3-Point Hitch Adjusting Pat's EZ Change

[BeezFun]

Installed Pat's EZ Change, aligned and leveled per the directions (with no load). When I attached and raised my bush hog it caused the 3pt arms to rotate because the front of the arm is attached with a ball. The rotation causes the EZ Change hook to rotate so it's no longer vertical. First image below shows hook with no load, second image shows hook when I raise the bush hog and put a load on.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Installed Pat's EZ Change, aligned and leveled per the directions (with no load). When I attached and raised my bush hog it caused the 3pt arms to rotate because the front of the arm is attached with a ball. The rotation causes the EZ Change hook to rotate so it's no longer vertical. First image below shows hook with no load, second image shows hook when I raise the bush hog and put a load on.

Not sure what your talking about. Take more pictures from side and angles.

 

[Johndeere3720]

I can see your problem. I currently dont have a solution though.

 

[BeezFun]

Not sure what your talking about. Take more pictures from side and angles.

Side and angle pictures won't help. Imagine holding a torpedo level alongside the vertical edge of the shiny silver thing. In the first picture it's plumb, in the second it's rotated counterclockwise about 10 degrees. That's the problem.

The 3PT arm has a ball on each end: one ball attaches to the tractor, the other normally attaches to the implement. Pat's EZ change hook goes over the ball on the attachment end of the 3pt arm.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I still don't see a problem. The arms do have a slight angle but as long as it's locked in there is no problem or again I'm missing some thing. More pictures from the side.

 

[gwdixon]

I'll bet the same thing happened before the Pat's was put on but the ball took the rotation. Also, the Pat's has a much larger profile and is being concentrated on because it is new.

It does not rotate with the ball that is usually holds the attachment's lower pins.

Since the Pat's is secured to the lower arm, instead of the ball rotating the lower arm rotates. The balls on the tractor side of the arms are the ones that rotate.

Nothing to worry about. You could adjust the Pat's to compensate for the off-center look but there is not much to be gained.

 

[BeezFun]

I'll bet the same thing happened before the Pat's was put on but the ball took the rotation. Also, the Pat's has a much larger profile and is being concentrated on because it is new.

It does not rotate with the ball that is usually holds the attachment's lower pins.

Since the Pat's is secured to the lower arm, instead of the ball rotating the lower arm rotates. The balls on the tractor side of the arms are the ones that rotate.

Nothing to worry about. You could adjust the Pat's to compensate for the off-center look but there is not much to be gained.

Your observations are correct. My only concern, which I failed to post originally, is that I know have the entire load of the implement concentrated on the edge of Pat's hook, whereas before the entire surface of the drawpin bore against the inside of the ball.

I noticed a post in the attachments forum where a guy removed the U bolt and the set screws, and just let the hook float on the ball. I think I'll try that tomorrow, that would allow the hook the freedom to orient itself correctly with the drawpin.

 

[gwdixon]

Both the Pat's and the lift pins are made of hardened steel so wear is not so much an issue as you might think.

I've had a couple of sets of Pat's for many years and there is no appreciable wear despite having observed the off-center orientation that you note on both of my tractors so equipped.

If the situation is visually intolerable you can try letting them flop. Not sure what is gained except for impact wear on the arms and on the mounting sleeve of the Pat's.

You may want to contact the manufacturer directly since other posts have indicated that Pat's is very receptive toward solving issues and emphasizes customer service.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I've also used them for years with no wear issue. The difference with Pat's from the others I have are: Pat's are attached firmly to the arm with set screws on the side and u bolts across the back and also support through ball. As you can see from the picture, I don't have them clamped down or set screws tightened, I just let them ride on ball, I was going to tighten them down later but done sold them so I don't have to do it. . They become fixed to the arm. Even if the implement pin is riding on a small edge I think they are strong enough to carry it, even if they don't then all that would happen is the small edge wear down. Other QH's I own ride on the 3PH ball and make some contact with the arm at a front top edge and back rear edge or vice versa depending on forward motion or reverse motion. Pictures inclosed.

 

[BeezFun]

Thanks qwdixon and johnthomas, I think I'll just stop thinking about it and continue mowing.