3 Point Attachment Switching not enjoying.

[Noodlez914]

Ok, did my first change out today of attachments (Box Blade to 3 Pt Receiver Hitch). Just a quick briefing I am new to SCUT'S and 3point attachments! Ok is it really as much as a pain as I just experienced? I figured you pull the pins drive off attach the next. Seems like you have to twist turn and maneuver your attachment to get weight off of the pins. Am I missing any tricks? Should I be running out for this iMatch system? Doing all kinds of stuff around the house. I want to be able to be box scraping, be done with that, throw the 3 point receiver hitch on to trailer stuff around the property, quickly switch over to a heavy ballast to start moving boulders.

Just not looking to break down a schedule on when I am doing what because that attachments aren't as easy to get off as I thought. And I could see myself saying "Man I'm not dealing with switching out attachments, I'll do that next week."

 

[charlz]

It can be a pain sometimes, just depends on how well things line up. The more attention you pay to being centered when backing up to hook up the easier. Nice thing about these small tractors is you can roll them forward or back by hand to help line things up... well at least I can with my gear tractor. A well-placed kick or two can really help sometimes as well

 

[schmism]

Seems like you have to twist turn and maneuver your attachment to get weight off of the pins.

the non-delux hitches commonly found on SCUT's (and some inexpensive CUT) tend to make swaping implements more difficult.

having flat level ground is key to makeing the process as painless as possible.

I know a couple of my implements have personality and if you dont treat them right, they refuse to come off. It can take time to lean there idiosyncrasies.

 

[TCJatko]

Two Words: Quick Hitch.:thumbsup:

 

[CHDinCT]

I see you have a JD1023 SCUT. One "trick" is to understand that there is no down pressure on the lower hitch arms so you can raise them by hand to the correct height for hooking up. So, that said, what I do is lower the hitch all the way and then center it on the implement as best I can. You do still have to get the hitch ends to line up vertically with the implement pins, or pretty close. Once I have things as close as I can get them, I lift the lower links by hand to hook up and use a pinch/pry bar to slightly maneuver the implement to finalize the mating. Experience with each implement is key here. Good luck and have "fun".

 

[texasjohn]

good suggestions already...one additional

get a 3 to 5 lb hammer....makes a big difference sometimes....keep it in your tool box.

 

[Noodlez914]

Two Words: Quick Hitch.:thumbsup:

When you reference "Quick Hitch", is that a certain brand? Because that was my next question. Will other quick hitches work just as well as the John Deere iMatch. The iMatch is like $300 and I see Harbor Freight has their own brand for somewhere around $129, plus the "Always Available" 20% off coupon makes it even more enticing.

 

[k0ua]

Also Pats easy change and Carters are two other designs. The Carters are the cheapest.. I have a set I am not using now. I bought a nice shiny new tractor with telescoping lower links and telescoping sway bars instead of turnbuckles.. So I am all good now. Don't kick too hard as you will injure your foot.. Don't ask how I know . Oh learning some new cuss words wont make hookup any faster, but you might feel a little better... or not..

Welcome to CARTER AND SON'S TOOL AND DIE

Pat's Easy Change System Products Page

James K0UA

 

[RoyJackson]

Two Words: Quick Hitch.:thumbsup:

Quick Hitches are nice, but not all implements fit a quick hitch...just beware of that before you buy.
The Pat's Easy Change is more versatile and requires no implement modification. It does involve a bit more work then a Quick Hitch (if the implements fit the Quick Hitch)...you do need to get off the seat to connect the top link.
I've had the Pat's Easy Change and now own a Deere iMatch. I actually prefer the Pat's system.

 

[RJD2516]

Great post. I just went through this same thing this weekend. I use to have a SCUT (BX Kubota). Not to tough to hook things up to. If the box blade was off a little, I would just move it this way or that. It weighed about 400 lbs, so I couldn't lift it. But I could nudge it a little. The mower was a little easier, but not much.

So, now I have a bigger tractor. The box blade weighs like 800 lbs. The Rototiller weighs over 900 lbs. No nudging those around. This weekend I went to change the implements. The tiller came off fairly easily. Couple of shots with a hammer. But that darn box blade just would not line up. 20 minutes of screwin' with it (and a bunch of words that I don't want my kids to say), and I finally got it on. I was sweating. It was ridiculous.

So, I got on this forum and started looking at what other people do. And the vote was pretty unanimous from what I could tell. PATS QUICK HITCH. So, I ordered a set. Haven't got them yet, but I am looking forward to it. You should check them out. They work with all implements. I believe the imatch setup does not. But, You would have to ask a Deere owner on that.