Quick Hitches quick hitch choice

[daugen]

I've waited way too long to get a quick hitch on my Kubota
and asked the dealer what a Kubota quick hitch would cost.
The quote was something in the mid 400's or at least twice what I expected.
I use mostly Land Pride equipment.

Tractor Supply has them, ETA has them, and of course Pat's hitch does also, but a different device.
Before I give in and be hosed by the dealer, am I nuts not to get the Pat's hitches? Would the oem
hitch, which I'm assuming is solid stainless for that price..., be a better solution or just a marked up waste of money?

I'd really like to hear from anyone that has had the oem Kubota quick hitch and how it worked with non affiliated/old/weird stuff
you have hooked up. I don't mind paying more for increased quality or performance, but if I get neither, then I'm a plain chump.

there are lots of threads on this topic and I've read a bunch. Just checking one more time before I dial for dollars.
thanks
Drew

 

[paulwestski]

For the money I'd get the Harbor freight hitch $104.00.
Use a 20% off coupon and its really affordable.
Mine has held up to some heavy abuse and is easy to use.
My local Harbor freight always has one in stock.

You'll need to order the adapter for the top link for $15.00 and then order quick hitch bushings for all of your lower pins.

Norther Tool has the best price on the lower bushings, free shipping to store.

NorTrac Quick-Hitch Bushing Set — Fits Category 1 Hitches | 3-Point Hitch Adapters| Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[BukitCase]

Not familiar with the Kubota, but do have two of the HF's - haven't had a problem yet other than clearance on toplinks where the upper hook bolts to the QH - will probably fire up the welder fairly soon and make one change, a copy of the toplink portion of this

Quick Attach

Which, BTW, if you're gonna spend $400 for a QH I would certainly be lookin' SERIOUSLY at... Steve

 

[The Deerslayer]

If you go the HF route, make sure you measure the clearance needed for each of your implements. I'm sure it works for many, but it did not for me. I originally purchased one based on price, but when I tried using it, only one of my attachments would work with it.

I then went another route and have been very happy since. Three words for you...Pat's, Pat's, and Pat's.
Good luck!

 

[murphy1244]

Spend the money and go with a Land Pride and you will have no problems hooking up.

 

[94BULLITT]

Go with a imatch. It is pretty much identical to a LP but $100 less.

I would not trust a harbor freight QH on a tractor that big.

Here is a video I made comparing a HF QH to a imatch

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I have the HF one. Had to make some minor mods. If you are handy and have welding equip and a angle grinder it is easy. I bought the top and bottom bushings from the Land Pride dealer. They are in their manuals on line. I buy the long ones and cut to fit on length. HF had them on sale for 79.95 and the 20% coupon worked also. The unit, welding rod, a grinding disc, the upper link flex plates, some pins to replace bolts, and 10 LP bushings all cost around $200.00 and 3 hours of my time. If you are not into modifying stuff then pay the $400-300 depending on brand choice.

Ron

Ron

 

[bandaidmd]

Not familiar with the Kubota, but do have two of the HF's - haven't had a problem yet other than clearance on toplinks where the upper hook bolts to the QH - will probably fire up the welder fairly soon and make one change, a copy of the toplink portion of this

Quick Attach

Which, BTW, if you're gonna spend $400 for a QH I would certainly be lookin' SERIOUSLY at... Steve

Someone had that brand displayed at the De. State fair , its the only brand I have seen that's adjustable for width and easily adjusted for height .( not counting my home modified HF).
If I was going to buy another QH that would be the one I would want.

 

[jaydee325]

This thread has my attention since I've been considering a quick hitch.

Seems the low and high end have been covered. What is in the middle? EA lists the Speeco Cat 1 for $270ish. That is more in my ball park. Any feed back on this one or others in this range? Posts on the HFreight unit leave me unimpressed.
Bob

 

[94BULLITT]

The speeco is about the same quality as the Harbor Freight but it will work right out the box were the HF QH requires some mods.

 

[daugen]

Quick Hitch, Cat. 1 - Tractor Supply Online Store

not much new here. Sure doesn't look much different than the HF one, does come with bushings.

 

[daugen]

QH15 Series Quick-Hitches | Land Pride

here's the LandPride one, which I assume is the oem for Kubota.
Lower hook assembly looks a little beefier, and I'm sure those top handles work with more precision, but
the more I look at these hitches, the more they all look the same...
Though the video showing the JD Imatch was really helpful, clearly the same product costing more than twice as much should certainly
be better built. Can I put a green Imatch hitch on a Kubota, or will the engine stop?

 

[PhysAssist]

Go with a imatch. It is pretty much identical to a LP but $100 less.

I would not trust a harbor freight QH on a tractor that big.

