"Permanent" Cat 2 to 1 adapter for the hitch side (not the implement side)?

[SmallChange]

I bought an adapter plate that mounts on the skidder FEL and accepts 3 point implements. For instance, I could put my 3 pt landscape rake on the FEL and rake in front of me while backing up.

Trouble is, even though the specifications say it is for Cat 1, the holes are sized for Cat 2. They are all over 1.1" (and below 1.25"). So, I have to use three Cat 1 2 adapter bushings for all my implements, which are Cat 1, and which also still need to fit my tractor 3 pt hitch which is Cat 1.

I would prefer not to have to fiddle with these adapter bushings every time. I wish they were permanently mounted into the holes, making this adapter plate the Cat 1 mount that it was advertised as. Is there such an adapter bushing? Maybe something with a built in flange on one end and a threaded flange on the other end?

Maybe I could get the bushings welded into the holes. I'm not sure that would last, though, because the implement forces would be acting in various directions at various times, trying to make the bushing shift around in the hole, and asking little welds to handle that force seems untrustworthy.

Maybe I could get washers welded onto the ends of the bushings while in the holes, capturing them in there.

I've found what look like bushings that permanently mount onto the Cat 1 pins, which makes the implement a Cat 2 implement at least as far as pin diameter goes. This solves the wrong problem, as I need the implements to remain Cat 1.

Any ideas?

Thanks!!

 

[Zebrafive]

Re: "Permanent" Cat 2 to 1 adapter for the hitch side (not the implement side)?

Weld in correct size bushings. I would not be concerned about the welds holding.
Have bushings made that are a press fit.
Cut off the tabs and have new ones made with correct size holes welded on.

 

[Overtaxed]

Re: "Permanent" Cat 2 to 1 adapter for the hitch side (not the implement side)?

You don't need the weld to hold. It just has to keep the bushing from falling out of the hole. Cut the bushing down a little smaller (in length) than you need, put it in hole, then just tack it with a welder. It's the slag that'll keep it from falling out of the hole, that's all you need. Or, if you want to get fancy, you could weld a washer on one side, put it through the hole and then weld a washer on the other side. I wouldn't bother. Just give yourself a little room on either side and pile up the slag. Won't be going anywhere after that. All you need is to stop side/side motion (it falling out with no pin in there), not actually support the weight of the implement.

Which one did you get, BTW? I'm also looking at doing this, I would like to mount things like a landscape rake or cutipacker on the front side too, both for better visibility and also so that I can do 2 operations in one pass (rake and cultipack, for example, rake on the front, packer on the back).

 

[oosik]

Re: "Permanent" Cat 2 to 1 adapter for the hitch side (not the implement side)?

I have a bag full of Cat 1 > Cat 2 bushings. I have two implements with Cat 1 pins. I simply leave the Cat 2 bushings on the pins. No big deal.

 

[SmallChange]

Re: "Permanent" Cat 2 to 1 adapter for the hitch side (not the implement side)?

I have a bag full of Cat 1 > Cat 2 bushings. I have two implements with Cat 1 pins. I simply leave the Cat 2 bushings on the pins. No big deal.

I can't just leave bushings on the pins because the implements are getting used on the Cat 1 hitch at least as often as the Cat 2 hitch. It's the Cat 2 hitch holes that the bushings need to stay with. But there's nothing currently keeping the bushings in the holes.

 

[SmallChange]

Re: "Permanent" Cat 2 to 1 adapter for the hitch side (not the implement side)?

You don't need the weld to hold. It just has to keep the bushing from falling out of the hole. [...]

Which one did you get, BTW? I'm also looking at doing this, I would like to mount things like a landscape rake or cutipacker on the front side too, both for better visibility and also so that I can do 2 operations in one pass (rake and cultipack, for example, rake on the front, packer on the back).

Yes, I think you're right, I don't really need the weld to hold, I just need it to keep the bushing trapped in there.

I got this one:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07449SDC...olid=11JB1GZAC0XMO&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

It says "The Skid Steer Style 3 point attachments plate provides easy three-point attachment to category 1 implements that are not driven or powered by a PTO shaft."

When I looked, the first review said "Not bad at all. Good welds, good coat of paint on it. The holes are drilled for a cat 2 pin, even the top link is sized for a cat 2 pin and not a cat 2 top link, but it works just fine with cat 1 to cat 2 bushings on all cat 1 implements. Makes it really easy to move trailers with the attached hitch. Works as expected, definitely handy to have around if you have a skid steer and 3 point implements." I would agree. Just getting started with it, but so far so good.

The price was only $232, and that included shipping! Though, if I knew this one was Cat 2 and another one was $50 or even $100 more expensive but Cat 1, I think I would have chosen the Cat 1. I can get the weld thing done, but that means transporting this to and from, and it's more than I can lift so that may mean getting somebody to come to my house and help load it. On the other hand I should be able to load it with my boom pole....

 

[oosik]

Re: "Permanent" Cat 2 to 1 adapter for the hitch side (not the implement side)?

"keeping the Cat 1 bushings in the Cat 2 holes". Try some super heavy duty "snotty" grease or Blue LokTite or Super Glue.

I have found that my extendable lower arm ends are my solution to hitching the couple implements with Cat 1 pins. Grunt, push, pry, shove and THEN use the lower arm extensions. Perfect alignment - no problems with the bushings.

Otherwise - I would tack weld the bushings in place. I've never had THAT much of a problem. So I've never gone that far.

 

[krankieone]

Re: "Permanent" Cat 2 to 1 adapter for the hitch side (not the implement side)?

press fit -turn up a couple of bushing that are a couple of thousands oversize and press in.

 

[Hilbilly]

Re: "Permanent" Cat 2 to 1 adapter for the hitch side (not the implement side)?

press fit -turn up a couple of bushing that are a couple of thousands oversize and press in.

That's exactly what I did and it works great. No more fiddling with those adapters that are never the right length.

When I got the L6060 it has Cat 2 3PTH connectors and came with Cat 1 bushings, which is OK but a real nuisance, since all of my implements are CAT 1. The press fit is definitely the way to go. Been in for over a year now and they have not moved.