Quick Hitches Bent the Quick Hitch

[kentrodngun]

Thought you guys might be interested in seeing how easily these things bend. I've had mine for about two years and have used it primarily for the brush hog and the back blade. I was mowing (~15 acres) a couple of weeks back and one side of the hog slipped out. I had adjustable pins, so I just screwed them out a bit and re-attached.

A few hours later, the same thing happened. I took off the Quick Hitch and showed it to a friend. We both agreed it looked like it was manufactured that way and that it wasn't bent. I looked at a few pictures of various brands on the Internet and noted that the top is ninety degrees to the sides. As you'll see in the picture, mine isn't anymore. Anybody got any re-engineering suggestions?

 

[jjcc246]

i think i would try a big johnson bar and twist it back to where it belongs. shouldn't be a problem unless a weld broke. Mine was twisted a hair, I twisted it back and haven't had any problems. If you have to weld it not too much heat, if it's forgien made, probally not the best steel, like mine.

 

[radman1]

Who is the manufacture? You said the pin slipped out. That shouldn't happen even if bent a little. Do you use the bushings that fit over the implement pins on the bush hog and back blade? Bushings should be used with most of those kind of quick attach units. (Except Harbor Freight quick attach) The bushings result in a nice tight fit in the quick attach hooks and shouldn't allow it to slip out.

 

[kentrodngun]

Who is the manufacture? You said the pin slipped out. That shouldn't happen even if bent a little. Do you use the bushings that fit over the implement pins on the bush hog and back blade? Bushings should be used with most of those kind of quick attach units. (Except Harbor Freight quick attach) The bushings result in a nice tight fit in the quick attach hooks and shouldn't allow it to slip out.

Good points. I was too cheap to go for the bushings . Bought the unit from Homier (FarmPro brand).

 

[SPYDERLK]

I looked at a few pictures of various brands on the Internet and noted that the top is ninety degrees to the sides. As you'll see in the picture, mine isn't anymore. Anybody got any re-engineering suggestions?

Is it slipping off the end? - - Use a big washer on the end of the implement pin, just inside the lynchpin.
larry

 

[kentrodngun]

Is it slipping off the end? - - Use a big washer on the end of the implement pin, just inside the lynchpin.
larry

Unfortunately, at this point, it's bent way too wide to do that. Gotta squeeze those sides back in first. I've been considering welding a piece of angle iron across the bottom to keep the arms from spreading. Any other opinions out there?

 

[Licklog]

Unfortunately, at this point, it's bent way too wide to do that. Gotta squeeze those sides back in first. I've been considering welding a piece of angle iron across the bottom to keep the arms from spreading. Any other opinions out there?

Might want to contact the manufacturer. If nothing else they may have a suggestion or two.

 

[jsborn]

Unfortunately, at this point, it's bent way too wide to do that. Gotta squeeze those sides back in first. I've been considering welding a piece of angle iron across the bottom to keep the arms from spreading. Any other opinions out there?

I would think that would get in the way of the PTO shaft.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I would think that would get in the way of the PTO shaft.

Me too. Id pull them back in using threaded rod or a come along or some such rig up. Then use the washers and it wont spread again. I have one that looks just like yours. The frame is not real strong, but doesnt really need to be if you make allowances in your setup on the implements that cause high side forces.
larry

 

[J_J]

Unfortunately, at this point, it's bent way too wide to do that. Gotta squeeze those sides back in first. I've been considering welding a piece of angle iron across the bottom to keep the arms from spreading. Any other opinions out there?

Wrap a heavy duty chain around it hooked to a hydraulic puller, and tighten until it looks good.