New John Deere I match system

Scott_in_WVA · Apr 20, 2002

Does anyone else have this?If so did you get a book with it when you bought it? I know it is pretty basic,but today I was trying to use it for the 1st time and I was hooking it to my John Deere 45 blade and the shroud around where the top pin goes in on the blade,I could not get it to hook up,the shroud around the Imatch top hook would just come up and bump into the shroud where the pin goes on the top of my JD 45 blade(top linkage)looks like the shroud around the top pin needs to be wider to let the shroud on top of the I match to go into place.

JC4HD · Apr 20, 2002

All I can share with you is what my dealer (KC Canary in Fultonville NY told me)" I Match will work with almost any Cat 1 3 point hitch but it requires bushings which can be transferred between implements". I did not buy one (I Match) because I will not be swithching implements that often to justify the additional cost. I would recommend talking to your dealer.

Anonymous Poster · Apr 25, 2002

It sounds like you may need to adjust your top link of the 3 pt hitch to tilt the Imatch hitch back a bit so the hook catches the pin. The Imatch is a great system for those that change implements a lot, but to work best adjust the 3 pt linkage to get the hitch level side to side and vertical when viewed from the side. Then try and drop your implements on a flat, firm surface so they can be easily picked back up. If for some reason the implement gets tilted you can use the 3 pt adjustments to temporarily tilt your hitch to match the implement, pick it up then set it down on a level surface and adjust the links back level again.

radman · Apr 25, 2002

Your problem is common to this type of quick attach system. I don't have a JD i-match but do have a spee-co quick hitch. Some of my implements will work with the hook but unfortunately most do not. The spee-co comes with a U-shaped adapter and connection pin to replace the hook for these situations. It works well, but you have to get off the tractor to hook the adapter to the implement. Does JD provide an adapter?
It seems that many older (and newer) implements won't attach to the hook properly. Is your JD blade older?
An adapter could be made, but I believe TSC and other farm stores could probably get one if needed.

Scott_in_WVA · Apr 26, 2002

Thanks for the information...........My blade is a new one 1 1/2
years old,John Deere 45 blade,do you know where I could view on line this thing you are talking about?Should my dealer have provided me a book with the I-Match when I bought it?

Thanks

bishoff · May 22, 2002

I have an iMatch on my new 4115 and am happy with it. Make sure to check the length of the PTO shaft which comes with your accessory. The iMatch adds five inches to the distance and for short PTO shafts this results in an inadequate shaft overlap. On the 60" KingKutter tiller the overlap at max down position was only 2 inches and the specs called for 6. See how the 5 inches added by the iMatch ate away the overlap. I went to the tiller dealer and traded for the next size PTO shaft which was 10 inches longer and then hacksawed five of that off. For implements having long PTO shafts to begin with, there should be no problem.
As for a manual, I didn't get one either and really don't think one is necessary.

beenthere · Nov 10, 2002

I just bought the I-match for my JD4300, and also discovered I will have to have the shroud on the top pin of the blade cut out to get the I-match top hook to work properly. Not a big problem, and will be great to have the easy hook up when I get the changes made.

Some extra design changes needed to get the right hook up to my JD 513 rotary cutter too. I think I will replace the two flat steel bar links (tension braces) that connect the top link to the rear of the rotary deck with some light chains. They are just for tension, and will eliminate the need for the short 6" links that hook to the top arm.

GlennT · Nov 11, 2002

Chains will work; I've been using them for several years. There is a brief discussion of this in the Attachments group. I'd like to point out one VERY important function of the upper linkages. If you are using a shredder or a rear finish mower and a wheel hits a stump or a big rock, the implement can jump up into the air. If you would happen to be moving at a pretty good clip, the implement could pivot up on the lower pins and end up against the back of the ROPS or the operator's seat. The upper linkage--whether chain or pieces of flat iron--would keep the implement from swinging up this far. I'd use heavy chains instead of light ones. I have had the back of my finish mower jump up into the air 2-3 feet when I hit a stump hidden in the grass. Scary!!

em14 · Nov 11, 2002

Glenn,
Have you got a picture of this chain hook up you are talking about ... I think I'm confused about where it connects and therefore how it works ... thanks
Leo

beenthere · Nov 11, 2002

Thanks for the warning, but in the 35+ years I have been using rotary cutters, I have never been going fast enough nor hit any object with the rear wheels of the cutter to flip it in the air 2-3', let alone stand it up vertically against the ROPS. I think the PTO shaft would restrict movement that far vertical. I used to use a chain in place of the top link on my previous rotary cutter, and it worked quite well.

Chains going from the top link connection at the cutter frame back to the rear of the cutter deck will not be a concern for me, but sincerely do appreciate the thoughtful warning.