Implement hook up problems..

[JCoastie]

I had problems connecting three point implements to my new Kubota, too. I purchased Pat's Easy Hitch to simplify changing implements. Since this moved things back a couple of inches I did need a longer top link. I also needed a longer PTO shaft for my mowing deck as I learned mine was too short. Actually it would have been too short for this tractor without Pat's Hitch, in fact it was too short for my old tractor, I just didn't know it.

I also went with the Pat's Easy Change system. Went from taking an hour to change implements requiring 2 people, 2 hammers, pry bars, grease, band-aids and pain pills, to just me and 2 minutes.
I thought I'd need a longer top link, and went hydraulic, wound up replacing the longer one, with another of the same size as the stock one, the longer one did not retract enough for my rotary cutter or the landscape rake. All my PTO shafts were also long enough not needing to be changed.

 

[Macinnis]

I often have to hookup by myself as well, even with a quick hitch, it can be troublesome.

I made a few of these which serve two purposes, they easily allowed me to get them lined up, and/or I can move them to a corner for long term storage.

 

[WayneAz]

I thought someone on here did put a set on a MT2 series, possibly off a MT3 I thought. Price was about $4-$500 IIRC.

THANK YOU ALL FOR IDEAS AND REPLIES.. I AM LOOKING INTO AND MEASURING FOR A QUICK HITCH TYPE MOD..

 

[oosik]

A couple years ago I finally upgraded all my implements to Class 2. Now they are ALL too heavy to move with a "hip thrust". My extendable lower arms are a real help. I have a heavy duty six foot pry bar that helps also. All my implements sit on their own pallet. Makes small moves much easier.

When it gets down to the final "pin insertion" I have a speciality Crescent tool. Adjustable wrench on one end - the handle is a looong tapered dibble. Insert the dibble - flex it around a bit - now things are all lined up and the pin should go thru easily.

I've had ONE experience with - "hands in the wrong place at the wrong time". So ...... my implement change over is, now, a deliberate, slow, controlled process.

Rather spend any extra time in a safe change over. Driving to the DR office with a partially smashed hand is not my idea of fun. I've been there ..........

 

[Wagtail]

When it gets down to the final "pin insertion" I have a speciality Crescent tool. Adjustable wrench on one end - the handle is a looong tapered dibble. Insert the dibble - flex it around a bit - now things are all lined up and the pin should go thru easily.

Something like this crescent welded to a marlin spike (metal fid)? I had a Stoker from the maintenance shop at HMAS WATERHEN knock mine up (cost me a packet of Tim-Tams) years ago and I've always called it "The Un-Holy Alliance". It works a treat and has had many uses over the years.

I believe that they are 'commercially' available now.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I believe that they are called a spud wrench.

 

[oosik]

Yes - my tool looks very much like the one in the center of Wagtails picture. A picture of mine -

 

[GeneV]

I don't have a bunch of stuff I dangle off my 3ph, but for the few I do use, I deal with it. If I had more implements and used them often, I'd look at Pat's easy change and telescoping stabilizers.

One think I found helps is I sometimes disconnect one of the lower lift arms from it's upper lift arm on one side. I hook up the connected arms side first, and then I have some wiggle room with hooking up the other side. After I hook up both sides, then I connect the upper to the lower arm on that other side. Hope I explained that good enough!

 

[oosik]

If I thought standing on my head would help ........... Large tractors and heavy implements simply take more patience. Some times it's easy - other times, not so much.

I leave my heavy Rhino rear blade attached all the time. Just one less implement to fiddle with. 40 years and it's always been only me to change implements.

 

[DieselBound]

Not many 3pts worse than my B7800's! Turnbuckle. I'd tried Pat's and found that it didn't gain me much, not enough to deal with the extra extension and the fact that they liked to twist a bit. Quick hitch wouldn't work for all my implements: and it shoves the implement out further, which can be an issue with PTO shaft lengths, in addition to leverage increases. Went with quick hitch compatible implements and just raise the lower arms and pin them: I have to stand between the arms and hold them out with my legs- it's like playing Twister! Smaller tractor and smaller implements allows one to apply a little muscle to help things along.

I need nothing extra for my Kioti. Spreadable arms and the ends are adjustable: my RC isn't, sigh, quick hitch, but the Kioti's arms are adjustable enough to mitigate that. Also have a control lever at the rear to make adjustments as needed. (on my B7800 I can reach and operate the lift arms, so that is a big help)

Even though things can still be a bit of a hassle I find that the biggest hassle, for which there's little help (though I know of just about every trick) is hooking up PTO shafts!