Here is a video I made comparing a HF QH to a imatch

Hi Mr. Bullitt,

Ok, per your video Match is somewhat prettier and sturdier than the HF QH, but I have yet to hear of anyone who owned a HF QH that failed catastrophically or otherwise, so what practical difference does it make?

For the price difference, it ought to be (as the OP said), made of stainless or something more precious.

I think it's obvious that the the HF QH in your video had significantly more use and obvious wear than the the IMatch QH, that being the case did it ever fail, break, or lose an implement in use, etc?

Are any of the differences you found in the looseness of the HF QH because of that wear? (based on the one I have, I don't think it is), but if a comparison is being made, wouldn't it be fairer to compare 2 new out of box samples?

If I had the money, I'd love to do the kind of ultimate destructive testing they do on mythbusters and similar shows using a new one of each of the QH varieties discussed in this thread, to see if and what the real differences are in the real world, i.e., do they make any practical difference in our actual usage.

If you think his tractor is too big and overpowered for the base model HF QH you demonstrated, what about their Category 2 model?

Has anyone used or tried one of those.

Sorry for all the questions, I just have an inquisitive nature, and while your video showed some clear and significant differences in engineering and design, it is not clear how or if those differences affect the safety and utility of them.

If your find this offensive, I apologize in advance, I didn't men it to be, in fact I forgot to say thanks for the video, now if my HF QH fails, I'll understand why.

Thomas

 

[94BULLITT]

Hi Mr. Bullitt,

Ok, per your video Match is somewhat prettier and sturdier than the HF QH, but I have yet to hear of anyone who owned a HF QH that failed catastrophically or otherwise, so what practical difference does it make?

There is so much slop in where the QH attaches to a implement. I think with slop it would be easier to break something.

For the price difference, it ought to be (as the OP said), made of stainless or something more precious.

I think the HF QH and a 20% coupon with all the necessary mods and a 20% coupon was less than $100.

I got a really good deal on the imatch, $275 and they retail for $350.

You can also look for a used imatch or Land pride.

I think it's obvious that the the HF QH in your video had significantly more use and obvious wear than the the IMatch QH, that being the case did it ever fail, break, or lose an implement in use, etc?

The HF QH maybe had 30 hours on it from the BX. The imatch maybe had 3 hours from the L4240.

Are any of the differences you found in the looseness of the HF QH because of that wear? (based on the one I have, I don't think it is), but if a comparison is being made, wouldn't it be fairer to compare 2 new out of box samples?

I doubt there was much wear with so little use.

If I had the money, I'd love to do the kind of ultimate destructive testing they do on mythbusters and similar shows using a new one of each of the QH varieties discussed in this thread, to see if and what the real differences are in the real world, i.e., do they make any practical difference in our actual usage.

That would be cool. If any manufacturers would like to send a me a QH. I would be glad to do some testing and comparisons

If you think his tractor is too big and overpowered for the base model HF QH you demonstrated, what about their Category 2 model?

Has anyone used or tried one of those.

Cat 2 QH spec is different than Cat1.

I know some members have a HF Cat 2 QH.

Sorry for all the questions, I just have an inquisitive nature, and while your video showed some clear and significant differences in engineering and design, it is not clear how or if those differences affect the safety and utility of them.

If your find this offensive, I apologize in advance, I didn't men it to be, in fact I forgot to say thanks for the video, now if my HF QH fails, I'll understand why.

Thomas

I know there are some members with the HF QH on Grand L's and other large compacts. I just did not feel comfortable with it. I did not want to tear the tractor an a implement up. I did not find it offensive, this is what TBN is for Your welcome for the video.

 

[jaydee325]

The speeco is about the same quality as the Harbor Freight but it will work right out the box were the HF QH requires some mods.

Speeco shows two Cat 1 hitches on their website. One is an E model (it take that to mean economy) and a Cat 1. They don't describe the differences and I have been unable to find any references to the difference. Is your statement comparing the E model to the HF or the more expensive Cat 1 model? Can't even find any local vendors who carry them so I can see one for myself.

I'm going to try my luck at finding a JD I-match or Land Pride used. I'm in no hurry.

 

[94BULLITT]

Speeco shows two Cat 1 hitches on their website. One is an E model (it take that to mean economy) and a Cat 1. They don't describe the differences and I have been unable to find any references to the difference. Is your statement comparing the E model to the HF or the more expensive Cat 1 model? Can't even find any local vendors who carry them so I can see one for myself.

I'm going to try my luck at finding a JD I-match or Land Pride used. I'm in no hurry.

I saw a Speeco at TSC. I don't know for sure which one it was. The economy hitch is lighter I think. I also saw the county line QH it is not much.

4Shorts has a Speeco and a Landpride. He prefers the Landpride.

