imatch with frontier mower question

[oldsman]

I was wondering has anybody seen the Imatch kit for your frontier mower. I called my john deere dealer he wants 220.00 for the floating kit. I have see that the new picture on the web site shows chains instead of arms. I am wondering does anybody have a suggestion on making your own kit and how does it work. I can't see paying that kind of money. Also I didn't realize that the imatch bushings that go on your mower cost that much any thoughts.

Thanks

 

[Kahuna]

I bought the cheap Frontier 60 inch finish mower last year for my 3320. The dealer was closing them out and I got it new still in the crate for $900. I said I wanted the I-match kit and he threw it in for another $100. I know the list was just over $200. I wondered too why it was so expensive.

I found out there was a lot more to the kit than I realized. It is quite a deal changing it over to the I-match system. There are several pieces including floating arms, pins and a floating third point arm. I also have a MX6 heavy chopper mower that has the I-match system built right into the mower. The MX6 hooks up like a dream. The add on kit isn't as quite as good. It may be because I have the lower end unit but the two bottom floating hitch brackets are so low to the ground you can't just back up and hitch it up like other I-match implements. You will have to put your arms down all the way and get close then get off the tractor and put the mower bracket over top the I-match. It is not difficult, just not what I expected. The upper link it a bit tricky also. It doesn't just fall into place like the MX6. That must be manually fitted also. Another thing to be aware of, the I-match on this finish mower required a longer PTO shaft. The dealer threw it in with the package, I don't know if it is actually part of the kit or he just threw it in.

I would probably buy the I-match kit again because the alternative is taking the I-match quick hitch off the tractor every time I wanted to use the mower which is also a hassle. The only thing I may would do over is get the better, heavier finish mower. I got this one because it was such a good deal. The heavier units have a faster blade speed and do a better job of cutting.

 

[jcmseven]

I would tell you that the I match kit is worth every penny. My JD dealer and I tried to fabricate one to work for a Bush Hog brand RFM and by the time we had completed the task, it was more-costly than the 200.00 I would have paid--and I ended up going with the Frontier RFM anyway. Nothing works like factory here and although one could do it, unless one is a whiz at fabricating (I am not) and has all the tools and an example to go by while doing it, just pay the money. Kahuna has a good thought though; that is many of these things come in on implements which are not being used. It might be worthwhile to call a few dealers and see if any used ones have come in they might sell for less $$$.

John M

 

[Runner]

I have the iMatch kit on my GM1072R and like it. I thought it looked a little strange the first time I saw it, but this is the official kit sold through Frontier and Woods for the unit. It works good and does let the mower float like it needs to.

Also, my dealer cheaped out and gave me bushings that were too small. They were the right diameter, but too short and as the mower moved back and forth in the iMatch, the little iMatch tabs would get caught in the space and pop in and out. Drove me nuts the first couple of times I mowed with it, so I went to TSC and got the right sized bushings and problem solved.

Here's a pic of my unit and the Woods page on the kit.

 

[rmonio]

I had my Frontier 72" finish mower and 4600 for several years without using an i-Match. It wasn't really a big deal until I bought an MX6 and realized how handy having one of those little babies was. I quickly purchased the conversion kit for the Frontier mower, modified my old ballast box, and now I live by it. My conversion kit has the arms and I bought new pins to put on as the ones from Frontier had the shoulders on them which wouldn't allow me to go with the sleeves instead of bushings.

My conversion kit was $225 and I picked it up at the local distributor (near by home).

-Bob

 

[JiminGa]

just made a deal with my uncle for his imatch for $100. it only fits a couple of his implements so he never uses it!

 

[HayDR]

just made a deal with my uncle for his imatch for $100. it only fits a couple of his implements so he never uses it!

If you wan a quick hitch that will fit all your implements look at the Harbor Freight quick hitch for $69.95. Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

 

[drkmstr]

If you wan a quick hitch that will fit all your implements look at the Harbor Freight quick hitch for $69.95. Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

good luck fitting this to deere stuff. lots of manufacturers have quick 3-point hitch items. land pride has a setup that fits their stuff only. the point of an imatch is that it will work with deere implements to make it easy taking stuff on and off. harbor freight junk might work but you will spend more time adjusting it and tweaking it...by the time you do that you could have taken the pins out of the 3 point hitch...