iMatch or noMatch?

[txloops]

So i'm humbly back at the foot of expertise, needing to understand why my John Deere 272 Finish Mower doesn't seem to be compatible with the iMatch quick attach I bought for my 790??????

I have attached a .jpg instead of killing the problem with words. In short......the bottom two arms of the 3-point hook up great, but it seems that the top pin is way too high to fit into the upper hook of the iMatch.

The dealer said that the iMatch is compatible with all JD and Frontier attachments. Doesn't seem to be the case here, unless I am suffering from another rookie mistake.

Thoughts please??

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Simple observation but I see rust on the mower deck. I'm guessing the mower deck is not a recent production unit. What I found when I dug into the various quick hitches is that they are standardized to MOST of the NEWLY manufacturered implements.

I suspect that the dealer's statement could be amended to say it will work with all NEW JD or Frontier implements.

 

[txloops]

You are correct....the tractor is a 2001 (and i assume the finish mower that came with the tractor was purchased by the original owner at the same time).

 

[beenthere]

You are right, yours is a noMatch.
I had some older 3pt attachments that had to be re-fitted to make them work with the iMatch. But, not such a big deal, but just a little bit of ingenuity and a good welder.

If it's a problem, see your Deere dealer and ask him to get you the finish mower that does fit the iMatch. They are handy when you get them to iMatch. Good luck.

 

[txloops]

Thanks.....i agree there is probably an easy fix for a welder to "amend" the existing 3pt harness. I just wanted to validate that I wasn't missing something in my attempt to attach the mower.

Calling my welding buddy now!

 

[JClark]

TX,

Whatever solution you come up with remember that you will need some kind of floating top link. The mower must be able to swivel on the lower pins, therefor the top link must not be fixed. A short piece of chain would do it and older tractor reqularly used chain for top links.

The top link problem is what keeps me from using the iMatch. Both my bushhog and finish mower require floating top links which the iMatch does not seems to accomodate. Maybe someone has a good solution.

 

[texastomtom]

Just a note:

Even some of the new john deere implements are not compatible. Hopefully for everyone elses sake I'm the only one that has noted this.

The John Deere 681 rotary tiller is not compatible.

Simple torch and weld correction but why they are not built from the factory compatible is bizarre. It would be so easy.

The unit even says IMATCH right on the tiller next to the model # in BIG letters.

If you read fine print in the operators manual it does state that this particular model is NOT Imatch compatible.

Lower links are good, A simple mod of the top link position fixes the problem.

 

[johndeere2210]

Not wanting to Dealer bash, but when one dealer says that something will work (when it will not) certainly makes it hard on those of us that do try to tell it like it is. The I match hitch will not work with a number of new JD implements or Frontier implements. The mods required to make it work are minimal and once made, the hitch is a handy tool. Sorry for venting, but dealer misinformation hit a nerve.

 

[BenderKC]

I have a 2003 Frontier RFM advertised as being I-Match compatible and it is not.

 

[jonesiera]

Thanks TX,
I appreciate Honesty !

 

[Gunfighter]

If you decide on going with a iMatch type rear hitch, get one with the adjustable top link. I bought my hitch from TSC, the top hook can be moved up/down or easily removed...

I removed the top hook an use a short bar with pin size hole drilled in each end. This works great with everything I have except King Kutter attachments...

Word of advise regarding King Kutter implement. The pins appear to be the right distance apart for the iMatch hitch to work but soon as you slide the sleeves over the pins, there is not enough room behind the pins for the lower hooks to get behind...

Richard
West Michigan...

 

[PerryWhite]

Txloops,
I originally bought a JD 790 with JD 413 brush mower in 1999.
In 2003, I traded the 790 for a 4310 with an iMatch.
I had the same problem with the 413 as shown on your picture. It turned out that the 413 was sold with two different
kinds of linkages. One was compatible with iMatch and the
other one was what I had. I did some searching on the
JD parts web site and for slightly less than $100, I bought
the linkage parts to convert my 413 to iMatch compatibility.
Here's a picture before I painted everything.
Unfortunately, I looked on the parts web site and the 272 doesn't have two different linkages. But you might be able to
use the S linkage bars from the 413 and build or adapt
the other linkage bars.