Couple of Harbor Freight QH questions

TNhobbyfarmer · Dec 19, 2016

Catman8 said:
Thanks for pointing out the drive shaft extension, today I went shopping for a cat 1 QH, stopped by HF and looked there's over and then stopped by my local tractor supply and they had a countyline cat 1 QH out back that probably has been out there for a few years because the rubber handles were trash and it's not an item that they usually stock because it's not online. When I compared the two you could see the difference in quality, quality welds, thicker steel, and the three hooks were cut clean and square. HF welds not so great and the hooks looked like they cut them with a torch, not square and crooked. HF $99 vs Countyline $279 of course there is going to be a difference, the countyline came with two of the bushings and the connector for difficult top link hook ups, because the handles were trash they sold it to me for $240. I have read many threads about the HF QH and people are having good luck with them and I'm sure they will do the job just fine, if the welds break just pull out the old welder and fix it, you can't beat the price $99. I just thought I would share my observation and shopping experience with everyone, if I didn't find the countyline today I would of bought the HF.

I didnt know HF carried their QH in their stores. I've never seen one in my local store. I ordered one but would probably have got it at the store had I known.

Catman8 · Dec 19, 2016

TNhobbyfarmer said:
I didnt know HF carried their QH in their stores. I've never seen one in my local store. I ordered one but would probably have got it at the store had I known.

Different size HF stores are going to carry different items, I installed my QH today, had to machine the bushings down because they were to long for my tiller, everything went well, after hooking up a few attachments I said heck with this crap I need a QH. California, thanks for the idea of the pins on the top hook, I bought two today. How much swing from left to right should you have your 3pt set to, I have a compact tractor so there is not a lot of room before you hit the tires, should the movement be limited or should there be a lot of swing just stopping short of hitting the tires. TNhobbyfarmer, your really going to like your QH just hooking up my tiller today was simply and easy no more fuss.

bcp · Dec 19, 2016

Implements that are in the ground and can't move sideways need more side slack in the hitch. When you are using implements on top of the ground, most slack can be adjusted out.

Bruce

Catman8 · Dec 19, 2016

bcp said:
Implements that are in the ground and can't move sideways need more side slack in the hitch. When you are using implements on top of the ground, most slack can be adjusted out.

Bruce

Bruce, can you explain why. if I did not have a lot of slack when using my tiller what would happen, would I damage something.

California · Dec 19, 2016

My neighbor who is a full time commercial-scale farmer (operates 200 acres of apples and grapes) looked at my setup and advised adjust all the slack out of the 3-point side to side motion. He said he likes everything taut. Seems to me that could be a cause for unnecessary wear so I set it for the slightest possible slack.

The tractor's lower 3-point pins and the PTO are all in line in the same plane. There's nothing that should get tighter as you raise/lower the implement.

shui5612 · Dec 19, 2016

The way I have learned it is that slack is needed for when you use implements that need slack such as a plow or subsoiler. (2inches of slack)
For example when plowing and there is a rock, the implement can shift sideways to avoid it without bending the implement.
On something like a snow blower or rear blade, some slack is good too (1 inch)because the implement can move away from a root, stump, ice, etc.
Meanwhile then there are implements that you need 0 slack such as a car hitch on your 3point, when towing a trailer or pushing it backwards, you want accurate and a firmer connection.

This wasn't mentioned but the Quick connect will reduce lifting capacity slightly since it moves the pins further back.
On my little sub compact I have an implement that it could barely raise and after adding the quick connect or a pats easy change, it no longer lifts the implement to full height. You have to help the tractor and "lift" the implement by hand to get it up. Maybe only 10-15lbs of assist.

California · Dec 19, 2016

shui5612 said:
The way I have learned it is that slack is needed for when you use implements that need slack such as a plow or subsoiler.

That makes sense.

With tree roots everywhere in these orchards, we use only a heavy disk and sometimes a rototiller for cultivation. These will climb over a root without drama.

number9L · Dec 20, 2016

JRobyn said:
Do a search on "Quick Hitch" on here - tons of great info.

You'll probably want a pair of these - http://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...dware&utm_campaign=NorTrac&utm_content=508701
for each implement. Northern always seems to have the best price and easy shipping.

I went ahead and modified my implements to fit. Just an hour or two of mount point re-drilling and now they all fit either QH or regular 3-pt.

Wow, thanks for the link to the bushing kit. I get sick every time I've bought one at TSC.
However, unless I'm bad wrong (I hope not cause I ordered two of them), the correct version for impliments with 7/8" dia pins is this one http://m.northerntool.com/products/shop~tools~product_200479426_200479426?hotline=false

Catman8 · Dec 20, 2016

number9L said:
Wow, thanks for the link to the bushing kit. I get sick every time I've bought one at TSC.
However, unless I'm bad wrong (I hope not cause I ordered two of them), the correct version for impliments with 7/8" dia pins is this one http://m.northerntool.com/products/shop~tools~product_200479426_200479426?hotline=false

I hope those are the ones for a cat 1 because I just ordered three sets and they shipped today, Im sure they are

. Being unfamiliar with three points, allowing movement so the implement can work around solid objects sounds logical, I just don't like when I'm traveling with the implement up that it swings side to side. QH will reduce lifting but I'm guessing that the extra weight could be an advantage to ground breaking implements. I was searching for a thread on adjusting a slip clutch drive shaft because I want to try out my new tiller for the first time and did not want to destroy my tractors PTO, searching for threads sure takes up time.