Cat 2 Quick Hitch Dimensions

clee4020 · May 21, 2012

I'm sure this has been discussed before. I have a bushhog and hay forks that have been used/abused and need a little TLC. While I was reworking them I was gonna adapt them to a quick hitch. Got 3 tractors, JD 4020, JD 7330, and Kubota M9540. Currently none of the tractors have a quick hitch, but would like to get a couple. The 4020 and 9540 can hookup to all implements, but the 7330's arms will not go in enough to hookup some implements, so maybe the 7330 is Cat 3N. All 3 have the same diameter pin holes (Cat 2). I do have a Harbor Freight quick hitch, but it seems a little light duty for some tasks, so it rarely gets used. I don't think that HF uses the industry standard demensions (if there is one). I found a link to JD quick hitch measurements and was wondering if this is just JD or for all quick hitches?

Hitch, dimensions

clee4020 · May 22, 2012

I guess I may not have been clear. My question is there a standard measurement/dimension for Cat 2 quick hitch?

Furu · May 22, 2012

Yes there is a standard but that does not mean everyone follows it or that all implements are compatible with the standard. Unfortunately I am on the road and don't have easy access to the dimension right now. If no one comes up with them I will get them to you tomorrow when I get back. I would guess that what you have in the link is correct however. Your JD 4020 has cat 2 pins?

clee4020 · May 22, 2012

Yes, all 3 tractors have Cat 2 pns.

greg_g · May 22, 2012

clee4020 said:
Yes, all 3 tractors have Cat 2 pns.

The standard is ASAE s278.6, but - just as important - are the old implements you intend to rework also Cat2? Or are they Cat 1 that you're going to attempt to stretch to Cat 2 dimensions. I ask, because - whereas that JD Quick-Coupler is a true Cat 2 hitch - the hook placement is incorrect for Cat 1 implements.

//greg//

clee4020 · May 22, 2012

Yes, they have Cat 2 pins, just not in the right location for quick hitch.

greg_g · May 23, 2012

clee4020 said:
Yes, they have Cat 2 pins, just not in the right location for quick hitch.

That was my point. Just adding bigger pins doesn't give you a Cat2 implement.

Width A is about 26" on Cat1, but 32" on Cat2. Height B is about 18" on Cat1, but 24" on Cat2. So you can see what will happen when you back up a Cat2 Quick Coupler to a Cat1 implement, regardless of pin size and/or bushings used. Yes, you can try to weld on lift pin and top link hole extensions, but I question the resulting strength under load.

I suggest that you consider repairing/restoring the implements in their Cat1 configuration, but consider something more like Pat's Easy Change system for the lower lift arms instead of a rigid 3point quick hitch. I was where you were at one time, and started out with a Harbor Freight quick hitch too. I was always getting off the tractor to fiddle with getting the toplink hooked properly anyway. So I eventually sold the QH for scrap - went to the PEC system - and never looked back.

//greg//

clee4020 · May 23, 2012

greg_g said:
That was my point. Just adding bigger pins doesn't give you a Cat2 implement.

Width A is about 26" on Cat1, but 32" on Cat2. Height B is about 18" on Cat1, but 24" on Cat2. So you can see what will happen when you back up a Cat2 Quick Coupler to a Cat1 implement, regardless of pin size and/or bushings used. Yes, you can try to weld on lift pin and top link hole extensions, but I question the resulting strength under load.

I suggest that you consider repairing/restoring the implements in their Cat1 configuration, but consider something more like Pat's Easy Change system for the lower lift arms instead of a rigid 3point quick hitch. I was where you were at one time, and started out with a Harbor Freight quick hitch too. I was always getting off the tractor to fiddle with getting the toplink hooked properly anyway. So I eventually sold the QH for scrap - went to the PEC system - and never looked back.

//greg//

Thanks, for info. All implements are what I consider Cat.2., they are relatively large, medium to heavy duty, just not set up for QH. Some of the pins spacing are just shy of 32" or just over 32". I think I could bring them in or out an inch or so and it should be good. I agree with you on PEC. Just put a set on the M9540 and got to use them with a JD 6 row planter recentley (which WAS almost impossible to hook up to). Since my M9540 had the sliding lower arms, Pat built me a set of new slides and they work great. Either way, I've got to do some rebuilding of a few implements.

clee4020 · May 29, 2012

Measured my Harbor Freight Cat. 2 Quick Hitch and it is approx. 35" between lower arms. I have been leaning towards buying a JD Cat. Quick Hitch since most of the bigger implements are JD and are set up for Cat.2 or Cat. 3 QH.