Quick Hitches Quick hitch confusion

   / Quick hitch confusion #11  
As others have pointed out, the differences in the "Quick Hitches" is the distance between the center line of the lift arms and the top link. That sketch that beenthere posted is the one that I followed when I designed my drawbar that attached to the lift arms and with the top link to keep it from rotating.

The only Quick Hitch that I've seen locally that has selectable top link positions is the Speeco one that TSC sells. Even it may not have exact locations that fit every implement.

I've 2 problems with use of Quick Hitches:

1. I use a chain for the top link on my brush hog.
2. The MacKissic shredder/chipper has Cat 0 spacing for between the arms.

Can't even use a Pat's EZ change system because of problem # 2. It would require me to get off the tractor and piddle with the turnbuckles; so why bother with a quick hitch?

The only implement that gives me trouble in putting on or taking off is the brush hog. Putting it on castors solved this problem. I even put castors below the pallet that is the bottom to my carryall box. The back blade, soil ripper and MacKissic scoot pretty easily (on concrete or wooden blocks). The drawbar can just be lifted into place.

Ralph
 
   / Quick hitch confusion #12  
I also have a QH I picked up at TSC (Speeco) - I just finished modifying the top link on my snowblower day before yesterday to make it work with it. Basically trimmed off the old toplink ears and welded a new pair to raise the toplink pin height. I bought the snowblower used, have not used it yet ..... dunno whether the PTO shaft will be long enough or not.

The QH fits my KK tiller, but again I need to check the PTO shaft length.

I also use it with my Woods boxblade - although I have to set the front edge of the boxblade on something when I remove it (I use a landscape timber) in order to keep the lower link pins from being too low for the QH to pick up. The boxblade came with an open hole for a toplink pin and then just below that another pair of holes that had a bolt run thru it and a bushing on it that fit the toplink hook on the Speeco. I just moved that bolt/bushing up into the top holes.

I still have to modify the landscape rake and woodsplitter .... not sure about the KK carryall.

For me, one of the most frustrating things about using a tractor is attaching and removing 3PH equipment. The QH makes it 100% easier .... and I'm sure it will only get better once I'm doing it on level concrete. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
   / Quick hitch confusion #13  
I have a Speeco and a John Deere I-Match. Wish I had started with I-Match. I trust JD to follow the spec exactly, not partly as Speeco has done. An adjustable top hook makes it such that you can make it not to spec.

Do you want to weld and adjust all your implements to a non-standard specifications? That defeats the purpose of a standard. What if each manufacturer of electrical plugs made their spacing and prong dimensions a little different?

The quick hitch business is in infancy. The best thing we can do is only buy implements and hitches that fit the standard exactly. I'd make it a condition of sale, and if it don't work, return it.

Good luck. My hitch is one of my first and best additions to my tractor. They should be included with every new tractor.
 

Attachments

  • 779856-SPEECO.jpg
    779856-SPEECO.jpg
    87.2 KB · Views: 268
   / Quick hitch confusion #14  
I have a BEFCO QH. It works with my BEFCO LR, BEFCO RB, and a BEFCO RFM. The top hook is not adjustable. It's big and seems to be for something larger than CAT I, but I really have no idea. I think it'll accomodate a 26" drawbar. I use bushings as needed. List was around $330. Oh yeah, it's orange.

Knowing nothing about implements and QHs, I was told that this would be compatible with many implement brands. Landpride and a few other brands were mentioned. I think I was told that the SPEECO QH and KK implements are compatible.
 
   / Quick hitch confusion #15  
What is the tractor it is on? Is that tractor a Cat I 3pt ?

If for Cat I tractor 3pt, then the QH top hook is the size of Cat II and the bottom hooks are Cat III. Bushing kits are used to add to the attachments for match-up.
 
   / Quick hitch confusion #16  
I found that coming up from below was my biggest challenge. Not all of my implements have clearance for that big hook to come up from below so I installed a hydraulic toplink and retract it, bring the QH up to engage the lower links then extend the toplink get off to pin it. This doesn't allow me to hook up completely from the seat but my motive for the QH was primarily to line up the lower links. I hate having to get back on and pull up an inch ect...
 
   / Quick hitch confusion #18  
Maybe it's just me, but the more I read the more I wonder..... is everybody having that much trouble hooking up 3PH implements without such a device. Granted I only hook up a back blade, but that's about a 1 minute operation and I haven't had to reposition the tractor as I recall. I do have telescoping links, but it seems awfully fast and easy to me. Maybe it's everybody having to adjust the width of the bottom links for different implements and the need to rapid fire change from implement to implement?


Don't you still have to get off the tractor with these quick hitches to engage the top link? I do understand we all like things easier, but after some reading as to modifications to get these implements compliant, I'm wondering how many dozens or hundreds for connections and disconnections one could make in the same given time? Maybe I'm crossed up on this? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Wouldn't be the first time. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
   / Quick hitch confusion #19  
Your telescoping links make a BIG difference. I had a 2350 JD farm tractor with telescoping links and position didn't matter much. With fixed lower links you have to be just about dead on or it's trouble.
 
   / Quick hitch confusion
  • Thread Starter
#20  
I've got to tell you that despite all the help in this thread my quick hitch confusion is not resolved.

Here is what I think I have learned. Help me correct this if I am wrong.

- I want a quick hitch with an adjustible top link as the top pin on implements tends to be the most common thing that does not comply with the standard.

- A quick hitch will likely nicely compensate for lack of telescoping links but may not ensure (given the top link issue) that I can hook up my implements without getting off the tractor - I can live with this. I'm primarily looking for something that will save me time - does not necessarily need to eliminate hookup time.

-I definately ought to get a QH that has a floating top link for something like a rotary cutter. I know that the land pride one has this. Are there others that do?

- I haven't heard anyone mention that one quick hitch is better than the other (assuming the ones I compare have adjustible top links). There was some preference for the JD iMATCH but that does not have an adjustible top link. Any preferences?

In a nutshell, sounds like a QH will generally save me implement hookup time without implement modification. However, implement modification may be required if I don't want to have to adjust the top link from implement to implement.
 
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

BUYERS PREMIUM & PAYMENT TERMS (A51222)
BUYERS PREMIUM &...
1996 COUNTRY COACH INTRIGUE 40FT RV (A51222)
1996 COUNTRY COACH...
2021 Cat D5 LGP Dozer (RIDE AND DRIVE) (A50774)
2021 Cat D5 LGP...
1969 JOHNSON J25 GOOSENECK TRAILER (A51222)
1969 JOHNSON J25...
2016 Ford F-150 4x4 Crew Cab Pickup Truck (A50323)
2016 Ford F-150...
2020 INTERNATIONAL LT625 TANDEM AXLE SLEEPER TRUCK (A51222)
2020 INTERNATIONAL...
 
Top