EZ-Hitch for tractors, Carter & Sons

[clarityconnect]

I will point out a few other differences. My Easy Change has set screws, shims, and u-bolts to stabilize the hitch and match to all size lift arms. The other difference would be on some implements you do not have a whole lot of room between the deck and the pin. How do you slide the hook onto the pin? I know I have had several customers that just the bumper got in the way and we had to modify the hitch for them. I am sure they have a good product. I do feel mine is better. LOL. As always I thank you for your continued support.

Pat of Pat's Easy Change

Hi Pat and glad you chimed in here. I've got nothing against your hitch, except maybe it's price, as it's a good design and will serve anyone buying it well and for a long time. I would like to state that the reason you added the screws, shims, and U-bolts was because of your design. In your design which is an extension of the lift arm, all the downward force and pressure is straight out about 3 to 4 inches from the lift arm pin hole. That's why you had to add the U-bolt in the back of your hitch, for added strength and support and to counteract that downward force at the front of your hitch. In Carter's design, the downward force is directly over the original lift arm pin hole which is where it would be anyway, plus the fact that the tractors lift arm is encased in the hitch housing with support at the top and bottom of the lift arm. This eliminates any additional support requirements for the hitch.
Please don't take this as any criticism or finding fault with your hitch as you have an excellent hitch which will satisfy many people. One reason I've responded to your post as I have is because I'm a mechanical engineer and designer by trade and I felt that I had to make a few points about both hitch designs. Have a good day and hope you sell many hitches.

 

[PATG]

clarityconnect,

No problem. I enjoy discussion. But I will point out that the downward pressure does not necessitate the u-bolt. The u-bolt is to keep the hitch from moving up and down and causing damage over time to your ball. I have tried to figure out with some of the small lift arms what keeps the other hitch stable when using something like a disc mower. It would seem like it would wobble back and forth. Also, what about the deck to pin distance? As to the price, sorry but American steel and hardware are expensive. I could send the design to China, but you never know what you would get back. Look at Mattel. I sure ain't getting rich. Still work my 8-5 that I have had for 25 years and trust some of the best employees in the world to turn out a product that they would and have let their fathers and grandfathers use. We treat our customers like family and will continue to operate like that as long as the good Lord sees fit.

Pat of Pat's Easy Change

 

[emmy71]

clarityconnect,

No problem. I enjoy discussion. But I will point out that the downward pressure does not necessitate the u-bolt. The u-bolt is to keep the hitch from moving up and down and causing damage over time to your ball. I have tried to figure out with some of the small lift arms what keeps the other hitch stable when using something like a disc mower. It would seem like it would wobble back and forth. Also, what about the deck to pin distance? As to the price, sorry but American steel and hardware are expensive. I could send the design to China, but you never know what you would get back. Look at Mattel. I sure ain't getting rich. Still work my 8-5 that I have had for 25 years and trust some of the best employees in the world to turn out a product that they would and have let their fathers and grandfathers use. We treat our customers like family and will continue to operate like that as long as the good Lord sees fit.

Pat of Pat's Easy Change

As an owner of the Pat's Easy Change, please do not send the design to China. The quality is second to none and I am willing to pay for that. I was looking at the Speeco quick hitch at tractor supply. After measuring the hooks on it I realized it would only fit one of my implements without modification. That is not very cost effective. When I received my hitch, the two U-bolts were missing. One call and two days later I had them. Customer service is second to none. The price on the Easy Change is actually a great value when you consider the quality, the ease of use, and the customer support. I always look for value when I buy anything. My back and my knuckles thank you.

Thanks,
Terry

 

[EZ-HITCH]

Ed,

I know we have already spoke on the phone, but I just wanted to post a reply here as well. As the owner of Carter and Son's Tool & Die, LLC I just wanted to make sure that everyone who may read this thread understands that we are commited to producing a quality product that is made in the USA! I am NOT here to "bash" any similar products. I will give my opinion if asked and leave it at that.

Now a little info about our product. The EZ-HITCH can be found on our web site CARTERANDSONSLLC.COM. The design is very simple and at the same time very effective. We have only been selling them for about 18 months so our customer base is limited in comparison to some of the other designs. However, in that short period of time we have proven that our product works great and is very durable.

In an earlier post a member asked about the use of pins to hold the implement in. Their assumption was correct. 1/2" steel retainer pins are used to keep the implements draw pins in place. The pins are easily removed before the implement is lowered in order to remove it from the EZ-HITCH. When the next implement is picked up the pins are put back in after you hook up the top link. The operator does not have to mount or dismount the tractor any more often then with any other design.

If there are any further questions I will be glad to answer them.

Jerome

 

[PATG]

Jerome,

I was in no way "bashing" your product. I wasn't saying yours is foreign. I know they are US made just like mine. There is one out there that is foreign and I think we both know who that is. They hurt both of us, because they don't use decent business practices. They actually made photo copies of our instructions and sent them out with our name still on them. Their corporation license in Arkansas and Tennessee was revoked in 2005 and according to the state of Tennessee they haven't filed a sales tax return since then. Check out the links.

(Arkansas Secretary of State: Business/ Commercial Services)

(Business Information Search)

Yours and mine are different enough that it is just up to the consumer as to what they prefer for their application. I was just pointing out the differences. I hope this clears up the matter.

Pat of Pat's Easy Change

 

[HayDR]

Jerome,

I was in no way "bashing" your product. I wasn't saying yours is foreign. I know they are US made just like mine. There is one out there that is foreign and I think we both know who that is. They hurt both of us, because they don't use decent business practices. They actually made photo copies of our instructions and sent them out with our name still on them. Their corporation license in Arkansas and Tennessee was revoked in 2005 and according to the state of Tennessee they haven't filed a sales tax return since then. Check out the links.

(Arkansas Secretary of State: Business/ Commercial Services)

(Business Information Search)

Yours and mine are different enough that it is just up to the consumer as to what they prefer for their application. I was just pointing out the differences. I hope this clears up the matter.

Pat of Pat's Easy Change

Carter & Carter Machinery of Johnson City, TN has NO connection to Carter and Sons

 

[margaritaman]

Just got my EZHitch in last weekend. Two minutes to install and use. I purchased a quick hitch on sale at Harbor Freight a couple of weeks ago to find out that it would not fit some of the attachments. Bad deal. So far I have picked up two implements and it worked like a charm. Expect no problem from the others since it is just an extension of the 3 point arms.

 

[EZ-HITCH]

Pat,

I did not mean for it to come across as accusatory against you. I just wanted to make sure people knew where I stood. I agree complelty that we simply offer to different versions of a great product!

Jerome

 

[jsborn]

One of the biggest differences between the two hitches is one uses removable pins and the other uses spring loaded latches. With that said IMO and in my experience the spring loaded latches are well worth the extra price if for no other reason than I cant loose them. I can loose enough pins unless they are chained on to off set the higher cost in no time at all.

I know that is because of my failing not the manufacturers but it is still a fact of my life.

 

[PA hayseed]

Thanks for the thread. I have been contemplating the purchase of a quick attach system, and this thread helped alot.

It is really nice to see two competing brands have a normal discussion without name calling and one-upsmanship. I think that is why I like this board so much.