NEW DESIGN iMATCH

dirtworksequip · Nov 16, 2006

Deere is coming out with a new design iMATCH that has the capiblity to hook up the implement AND the PTO shaft without getting off the tractor! I guess it has a guide on the tractor and the implement ,plus a lever you throw to lock the shaft once it is in place. Dealer didn't say when it would be available. You will have to buy a seperate guide for each implements pto shaft that you want to use the new iMATCH on.

pekabu · Nov 16, 2006

Wow. Thanks for the heads up. Can't wait to see it.

gamble77 · Nov 16, 2006

Yeah, it is a pretty neat piece and totally eliminates any need to get off the seat when hooking up implements. Initially it will be offered for tillers and rotary cutter and eventually for finishing mowers (sure other piece will follow). It worked well when I tried it at the dealer show, the only negative I have about it is that the handle that actually engages the two PTO shafts together is a little hard to operate and a little flimsy. All in all another step forward in the market, making owning these CUT's easier and easier for the home owner.

JD3520 · Nov 16, 2006

I'm having a hard time visualizing the set up to hook a 540 rpm items up to multiple attachments and it be safe. Many non-JD (and some JD) items need modification to work on I-match without a PTO. Don't get me wrong; I'm anxious about this. Know where we can get any pics???

Rob-D · Nov 16, 2006

Geeze! If these things get any easier we'll all be sitting in our living rooms watching TV as our tractors run back and forth over our lawns and fields!

I think we're trying the limits of Occam's razor.

dirtworksequip · Nov 16, 2006

The old style iMatch is not a cure all for all implements and some sort of standardization will have to come about for it to work 100 percent. I'm sure the new style will be the same. New ideas take years to become fully implemented.

dirtworksequip · Nov 16, 2006

JD3520, maybe someone that was at the JD dealer meeting will post some pics.

gamble77 · Nov 17, 2006

This is a very sepcialized system as you can imagine. All the geometry has to dead on...the drive shafts and brackets have to be perfect. At initial offering this system will only be available on JD/Fronteir rotary cutters and tillers. There will be kits for older implements to adapt but that involves new A-fram pieces and new drive shafts, so you can imagine it won't be cheap. All in all it is a slick system, the price tag that this system will carry with will ultimatly determine its success.

Rob-D · Nov 17, 2006

JD is pretty clever, maybe they found an easy solution although I doubt I'll trade mine for the new version.

NJDeere · Nov 17, 2006

Auto-Hitch (TM) won't be shipping until Spring '07 and will be an add on to the I-Match. It will fit older I-Match Hitches. You will have a tractor half shaft that will attach to the I-Match and an implement half that will attach and stay with the attachment. As another dealer indicated, initially the offering will be for JD Tillers, JD LX & MX series rotary cutters and Frontier RC10 series Rotary Cutters. It looks like a really great idea. The engineers stated that they had some fine tuning & finalization to make on the design, thus the Spring intended release.

ovrszd · Nov 18, 2006

I can understand the logistics of desiging a system like this. I can also see that it will be relatively expensive for us personal users. But I see a great demand for it among business owners/operators that might switch implements multiple times per day. Of course there will also be some of us that have more money than brains that will buy it and use it half a dozen times a year!!! For me personally to use it is the epitomy of laziness.

kubuddha · Nov 18, 2006

OVRSZD,

I agree that may be the epitomy of laziness,however, some of the laziest people come up with most ingenious ways of completing a job.

dwmaster · Nov 18, 2006

Before you get on your high horse why don't you consider its benifits to the partialy handicapped that might find pushing that pto shaft on a bit of a challange. Suppose you have limited use of one arm due to a stroke or accident. Go out and hook up your tiller with one arm tied behind you back then come back and tell us how it went.

ovrszd · Nov 18, 2006

dwmaster said:
Before you get on your high horse why don't you consider its benifits to the partialy handicapped that might find pushing that pto shaft on a bit of a challange. Suppose you have limited use of one arm due to a stroke or accident. Go out and hook up your tiller with one arm tied behind you back then come back and tell us how it went.

Sorry you misunderstood my tone, that's easy to do in written conversation. If I had been on a high horse I would have said "This is the stupidest idea I ever heard of and anyone that buys one is too lazy to own a tractor". But since I simply said "to me it's the epitomy of laziness" I was referring to myself as having the ability to physically hitch and unhitch my tractor and I would only be buying it for laziness purposes. And again, I'll close with my bright smiling face!!!

ovrszd · Nov 18, 2006

kubuddha said:
OVRSZD,

I agree that may be the epitomy of laziness,however, some of the laziest people come up with most ingenious ways of completing a job.

You are absolutely correct!!! Especially in the Engineering of equipment. That's the primary consideration, making something easier to do with less physical exertion!!! Great Point!!!

dwmaster · Nov 18, 2006

You are correct in your post you do refer to yourself. I also have the ability to hitch my tractor. I just see some real benifits of this idea to people, with or without alot of money. I'am waiting for the tractor industry to catch up with the skidsteer industry so we can push a button and hitch and unhitch buckets from the seat as well. I do snow removal and I have to drop the 100 inch bucket often so I can get the snowblower up against long rows of garages.

lgcivttu · Nov 20, 2006

This topic is useless without pics.

ovrszd · Nov 21, 2006

dwmaster said:
You are correct in your post you do refer to yourself. I also have the ability to hitch my tractor. I just see some real benifits of this idea to people, with or without alot of money. I'am waiting for the tractor industry to catch up with the skidsteer industry so we can push a button and hitch and unhitch buckets from the seat as well. I do snow removal and I have to drop the 100 inch bucket often so I can get the snowblower up against long rows of garages.

I'm concerned about what the price of the JD system will be??? I'm expecting it to be expensive so might not be beneficial to some of the people we would like to see have it.

I plan to build a skid steer system so I'll play with this and post an article if I come up with something. I agree with you, we should easily be able to come up with something that could be controlled from the seat. I'm thinking of trying electronic solenoids to control the lower locking pins. Spring loaded pins that are locked when turned off. Unlocked when activated. That way the solenoid would not have to be working all the time to keep the system locked.

Champy · Nov 21, 2006

kubuddha said:
OVRSZD,

I agree that may be the epitomy of laziness,however, some of the laziest people come up with most ingenious ways of completing a job.

As a young boy, my grandmother always gave me the worst jobs to do around the place.......when I finally got up the nerve to ask why, she said it was simple - she gives the hardest job to the laziest person who finds the easiest way to get it done........then she makes everyone else do that specific job the same way!