Not the typical quick hitch question

[Bayou]

I recently purchased a 7' land plane and tractor for my driveway etc. and it is great. After not being on a tractor in 20 years and losing over a 100 lbs of weight/muscle in the last 6 months, I'm calling no joy on wrestling this attachment. I have a massey 231 with 1 rear remote and without a doubt, I'm gonna add a hydraulic top link and either a pats easy attach or a quick attach. I have read a lot of the topics on quick attaches and pats but has anyone bout a quick attach it not work with a quick attach implement? I have seen some videos that state their quick attach did not work with a quick attach implement. I'm starting from the ground up and any attachments that I buy new will be quick attach, currently only a land plane now. If there is discrepancies with quick attaches not working with quick attach implements then pat's might be the better route. What has everyone's experiences been?

 

[i7win7]

I scrapped a pair of Pat's. The implement lift pins are fixed, that's why lift arms have balls that can wiggle as position changes. Pats are attached with a pin in lift arm. a U bolt and 4 bolts pinching the lift arms. This puts bending stresses on implement pins and mounting holes. Real QH is held on with 3 pins (balls can still wiggle as needed) gives true lifting action on implement pins. Most after-market QH use Cat3 bushings can be found at dealers, farm type stores or amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Heavy-Hitch-...sr=8-32&swrs=417D36A76560BCD97C1E2526DBD764D8

You maybe able to find a QH for Cat1 implements that doesn't require bussings.
Older used equipment wasn't always designed for QH compatibility, choose rotary (bush hog type) cutters carefully. Post hole augers will probably never be QH compatible

Get a dowel rod place it in QH mark hook locations and use it to verify implements should work prior to purchase.

 

[Roadworthy]

I went with Pat's. I only have two implements - a mower and a box blade. They are quite different in width at the pins. I don't know if either is quick hitch compatible and don't plan to make the necessary adaptations to make them so - if it's even possible. I can adjust the angle on Pat's easily when I need to adjust my lift arms for a different width - and adjustments are necessary to keep Pat's square with the pins.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Speaking only from my experience with Titan implements, yes I have a couple of attachments that are listed as "quick attach compatible", but they don't fit. These are Titan attachments on a Titan quick hitch.

It happens.

 

[mcfarmall]

Most implements that have been built in the last 10 years or so should fit but it helps if the top hook has several holes so you can quickly adjust it vertically if needed. Many older implements lack space under the top link hole for the hook to fit underneath.

My solution is to set the QH for my most frequently used implements (rotary cutter) and either modify the other implements to fit or ditch the quick hitch when I use those implements. Some of the oldest ones would require extensive work due to a bolt that holds the A-frame together that's right under the top link hole.

Love my Lee Agra Farm Hand quick hitch. They have a few left that they would sell but I don't know if they plan to make them anymore when they're gone.

 

[TractorGuy]

All of my cat 1 implements had the correct lift pin spacing for my Agri Supply QH. Not knowing the standard top hitch distance when I adapted my first non QH implement I made it fit with the QH hook in the bottom holes.

As I adapted all my other stuff I made it all fit with the hook in that position so I can hook all my stuff up without moving the QH hook. Most or all all of them lined up right by moving the top hook connection to the holes for the lateral supports. I put a cat 2 top link sleeve in with a pin or bolt on all my implements.

The least expensive way to get the bottom pins to fit is using cat 1 to 2 sleeves with cat 2 to 3 sleeves. I just bought that combo to put on all my implements.

I still have to get off and adjust the length of my top link to hook some up and even have to take some pressure off to readjust after connected. A hydraulic top link would make hooking up a little easier.

When you shop for the QH make sure it comes with the extended top hook. My Agri Supply hitch did.

I think the most problems come at the top link/hook. You can adapt everything to connect with the top hook in a standard cat 1 height but it often won't clear the through bolt for the lateral support. On my implements that had a single lateral support I have cut new supports and spaced them wide enough to connect on the outside of the frame.

The bottom line is you may have to adapt your implements so they all match your hitch but after that you have a much easier time hooking up. Having all your stuff with it's own pins and spacers means not having to do much other than backing up and raising the hitch then setting the latches.

Hooking up mowers may require a top link adapter.

