3-Point Hitch Imatch - quick hitch adaptor?

[Trav City]

Hi,

I have a john deere quick hitch that the top link is not adjustable so it is set at I beleive 15". I just picked up a 3 point spreader and it appears the top link is at 18". Is there an adaptor kit I can buy or does anyone have an idea on how to easily fabricate something to work without a welder?

Thanks

 

[beenthere]

:welcome:
Show a pic of what you have on the spreader, and we can offer some fairly easy suggestions. Not a kit, but a handy welder can whip it out in short order, or just a nuts and bolts deal.

 

[Trav City]

Hello, it is a The Hollow 300.

 

[KennyG]

The bad news is that your spreader is not "quick hitch compatible". The pin hole at 18" is for the 3 point top link but to be quick hitch compatible it should have another fixed pin at 15".

The adjustable hitch quick hitches can move the hook up 3 inches to use the top link hole. With an Imatch, I think you will have to weld plates below the attachment point and put a fixed pin there. Some quick hitches have an additional bracket available that will extend the upper link attachment instead of using the hook, but I don't think that approach works with the Imatch.

 

[jenkinsph]

I know you said you don't have a welder but the simple solution is to find a small welding shop and have them add the flatbar for the lower 15" mounting.

Make sure the attachment holes are plumb with the pins even if you have to move the lower pins forward too. Do it once and do it right, this way you will be good to go for the life of the implement.

 

[beenthere]

Agree with jenk, that should be a pretty easy fix. Not bad news as I see it.

 

[Trav City]

Thanks for the help. when you say plum are you referring to the lower 2 pins and the upper being basically flat or perpendicular to the ground? If so, they are currently not plum maybe I would be better off reselling this and buy a frontier that is imatch ready?

 

[kuboman]

I use the same spreader with a QH. All you need to do is bolt a bracket to the spreader top link to lower it enough to work on your QH. Easy, cheap effective.:thumbsup:

 

[beenthere]

Thanks for the help. when you say plum are you referring to the lower 2 pins and the upper being basically flat or perpendicular to the ground? If so, they are currently not plum maybe I would be better off reselling this and buy a frontier that is imatch ready?

An upgrade would be up to you. iMatch compatible would save some extra work too.
Plumb can be accomplished by the adjustment of the length of the top arm, to get the spreader 'level" when filled with fertilizer (or whatever).

 

[jenkinsph]

Thanks for the help. when you say plum are you referring to the lower 2 pins and the upper being basically flat or perpendicular to the ground? If so, they are currently not plum maybe I would be better off reselling this and buy a frontier that is imatch ready?

I would fix what you have rather than making a new purchase.

You can either adjust the length of the top link as mentioned by beenthere. While making the fitment changes I would prefer to set it up correctly where the top link hole is perpendicular to the lower holes. Reason being you will need to do less adjusting when changing between implements in the future. This makes a difference in how well your IMatch will work for you.

I use topntilt which helps with alignment issues and makes attachment to an implement that is tilted or leaning slightly very easy. I wouldn't wan't to have to get off the tractor and wind out the top link every time I used the spin spreader, that is why I recommend you make the modifications once and for all.