Any tips for 1 man implement hook-up?

[mburke121]

I am a new member, and new to tractors.

I seem to struggle when hooking up implements to my Ford 3230, since the draft links are free floating, and the spacing is not fixed.

For example, when hooking up my disc, which has clevis hitches, I find myself climbing on and off the tractor several times to align the draft links to the hitches. I may be an Ignoramous (coined by Cracker Barrel), but I welcome any advice to making this process easier.

 

[jenkinsph]

I use the Deere I Match set up makes changing implements easy. Most of the new implements I buy are I Match compatible, the ones that aren't I convert myself. This will work with most brands of tractors including Ford's.


Steve

 

[jnjpream]

I use a quick attach similar to the Pat's system. I have a piece of two pieces of PVC pipe, one slides into the other, on which I've marked the correct arm distances for each of my implements. I drilled a hole at each measurement so I can drop in a pin to hold the arms where they need to be.

Set the arm width, back up to the implement, raise the hitch, set the top link, and away you go.

 

[mburke121]

JNJ, that is an excellent idea, and it sounds like it's inexpensive to make! Thanks for the tip.

Steve, I looked at the I-Match, and looks like the ideal solution, but I assume it costs as much as some of the less expensive implements. Maybe $300-$400??

Thanks to both of you.

 

[patrick_g]

With terrific luck or a helper I can swap 3ph implements in 5-10 min. Without good luck or help it can take 40-50 min of frustration(or more).

...and then... I got Pat's easy change system and usually swap out one implement for another all by myself in 5-10 min or less.

Disclaimer: the easy change is made by a different Pat. Except being a pleased customer I'm not connected with the system's mfg.

Pat

 

[QRTRHRS]

What are you hooking up? Working alone, I can give you a couple of low cost low tech ideas. I used to set the front of my single rear wheel bush hog type mower on a piece of 4" Schedule 40 PVC. I could easily jockey it around with a pry bar to align it. For my 3pt blade, I welded a jack on the tongue which would set on a piece of scrap wood. Two pieces of pipe perpendicular to the blade would again allow me to pry it into place. Dropping an attachment on an old sheet of plywood allows for easier barring than with it just sitting on bare ground. Get one side pinned first then worry about aligning to the other.

 

[RollTideRam]

I use Pat's easy change and a hydraulic top link. I need to make the pvc pipe for a few implements though. JC

 

[MossRoad]

I hated 3pt hitch implement changes so much I bought a tractor with all the implements out front and a quick attach that is operated from the cab. I can change non-powered implements in less than 15 seconds without getting out of the seat. Powered implements take about 30 seconds longer because I have to get up and connect two hydraulic hoses.
Here's a link to a video of our quick attach in action.
http://www.mossroad.com/PT425Videos/PT425_15S01.WMV

If I were ever to own another tractor with a 3pt hitch, I would definitely look into getting some sort of quick hitch and making all of my implements work with it.

 

[beenthere]

So the bottom line, there are a number of ways to make the hook-up of attachments easy for one man. Can't get any better than that.

 

[ChuckinNH]

For a simple interim solution, I cut notches in a board that keep the lift arms spread wider than the implement, and then I make sure I get the lowest pin attached to the tractor first. It is easier to line up the second one that way. It seems that each time I do it, I struggle less, so there is hope!

 

[Dead Horse]

On a big tractor, extendable lower links makes a huge difference in implement mounting. Some of the implements I use such as a Farmi 601, a Seppi 8ft flail and a Deer 10 ft rotry cutter are way too heavy to be jockying around. Technique is important for each mount.

On my 3710, the implements I use are light enough that I can move them around with a 5 foot pipe to jockey into position, (such as a 6ft rotary cutter or a tiller) That IS the hard way

Two things I do that make it a LOT easier.. If you have a way to hoist, (chain fall for example) your implement even just a smidge to get the weight off the ground, mounting is easy peasy. On my heavier implements I use a cheap craftsman motorcycle jack to get under the implement and make it a bit mobil. Works great on things like a wood splitter, chipper, snow blower. I have taken to setting the implements down on blocks in the barn, so I can slide the bike lift under them. My barns have concrete floors though.

Outside in the dirt I find the 5 ft pipe and a wood block to use as a fulcrum make the jocky job lots easier. It never takes me more than 10 minutes to mount an implement, powered, with hydraulics or otherwise under any circumstances..... 40 - 50 minutes is "newby time" little bit of thought and practice will make you a LOT more efficient.

 

[charlz]

I have a small tractor which helps. Most of my implements have an 'A' frame at the front. I raise the lift arms up, back up so the lift arms are on either side of the 'A' and then lower them. I get off the tractor and as the arms slowly coming down I push/pull/kick them wider and wider until they get down to the pins. I can usually get one side on pretty quick and have to do a bit of jockeying around for the other side. I can then use the 3pt lift power to finagle the top link into position. Sometimes it goes smooth and sometimes it doesn't

 

[bjr]

Yes, get a 5' pipe or a 5' aligning bar from TSC and a block of wood. I have to get up and down a couple of times and raise and lower the draft arms. Helps keep me in shape. bjr

 

[jenkinsph]

JNJ, that is an excellent idea, and it sounds like it's inexpensive to make! Thanks for the tip.

Steve, I looked at the I-Match, and looks like the ideal solution, but I assume it costs as much as some of the less expensive implements. Maybe $300-$400??

Thanks to both of you.

Bought a brand new Cat 1 I Match from my dealer with full set of pins for my MX6 thrown in for $249 plus tax. List price is $299 but it had been collecting dust next to the parts counter for awhile.
Main benefits are it makes implement changes super easy and goes a long way to prevent someone getting hurt while doing so. A secondary benefit is with the top link cylinder and draft arms that are being held together when there is no implement attached.

I also have telescopic links which can also help with non I Match implements. I had operated tractors for many years without these add ons and can say there is no way I am going to go back.


Steve

 

[Redneck in training]

Harbor Freight sells quick hitch fro about $80.

 

[KU Gator]

I also use the Pat's system. I think I ordered it through Northern Tool and it came with the attachment to keep the lower control arms spread apart. But I found using a piece of PVC with a notch on one end so you can get it out once the implement is attached works better because all of my implements have the same spacing. It does require you to get off the tractor to hook up the upper link, but it works pretty easily. You can just back up to the implement with the lower arms spaced to the right distance, raise the hydrolics and take the weight off the front of the implement a little. Then get off and hook up the upper link. Removing it is about the same, but I have found that it is best to raise the locks that go over the pins before dropping the implement all the way down and it is easier to get them up.

I wanted something that was not too expensive and would fit implements without modifying them and this system fit the bill. I haven't really timed it, but it only takes a few minutes to switch implements and doesn't really matter if the front is low like a rotary mower or now. I have since ordered some additional of the bent washers from the company and they were quite customer friendly. By having extra of the bent washers, all of my implents are ready so I don't have to move them.

 

[mred]

I use Pat's system also. I only had to try once to hook to an implement without it to realize I needed something different. It makes a big difference. I have the spreader they sell too.

 

[Bedlam]

- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

 

[brin]

Same here, I use Pat's easy change system as well. I used to really dread having to change implements since as others have said sometimes you got lucky and it only took 10 min. and other times 20 min or more. Now it is a lot better but if someone ever invents a system where you can just back up and it connects without having to get off the seat to attach the PTO they will get rich..It could be done...they would just have to incorporate a system for the shaft to couple...

 

[Rickstir]

I put my bush hog on two old tires. It can move a little when it comes time to hook up.