Learned something new today

[Ozarker]

I was over at my new best friends place today (my new old tractor mechanic) and saw something I had never seen before......an odd looking hitch on the back of an old IH 300. He explained to me that it was an IH Fast Hitch and that IH had used them before they started using a 3-point system.

I am sure that you old farmers have seen these before but here is a picture for those who haven't. He had this disk in the picture, a couple of plows and an old rotary cutter all setup for this type of hitch.

 

[Ozarker]

Not sure why it only loaded half that picture. I'll try again.

 

[scout180]

As I recall IH came out with the Fast Hitch in the mid '50s. Take a look at some of the antique tractoe discussion/photo boards. I've seen plenty of them there.

 

[ronjhall]

Ozarker
My late 50's Farmall 340 had a fast hitch. I had a rear blade, 2 bottom plow and draw bar that used the hitch. Also had a 3 point conversion kit for it.

One of the items I like most about it was power down if I set a pin in the proper hole. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Keith_TN65]

Actually, a fast hitch (also called 2 point) is really nice to use. Very easy to hook and un-hook. My Farmall 560 has a fast hitch and I love it.

A story I heard was back in the mid-50's John Deere approached IH and asked if they could use the Fast Hitch on their tractors. IH said no and John Deere went with the 3 point hitch used on the Fords and Fergusons. Makes me wonder if IH would of said yes, would the 2 point fast hitch be the standard today? Then we would not need any of those extra adaptors to make the 3 point easier to attach.

Keith

 

[Ozarker]

He showed me a 3-point adapter that he has for it.

 

[timb]

I understand in many ways the IH fast hitch was superior to the Ferguson-designed 3-point. Far faster and easier to change implements. IH used to hold demos at fairs and shows where several IH tractors would 'square dance' to demonstrate the speed of implement changing. I get a chuckle that everyone wants a 'Quick-Tatch' conversion for their 3-point systems to regain what IH had 50 years ago.

Obviously the 3-point has it's strong points as well but the irony is kind of amusing.

 

[sweettractors]

We average selling about 1 set of the conversion arms per week. That makes a nice upgrade for those Farmalls--Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment LLC * New Fast Hitch Conversion Tugs $155 Per Pair*