Changing attachments

[Fisherman305]

There just has to be a better way. I am changing a finishing mower to scraper blade to plow frequently. I do not desire to use profinity in this endeavor but it sure is hard for this old man.
Just no longer have the necessary strength to move them around. I have been thinking of McGiver something such as a A frame with a chain hoist. Quick connects just do not fit all the attachments. I am sure there are some ideas out there so let me hear from you.

 

[John_Mc]

A few thoughts:

(1) Some folks have had good luck with building wheeled dollies to store their attatchments on. Of course, this assumes you have a nice smooth, hard surface to roll the dollies around on.

(2) if you don't have telescoping lower links on your 3 pt hitch, see if they are available as a retro-fit. They make hooking up a whole lot easier.

(3) Consider adding hydraulic "top 'n tilt" to your 3 pt hitch. A bit expensive (over $1000 to have my dealer install mine, others have done their own for about $800 or so). Most folks do this to make their implements easier to use, but it does have the added benefit of making it easier to install 3 pt implements.

If I were in your shoes, I'd try #2 first. It makes a lot of difference to me to be able to just back up and get it close, but a hair short, then extend the lower hitch arms out to reach the pins. This has saved a lot of wrestling with implements &/or climbing up and down off the tractor. I got the top 'n tilt set-up primarily for use with my box blade, but it has proven usefull in a number of other areas as well (not the least of which is saving me from screwing up my back when installing implements).

Hope this helps!

John Mc

 

[Alan L.]

Hooking up the PTO shaft is the hardest part for me.

 

[Soundguy]

I guess having a couple extra tractors is out of the question huh?

Aside from what you mentioned., or the mods,. or haveing a tractor for each implement.. I doub't there is a better way.

Soundguy

 

[GaryM]

Check out the thread "Pat's Easy Change" that I started on the Customization thread.

These adaptors eliminate having to horse the implements around. You still have to hook up the top link, and PTO if used. Better than a quick hitch in some respects as quick hitches don't work on all implements.

 

[MossRoad]

<font color="blue"> There just has to be a better way. I am changing a finishing mower to scraper blade to plow frequently. I do not desire to use profinity in this endeavor but it sure is hard for this old man.
Just no longer have the necessary strength to move them around. I have been thinking of McGiver something such as a A frame with a chain hoist. Quick connects just do not fit all the attachments. I am sure there are some ideas out there so let me hear from you. </font>

You need a quick attach system that has a male adapter on the 3pt and a female adaptor on each implement. This way, there is no messing with different pin widths on each implement. This costs more because you have to buy a female adaptor for each implement, but it is money well spent when considering the pain and suffering it will reduce.

Try looking at the delta hook and freedom hitch, etc...

http://www.deltahook.com/advantages.html

http://www.freedomhitch.com/index2.html

Our Power Trac has this type of system built on(all Power Tracs do) and I've got to say that it is the easiest, most user friendly quick attach system, period. I can change an implement in 15 seconds without getting off the tractor. That's right. Drop the FEL bucket, back up, move over to the pallet forks, pick them up, lock them in and drive away in 15 seconds.

It may take a little longer on a 3pt hitch type setup, but you get the picture. I have a bad back and this thing makes me want to change implements. Good luck in your search. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[jmc]

I've been thinking about welding a chain hook or two near the balance point of each implement so they could be suspended from an overhang where I store them- like a limb, rafter, or "swingset" frame made out of 4 X6's. When mounting, lift the implement with a chain hoist, come-a-long, etc, then back up close. While suspended, the implement can easily move several inches in any direction as well as rotate.

I'll have to admit that most of my ideas work best from the armchair.

John

 

[Gil]

One of the best things I use to help me is a 5' pry bar.I though all tractors should be delieveres with one.

I wish You Well

Gil

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I prefer a quick hitch but my mower deck won't work with it and I have been switching implements much more frequently this year so I have been playing with different ideas (INCLUDING BUYING ANOTHER TRACTOR . . . but the wife says I have too much stuff already).

I stumbled on Pat's Quick Hitch.

And I admit I didn't like what I saw on their website, and I sent them email that they did not respond to. But then, a week later I got an email from them with pictures of their NEW design and they also addressed one of my main complaints and also now have a stabilizer bar attachment.

So I am ordering a Pat's Quick Hitch as soon as they actually can answer the phone (their toll free line goes to a voice recorder and I call when I have time to talk and can't easily receive calls when I don't have time for them to call me).

For $200 you get the new design quick hitch and the stabilizer bar. Some of the quick hitches are cheaper, but for those of us that have implements that are not built to quick hitch spec, the newly designed unit from Pat's looks to be a very good answer.

Pat's easy hitch (the old design without the stabilizer bar)

 

[Libertine]

Fisherman305:

The advice on extendable links - do it, do it, do it.

Another thought (or at least what I do - it's cheap) is to drop the implement in exactly the place you plan on reattaching it. I use cement blocks so its a good height and positioned correctly to reattach BEFORE I disconnect. While some stuff is easy enought to move (like a rake) other things (like a roll over blade) is just too heavy. If its positioned for reattachment BEFORE the pins get pulled makes it lots easier.

Oh, one other thing. Get extendable links.

JEH