New version of Pat's Easy Change

[markct]

Re: New version of Pat\'s Easy Change

i know that a quick hitch eliminates the eyes, but the difference is that a quick hitch is a rigid frame, the hooks never have to swivel side to side, the swivel eyes that the quick hitch is attached to are what takes up the sway and misalignment so the hooks on the quick hitch always stay parralell and in full contact with the pins on the implement. i dont think there are any companies that make adjustable quick hitches, it was just an idea i had as far as i know, maybe i should get one of those cheapo hitches from homier distributing next time they are in town and make up an adjustable prototype, of course now that i mentioned it here im sure someone else will beat me to it /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[GaryM]

Re: New version of Pat\'s Easy Change

Compromise is the correct word to use, in my opinion.

A tractor for each implement would be the best, but not possible for most of us.

The sliding links look nice, and I'm sure work well, but I can't get them on my JD4100. If I'm wrong I'd like to learn the part numbers.

The quick hitches seem to not be compatable with all implements... and weigh more that Pat's Easy Change.

For use on what's a small CUT, I think they will make it a lot easier to swap implements. Is it perfect, no. Is it better than wrestling a box blade in the dirt to get it hitched, you bet!

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Re: New version of Pat\'s Easy Change

markct . . . regarding the ball eyes again, the Pat's Easy Change system allows for adjustment so that the hooks are in proper/even/parallel contact with the pins to prevent uneven wear.
. . . regarding your idea of adjustable quick hitches, I'd buy one from you if you can figure out how to make it so it doesn't fall apart.

GaryM. . . ditto.

 

[markct]

Re: New version of Pat\'s Easy Change

yes it allows for adjustments, but the problem is that a 3pt has side to side sway, which is neccesary with implements like plow, thats why they had ball joints in the first place

 

[GaryM]

Re: New version of Pat\'s Easy Change

I'm not trying to get an argument started, just wanted to get that out up front.

Your comments regarding a plow may be correct. I've never pulled a plow and probably never will. But for the implements I have or plan to get I am not informed that side away is required.

Here's what I own or plan to buy, or borrow:

60" Box Blade (have)
JD 413 cutter (have)
60" rear grader blade (have)
Rear discharge finish mower
Carryall
Hitch mounted spreader
Hitch mounted sprayer
York rake

It's my understanding that these would normally mounted with most or all sway eliminated. If this is not correct, I'd like to be enlightened.

 

[markct]

Re: New version of Pat\'s Easy Change

i didnt mean to be arguing either, i just was pointing that out cause it might be a consideration in some cases. i been giving the adjustable fast hitch idea some more thought, i have some seamless tubing that fits over some other tubing nicely, so maybe i will play with the welder some and make up a custom quick hitch. what adjustment is it usualy that causes the problem with quick hitches, the toplink height or the lower pin width? or both? i dont have a quick hitch nor do i realy need one but may experiment with the idea some for the good of all of "tractorkind"

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Re: New version of Pat\'s Easy Change

either or both, depending on the implement!

 

[GaryM]

Re: New version of Pat\'s Easy Change

I'd say the lower pin width is more important, But that's only based on TBN discussions that I've read. And maybe I miss read those!

How about a thread asking the members to rate the one that's most important?

 

[OkeeDon]

Re: New version of Pat\'s Easy Change

Seems to me I remember pictures of some Speeco type quick hitches having multiple or adjustable top hooks, so that adjustment must be necessary as well, possibly even more so or they wouldn't have the adjustment already. On the other hand, if my memory is correct about the top hooks, then that technology already exists and could easily be incorporated into a fully adjustable hitch. All that's left is the side-to-side.

The only problem I see with a horizontally adjustable hitch is the same drawback I see with the Pat's spreader bar - it's going to have to be manually adjusted for every implement before hooking up, and that seems like a hassle - probably have to carry a reference notebook and a tape measure with you -- "for implement A, set the spreader @ 26"; for B, 27", etc."

The best answer would seem to be to improve on the hitch systems like Freedom and Jiffy . Those systems have a permanent mount on the tractor which costs, say, $195, but require a matching $195 piece on each implement. That gets expensive real fast, and adds $195 to the cost of every additional implement you buy. For 5 implements, you're looking at ~$1,200. The trick would be to design a tractor-side piece that maybe could cost up to $400, but keep the implement-side down to maybe $75 or less. Then those same 5 implements would require an investment of $600 - $800, and each additional implement wouldn't require the hefty additional investment.

I don't have a clue how to do it, but all the systems I've seen have the female mounted to the implement and the male mounted to the tractor; it seems to me that the female is the more expensive piece to make, balanced by the cost of the release system on the tractor/male. Therefore (and I'm really just coming off the top of my head, here), it seems that there should be some way to reverse it - making the tractor side both female and incorporating the release mechanism (more expensive that the ones available) but making the implement side a more simple male piece (less expensive than the ones available), which is a Good Thing because you need so many of them.

It's probably a lot more difficult to design than to describe. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif All I know for sure is that I see too many drawbacks to the Speeco type and the Pat's type, and I can't quite get my tongue around spending $200 to hook up a $300 rake, for example. It probably doesn't taste as bad to spend $200 to easily hook ap a $7,000 Harley rake. Guess I'll keep wrestling mine around in the mud for a while...

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Re: New version of Pat\'s Easy Change

Okeedon I think the reason I opted to spend the money was to cut down on swearing. I have several implements and I change from one to another too often. IF I didn't change them then I'd live with the standard 3pt and not worry about it. But paying $200 for a hitch attachement system to swap out a $300 blade is worth it (IN MY MIND) if you are constantly putting it on and taking it off. From the money stand point it is probably easier to swollow a $200 hitch system to swap out a $2000 finish mower, but I look at is as a time saver, knuckle saver, and sanity enhancer because I swap implements frequently.

I like the Freedom and Jiffy systems, but I also share implements with a neighbor and both of those systems would require me to convince him to install the system on his tractor and his implements. I have a hard enough time justifying spending my own money, but spending his money is even tougher, especially since he rarely uses his tractor (3 years old, 150 hours).