a lift arm “adjustable spreader” bar. This bar could be set slightly wider than the implement. Back the tractor up to align lift arms then loosen the adjustable spreader bar to push lift arms inwards for connecting. Has to be easier than t trying to align with the lift arms swinging loosely.

With telescopic stabilizers, it isn't a problem. Back up within an inch or so of the lift pins with your spring loaded locks unlocked, set your arm height, then the (part of the package, not added extra) adjustable width bar, set your telescopic sway bars, back up into the implement pushing on it (with Pats high rear section) until both pins line up with the Pats, and raise the implement, the locking pins opening up and then snapping closed as you raise the implement. Get off, go around back and move the locking lever to the locked position on the Pats, lower the 3 pt to the desired height, adjust and install your top link, lock it and be on your way. Piece of cake.

Another of the nice things about Pats is that you don't have to spread your lift arms to clear the tips of the implement lift pins. That means that if you have all your 3 pts set to the standard 23 ½" or whatever for the class of pin, you don't have to do a thing but work the spring loaded lock-unlock lever on the Pats to leave the current implement and lock in the next to be used implement.

Course if you are running a PTO driven implement, you need to remove the adjustable spacer bar for clearance when raised.

 

[bunchgrass]

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.

I have Pat's on a Kubota 8540 and they are fine. My biggest problem is that I also hay with that tractor and the 3 pt arms end up being in the way when making tight turns pulling a mower/conditioner or baler so I have to take them off completely and reinstall. IME with Pat's I have bent the U-bolts that hold them onto the 3pt arms and the L-shaped metal tab that holds the spring lever up get bent from all sorts of stuff --- backing into a snowbank while plowing etc. As far as hooking up - they're way better than going without. I also have a cab and it has been great except for visibility, both then hooking up or when the sun gets low and shines on the dirt on the windshield. Good luck.

 

[Blue Mule]

I just put Pat's system on my NH Workmaster. I find it difficult to get them even and lined up properly on the 3-pt arms. And this, in turn, makes it hard to disconnect my box blade when I want to because the Pat's won't release and just fall away from the implement pins. I love the concept of Pat's. Like somebody above me said, the top link isn't the issue on hooking up implements. The two lower links are the issue. Pat's seems perfect for solving this. And in theory Pat's will work on ANY implement unlike traditional quick hitches. But if I can't get mine to line up right and work properly soon I may send them back for a refund.

 

[LouNY]

Just go with this style of ball and hook ends and don't worry about.
Quick Coupler Hooks

 

[JCoastie]

@Blue Mule
Strange that you find disconnecting difficult. I wonder if the install was done just right.
To ensure the angle was correct, when I installed mine, I put a broomstick between the easy hitch ends to make sure things were square, then tightened everything up and made sure the broomstick moved freely.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I just put Pat's system on my NH Workmaster. I find it difficult to get them even and lined up properly on the 3-pt arms. And this, in turn, makes it hard to disconnect my box blade when I want to because the Pat's won't release and just fall away from the implement pins. I love the concept of Pat's. Like somebody above me said, the top link isn't the issue on hooking up implements. The two lower links are the issue. Pat's seems perfect for solving this. And in theory Pat's will work on ANY implement unlike traditional quick hitches. But if I can't get mine to line up right and work properly soon I may send them back for a refund.

So, you need something like these.

 

[CobyRupert]

I’ve used the Pat’s. The bolts they supplied were soft metal and often bent with heavier Class 2 equipment. This made taking bolts out really difficult. Had to take it to a machine shop to remove. Started using a stronger grade bolt.
....but then I wondered why bolts are even needed? Without bolts, Pat’s is able to swivel, side to side on the arm, like the ball on the 3 point hitch arm that it eliminates. This movement is necessary when raising and lowering equipment. Not sure why they try to eliminate this movement by making Pat’s such a fixed mounting.

 

[Blue Mule]

So tonight I loosened all the hardware on the Pat's pieces, hooked up to my land plane, and then adjusted and tightened the hardware while they were connected to the implement. This seems to have helped align them slightly better. They seem to be working OK with the land plane now. I'll try the box blade tomorrow. It's got a different style of hook up....has the pins that protrude out to the sides. The land plane is different with two pieces of steel that a Cat 1 removable pin slides into. This style seems easier to use.

 

[JCoastie]

The land plane is different with two pieces of steel that a Cat 1 removable pin slides into. This style seems easier to use.

That is a clevis type mount.

 

[Rustyiron]

So, you need something like these.

Do you have a link or a name, and is it a direct replacement for kubota extendable cat2?
Now this I'm interested in

 

[PCABE5]

So, you need something like these.

Blue Mule's are non adjustable end links. But I agree that the European style lower links and matching top link is something that the US should have adopted years ago.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Do you have a link or a name, and is it a direct replacement for kubota extendable cat2?
Now this I'm interested in

Typically a customer ships me their ends and I do the fabrication.
But the ends can be purchased as manufactured and the customer can do the fabrication themselves.

 

[LouNY]

Oliver and Ford both offered the hooked ends many years ago as an option for some reason it didn't go over well.
Of course the balls made for those hooks have a different OD then todays which with the cat 2 are usually 56 mm in diameter.

 

[Rustyiron]

Typically a customer ships me their ends and I do the fabrication.
But the ends can be purchased as manufactured and the customer can do the fabrication themselves.

Ah, I mistakenly thought that was Lou's post I was responding to, and the top hook pictured looks a lot like it's got the same yellowish plating or finish. Most of my attachments have a pin that's supported at both ends vs. a traditional cat 1 one side supported with a finger snapper at the other. Do you still need a ball?