Cat 1/2 Hook-Up Hard

CH4Ohio · Jul 8, 2021

I sold a nice young guy a like new Frontier SB1164 snowblower about 1.5 years ago now. He was getting a new JD 3038 tractor and this snowblower should have been a really good match. Heck, it was even the same color. He let me know a few weeks later that it wouldn't fit his tractor and he had to buy a quick hitch in order to make it work. The fact is that he simply didn't understand how to adjust things in order to hook it up so he wasted money on a quick hitch that he'll probably only use for this one piece of equipment. He took offense when I suggested that he needed to get to know his equipment better, but I was trying to be helpful. . . .

workinonit · Jul 8, 2021

Say what you will about a quick hitch. I hooked up implements for the last 40 years plus without one and I would never be without one again. It was a pain getting everything I had standardized but once I did well worth it.

CH4Ohio · Jul 8, 2021

workinonit said:
Say what you will about a quick hitch. I hooked up implements for the last 40 years plus without one and I would never be without one again. It was a pain getting everything I had standardized but once I did well worth it.

I'm not suggesting that it's not convenient and easier. I understand the convenience and it would be great if I could just back up to everything that I own and pick it up and drive away. I'm impressed that you were able to get all your equipment dialed in so it works with everything.

I was simply commenting to the original post that we should be able to hook up anything to anything, within reason, if we understand how to adjust all the linkages and tweak things on the implement end as needed. It's not rocket surgery . . .

workinonit · Jul 9, 2021

I agree. Except for my Massey 283 all of my tractors have had extendable draft links. I remember when I got my first tractor with those. It was a game changer. For me the quick hitch is very similar. Modifying all of my implements was a pain. I will admit that. Lots of fab and welding. I think the only thing that I had that was compatable was my JD 609 bush hog. And then I'm in the process of finishing up my homemade landplane which is going to be really nice. Just bought a Maschio Tigre 300 flail that won't fit the QH so now I have more work to do.

Spike56 · Jul 9, 2021

rScotty said:
Yeah, I'm thinking we need to see some photos. They just aren't that hard to hook up. With telescoping arms I don't see much advantage to the quick hitches except it's another clever gizmo to admire. As for function, std 3pt hitches seem easy enough.
Maybe it isn't set up right.

I am (trying) to post a couple of pictures of my 3-point. I am "always" able to get things hooked up. Just the old man (me) is wondering if this could be made easier.

I did buy a Quick Connect for me front end loader. It helped tremendously with changing out my bucket with a hay spear. Previous to getting the quick connect, it would take a long time and much effort to re-connect the bucket. By the time I climbed in and out of the cab 100 times to line things up I was too tired to do anything else.

So, again, just looking for suggestions I can afford or something I am overlooking since I am NOT extremely familiar with tractors.

Cycledude · Jul 9, 2021

Avenger said:
I recently installed the "european syle" hooks and balls on my tractor. AMAZING QH. Does not add any length to the implements (no need to buy new PTO shafts), not possible to come loose (like the Pats), parts are widely available, but more importantly, they hook and unhook from the implements with ease!

Check out my install video:

seems like the outfit selling those things should finish the project at the factory so you could buy the finished product and just remove the stock arms and install the new arms with no welding required. If they were extendable like the stock arms that would really make hooking up so much easier !

CH4Ohio · Jul 9, 2021

Spike56 said:
I am (trying) to post a couple of pictures of my 3-point. I am "always" able to get things hooked up. Just the old man (me) is wondering if this could be made easier.
I did buy a Quick Connect for me front end loader. It helped tremendously with changing out my bucket with a hay spear. Previous to getting the quick connect, it would take a long time and much effort to re-connect the bucket. By the time I climbed in and out of the cab 100 times to line things up I was too tired to do anything else.

So, again, just looking for suggestions I can afford or something I am overlooking since I am NOT extremely familiar with tractors.

For some reason, I thought you were having difficulty with a smaller JD tractor. I don't know the model numbers very well and should have looked it up. I have a JD about that same size, physically. Unlike the Kubotas, my JD doesn't have extendable arms either, and it has the turnbuckle sway links that are awkward and slow to adjust. Even the top link stowage is awkward. I agree that it's a pain! Fortunately, I rarely hook anything to the 3-point on that tractor unless I'm using a heavy 120 gallon sprayer.

Thanks for the pictures!

CH4Ohio · Jul 9, 2021

workinonit said:
I agree. Except for my Massey 283 all of my tractors have had extendable draft links. I remember when I got my first tractor with those. It was a game changer. For me the quick hitch is very similar. Modifying all of my implements was a pain. I will admit that. Lots of fab and welding. I think the only thing that I had that was compatable was my JD 609 bush hog. And then I'm in the process of finishing up my homemade landplane which is going to be really nice. Just bought a Maschio Tigre 300 flail that won't fit the QH so now I have more work to do.

Have to admit that this just isn't an option for me since I'm a lousy welder. That's one thing that I was never really exposed to and didn't get a chance to learn. I grew up with farmers and carpenters, but don't recall anyone welding anything. I'm also not at all proud of the few welding repairs that I've attempted lately with the MIG welder that I picked up, but still learning.

oosik · Jul 9, 2021

It will normally take me 15 to 20 minuets to drop my rear blade and hook up something else. My problem is - while all my implements sit on their own pallets - each one is at a slightly different elevation and angle. The approach to each implement is slightly different also.

If everything - tractor included - were on a hard, level surface it would sure be easier.

But it isn't and it's never going to be that way. So - it's extendable 3-point arms, huge pry bars, alignment dibbles and a lot of patience.

WranglerX · Jul 9, 2021

CH4Ohio said:
Have to admit that this just isn't an option for me since I'm a lousy welder. That's one thing that I was never really exposed to and didn't get a chance to learn. I grew up with farmers and carpenters, but don't recall anyone welding anything. I'm also not at all proud of the few welding repairs that I've attempted lately with the MIG welder that I picked up, but still learning.

Spends some time perfecting you welding skills.... It will save hundred of hours of frustration and the money you have to pay out to accomplish things your improved welding skills can provide... There is three words that will help your skills, Practice...Practice...Practice...