Opinions sought on best all-around quick hitch

[Freep]

Greetings, TBN,

There are a plethora of other threads discussion quick hitches, but I would appreciate some updated input that considers all the various fixes innovated by users and new products available. I've read up on multiple threads, but am yet uncertain enough that I have not made a purchase.

For my own purposes, I want a quick hitch that requires no modification, works with the widest possible range of implements, and that is easy to remove for the few implements with which it will not work.

I know price is a major factor for many, and I would be happy to make minor bolt-on modifications to a low-end quick hitch if it in the end is equally functional and versatile as higher end products. But I don't weld, don't want a new project, and just want a good quick hitch. Given the relatively low prices of even the most expensive quick hitches, I am OK spending more for a no-hassle quick hitch.

Are there good all-around quick hitches available that will permit fairly effortless service without modification. Thanks in advance for your consideration - as always, it is appreciated!

 

[kennyd]

For me it's my JD iMatch...
But this will be just like the oil/truck/and tractor threads, everyone will think what they bought and use is "the best".

 

[Freep]

Yours probably is best for a Deere, given the iMatch compatibility. Maybe I should mention I have a Kioti CK3510SE.

I almost bought the HF hitch along with your Boltonhooks fix, buy I wasn't entirely sure the two together would address all the various complaints people seem to have about the HF QH.

 

[BukitCase]

The one you would probably like, isn't made any more. Priefert discontinued pretty much ALL of their tractor stuff, and now only offer animal stuff - gates, chutes, fence panels, etc - the hitch they USED to offer is one I plan to "borrow" from for my 2 HF quick hitches



I have multiple welders and a small machine shop at home, but if you don't weld your only other option (if you wanted one bad enough) might be to buy the HF hitch, and take it (and this picture) to a weld/fab shop and get an estimate - You'd only need to change the toplink part, the other sliding parts were so it could be used on Cat1 or 2 tractors/implements.

BTW, for reference the Priefert used to sell for mid-$400 range... Steve

 

[pmsmechanic]

What I did was buy a quick hitch and then modify my equipment as needed so that it would work with my quick hitch. That's about as good as it gets because there are always some manufacturers that manufacture to their own specifications rather than to a universal standard.

 

[Freep]

The one you would probably like, isn't made any more. Priefert....

That does look like a pretty versatile top-link connection! It seems like it might make up for my tractor's lack of multiple top-link pin holes. Thanks for the pic - if need be I may have to try to find a welder and show it to them. I'm yet hoping someone has a recommendation for one that needs no modification.

 

[rbtjr]

We just went through the same process you are involved in—trying to find a quick hitch that would fit all of our attachments. I tried hard but could not find a QH that would be as flexible as the discontinued Priefert QH mentioned above. All of our attachments are either Category 1 or Cat 1-Cat 2 compatible, except for a Kubota ballast box that isn’t compatible with either size QH. We bought the Cat 1 Speeco “economy” QH from Everything Attachments. If you go to the EA web page for QHs you will see that EA sells two types of Speeco Cat 1 QHs. You will note that the main difference between the two Speeco Cat 1 QHs is that the economy version does not require that bushings be placed on the 3PH lower lift pins on the attachments. I didn’t buy the version that requires bushings because I thought the economy version would be more flexible and I didn’t want to have to modify the bushings to make the QH work with some of our attachments. Anyway, it turned out that except for the Kubota ballast box, all of our attachments work with this Speeco QH but for some attachments an adapter is required for the top link. You can find this adapter by going to the Agri Supply web site and searching for "adapter", their Item #61369. It is shaped like a "Y" if the top of the Y were a U instead of a V. (I tried to insert these web site links in this post but couldn't get that to work.) These attachments work with our QH without this adapter: EA cultipacker, EA scrape blade, EA box blade, EA sprayer. These attachments require the adapter: EA 6’ brush hog, Leinbach plow and disk, Bush Hog pulverizer. We have a Phoenix tiller that I haven’t yet tried the QH with.

Two points about the adapter: EA sells the same adapter and also a different style adapter. I also bought the different style adapter one but it didn’t work for me. Second, the adapter sold by Agri Supply comes in two lengths. I bought both. Some attachments work best with one of the lengths and some attachments work best with the other length. I am marking on the adapters which attachments they work best with. If you have trouble figuring out how the adapter is used, send me a PM and I’ll see if I can find and send to you some literature I have about how this style adapter is used.

Two final points: We have the hydraulic Top ‘N Tilt rig from Fitrite Hydraulics (Brian Scudder, Mountain Island Ranch—I highly recommend Brian). One of the reasons I wanted a QH is that I didn’t want to stand between the back of the tractor (with the tractor running so the hydraulics will work) and the attachment so I could use the hydraulics to adjust the 3PH geometry while I was hooking up the attachment. I had the impression that with a QH I would usually be able to back up to the attachment, raise the QH and be hooked up. Wrong. I learned quickly that the 3PH geometry is materially different for each of our attachments. As a result, with each attachment I have to adjust the top link and sometimes also the height of the two lower lift arms in relation to each other in order to make the QH fit when I lift it up to hook up to the attachment. The hydraulics make these adjustments easy. And I can operate the hydraulic controls without having to stand between the tractor and the attachment. Also, we have all of our attachments on dollies. That also helps you be able to line up the attachment 3PH geometry with the QH without having to wrestle with the attachment or get on the tractor and move the tractor.

Hope this info helps.

 

[Smokeydog]

Have 3pt equipment 50+ years old to new. Tried a Horrible freight qa but many pieces didn’t fit. Modified pin/bar type swaybars to control position and Pat’s quick hitch is the best combination for me and my equipment for both Kubota B26 and M59.

 

[WranglerX]

Buy any category QH that fits your equipment/implements( Cat 1-2-3) ... If fit is problem mod the equipment/implements (once) .... There is no perfect QH out there....

Personally I put a Agra-Ease Cat 1 on my SCUT because it did not have interference problem with upper hook bolts as most inexpensive Chinesium ones, save $20 on price for cheap Chinese QH and spend $30 for new longer extension hook... Where is savings.....





Dale

 

[BufordBoone]

I researched heavily and settled on Pat's. Not perfect but continue to believe I made the correct decision. I have them on both tractors.

Things to think about:
1 - The side bolts are soft. I replaced mine with harder bolts
2 - The side bolts are prone to loosening or breaking - check them frequently. I've had to tighten and/or replace them on once on each tractor over the last two or so years.