Quick Attach Hitch Arms That Work With You

[PineRidge]

I have seen numerous posts on all kinds of gadgets used for attaching a 3-point attachment quickly. I used the conventional 3-point attachment for over 5 years with my last tractor and I know that sometimes-heavy implements are a pain in the back to attach. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I am still getting used to my New Holland but I think these people used their heads when they designed the lower lift arms used on some of the newer tractors. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

It’s very easy to extend the lower arms and back up to your implement like my picture shows, I actually overshoot the lift pins intentionally. Then it’s very easy to retract the lower arms to capture the eyeball sockets without needing to nudge or move the implement for further alignment.

The arms give you the full advantage of the eyeball sockets rotation unlike some of the other quick attach hitches that I have seen at this site. I am quite sure that the arms could also be used on a wide variety of tractor makes with minor modifications. And I'll bet that they are still cheaper than most alternatives.

This is the first combination of quick attach that really is easy to use and makes good sense as far as keeping the flexibility of the 3-point system intact.

 

[JerryG]

I was at my dealer last week, the shop forman was making a set of arms like that. He cut the ball ends off and then made the whole slip mechanism. Looked like more work than I would have undertook. I don't know why he didn't just cut off a used set and weld them on to the arms. BTW, I have that kind of ends on my tractor and really like them.

 

[PineRidge]

Jerry this is the first set of lower arms that really makes sense. They hook up so much easier than the conventional set that there is no comparison. I don't know why more manufacturers aren't presently using them but I'll bet that they do follow suit.

 

[JerryG]

I know that I like mine. Instead of needing to get right on the correct distance to hitch up, you have about 4" or so to play with. If you get within the general area, then you can still hook up with out having to reposition the tractor or implement.

 

[PineRidge]

Jerry did they come stock on your Massey or did you add them aftermarket?

 

[JerryG]

They are standard on the non-V (deluxe version) larger frame tractors.

 

[ronjhall]

PineRidge

That’s one of the main reasons that I purchased a <font color="orange"> Kubota </font> B2910 instead of a B2710.
All the Grand L tractors have that same feature.
Yours look just like mine. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I wonder if someone has a patent on the design. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[JerryG]

<font color="blue"> I wonder if someone has a patent on the design. </font>
I doubt it. The design has been around for many years on larger tractors.

 

[PineRidge]

You would think that someone would come up with a kit so that a standard lift arm could have the original end cut off and one could then weld a set of these retractable ball ends to their original lift arms. They would probably sell better than the alternatives that I have seen. And at least we know they work like they were intended.

With all the other quick attach methods the operator still has to dismount the tractor to manually hook up the top link and PTO so I would say that this is as quick as it gets without someone else doing it for you. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[JimMc]

Retrofitting would need to be tractor model specific as some tractors have a bend too close to the spherical ball for the retract feature, and there are so many different materials used in lift arms. Many mfrs do have a cross referenced part that will allow a customer to replace the lift arms with new lift arms having the retractable ends. It does require that the tractor model does have enough space from the bend in the arm to the spherical ball end. Most sub-compact and many compacts don't have enough space.