Quick Hitches Need a quality quick hitch

[newbury]

Literally just yesterday I bought a pats clone. It did not come with the bar that keeps the arms apart. If I cannot figure a cheap way to do that it is going back. I値l get the hf $99 hitch. Use a 20% coupon and get a free set of screw drivers.

The local hf did not have one in stock yesterday or I would have bought it.

I've used a dowel of appropriate length with 2 heavy duty rubber bands.

 

[Ortimber]

I just got a look at a new Landpride hitch. Close to $500. I like how they have added an additional top-link piece which will allow you to hook up attachments such as brush hogs easier.

 

[goeduck]

I wish I could find an independent review of the different brands. I just can’t justify the price spread for the big name brands. Same amount of metal. The quality of the metal cannot be that far apart $-wise and there are very few moving parts involved.

 

[RoyJackson]

I wish I could find an independent review of the different brands. I just can’t justify the price spread for the big name brands. Same amount of metal. The quality of the metal cannot be that far apart $-wise and there are very few moving parts involved.

Your best bet of independent reviews is right here on this thread...although I reckon every one will be somewhat biased toward the QH they bought.

To me, it's a matter of functionality...and cost. There's little doubt the brands like Woods and Land Pride probably are better made, but not necessarily of better functionality. The iMatch I had was better made (nicer welds, etc.) then the Ari-Supply QH I replaced it with...but the Agri-Supply does the same job just as well.

 

[FTG-05]

I wish I could find an independent review of the different brands. I just can稚 justify the price spread for the big name brands. Same amount of metal. The quality of the metal cannot be that far apart $-wise and there are very few moving parts involved.

I could understand a $50-$75, maybe even $100 difference, but +$200? Uh, no.

I got the Agri-Power one for $99. Works great with my EA 8' grader blade. Haven't tried it with the other 3ph implements yet.

 

[goeduck]

Your best bet of independent reviews is right here on this thread...although I reckon every one will be somewhat biased toward the QH they bought.

Maybe there are more TBN members like yourself that have owned more than one brand, but probably not many. A quick hitch is not a big ticket item which is probably why it is hard to find in depth reviews. I generally do not buy poor quality equipment and I do not want a repeat of the one time that I did and my cheap Chinese 3 point arm broke. On a 21 HP tractor no less.

 

[RoyJackson]

Maybe there are more TBN members like yourself that have owned more than one brand, but probably not many. A quick hitch is not a big ticket item which is probably why it is hard to find in depth reviews. I generally do not buy poor quality equipment and I do not want a repeat of the one time that I did and my cheap Chinese 3 point arm broke. On a 21 HP tractor no less.
View attachment 551591

I've used the Agri-Supply QH with a ~800 lb. Caroni flail mower and a Frontier 73" snow blower (also close to 800 lbs.). So far, no problems. Both implements are transported in the raised position which, I assume, would be most stressful on the QH.
The new John Deere QH does, IIRC, have an adjustable upper hook. If mine (which was several years old) had an adjustable hook, I'd have kept it.

 

[WranglerX]

I just got a look at a new Landpride hitch. Close to $500. I like how they have added an additional top-link piece which will allow you to hook up attachments such as brush hogs easier.

View attachment 551530

Not sure how adding $19.99 accessory top link justifies about $250 over price....

Dale

 

[Oldoak]

Not sure how adding $19.99 accessory top link justifies about $250 over price....

Dale

Could also have something to do with Kubota pricing now that they own Landpride? :confused3:

 

[Ricn]

Considering the Harbor Freight QH myself having a store 20 minutes away. If using this type or others like it, how much of an issue will I encounter when connecting up implements with PTO shafts? Does cross member on the QH make this a much tougher chore then it is already? I have a Kubota 2501 with new Kubota implements and I ain't getting any younger!

Ricn

 

[goeduck]

Considering the Harbor Freight QH myself having a store 20 minutes away. If using this type or others like it, how much of an issue will I encounter when connecting up implements with PTO shafts? Does cross member on the QH make this a much tougher chore then it is already? I have a Kubota 2501 with new Kubota implements and I ain't getting any younger!

Ricn

I would think it would be harder plus the PTO shaft may not be long enough after setting the implement back 4 inches or so. But I am still going to get one.

