How helpful is it to have a tractor that takes 3pt cat 1 or 2?

[BGigHarbor]

I see the larger Kubotas will take either cat 1 or 2 3 pt hitch implements. Will show ignorance here, is it simply pin size or are the lengths of the arms different?

The size I have my eye on only takes cat 1 (l4760), but slight larger tractors take either.

Is that a big deal, maybe a wider range of used implements?

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Used cat 2 implements seem to be much much much harder to find used. Cat 2 implements typically cost more $$$ than cat 1 implements. My opinion is that the cat 1-2 stuff should stop at the L6060 and MX series tractors. All of the M series should just be cat 2 IMO. I personally think that it is a complete JOKE that the 8540, and 9540 are cat 1-2 tractors. I pity the cat 1 ground engaging implement that gets drug behind either one of those tractors. I suppose that something that is only used up in the air as in a spreader or something similar must be why they offer the tractors the way that they do. :confused3:

As far as the arm lengths, I am pretty sure that they are the same if you were to only jump up sizes in the L series.

 

[Retired Iron Peddler]

I purchased a L3830 GST new in 2006 and I've put almost 1,400 hours on it and it's never given me any problems. I own and maintain 35 acres of slightly rolling pasture land. However, if I had to do it over again, I'd purchase a L5740 size tractor for the CAT I and the Cat II hitch in order to easier to hookup a couple of Cat II implements I have acquired. Also I would purchase the tractor with a hydrostatic transmission and an air conditioned cab.

Bill

 

[Complete Turf Care]

What exactly does it mean to have a Cat I 'OR' Cat II hitch? I have a L5740 that has this. I know that the holes are larger on the bottom links, But I'm not sure on the top link. (I just bought the tractor and haven't attached anything yet)

All of my attachments are Cat I, and I know that I can add a sleeve (bushing) over the pins to make them fit the Cat II.

 

[wmonroe]

My 5240 is cat 1 or 2, and use the bushings on the arms and the top link when hooking up to my cat 1 implements. The option of having cat 2 has really come in handy when borrowing attachments from my neighbor (farmer) as almost all of his stuff is cat 2.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Some tractors have the ball swivels that actually have cat 1 & cat 2 holes in them. Those would be what I would consider a true cat 1-2 hitch. You rotate the ball 90 degrees to change sizes. Others have the top link with a cat 1 size at one end and a cat 2 size at the other. You swap the top link end for end and there is a different size pin that can be used at the tractor end to take care of the pin size difference. I think on these tractors you just use bushings on the draft arms, but not sure 100%. :confused3:

 

[MHarryE]

Here is a link that gives the dimensions for the different hitch categories including the power range for which each hitch size is intended. I think the Cat 1-2 hitch means it will meet the positions of both sizes but the sphericals are sized or Cat 2 so you need the bushings to adapt to Cat 1, a pain in the butt. I have replaced the pins on my Cat 1 implements with Cat 2 pins where I can. My bale spear is the only attachment I have that is sized for both Cat 1 and Cat 2. The lower link pins are stepped - outside position meets Cat 2 dimensions for both width and pin size while inside meets Cat 1. There are 2 top link holes located and sized for the 2. Manufacturers of both tractors and implements don't always go by the standard. My 6 bottom semi-mounted plow has a Cat 2 hitch but there is no way a tractor less than 100 HP is going to pull it except maybe for transport.

http://www.tractordata.com/articles/technical/threepoint.html

 

[xring100]

Used cat 2 implements seem to be much much much harder to find used. Cat 2 implements typically cost more $$$ than cat 1 implements. My opinion is that the cat 1-2 stuff should stop at the L6060 and MX series tractors. All of the M series should just be cat 2 IMO. I personally think that it is a complete JOKE that the 8540, and 9540 are cat 1-2 tractors. I pity the cat 1 ground engaging implement that gets drug behind either one of those tractors. I suppose that something that is only used up in the air as in a spreader or something similar must be why they offer the tractors the way that they do. :confused3:

As far as the arm lengths, I am pretty sure that they are the same if you were to only jump up sizes in the L series.

Ive never seen kubota advertise m8540 as cat 1/2 i believe this feature stops at the m7040 you would have to have different lift arms on my M8540 or cut the bushing out and replace them. I would agree i would never put cat 2-1 bushings on any ground engaging equipment.

I believe Cat 1 is rated for 45 draw bar horsepower while cat 2 is 40-100
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three-point_hitch


Your right Used Cat 2 implements definitely command a premium and they are few and far Between with that said it would be nice to be able to use both.
I got sick of looking for a descent used medium duty 7' cat 2 rotary cutter so i finally had to order new

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Ive never seen kubota advertise m8540 as cat 1/2 i believe this feature stops at the m7040 you would have to have different lift arms on my M8540 or cut the bushing out and replace them. I would agree i would never put cat 2-1 bushings on any ground engaging equipment.

I believe Cat 1 is rated for 45 draw bar horsepower while cat 2 is 40-100
Three-point hitch - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

View attachment 331718
Your right Used Cat 2 implements definitely command a premium and they are few and far Between with that said it would be nice to be able to use both.
I got sick of looking for a descent used medium duty 7' cat 2 rotary cutter so i finally had to order new

I wonder why they use a 3/4" pin for the tractor end of the top link then?

 

[xring100]

I wonder why they use a 3/4" pin for the tractor end of the top link then?

I'd guess would have to see it to believe it. Where did you run across the 3/4" pin at? Not sure if they changed at some point but both ends of my toplink on my m8540 are 1" as well as the pins