Pat's Easy Change Vs Quick Hitch

[Gale Hawkins]

OK then I would give Pat's office a call. Something is not right because we highly load, jerk, apply side pressure, etc and that has never been an issue during 5 years we have used it.

 

[cletus99]

I just got my PEC recently and had one side of mine come off. I believe it was the linch pin also. I plan on getting some bolts soon to replace my pins. That should solve that problem. For now I wired the pins to keep them from coming off.

 

[deere5105]

OK then I would give Pat's office a call. Something is not right because we highly load, jerk, apply side pressure, etc and that has never been an issue during 5 years we have used it.

What make and model tractor are you using this on?

 

[gwdixon]

I am using the heavy duty black ones. Noticed they don't seen to clamp all the way closed. Seems the washer is holding them partially open.

The lynch pins don't clamp all the way closed if the bail is on the wrong side. Try moving the bail over the top and clamp on the "backside". The bail should not be on the flat side of the pin. I may have misread but I don't see how the washer could come off and not lose the lynch pin.

If that is not the problem then try hooking the lift pin from the other side of the washer and see if the bail will close all the way (with the bent part of the washer on the other end of the pin). Here is my solution:

View attachment 376791View attachment 376792

If the Pat's unhooks out the top, rather than slide off the end, somehow the securing lever is lifting and allowing the lift pin to slide out the top. The latest Pat's models have a combo securing lever lock for both open and closed positions (that piece of bent metal that holds the Pat's open for unhooking). A call to Pat's might have them send you a retrofit for those newer devices if unhooking out the top is the issue. (You did mention that this wasn't the problem.)

 

[deere5105]

I just got my PEC recently and had one side of mine come off. I believe it was the linch pin also. I plan on getting some bolts soon to replace my pins. That should solve that problem.

That is one of the options I came up with yesterday too. Not quite as easy to move from one implement to another, but if each implement is set up with washers and left that way shouldn't need to swap them.

I am using the Cat 2 version and bushing for the Cat 1 implements.

 

[deere5105]

The lynch pins don't clamp all the way closed if the bail is on the wrong side. Try moving the bail over the top and clamp on the "backside". The bail should not be on the flat side of the pin. If the Pat's unhooks out the top, rather than slide off the end, somehow the securing lever is lifting and allowing the lift pin to slide out the top. The latest Pat's models have a combo securing lever lock for both open and closed positions (that piece of bent metal that holds the Pat's open for unhooking). A call to Pat's might have them send you a retrofit for those newer devices if unhooking out the top is the issue.

I should have taken a picture yesterday, but didn't. From memory, the the L shaped washer is installed with the flat side on first with the bent piece facing out then the lynch pin installed down through the hole in bent piece through hole in lift pin then the "loop" of the lynch pin closed over bent piece and lift pin. I have noticed the lynch pin doesn't close completely. Is this how you are suggesting is the proper way to install? I recall trying different methods of installing and don't recall anything else working.

 

[deere5105]

The lynch pins don't clamp all the way closed if the bail is on the wrong side. Try moving the bail over the top and clamp on the "backside". The bail should not be on the flat side of the pin. I may have misread but I don't see how the washer could come off and not lose the lynch pin. If that is not the problem then try hooking the lift pin from the other side of the washer and see if the bail will close all the way (with the bent part of the washer on the other end of the pin). Here is my solution: <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/attachments/376791-pats-easy-change-vs-quick-pats_2-jpg"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/attachments/376792-pats-easy-change-vs-quick-pats_1-jpg"/> If the Pat's unhooks out the top, rather than slide off the end, somehow the securing lever is lifting and allowing the lift pin to slide out the top. The latest Pat's models have a combo securing lever lock for both open and closed positions (that piece of bent metal that holds the Pat's open for unhooking). A call to Pat's might have them send you a retrofit for those newer devices if unhooking out the top is the issue. (You did mention that this wasn't the problem.)

After looking back at the attached pictures, it looks like you have an excellent solution with the custom washers. That allows the pins to close fully and provides a good level of protection in keeping the arm from sliding off the pin.

Regarding version of PEC, this unit is supposed to be the latest as far as I know and was ordered at end of December 2013.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I should have taken a picture yesterday, but didn't. From memory, the the L shaped washer is installed with the flat side on first with the bent piece facing out then the lynch pin installed down through the hole in bent piece through hole in lift pin then the "loop" of the lynch pin closed over bent piece and lift pin. I have noticed the lynch pin doesn't close completely. Is this how you are suggesting is the proper way to install? I recall trying different methods of installing and don't recall anything else working.

I had this issue. A little strategic grinding on the washer flange will let the lynch pin close fully.
larry

 

[gwdixon]

I should have taken a picture yesterday, but didn't. From memory, the the L shaped washer is installed with the flat side on first with the bent piece facing out then the lynch pin installed down through the hole in bent piece through hole in lift pin then the "loop" of the lynch pin closed over bent piece and lift pin. I have noticed the lynch pin doesn't close completely. Is this how you are suggesting is the proper way to install? I recall trying different methods of installing and don't recall anything else working.

I could have been more clear, for sure.

First, if the lynch pin closes all the way when not on the washer then the bail is set correctly. If it is slightly open when not installed then the bail is backwards.

Second, try installing the lynch pin on the bent side (like you do) compared to installing it on the non-bent side to see if the bail will fully close.
(Look at the left photo, the first washer on the top/left in my previous post. It is an OEM Pat's modified with an extra washer. The lynch pin is installed from the "other" side and closes fully.)

But, after I made those special washers I forgot how the lynch pins were installed into the OEM bent washers.

The washers are very easy to make and then all attachments can be left with their own set ready to go to work. A cheap flux-core welder is all you need. Even a 110V Harbor Freight welder would do. But a farm must have an existing welder sitting around somewhere.

 

[SPYDERLK]

The problem with the L bent washers is that even if the bale closes correctly the pin is slill only holding one side. The web of the washer is gone on the L flange side.