Quick Hitches 3 point Quick Hitch

JD2210MAN · May 16, 2005

This weekend I drove down to the Enfield, CT Tractor Supply Co. store to buy a 3pt Quick Hitch (I drove 3 hours from Vermont). They had none and sent me to the Barkhamsted, CT store. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif They said they had one but somehow the Enfield store gave him the wrong part number and sent me there for nothing. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif He sent me to the Amenia, NY store. After finally finding some fool to wait on me they sent me out to the yard where they had two Cat. II quick hitches and NO Cat. I. They just assumed it was the right one. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Are they all idiots? Is there a Tractor Supply with employees that can read? I don't think so. They tell me they can't even order me one. The Bennington, VT store says they don't have one so I did not even try there. Can you say Chain of Fools?

The jist of it... I will NEVER step into another TSC store again. It was a chain of fools who put 500 miles on my truck for nothing. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Has anyone purchased the Land Pride Quick Hitch QH15? Or at least acquired a price quote they could pass on to me? Any input on this matter of any brand would be great, no matter what brand.

Indydirtfarmer · May 16, 2005

There's blood trickling down my lip right now.... It's from biting it, trying real hard not to laugh at your "experience".....

You just summed up the TSC nearest to my home...

They have a potential gold mine, should corperate TSC ever decide to get a handle on local management.

I would HIGHLY recommend the John Deere O.E.M. quick hitch. VERY high quality. (I've got 2 CAT.I, a CAT II, and 2 CAT III) From what I remember, the Landpride quick hitch looks like an OK product too. Not sure on pricing....(Other than the Deere hitches ain't cheap, but you probably already guessed that)

JD2210MAN · May 16, 2005

I can only say that I did not know I could control my anger so well. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
This was a wonderful test of my patience... I think the Shock caused by the "chain of fools" was so great that I still have not grasped what actually happened. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
I just sent an email to the TSC head quarters; if they actually apologize I will be surprised. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

I liked the idea of the Speeco Cat I (which TSC has) because it has the adjustable top link, as I may some day buy a few used implements. The Deere is fixed and may or may not cause much problem. That is where I am turning to the masses to find out what would be the best choice is here.

I hope someday I will be able to look back and laugh, myself!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

creeper · May 16, 2005

You could go to agri-supply and pay the shipping , still come out better than driving all over the place. They also may have a retail store near you. What about pats easy change? They atleast have good service.The tractor supply in my area has been open for about 6 mos. and is also terrible. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

PineRidge · May 16, 2005

While I do go to TSC for an occasional item I never expect more from management than a point in the general direction of the item that I need or a grunt to acknowledge that the item is in fact in the store.

If you don't expect too much from these folks then you won't be too disappointed. I do think that they might hire some folks that at least understand what the store sells and how to communicate with the customers though. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Indydirtfarmer · May 16, 2005

( While I do go to TSC for an occasional item I never expect more from management than a point in the general direction of the item that I need or a grunt to acknowledge that the item is in fact in the store.

If you don't expect too much from these folks then you won't be too disappointed. I do think that they might hire some folks that at least understand what the store sells and how to communicate with the customers though. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif )

While that may be the reality of a visit to TSC, I don't accept it quite so easily. In just about all cases, I can buy EVERYTHING TSC sells via the internet/mail order. I'm paying for convenience when I visit their store. I expect to be treated as if I'm paying their salary.... BECAUSE I AM!!!!

Is it unreasonable to expect (1) a manager that knows SOMETHING about what he seels. (2) Employees that don't act like you're intruding on their sleep-time. (3) Products to be "in stock", and not "on back-order"... If I wanted to order them, I could have done that from the relative comfort of my office chair. (4) Not to have to deal with OTHER disgrunteled customers who are having much the same experience as I.

Like I said earlier, TSC is sitting on a goldmine. Why would they be happy with copper or tin, when they could be extracting that gold????? I'm quite sure their business would increase with better service. I'd buy more (and LESS internet buying) if I could get the service I expect when I walk in their doors.

All I know for sure is, if any of MY employees acted like most of the TSC employees I've seen lately, they'd be "suddenly un-employed"....... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

JerryG · May 16, 2005

Here Here. I have also had similar bad experiences at TSC. If it is on the shelf and PRICED you are fine, but don't call them to find out and what ever you do don't try to get them to order anything.
Having said all of that, I DO buy a lot at TSC. You just learn what not to do. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

al3 · May 16, 2005

I priced the QH-15 last week. Got quotes around $315. Stopped at a Farm & Fleet store yesterday. The SpeedCo cat 1 was on sale for $152, included a pair of bushings and the optional "fork" to use in place of the top link hook (if you needed to). Store also had the hose-to-tire stem adapter needed to load tires. Plus, all chain, including transport/gr 70 was 15% off. Also picked up a quart of F&F JD Green to improve upon the always present handling gouges/rust on the SpeedCo. 'Twas an expensive visit.....