 

[Ricn]

4 inches back? I had hoped for less but I will go look one over and measure it. When cutting the flails PTO, we made it as long as possible so maybe we have enough, if not, I can get a new shaft. Really tired of fighting implements changes by myself after all the years of doing it.Thanks Goeduck.

Ricn

 

[goeduck]

4 inches back? I had hoped for less but I will go look one over and measure it. When cutting the flails PTO, we made it as long as possible so maybe we have enough, if not, I can get a new shaft. Really tired of fighting implements changes by myself after all the years of doing it.Thanks Goeduck.

Ricn

This is Landpride’s and it appears to be 4 inches. Other manufacturers are likely similar. I hear ya about fighting implements, hate it.

 

[Ricn]

believe you are right; I looked at HF specs and they are very close to LP specs. Maybe the welds are not as good but I can fix that easily enough.

Ricn

 

[RoyJackson]

4 inches back? I had hoped for less but I will go look one over and measure it. When cutting the flails PTO, we made it as long as possible so maybe we have enough, if not, I can get a new shaft. Really tired of fighting implements changes by myself after all the years of doing it.Thanks Goeduck.

Ricn

As far as hooking up a PTO shaft...try using a bungee cord of appropriate length to take some weight off it while extending to the tractor's PTO stub shaft. I've done this without a QH (hooking it to the implement's upper hook point), but it's easier with a QH (use the top horizontal member of the QH to hook the bungee cord).
Overall, a QH makes life a lot easier, especially with implements like a rotary cutter. I only have one non-powered implement (a ballast box), but the QH makes hooking that up easier too..
As far as the extra 4" between the tractor's PTO and the implement input shaft...you can get a PTO extender (Agri-Supply calls 'em PTO adapters). I have one and used it for one implement...an older Woods 5000 chipper/shredder. For occasional use, I think an extender would be OK, but for an implement used frequently, I think a new PTO drive shaft is in order...or, rebuild the one you have (that's what the guy that bought that Woods 5000 did).

BTW, I'm not sure if they even sell them any more, but do NOT buy a QH with a fixed upper hook!

 

[pmsmechanic]

I bought my quick hitch at John Deere. It was on sale even. I know $200 sounds expensive but I couldn't build one for that price. Also this is Canada. Everything is more expensive here.

It's one of the better options on my tractor. That and the hydraulic top link make hooking up implements quite easy.

Last summer I adapted my last implement for the quick hitch. Now I don't have to remove the quick hitch for anything.

 

[Ricn]

Roy Jackson,Using a bungee sounds like a good idea to take the weight off of us while connecting up; definitely will be giving this a try. As I mow every other week, replacing the PTO shaft may be the best decision. Thanks for the info.

Ricn

 

[goeduck]

I bought my quick hitch at John Deere. It was on sale even. I know $200 sounds expensive but I couldn't build one for that price. Also this is Canada. Everything is more expensive here..

Where? I’d buy a couple of them at that price.

 

[pmsmechanic]

Where? I’d buy a couple of them at that price.

It was at Green Power (now Western Tractor) in Taber Alberta. I walked in one day in about 2006 and there was a whole row of them lined up for sale. So I bought one. They look very similar to a harbor freight model. There are no manufacturer markings or safety warnings of any sort. Also no owners manual. There is however green paint under the black.

A few years ago an iMatch John Deere quick hitch with the pto was listed at Western Tractor for $400. Ya so I bought it too. I haven't used it yet as I need to change some of my implements to be compatible with it. Once that is done then the original quick hitch can be used on my 245 Massey. I only paid $500 for it but that's another story.

 

[TheMan419]

4 inches back? I had hoped for less but I will go look one over and measure it. When cutting the flails PTO, we made it as long as possible so maybe we have enough, if not, I can get a new shaft. Really tired of fighting implements changes by myself after all the years of doing it.Thanks Goeduck.

Ricn

Just get a PTO extender. They will extend the shaft 3 or 4 inches. Also that brings your attachment point out further from the tractor making hook up easier.

I am a bit younger than you, but with back issues this makes hooking up a snap. I use the bush hog all summer, but still have to drag the horse arena. So off and on with the bush hog frequently. Now I don't complain AS MUCH when SWMBO asks me to drag the arena.