Quick Hitch for Betstco Flail Mower

[DarkHelmet]

Has anyone converted their Betstco flail so that it's quick hitch compatible? Looking to do it for my tractor and wanted to see what people have done. I have a top and tilt kit so adjusting to it is pretty easy once I figure out the adjustments I have to make.

 

[davrow]

Nope, haven't tried it. You will probably need a longer PTO shaft. I can't see any other issues. Good luck!

 

[Roadworthy]

If you're talking about Pat's Quick Hitch I don't know what conversion could be necessary. You may have to adjust the angle of the Quick Hitch pieces but the hitch itself has no width limit. The bars of your tractor would be the only width limitation. As davrow mentioned you may need a longer PTO shaft as the hitch does move the latch point back a couple of inches. I did need a longer drive shaft for my rotary mower but that was because my old drive shaft was dangerously short when I bought it - I just never knew it at the time.

 

[Slimson]

I converted my Betstco flail mower to fit my harbor freight quick hitch by drilling new holes for the 3 point attach brackets when I first assembled the mower. Pretty straighforward except it left some extra unused holes in the deck. Unfortunately, the PTO shaft was too short to fill the extra 4 inches- I tried it anyway, but it came apart when I tried to mow. (big excitement!)
So if you decide to align your 3 point mount on the mower to match a quick hitch, be advised you will likely need a longer PTO shaft to make it work.
I just take my quick hitch off when I mount my mower.

 

[cglaser104]

I converted my Betstco flail mower to fit my harbor freight quick hitch by drilling new holes for the 3 point attach brackets when I first assembled the mower. Pretty straighforward except it left some extra unused holes in the deck. Unfortunately, the PTO shaft was too short to fill the extra 4 inches- I tried it anyway, but it came apart when I tried to mow. (big excitement!)
So if you decide to align your 3 point mount on the mower to match a quick hitch, be advised you will likely need a longer PTO shaft to make it work.
I just take my quick hitch off when I mount my mower.

You can buy a PTO extender so as to not have to remove your QH. I use one with my HF QH and JD Brush Hog and KK Tiller. Works flawlessly and is cheaper than a new shaft.

 

[DarkHelmet]

Doubt I'll need a longer PTO shaft. The one I have now barely fits between the tractor and the mower. I can't even tilt the mower all the way forward because the shaft isn't short enough to make it work. I actually thought I was going to have to cut the shaft down.

 

[MoMower]

I converted my Betstco flail mower to fit my harbor freight quick hitch by drilling new holes for the 3 point attach brackets when I first assembled the mower. Pretty straighforward except it left some extra unused holes in the deck. Unfortunately, the PTO shaft was too short to fill the extra 4 inches- I tried it anyway, but it came apart when I tried to mow. (big excitement!)
So if you decide to align your 3 point mount on the mower to match a quick hitch, be advised you will likely need a longer PTO shaft to make it work.
I just take my quick hitch off when I mount my mower.

Older post, but any pics of what you did? Thanks

 

[Botajames]

I know this is an old post but I figured out a cheap, easy, no machining way to get the quick hitch to work. I have a standard duty 135 Betsco flail and my quick hitch lined up with welded uprights just right. I ended up getting a couple 3/4” shackle anchor from Home Depot for about $11 each. Tractor supply has them with pins and calls them farm clevis, more expensive and they didn’t have them in stock. Put them through the holes drilled that the pins go through. If you drill out the threads on the one side of the shackle you can use the pins that came with the mower, I didn’t, or get smaller diameter pins, probably a good idea with all the vibrations. I tried drilling and I needed something more powerful. There is a little side to side movement so it will probably work with other mowers. When you go to hook up, flip the shackles up, back up your tractor, flop them down. With the top hook, turn it upside down, put it on the mowers top pin, and it will probably be on the lowest setting. If you don’t do this, your pto shaft will probably hit the top of your quick hitch before you are all the way lowered. Mine happens to be on the outside, I could unbolt it all to side it over, I don’t see the need. I had to have the top link extended fairly far out to prevent the mower from digging in the front. I needed a pto extender for a few inches.
So far no issues, but it is easy to do, fast, and I’m not mowing golf courses, just around my house, pond and fruit trees. I know in the picture there is no pto shaft, but you probably know what it looks like. I drive a 1993 Kubota L2650.