%$#^&*(* HF rear hitch

[foggy1111]

OK....so, after reading the reviews for the various 3 point hitches I figured I would go cheap and buy the HF 27 1/2" hitch for my JD 790. I recieved it in a few days but the top link is on back order for another month. I figured I would make it work for my box blade with the top hook and then doctor the rest of my implements later.....WRONG.

First, I had to jack the hitch open about anther 1/4" or so to bring it up to the width of my BB. Then, I had to grind out a section of the gussets on my box blade to fit the hitch, then I had to grind off part of the HF hitch itself to allow the 3 point pins to fit onto the hitch. Then the top link bolts protrude too far to allow the top link to fit with my box blade. Without the HF top link something seems awry in the geometry to let the implement fit all the way into the HF hitch.....I got disgusted and took the HF hitch off and put my BB back to its original condition.

So far I have over 4 hours time spent and alot of grunt time to not get anything to fit. I'm not sure I want to go through this with the other implements I have planned. Some of the problems could be so easily prevented if the "engineering staff" (ha) would try hooking up a few implements.

I sure wish I would have saved my money......maybe the pats links would have been a better investment....but I see some problems people have with them too. Grrrrrrrrr......I just hate it when stuff don't work right.

 

[foggy1111]

Errrrrrrr.......Rant over.

 

[jgrreed]

Ya, I've just received a bunch of implements for mine, and I'm finding the same thing with my SpeeCo hitch. A lot of implements are going to need a little (or a lot) or grinding here, a little bracket there, or a whole new freakin' 3pt assembly!!!!!

I'm taking as an opportunity to learn to cut and weld, but it'll be a job, that's for sure.

I've found that most things fit the bottom links on the QH, and those were the toughest to connect. I'm not able to do the true 'back up and lift' maneuver on most of the implements, but I can pick most up with the bottom links and then manually put the toplink pin in.

Agreed on the 'Engineers'. There are ASAE standards to follow for 3pt implements......"STANDARDS"!!!!.... meaning the same way, everytime!! Uuuugghhhhh...... I suppose some things are made outside of America (the first "A" is ASAE, I think), but still.....

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I sure wish I would have saved my money......maybe the pats links would have been a better investment....but I see some problems people have with them too.

Genuine JD iMatch...cant go wrong...the Woods/Land Pride QA's are nice also...The JD One is just very easy to get...

You have to view HF Tools & equipment as projects in of themselves....Google "HF Cordless Grease Gun" You'll find MANY Farmers with em and love em (especially at the price) and whole tutorial threads on how to get em working...remove this, plug that, re pack with grease, etc...
The people who dislike HF tools are the ones expecting them to work like a Makita/Milwaukee/DeWalt right out of the box...

My Dad has the HF QA, and its been Cut/Welded/Modified etc.. to match my iMatch...Working good now....Like he said, they should just ship it un-painted...or heck even un-assembled, just the parts needed to assemble it...

Edit---Is your gripe with the QA or the implement?

 

[Mighty Dodge]

I've got a HF hitch. I did get the optional top link connector because some of my implements have bracing that's in the way of the standard top link hook. I don't believe the hitch is the problem so much as different implement manufacturers use slightly different 3 pt. dimensions/designs. My neighbor has i-match and even it wont work with all after market implements.

M.D.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Yep, its not the hitch, its the implements. There is no standard so things are all over the place. I have a Ford bush hog, Caroni finish mower, Woods back blade, and other implements none are the same.

Chris

 

[3RRL]

Now see, I view the HF hitch as an opportunity to have fun.
A little push outwards here, a little grind there, a couple cuts and welds. Paint it to match your favorite flavor and there you go. I couldn't buy the steel and start from scratch for less than I paid for mine.

 

[jgrreed]

Is your gripe with the QA or the implement?

Hmmm... that's a very deep and philosophical question!!! I'd say the implement. But what came first, the hitch or the implement?? Which one should be made to fit the other??

Ah, who cares..... bottom line is I have some serious grinding to do!!

-Jer.

 

[mnbowhunter1960]

Yep, I bought a used KK 6' back snow blade and tried to hook it up to the JD Imatch last night , it's a no go. I looked at it from every angle I could, ended up taking off the Imatch and connecting it right to the three point arms works great! I will just leave it on for the winter and then put the Imatch back on in the spring. MH

 

[wushaw]

I find this rather funny just because these quick hitches are suppose to make things easier but it seems like they are creating more work

Oh and I just use the 3pt and find it works with everything I got with no problems.

 

[foggy1111]

Well....from my point of view, it's the hitch that's most of the problem. I realize some of the 3 point implements are going to be a bit different in dimensions (lotsa stuff was designed before these hitches came about).....but I can modify them to meet the hitch (and I will measure the implement purchase candidates before buying 'em). I just don't think I should have to grind 1/4 to 1/2" of material off the HF hitch to get it to fit on the lower pins....and that top link is pretty much useless. If they would just furnish the "adaptor" with the hitch instead of the worthless "top hook" that would solve the top link problem....of course I read you need to ream out some holes and grind to make that fit too....go figure.

