Pat's Easy Change Real World Test& 1 question

[patrick_g]

Greg, I should have realized that the EashChange would add length to the lower arms and necessitate an extension to the top. It should be obvious but it eluded me!

I took some steel and made an extension. The EasyChange folks shipped me an extension designed for Kubotas. I took mine off and put theirs on. Theirs is lighter and simpler to use. I had to install it at the implement end of the hydraulic toplink because the mount on the tractor that holds the toplink had been distorted by extreme use. The mount is essentially a couple HD angle irons with holes for mounting to tractor and holes for accepting pins. I can straighten the mount and then move their adapter to the tractor end of the hydraulic cylinder. The way their adapter is made might prevent it from pivoting when attached at the tractor end. That is a good thing as then the top link can push back on an implement (box blade) which couldn't be done with my adapter or theirs when mounted at the implement end.

I just might make an adapter that attaches to the tractor side and extends the whole mount at that end or take the stock assy off and replace it at the tractor end with one that is "deeper." My first choice is NOT to start modifying the cylinder length. I might want to revert back to stock for some reason and then the toplink would be too long.

Credit where credit is due: The Greenwell folks that mfg Pat's EasyChange are easy to do business with, have good product, seem to know what they are doing, and look to be customer friendly. What isn't to like? Of course having a product that makes one of my least favorite jobs easier is important too.

I was tempted by the HF thingy and the similar unit at Atwoods but they would not have retained the ease of width adjustment between the lower ams. My implements are not all alike in dimensions of the 3PH. Too bad the standard isn't adhered to a lot better but the reality is lots of the implements differ at least enough to make the Atwoods and HF type impractical.

Pat

 

[rickmacheske]

Can you post a picture of the extension?
Thanks,
Rick

 

[patrick_g]

Rick, It is raining a bunch so here is a sketch.

Mine is two separate pieces of metal with holes to accept two pins. It will folld like a bicycle chain so you lose a lot of motion when extending the ram to push down on a box blade.

Theirs is three pieces of metal, two like mine only formed instead of flat connected by a third which is welded to the other two. When installed at the implement end of the ram it works just like mine. It looks like, due to the change of width, that it might fit onto the tractor end in suce a way as to not pivot and rob me of PUSHING force. I will have to straighten out my bent mount to put it there. That is where it was supposed to go but I didn't take time to fix my tractor. The narrow end of theirs should fit inside the mounts on my tractor (where the end of the cylinder goes) and will after I fix them.

I will get to it. It is on the list.

Pat

 

[kude]

I received my Pat's Easy Change today and installed it this afternoon on my John Deere Cab 3520. I dropped my 72" mower deck and installed the Easy Change. I backed up to the mower hooked one side and then the other, piece of cake. The center link needed some WD40 and had to be taken off to loosen the equipment side. I had enough thread so that I could use the standard center link and attach it to the mower.

As usual the PTO shaft is the hardest part to install. Once I get it started I take a long big flathead screwdriver, hold it on the u-joint, and tap it in with a hammer. Maybe some kind of L shaped bolt would be better to use. I use a lot of WD40 and spray it on the shaft and couple.

I tested it out and the mower functions as usual.

The only issue I can see is that to remove the mower, the deck will be need to be lowered onto small blocks so that the draft arms can drop below the implement pins. This goes for attaching implements too. No biggie.

I haven't detached the mower and gone to another implement, but I don't forsee any more issues. We'll see how the product holds up.

I read about this product several years ago and put it on the back burner. My dealer couldn't get the Imatch to work with the mower deck, so he didn't deliver it.

 

[crbr]

...Credit where credit is due: The Greenwell folks that mfg Pat's EasyChange are easy to do business with, have good product, seem to know what they are doing, and look to be customer friendly. What isn't to like? Pat

The only thing missing in this entire element of discussion is a point that I am stuck on. They should put this aspect of the implement accessory up front on the web site. Modifications may be required.

They are good people, just need to be straight forward on all aspects of the product. It boils down to the principle of the matter, and I certainly am not their Marketing Chief, so their business isn't mine, or is it?

They made amends with me by sending an extension piece.

 

[kude]

I thought I'd attach a picture for those that might be interested.

 

[patrick_g]

It boils down to the principle of the matter

They made amends with me by sending an extension piece.

I admit that extending the lower arms without extending the top lift should have rung a loud bell for me but it didn't. Made me feel more dumb and disappointed with myself for missing something so blatantly obvious.

I too was sent a free extension which works fine.

Maybe the mfg has seen enough samples of how us user types miss such a simple (and should be OBVIOUS thing) that they will bring that issue to the front end and inform the customer instead of just fixing it after the fact. Even if they told you than you might need it and sold it for a few bucks in the initial sale it would save the hassle of having to wait for it to be shipped.

Pat

 

[kude]

For the price, an extension should be included for the specific model. Another implement may require it.

 

[patrick_g]

For the price, an extension should be included for the specific model. Another implement may require it.

Can't comment on their margin and ability to give away the extensions with every unit but they aren't that expensive to make. I think the unit is priced OK.

Price is often determined by various approaches: a multiplier times the materials, mfg cost times one point markup percent, perceived value, what it replaces, all the market will bear or a combination of some of the preceding. If the great majority of users need the extension I'd think if it were me I'd make it clear up front and consider bundling it with the system. If only a small percentage of us users need the extension then I might give it away or sell it to those few who need it. My guess is that many of the users need it.

Pat

 

[PATG]

crbr,

I emailed TractorByNet this morning to ask if they could add a statement about the added length. Hopefully, they will get it added and we can go from there. The extension is something that is not needed that often and seems to be more often on the Kubotas. I see what you mean about putting it in every set, but the ones I sell over the phone I tell them when they order and take care of it that way. The only ones that I have a problem with are the TractorByNet orders and I didn't realize it wasn't on the order page until you pointed it out. I went on and looked and can see where it doesn't point out specifically that you may need a longer top link. Good Point. We will always work to make our hitch more user friendly and take what all TractorByNeter's say to heart.

Pat of Pat's Easy Change