Harbor Freight 3-point quick hitch

BamaRob · Jul 21, 2006

I wasn't so lucky. The hitch fit on my lower lift arms fine. No problem there. I was a bit disappointed in how thin the metal is, especially down there where it slips over the lower lift arms. Just doesn't look very strong. But, for < $75, I'm not complaining.

Unfortunately, I couldn't get it to work with my boxblade (5' KK). And, it appears that my rotary cutter (5' KK) will be even more problematic. Perhaps with a hydraulic toplink it would work better. I never could get it to fit my boxblade with the existing lift pins and top link. Perhaps I need to practice with it more. I'll definitely play with it some more before deciding to build something from it or send it back.

Later,

BR

Robertsen · Jul 21, 2006

This thread reminds me of an old sci-fi movie "The thing from beyond space that wouldn't die" or someting like that. So, I couldn't resist and ordered one yesterday. Hopefully it'll fit my brush hog.

Licklog · Jul 21, 2006

Got my quick hitch today. Hooked it up quick and easy. No problems with dimensions. Must have responded to all the complaints and fixed the problem......So far it's worth the $65 and free gloves.

Brad_Blazer · Jul 21, 2006

My box blade and bush hog do not have clearance to hook the top link so I adjust it in, hook the bottom links, then adjust the top link hook out and insert the pin thru the hook and implement. Not ideal but still easeir than without the quick hitch.

BamaRob · Jul 22, 2006

I think I'll be sending it back. It fits on the tractor fine, but not my implements. I could possibly make it work with my box blade with a little work, but it doesn't even come close to working with my rotary cutter. The width of the cutter's frame where the lower lift pins are is about 3/4" too wide for the QH.

Now to go figure out how to get a return label from HF...

BR

Bedlam · Jul 22, 2006

Bob, before I returned mine, I saw another poster using it as a log arch. Its looks like it would be good for that , I'm not sure if you do that much tree pulling or not. I would have kept mine for that one use alone, but I already had made a hitch to tow and pull with. Just a thought.
If you do return , I did, and it was creditied to my charge acct about 2 weeks after I took it to the PO.
Al

Slamfire · Jul 22, 2006

BamaRob said:
I think I'll be sending it back. It fits on the tractor fine, but not my implements. I could possibly make it work with my box blade with a little work, but it doesn't even come close to working with my rotary cutter. The width of the cutter's frame where the lower lift pins are is about 3/4" too wide for the QH.

Now to go figure out how to get a return label from HF...

BR

Have you tried with the pins facing inward?

BamaRob · Jul 22, 2006

Bedlam said:
Bob, before I returned mine, I saw another poster using it as a log arch.

Great idea! I hadn't even thought of that. I haven't skidded any logs in several months, but wished I'd had something better than just a clevis on the drawbar. It's certainly worth what I've got in it for that purpose alone.

Thanks,

BR

BamaRob · Jul 22, 2006

Slamfire said:
Have you tried with the pins facing inward?

Yeah. I've had my pins facing inward since I got the implements. To even get it close, I had to turn the pins back out. It comes very close to fitting my boxblade; if the hitch were 1/8" wider it'd work. But, with the cutter, the hitch would need to be at least 3/4" wider.

Now, Bedlam's tip about using it as a logging arch definitely has me interested. I'll keep it around and give that a try.

Thanks,

BR

Bedlam · Jul 23, 2006

I cant take the credit for it as a logging arch. Ive seen a post here where some did use it that way.I'm sure you'd have to keep a real close eye on it and go slow, as you'd be pulling with the 3 point hitch.( a no no)
Others, and myself do it all time though.I usually keep mine as low to the ground as possible, and dont push the limits with it.
At least if you were to make any of your own implements you could make them "fit" .Alot of mine didn't fit anyways, thats why I returned it. And I really cant complain as some of them are home built, and I duplicated the factory implement spacing measurements.But with something like this ,those measurements are critical.
My friend is really modifying his. Somehow he is making a way to adjust it wider.Ill have to see how he does it.
Al