Quick Hitches Need a quality quick hitch

[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.