Bob_Hoehn · May 16, 2005

I too have been looking at some form of quick hitch. I found my local TSC store is more expensive than the JD IMatch. Go figure. Plus, my dealer treats me right.

kennyd · May 16, 2005

( I liked the idea of the Speeco Cat I (which TSC has) because it has the adjustable top link, as I may some day buy a few used implements. The Deere is fixed and may or may not cause much problem. That is where I am turning to the masses to find out what would be the best choice is here.
)

My opinion is to modify the implements to fit the standard spacing the JD Imatch uses. If you had to adjust the top hook for each implement, that would be a PITA. And most likely, if the top link won't line up then the side links won't either.

stuart · May 16, 2005

Northern Tool carries one also. I also like the Speeco because of the adjustable top link. Mine also came with the bushings and the adjustable top U-shaped link. Paid less than 200$.

pekabu · May 16, 2005

Sorry to here that. I've been wanting to take a road trip down to CT to check out the place. I bought my Speeco copy from Homier. It was about $175 delivered. They are on eBay sometimes, or you can order director from there web site. You might be able to get one from the road show, but the short notice and short supply (from other potsts. bb, and such they bring a few if any) you might have the same issue.

FarmGeek · May 16, 2005

I bought a quick hitch from TSC two years ago and found it very limited as for what it would fit. My main problem with the unit was that the adjustable top hook mounting side plates made it so thick that it wouldn't "fit" into many of my implements far enough to make an easy connection. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif I had to be very precise in alignment for it to work at all. So it ended up in the shed for a year and a half.

This weekend I took it out and applied generous amounts of effort to eliminate the problem. I cut off the rearward facing adjustable tower part, added suitable reinforcement and welded the hook solid to the frame, ala iMatch. The color is wrong (red instead of green, but I’ve got to repaint it Orange anyway /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) but it now works just like the John Deere unit.

All my Cat. 1 equipment fits perfectly into the quick hitch. Of course, some items required the use of a band saw, grinder and welder for me to make this claim but it was kinda fun playing in the barn on a rainy weekend.

The moral to this long-winded story? Buy one (if you can find one in stock /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif) and try it out on YOUR equipment. If you aren’t satisfied, TAKE IT BACK for a refund.

Was the effort worth it? ABSOLUTELY! With my top-and-tilt, my sorry fanny doesn’t even move from my cushy seat to unhook or change any implement. Now if I could train the dog to attach PTO shafts…..
/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

ronjhall · May 16, 2005

Your modifications sound like the way to go. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Got any pictures?

KenVT · May 16, 2005

Howdy fellow Woodchuck!

Yep, TSC is full of nitwits, we used to have a CT farm and family (same co.) on the Williston road, Good Deals!, Shopped there frequently, even when most of the time it was incredibly painfull to do, But some times, the ignorance of the staff lead to better deals, this might have contributed to their demise. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
And not many farmers want to travel that far into town to shop.

Bad location+Ignorant help=no business

Ken

beenthere · May 16, 2005

kennyd
I agree with you and would find my iMatch un-handy if I had to move the top hook to attach anything. One trip to the welder takes care of the attachments that were too old to fit the iMatch. Now everything fits (except the sub-soiler tooth which I used to use to dig out rocks, but now I use the forks to do that job).

al3 · May 16, 2005

FYI, just put it on, and the SpeedCo matched up just fine with the Frontier BB. Because my dealer has yet to deliver the ballast box (and MMM, and R4s, and block heater and....) ordered with the tractor > 8 weeks ago, that's all I can report for compatibility. By the way, both the Farm & Fleet and the Fleet & Farm stores (in Wisconsin, at least) still have vented diesel cans on the shelves. And the Milton number for the hose-to-tire filler adapter is S-466.

kennyd · May 17, 2005

( FYI, just put it on, and the SpeedCo matched up just fine with the Frontier BB. )

All of the Frontier branded implements are I-Match compatible.

JD2210MAN · May 17, 2005

I can see that the TSC is a self serve "Run by Fools" type of store. Of the 3 stores I went to, only one had a person who knew and cared. The rest either wanted to help, and knew nothing or just did not care at all. It was a loose loose situation all the way around. I had never made it into the CT Farm and Family and I guess I am lucky. They are sitting on a gold mine but sure are digging for this gold using feathers. Wait, that would give them too much credit. They are more like the gold diggers who can't get off their butts and just sit around the campfire eating, day and night.

After searching the internet, I did find the site "Kimcousa" who has one cheap. It looks like the same as Northern has only $100.00 less. http://www.kimcousa.com/HM3986.html
Now after hearing the adjustable upper link can get in the way, I wonder if I should just go get the one from Deere for $230.00. The Farm Pro at "Kimcousa" is only $162.99 ($119.99 + 43.00 s/h). No much of a savings if the upper link is taken out of the equation.
Homier does have it for $99.00 but it is out of stock and their stuff can stay out of stock forever. Hummm?

Now, don't think I am beating a dead horse here... I am only planning to buy one of these in my life and I just want to buy the correct one.

trlong · May 17, 2005

I called the Bennington VT TSC this a.m. to find out the dimensions/pin spacing on their 1000 lb. "Carry All". No spec's in mag or on web. Their customer service person said...I'll check to see if we have one, go to the yard, measure it for you, and call you back. So far I have not heard back. Would really be nice to know if it will fit J.D. I-Match w/o modification. TSC is really poor on spec.'s and their personnel is untrained. Oh, well. You get what you pay for.