I've developed alot of products in my time....and if I had shipped #$%^ stuff like this I would get it back from most folks pdq. I'm just sayin'...they coulda made this better without much more effort...and then I would be a happy camper. Those 3 point lower pins have been the same dimensions since I was a kid. You would think they could make the HF hitch fit the lower pins without allot of grinding...even if they just tried a little.

I'm just too tight to pay for the green painted model....in fact for that price I will wrestle the attachments on (my wife says I need the exercise anyway).

I guess you get what you pay for. (Second) rant over.

 

[pitt_md]

I understand the concept and think I would have a Quick Hitch of some sort if every implement fit the same. One of the things I love about my Kubota is the telescoping 3ph arms. Until they standardize the way 3ph implements fit I will stick to the telescoping arms. Everything fits. Just get close and your home free. IMHO this should be a standard feature on all tractors.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I don't believe the hitch is the problem so much as different implement manufacturers use slightly different 3 pt. dimensions/designs. My neighbor has i-match and even it wont work with all after market implements.

Agreed its not the Hitch's fault...BUT at the same time, Every one of my attachments thus far has fit my iMatch right off the bat.... Woods BB, Blizzard Snowblower, FIL's Tiller....
The way I see it is all the higher end stuff is to spec...all the Woods, Land Pride, and such are all QH compatible...

Buying the "financially cheaper" attachments is like buying a HF Grease Gun...you're gonna have some work to do.... My dad spent the better part of a week going thru his attachments and modifying the ones which were home made or not to spec so they were all to "QH Spec"......Once its all done & said, you'll be happy not fighting attachments anymore.

 

[Runner]

"Yep, I bought a used KK 6' back snow blade and tried to hook it up to the JD Imatch last night , it's a no go. I looked at it from every angle I could, ended up taking off the Imatch and connecting it right to the three point arms works great!"

This is how I solved that problem: made an adapter to go between the offending KK attachments (landscape rake and carryall) and the iMatch. The adapter also doubles as a receiver hitch mount and a regular drawbar.

Fortunately, I was able to get Frontier attachments for all my other stuff, and they are iMatch compatible out of the box. Well, except for the Wallenstein BX42, but it is also iMatch compatible.

 

[oldhippy]

I bought a HF quick hitch and it really works great. It is holding up a tree out by the barn. I then bought a Pats easy change look alike on ebay. It is on a shelf in the barn (would not fit my hitch arms). I have now ordered a real Pats easy change with spreader bar. Sould be in Wednesday. I am thinking that it will work great. Look at all the money I saved buying all that bargain stuff. LOL big dan

 

[foggy1111]

"Yep, I bought a used KK 6' back snow blade and tried to hook it up to the JD Imatch last night , it's a no go. I looked at it from every angle I could, ended up taking off the Imatch and connecting it right to the three point arms works great!"

This is how I solved that problem: made an adapter to go between the offending KK attachments (landscape rake and carryall) and the iMatch. The adapter also doubles as a receiver hitch mount and a regular drawbar.

Fortunately, I was able to get Frontier attachments for all my other stuff, and they are iMatch compatible out of the box. Well, except for the Wallenstein BX42, but it is also iMatch compatible.

Hmmmmm.....reminds me of an old saying....."Fits just like a saddle on a sow"... just funn'in with you....whatever works!

 

[Runner]

Yeah, it ain't pretty, but it works.

 

[JB4310]

Well....from my point of view, it's the hitch that's most of the problem. I realize some of the 3 point implements are going to be a bit different in dimensions (lotsa stuff was designed before these hitches came about).....modify

I guess you get what you pay for. (Second) rant over.

foggy,
I agree with you it's more the hitch that's the problem especially those bolts on the top J-hook, that just doesn't make sense would not fit in a JD rear blade or a Land Pride rake's upper link. These are not exactly off brand/odd ball implements.

I have an i-match for my newer machine, bought all the bushings and had to mod a few things on the implements but everything works fine now.
Then I wanted another QH for an older machine and didn't want to spend much so I got the $89. HF unit, of course it wouldn't work with the I-match compatible class 2 lower link bushings, didn't know that till after I bought it but this is understandable I guess. An hour of grinding later that's ok now.
Then the upper J-hook had to be cut on a bridgeport (still had some credit from my buddy after I gave him a bottle of Gray Goose for other machine work he did for me) to fit the 1.25" top link bushings, then those bolts were the icing on the cake, Yea you get what you pay for, I would have just spent the extra ching for another i-match had I realized how much work the discount unit would need.
JB.

 

[jgrreed]

Yeah, it ain't pretty, but it works.

Not with a PTO it won't.....

-J.

 

[jgrreed]

"Yep, I bought a used KK 6' back snow blade and tried to hook it up to the JD Imatch last night , it's a no go. I looked at it from every angle I could, ended up taking off the Imatch and connecting it right to the three point arms works great!"

This is how I solved that problem: made an adapter to go between the offending KK attachments (landscape rake and carryall) and the iMatch. The adapter also doubles as a receiver hitch mount and a regular drawbar.

Fortunately, I was able to get Frontier attachments for all my other stuff, and they are iMatch compatible out of the box. Well, except for the Wallenstein BX42, but it is also iMatch compatible.

That's the same problem I have with my Caroni Flail. The distance between the top and bottom links is not right, and I need to weld brackets on to make that height difference proper.

-Jer.