Mowing iMatch and MX5 mower?

[tinsnip]

First, apologies if this has already been addressed. I tried the whole forum search function and kept getting an error message.

My question is re: the iMatch and its compatibility with the JD MX5 mower. I attached my iMatch and then backed up to the mower linkage. The position of the bottom hooks on the iMatch line up perfectly with the bottom links on the mower (all equipment, 4120 included, is less than 2 months old) but the top hook wants to attach to the bushing just below where the top link normally hooks without the iMatch installed. So what ends up happening is that the top most bracket on the mower linkage is now empty.

It was my impresssion that the arms/linkage on the mower are designed to pivot a little to allow for uneven ground. The position of the iMatch hookup now seems to have placed the top connection onto what would have been the pivot point of that linkage.

Does the iMatch compromise that pivoting action on rotary mowers? And, though this might sound silly, is it possible my dealer sold me an iMatch that is the wrong size for my tractor/implements? Do iMatchs come in different sizes?

Thanks!

 

[AKfish]

tinsnip;
"but the top hook wants to attach to the bushing just below where the top link normally hooks without the iMatch installed. So what ends up happening is that the top most bracket on the mower linkage is now empty."
Short answer --- shouldn't be a problem. I noticed the same thing with the neighbors LX-4 and his 5' LandPride BoxBlade. The iMatch hooks into the lower top link location on the attachments. You have to put the pin and heavy bushing into that alignment hole.
We did that and were able to level out the mower such that it's very slightly tilted forward (looks almost level to the eye) and in full travel height has lot's of clearance.
The box-blade was the same story. As well, I noticed that with the added rear-ward extension of the attachments that you didn't have to adjust the top-link very much at all to change the angle of the mower or the blade.
Hope this helps. AKfish

 

[tinsnip]

Thanks for the confirmation AKfish. After posting, I looked at some JD catalogues and was able to see the same thing as I mentioned pictured in them. Seems a bit odd, but it does work.

Cheers!

 

[rmonio]

That is how the i-Match and my MX6 connect up. At first I thought it looked odd, but it seems to handle it better with more balance for the mower. I have not hooked my i-Match to my Frontier BoxBlade yet, but I know on my Buhler FarmKing Finish mower, I had to put a conversion kit on and it removed the "top pin swing" - thereby achieving the same effect as what I was seeing on the MX6.

(Suggestion/Hint: Get a few extra Cat 1 sleeves for your pins on your implements so you don't have to move them around when connecting up your i-Match/implement setup. Saves ya some MORE time when attaching implements that way. )

-Bob

 

[AltavistaLawn]

That is how the i-Match and my MX6 connect up. At first I thought it looked odd, but it seems to handle it better with more balance for the mower. I have not hooked my i-Match to my Frontier BoxBlade yet, but I know on my Buhler FarmKing Finish mower, I had to put a conversion kit on and it removed the "top pin swing" - thereby achieving the same effect as what I was seeing on the MX6.

(Suggestion/Hint: Get a few extra Cat 1 sleeves for your pins on your implements so you don't have to move them around when connecting up your i-Match/implement setup. Saves ya some MORE time when attaching implements that way. )

-Bob

My LX6 "floats" much better if I let the top angle back a little.

Are those cat 1 sleeves a JD only thing or are they available from Farm Supply, etc?
Thanks.

 

[rmonio]

No, I don't believe they are a JD-only thing. I tried to get some at the local Fleet Farm last evening but they were out. I'm going to head over to TSC next and get them there.

-Bob

 

[AltavistaLawn]

No, I don't believe they are a JD-only thing. I tried to get some at the local Fleet Farm last evening but they were out. I'm going to head over to TSC next and get them there.

-Bob

I'm going to try Tractor Supply here...They quoted me under $2.00 ea. over the phone....JD dealer said $12.50 each !!!!

I wonder if they priced the right thing..I'll find out tomorrow.

 

[rmonio]

Let me know how much you paid. The JD dealers are always higher - but TSC is about 40 minutes away and Fleet Farm (10 miles away) is fresh out..

Thanks!

-Bob

 

[BloomingtonMike]

I'm going to try Tractor Supply here...They quoted me under $2.00 ea. over the phone....JD dealer said $12.50 each !!!!

I wonder if they priced the right thing..I'll find out tomorrow.

There are two very differnt types. There are the sleeves that look like tubing cut at about 1" and then there are the bushings. Here is a picture of my RB2072 with the bushings that TSC and F&F sell that are about $20-$22 a set. These are similar to the bushings JD sells for about that price as well.

 

[rmonio]

Ok, now I'm confused. What is the difference between the sleeves and bushings then?

-Bob

 

[hilld]

Basically, you need a total of 6 bushings in order to "modify" your standard implement to a iMatch implement. The quick disconnect is a Cat 3 bushing size, as far as I know, there are no Cat 1 to Cat 3 bushings, so you must go in steps from Cat 1 -> Cat 2, then from Cat 2 -> Cat 3. The bushings for the toplink are a smaller diameter than the bottom link. So you need 4 bushings for the bottom link (2 ea. Cat 1-> Cat2, 2 ea, Cat 2-> Cat 3) and 2 bushings for the top link (1 ea Toplink Cat 1-> Cat2 and 1 ea. Toplink Cat 2-> Cat 3).

Here is where the differences come to play. With standard bushings you have to use a pin to hold the whole thing together, with the JD set you have a shoulder that helps guide the hitch onto the implement. I have tried both ways and prefer the JD bushings (iMatch Kit) as I have bent one of the end pins when just using bushings.

Hope that helps.

Derek

 

[rmonio]

I started another thread on this (http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=83219) as I believe it is an interesting issue/item that I'd like to hear everyone's feedback on. HILD, can you post over there and also do you have some background on the JD kit and pictures?

-Bob