Pat's Easy Change Problem with Pat's EC system and my boxblade

[wny770]

This just can't be...I thought the PEC was the perfect QH and it fit everything unlike the dreaded I-Match

Sorry-tongue-in-cheek, but every time there is a post about the I-Match QH not fitting something the PEC is presented as the end-all-be-all solution to QH's.

I agree....I have a speeco QH and it fits my tiller, back blade, box blade, and carryall with NO modifications.

 

[ninefinger]

This just can't be...I thought the PEC was the perfect QH and it fit everything unlike the dreaded I-Match

Sorry-tongue-in-cheek, but every time there is a post about the I-Match QH not fitting something the PEC is presented as the end-all-be-all solution to QH's.

I, too, had to smile. I have no doubt the PEC is a well made and quality unit and the folks that have them are great defenders and advocates for them and that many people can not be wrong, but for me my cheap HF QH has done all I have asked of it. I also vote for the notch, the BB appears well built enough that what little material you must remove will never be missed.

 

[tommu56]

kebo

My first vote is for the notch too give your self plenty of clearance.

My second would be take the pin out of the a frame on both sides and have some one weld the A frame to the front of the present bars you will have to move the back braces forward too just get them welded too or just drill new holes in front of the others its a one time fix.



tom

 

[Cocre]

On the other hand I bought the cheap HF QH and wish I had bought the PEC. I got the 27.5" model and it was still not wide enough to fit the KK 60" brush mower when assembled as shown in the KK documentation. I moved the mower lift arms that the lower hitch pins attach to from the outside to the inside of the mower webbing and lost an inch, so that problem is solved. But the QH top link J-hook opening is too small to let the 3/4" pipe top link spacer on the mower slip into it. So I have to get the QH J-hook opening machined about 3/16" wider.

On my KK 60" tiller I have the same top link problem, but worse than that the QH lower hooks hit the tiller housing before the tiller lower pins align with the QH hooks. Just no way, they are at least a 1/4" too big. I guess I will grind some off of the QH lower hooks. Attached is a cell phone picture that shows the issue.

My old 72" box blade lower hitch pin width is too narrow to safely use with the QH, so I bought some longer pins for it, same for the middle buster. Even my cross drawbar is too short to fit the hitch and get latch pins in.

I'll probably be happy after I get all the issues worked out, but they are more of them than I bargained for.

 

[kebo]

I, too, had to smile. I have no doubt the PEC is a well made and quality unit and the folks that have them are great defenders and advocates for them and that many people can not be wrong, but for me my cheap HF QH has done all I have asked of it. I also vote for the notch, the BB appears well built enough that what little material you must remove will never be missed.

Ok folks, like I mentioned this BB is at least 8 years old. Not sure if that predates the first PEC but if it did, give him a break!! Pat couldn't possibly anticipate every implement design!


Thanks for all the comments though. I've decided to go with the flow and get the Sawzall blade warmed up! I agree that the BB seems to be braced adequately enough that it shouldn't even miss that little bit of metal. I'll probably try and notch it out this weekend. If I get 'er done, I'll post a pic or two of the aftermath damage!

 

[ninefinger]

Ok folks, like I mentioned this BB is at least 8 years old. Not sure if that predates the first PEC but if it did, give him a break!! Pat couldn't possibly anticipate every implement design!

kebo, I was very careful in my choice of words, at least I thought I was. In no way did I intend to slam "Pat". I have seen him post here and read enough about him to believe he is a stand up man. All issues about his product that I have seen have been delt with more than fairness on his part. And sorry about dragging you under the bus kennyd with me but we were just poking fun at Pat's loyal customers. No harm was meant.

 

[nunyabinis]

kebo,


Bring her to my house and we'll put the plasma cutter to work.



Nuthin' like cuttin' metal, boy!!!

 

[kebo]

Finally got around to modifying my boxblade today so it will work with the PEC system.
Here's the marks to cut out the area needed for clearance:

Here it is after cutting it and with a Sawzall (and drilling five 1/4" holes on the backside). Once I did the cutting and drilling, I just took an adjustable wrench, set it to 1/4", put it on the cut area and worked it up and down till it broke off.

Finally, here it is after the cut and the BB hooked up with the Easy Change in place:

And just a pic of the whole boxblade hooked back up. I don't think it will miss that little bit of metal at all. Maybe one day I will get a small grinding wheel and a file and work the backside cut so it will look nice and straight, and then paint it. Obviously I got to hook up the BB with the Easy Change in place and I got both side pins hooked up in no time flat, with no cursing this time!! BTW, previously I didn't know who made this BB but upon reading the tiny little silver warning label on the side of it, there was the name Wallberg Farm Equipment Co out of Winston-Salem, NC. Never had paid it any attention before! Duh....

 

[ninefinger]

Just a small mod and life is good again. Enjoy your BB and Pat's system.

 

[RadarTech]

nice work!