iMatch questions

[picker77]

I'd like to have an iMatch hitch on my 3032E, but I keep hearing phrases like "they're great, all you have to do is modify all your implements to match the iMatch and you're good". This doesn't give me warm and fuzzy feelings.

I only have two 3pt implements I'm concerned with: a brush hog and a box blade. I measured them and they are both 27-1/2" minimum between the lower pins. For the top link pin, on my box blade it's about 18" above the lower pins. On the Rhino SE5 mower (which has a swinging "flex-mount" arrangement for the upper pin), it's also about 18" when the swinging pin mount is level, but can be temporarily about 2"-3" below that, depending on how the mower is riding vs the tractor when going over little swales and dips while mowing, a feature of the Rhino I really like.

My question is: What is the "modification" so many keep mentioning? Is it changing the horizontal distance between the lower arm pins, or is it a problem with the vertical (perrpendicular) distance up to the top link from the lower pins? Or both??? Does not the iMatch conform to the standard Cat 1 27-1/2" minimum measurement between pins, or is there a problem with the top link distances?

Lastly, is it a PIA to hook up the PTO with an iMatch in the way? This wouldn't be a show stopper for me, since I don't use the brush hog very often compared to the box blade, but is of interest nonetheless.

Thanks in advance!

 

[kennyd]

I don't have any trouble hooking up PTO shaft's...Some do however. But you will have plenty of energy to do it since you will not have just wrestled your implement and had to adjust the check-chains.

Modifications can vary...it is usually the top-link in my experience that's been a problem.

Here is the ASAE standard: Will an ASAE Standard Quick Hitch Fit? - Equipment | Lawn & Garden | LSU AgCenter

 

[TC33DA]

I ordered mine today. My back feels better already

 

[Johndeere3720]

I'd like to have an iMatch hitch on my 3032E, but I keep hearing phrases like "they're great, all you have to do is modify all your implements to match the iMatch and you're good". This doesn't give me warm and fuzzy feelings.

I only have two 3pt implements I'm concerned with: a brush hog and a box blade. I measured them and they are both 27-1/2" minimum between the lower pins. For the top link pin, on my box blade it's about 18" above the lower pins. On the Rhino SE5 mower (which has a swinging "flex-mount" arrangement for the upper pin), it's also about 18" when the swinging pin mount is level, but can be temporarily about 2"-3" below that, depending on how the mower is riding vs the tractor when going over little swales and dips while mowing, a feature of the Rhino I really like.

My question is: What is the "modification" so many keep mentioning? Is it changing the horizontal distance between the lower arm pins, or is it a problem with the vertical (perrpendicular) distance up to the top link from the lower pins? Or both??? Does not the iMatch conform to the standard Cat 1 27-1/2" minimum measurement between pins, or is there a problem with the top link distances?

Lastly, is it a PIA to hook up the PTO with an iMatch in the way? This wouldn't be a show stopper for me, since I don't use the brush hog very often compared to the box blade, but is of interest nonetheless.

Thanks in advance!

Being an owner of 3 imatch systems and several implements, i should be able to answer this question. When i bought my first imatch, the horizontal distance between the lower links on my box blade were a bit short so i had some welding done to it and added a wider bar to hook up to. I also had to modify my brush hog because the lower links were too low so since there were two holes i just had two larger links made that went in those upper holes. Attaching the PTO isn't hard at all. I hook up to both my 40" brush hog and my Dads MX6 brush hog as well as my tiller and it is very easy. There isn't any loss in room to get back there. I have an imatch on my yanmar, my dads 3720, and my grandpa's 2210. They are worth every penny. :thumbsup: If i recall, from end to end on the lower links are 30", that is outside to outside on the imatch. Vertically, i think it goes up 15" to the top hook. When i was looking at my first imatch, the Deere website only had it it centimeters.

 

[beenthere]

I too wouldn't be without the iMatch. Priceless.

And doubly so with the hyd. top arm. :cool2:

 

[Big Bri]

if ya'll don't mind me butting in, i've got a questison. if your tractor was cat 1 and cat 2 would you buy the cat1 or cat2 imatch.
I've been thinking of buying one but don't know which way to go. All of my attachments are cat1/2 except my flail and sub soiler.
thanks

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

if ya'll don't mind me butting in, i've got a questison. if your tractor was cat 1 and cat 2 would you buy the cat1 or cat2 imatch.
I've been thinking of buying one but don't know which way to go. All of my attachments are cat1/2 except my flail and sub soiler.
thanks

I think this may relate to the "modification" I haven't seen mentioned yet. The I-Match (AFAIK) is sized for Cat 2 implements, therefore a set of bushings will be required for Cat 1 implements - probably a set for each implement, since they are held in place with little spring pins that are hammered into place and would be a PITA to change each time from implement to implement.

At least that's the way it works with the I-Match they delivered with my JD 3320

 

[kuboman]

This might get me in trouble on a JD forum but I went with the Landpride quick hitch because it has an adjustable to link which I found to be the biggest problem with 'non standard' cat 1 implements.:thumbsup:

 

[picker77]

Interesting. The horizontal dimension between lower pins would not be a problem. The JD iMatch is 26.9" min -29.5" max horizontally, so my 27.5" implements will fit the bottom pins fine. However, the iMatch is 15" vertically between bottom pins and the top link pin, and my stuff is 18", leaving me 3" short. This probably wouldn't be a problem with my brush hog thanks to the swinging top link connection on it, but that also means I'd have to get off the tractor and manually hook up the top link every time, kinda defeating the purpose of a quick hitch. On the box blade I would have a major problem no matter what because the 18" vertical distance up to the top link pin is fixed, so I'd have hack something together make that work.

UPDATE: Thanks for the tip, Kuboman. I just looked up the Land Pride Q15 quick hitch, and its top link hook is adjustable from 14" to 18-7/8". That looks like it might just work dandy for my setup!

 

[beenthere]

Interesting. ............... This probably wouldn't be a problem with my brush hog thanks to the swinging top link connection on it, but that also means I'd have to get off the tractor and manually hook up the top link every time, .............................

UPDATE: Thanks for the tip, Kuboman. I just looked up the Land Pride Q15 quick hitch, and its top link hook is adjustable from 14" to 18-7/8". That looks like it might just work dandy for my setup!

Meaning also with the LandPride that you would have to get off the tractor and manually adjust the top link hook.... Seems like there is some similarity here.

I just have the attachments fabbed to be iMatch compatible and don't have to get off and manually adjust the top hook. But all boils down to preference here.