 

[WranglerX]

My choice was to go with Quick Hitch..... To me the QH was a improvement over the Pats, probably next step in evolution.... For me it's so easy to lower 3PH, backup to implement, raise 3PH, engage, jump off flip lock levers, BOOM ready to go (except maybe for PTO) .... IF implement does not "fit" quick hitch, modify it once and be happy instead of fighting it forever on more primitive 3PH hook ups...




Dale

 

[HybridVigor]

Short answer is that yes, you can have an implement that is labeled QH compatible and still have issues. In my opinion the only sure fire way to beat that problem is stick with one brand of QH and implement. For instance my Harbor Freight QH didn’t like my Land Pride QH compatible brush hog without a top link adapter and lower link bushings. Ultimately, it was even more of a pain to hook up with the HF QH because it was harder to access the PTO shaft. Since I have all different makes and ages of implements I ended up welding on euro style hooks. I have had them on for several months and I’ll never have another tractor without them. They are essentially a heavier duty and standardized hook like the Pats system.

Euro Style Quick Hitch Hooks on a Kubota L3301 - YouTube

 

[Bayou]

I went ahead and picked up a quick hitch earlier when I was in town, I know it's not the best but it should work. It has the adjustable top hook and came from HF, TSC had one for 300 and I realize you pay for quality but they looked the same and probably came from the same factory. As far as implements working/fitting, the majority if not all will be bought as quick attach since I'm just beginning to acquire attachments. That does not guarantee they will work but it was cheaper than a night at the bar lol.

 

[TractorGuy]

I don't know much about the quality of the HF QH but I think it has the shallow top hook many complain about.

 

[hosspuller]

I've a land plane and several other implements... some cat 1 others cat two. While it's not back up and drive off, Telescopic draft links pick up everything without trying to muscle a thousand pounds of iron around. The ball hitch at the draft links are especially important with the land plane since I set it high on the left side to form the road crown.

 

[jonsstihl]

Many may not know this but I found out by accident. when you are hooking up an implement to a quick hitch equipped tractor the latches do not need to be in the unlocked position. atleast not on my speeco quick hitch so really, with a hydraulic top link the only time you have to get off the tractor is when you want to unhook.

 

[Bayou]

I have seen that mentioned on the top hook before but it appears a lot of the problems people have are with older implements. It seems none of them are perfect, we'll see how it goes tomorrow.

 

[RBA50]

Even if you end up buying a new top hook, you will be dollars ahead with the HF QH. If you do a little online shopping you can find a top hook for about $25, maybe less. Many are priced much higher than that, but really they are all just a chunk of steel, so there won't be that much difference in usability. Yes, you may have to modify some implements, but it's worth it.

 

[TractorGuy]

Here are a couple of extras you may want.

Top Hook for Cat 1 Quick Hitch | Agri Supply 86528

Adapter Bracket Hitch 3-point Quick Adjustment Holes | Agri Supply 8717

 

[TheMan419]

I have had the HF hitch for a couple years. Love love love it. I have a bad back so cannot man handle equipment to line things up.

The top hook is poorly designed. I got the bracket TractorGuy posted a link for. It means you must get off the tractor to hook the top link. But it works. Also for me it is usually the bush hog or tiller so I am hook in a PTO shaft as well.

With the adapter you do not need to mod implements. I did get cat 1 to cat 2 bushings for all my attachments.

I also built dollies for them so I can move them around easily when not attached to the tractor. Allows more stuff stored in the same space if you have concrete floors.

 

[CobyRupert]

I went with Pat's. I only have two implements - a mower and a box blade. They are quite different in width at the pins. I don't know if either is quick hitch compatible and don't plan to make the necessary adaptations to make them so - if it's even possible. I can adjust the angle on Pat's easily when I need to adjust my lift arms for a different width - and adjustments are necessary to keep Pat's square with the pins.

Can somebody please explain this?
Yes, adjustments are necessary for Pat’s to be square with pins for different implement widths (and as implement is raised and lowered)..... but why do Pat’s need to be clamped on lift arm to eliminate side to side wiggle?

Why can’t you ignore those 4 adjustment bolts and let the Pat’s pivot (side to side) in the lift arm ball as implement is raised and lowered? This would keep it’s hook squared on the implement pin. ..and the soft grade bolts supplied with my Pat’s wouldn’t bend.