If you are looking for a used imatch look at tractors for sale on craigslist. You may find a imatch on one and they may sell it separate.

 

[PhysAssist]

There is so much slop in where the QH attaches to a implement. I think with slop it would be easier to break something.



I think the HF QH and a 20% coupon with all the necessary mods and a 20% coupon was less than $100.

I got a really good deal on the imatch, $275 and they retail for $350.

You can also look for a used imatch or Land pride.



The HF QH maybe had 30 hours on it from the BX. The imatch maybe had 3 hours from the L4240.




I doubt there was much wear with so little use.



That would be cool. If any manufacturers would like to send a me a QH. I would be glad to do some testing and comparisons



Cat 2 QH spec is different than Cat1.

I know some members have a HF Cat 2 QH.



I know there are some members with the HF QH on Grand L's and other large compacts. I just did not feel comfortable with it. I did not want to tear the tractor an a implement up. I did not find it offensive, this is what TBN is for Your welcome for the video.

Hi Roger, et. al.,

Thanks for the salient and thoughtful rejoinder, and comments.

I have no disagreement with anything you had to say.

Specifically, I did not think that wear was the cause of the HF QH's looser tolerances, and I don't question that most, and more than likely all, the other QH's are built to tighter tolerances than HF's, and all are also significantly more expensive.

I still have to question is still whether the increases in price and tighter tolerances really buy any increased function or reliability.

...and I know that the Category 2 implements are different than Cat. 1, so I guess my question is where (i.e., at what tractor size) does it make sense to step up to the Cat. 2 QH?

Do any of the manufacturers make a Cat. 2 QH, or is it only HF with a Cat. 2 QH?

Thanks again for making TBN an interesting and enlightening place to learn about all this stuff!

Thomas

 

[Deerherd]

I have a Speeco class 2 QH, paid 199.00 at Blains. Land Pride makes one and I was quoted $650 so I went with the Speeco. Woods has a QH that is a rebranded Speeco, but at a premium price.

The hitch weighs 134 lbs and is rated for up to a 100 hp tractor.

 

[94BULLITT]

Hi Roger, et. al.,

Thanks for the salient and thoughtful rejoinder, and comments.

I have no disagreement with anything you had to say.

Specifically, I did not think that wear was the cause of the HF QH's looser tolerances, and I don't question that most, and more than likely all, the other QH's are built to tighter tolerances than HF's, and all are also significantly more expensive.

I still have to question is still whether the increases in price and tighter tolerances really buy any increased function or reliability.

...and I know that the Category 2 implements are different than Cat. 1, so I guess my question is where (i.e., at what tractor size) does it make sense to step up to the Cat. 2 QH?

Do any of the manufacturers make a Cat. 2 QH, or is it only HF with a Cat. 2 QH?

Thanks again for making TBN an interesting and enlightening place to learn about all this stuff!

Thomas

Thanks for the kind comments Thomas.

A small tractor like a BX or B series would never hurt a HF QH. The imatch is made out box tubing where the Speeco style QH's are make out of plate metal welded together. I think that makes the imatch stronger. I have pulled so hard on my imatch that I had the L4240's front wheels off the ground with the loader on.

You would need a Cat 2 QH when you use a Cat 2 implement which would be in the 50-60hp range.

Land pride and Speeco make Cat 2 Quick hitches. There are also Cat 3 quick hitches.

Next time I am at TSC I could make a video of their quick hitches:laughing: I don't know how I'll test how tight the attachment points are.

 

[PhysAssist]

Thanks for the kind comments Thomas.

A small tractor like a BX or B series would never hurt a HF QH. The imatch is made out box tubing where the Speeco style QH's are make out of plate metal welded together. I think that makes the imatch stronger. I have pulled so hard on my imatch that I had the L4240's front wheels off the ground with the loader on.

You would need a Cat 2 QH when you use a Cat 2 implement which would be in the 50-60hp range.

Land pride and Speeco make Cat 2 Quick hitches. There are also Cat 3 quick hitches.

Next time I am at TSC I could make a video of their quick hitches:laughing: I don't know how I'll test how tight the attachment points are.

De nada Roger,

No, I knew us small guys weren't where the problem with QH failure would occur, I just wasn't sure if the lower cut-off point for Cat. 2 usage should really be where concern about Cat. 1 QH failure begins (in general).

I guess I also just never looked at Cat. 2 QH's to see who else made them, having seen and been surprised by HF having one.

To tell the truth, it surprised my to find that they even carried the Cat. 1 QH's as it didn't seem to fit with the rest of their product line.

Then I saw that they had drawbars, and was again surprised.

I'd love to see the store manager's face when you started to disassemble their QH's in the aisle.

Thanks,
Thomas