I’ve got a few years experience upgrading the Pat’s bolts and still having them bend, having to take them to a machine shop to extract after being bent, snapping off, etc...only then I wondered: what’s their point?

I haven’t tried using Pats again without bolts clamped and with side “slop”. If I do, I guess I’ll discover the hard way what those bolts are for! Didn’t get this degree from Hard Knocks University for nothing!

 

[Pibble]

Short answer is that yes, you can have an implement that is labeled QH compatible and still have issues. In my opinion the only sure fire way to beat that problem is stick with one brand of QH and implement. For instance my Harbor Freight QH didn稚 like my Land Pride QH compatible brush hog without a top link adapter and lower link bushings. Ultimately, it was even more of a pain to hook up with the HF QH because it was harder to access the PTO shaft. Since I have all different makes and ages of implements I ended up welding on euro style hooks. I have had them on for several months and I値l never have another tractor without them. They are essentially a heavier duty and standardized hook like the Pats system.

This ^

I had some steel plates fabricated in an attempt to make an old blade scraper compatible with my Kubota QH15 and it turned out to be more of a hassle than just taking the QH off.

The idea of a QH is great if everything works like it should. I love it when switching from my carry-all* to my box scraper, but am now looking for a replacement scraper blade.

* Note: My TSC carry-all frame needed some 'spacer' 2X4's between the frame and carry-all platform to provide enough space for the bottom hooks on my QH15 - a modification that some other brands of carry-all frames don't require.

So yeah, QH system can be a hassle but I think they're worth it once you get past that phase.

 

[Bayou]

Well, you could have guessed that the top hook didn't work. Who would have thunk it that quick hitch will not work with a quick attach implement lol. I'm going to try and word this correctly so bear with me. I did some video research and it's the same issues others have had. If I take the hook off and hold it on the implement it will not bolt back to the quick hitch, the hook needs to be further to the rear. What I've seen people do is mill out a half inch out of the rear of the hook and weld a half inch flat bar to the back of the hook to keep the dimensions the same but it would set the hook opening further to the rear which would help/give clearance with bolting or pinning the hook back to the quick hitch. I seen the hook above that TractorGuy linked above but there is no guarantee that it does not or will not have the same clearance issues. I can see having the hook cut on welded but I do not want to do anything to the implent, only the hook. If any of that makes since, advice would be appreciated.

 

[TractorGuy]

Well, you could have guessed that the top hook didn't work. Who would have thunk it that quick hitch will not work with a quick attach implement lol. I'm going to try and word this correctly so bear with me. I did some video research and it's the same issues others have had. If I take the hook off and hold it on the implement it will not bolt back to the quick hitch, the hook needs to be further to the rear. What I've seen people do is mill out a half inch out of the rear of the hook and weld a half inch flat bar to the back of the hook to keep the dimensions the same but it would set the hook opening further to the rear which would help/give clearance with bolting or pinning the hook back to the quick hitch. I seen the hook above that TractorGuy linked above but there is no guarantee that it does not or will not have the same clearance issues. I can see having the hook cut on welded but I do not want to do anything to the implent, only the hook. If any of that makes since, advice would be appreciated.

All I can say is the hook I linked to came stock on the QH I bought from Agri Supply and it hooks on everything I have except where I use the mower adapter.

My Howse brush mower has the top link pin that floats in a slot. When I use it I remove the two pins/bolts holding the top hook in the hitch, position it so it hooks on the mower pin, and just attach the QH hook with the top bolt.

On mine I made pins from some 1/2" bolts to hold the hook in place and run a single cotter pin through the holes to hold the pins.

If you have an Agri Supply nearby they have all the adapters, hooks, and bushings. They sell online also but I don't know how reasonable their shipping charges are.

Their lift pin bushings are $20 a pair.
Bushing Adapter Cat. 1 | Agri Supply 4557


Here is a link to the hook.
Top Hook for Cat 1 Quick Hitch | Agri Supply 86528


They have mower adapters in two different lengths.
Adapter Bracket Hitch 3-point Quick Adjustment Holes | Agri Supply 8717
Top Hitch Adapter-Quick Hitch | Agri Supply #61369


If I remember correctly all you need for the top is a cat 1 to 2 bushing.
Conversion Bushing Top Link Cat 1 & 2 | Agri Supply 1611


I have used 3/4" black pipe and cut it to length for the top hook pin.