Quick Hitches Quick hitch - much quicker????

[PATG]

Yes, the stabilizer bar is adustable and only $20.00 plus $10.00 shipping.

 

[AndyinIowa]

'Much quicker' is the kicker. I don't have any 3ph attachments that take longer than 60-90 seconds to hook up (including PTO). For me, the return on investment isn't there.

My keys for quick hookups:

1.attachment presentation. Storing the attachment in an orientation that allows you to directly back up and connect saves a lot of time. I've seen people disconnect an attachment, only to see it flop over or collapse down into a heap. Not easy to reconnect.

2. Clean pins and swivels. Keep the 3pt pins and swivels shiney. Its not rocket science, but a little WD40 spray goes a long way.

3. Undersize pins - My ballast tub (400lbs) has undersized pins. No problems connecting or disconnecting.

Quick hitches are definitely nice, and as the implements move up in size, become more handy (as do telescopic arms).

IowaAndy

 

[jgrreed]

Any thoughts on which quick hitch to buy? A quick search found prices from Harbor Freight's $89 to somebody's >$500. I just ordered a new JD 4320 because my Kubota B2710 keeps breaking down on me (probably working it too hard), so I guess JD's iMatch would be the obvious (if costly) choice, but if I don't have to spend the money...

Apologies in advance if this is viewed as a thread hijack. I viewed it as the logical follow-on to the original poster's question.

My Speeco's been good so far. It's very similar to a HF or a JD and therefore might have spacing issues with some implements (but my father in law's a pretty good welder and this is a good excuse for me to learn too). Haven't tried Pat's but seems like a good idea.

I'm adding a CCM hydro top link too.

-J.

 

[jimmysisson]

I liked the look of Pat's but thought it had too many parts, ended up buying the Carter & Sons EZ-Hitch equivalent. It sits on top of the lower bars, not out back so driveshafts stay the same as do top links. The hooks fit snug into captured pin attachments (my Gannon box and Norse winch) and required a little modification. Mostly they're very good because you can back up until your EZ-hitch hits the pins, then just raise the 3-point. Pretty good system, still can swivel a bit if you're tilting an implement, and cheaper than Pat's. Excellent personal service as well. I don't work for them, just like the product.
Jim

Welcome to CARTER AND SON'S TOOL AND DIE

 

[KHNewman]

I have Pat's and they are great...very flexible and fast. The advantage over the carter system is the self locking feature where you don't need to get off the tractor and slide the pin in when you back up to the implement.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I have Pat's and they are great...very flexible and fast. The advantage over the carter system is the self locking feature where you don't need to get off the tractor and slide the pin in when you back up to the implement.

Yes, but these are a source of fragility as well as convenience. The release lever of Pats can get ripped off in the ruf, which looses the spring that holds the pin retainer lug extended. About the same inconvenience as losing the pin on the Carter but much more difficult to fix.
larry

 

[wwalkersd]

Any thoughts on which quick hitch to buy? A quick search found prices from Harbor Freight's $89 to somebody's >$500. I just ordered a new JD 4320 because my Kubota B2710 keeps breaking down on me (probably working it too hard), so I guess JD's iMatch would be the obvious (if costly) choice, but if I don't have to spend the money...

Apologies in advance if this is viewed as a thread hijack. I viewed it as the logical follow-on to the original poster's question.

Well, after carefully measuring my implements, I bought the HF quick hitch. And guess what? Despite my best measurements, it doesn't fit a single one of my implements. In every case, even though the basic dimensions are correct, there's some obstruction that keeps the quick hitch from mating with the implement.

 

[bjcsc]

I've never used any type of quick hitch, but I don't really have any troubles changing implements. With telescoping links, I back up until I'm close, put my toplink valve in float, get off, hook the lower links and the toplink, get back on and back up to lock the lower links. Then I take the toplink valve back to neutral, raise the implement clear of the ground, get off, set the horizontal position I want on the stabilizers and I'm done. I've never been timed (that I'm aware of anyway ) but I bet it takes me less than 90 seconds to hook to my bush hog, including the PTO shaft.

I'm fine with telescoping lower links...

 

[Diamondpilot]

I had a quick hitch I did not ever use until I built my 3 point log splitter. It was a pain to hook up. Then I got a 7' rear grader blade and could not rotate it without the quick hitch. With the hitch on it puts things back 5-6 inches and that enough room to clear the rear tire with the hitch.

Its now been on for 3 years and I love it. No more adjusting the sway links either.

Chris

 

[joe48]

Check outthe little clamp on the cheap box spring frames. Its used to hold 2 pieces of angle together andlet them slide to the point you want and tighten a thumb nut to clamp. All you need is one of those clamps and 2 pieces the correct size angle with vertical bolt on end of each.
larry

I bought a 3/8 turn buckle at hardware store, open the left hand thread hook, take out the right hand thread hook and replace with a piece of allthread with 'L' bend on end and cut to necessary length. Time 5 mins, cost <$5.00.
Takes only a few turns ,if needed to change from the narrowest to widest hitch.

 

[joe48]

Well, after carefully measuring my implements, I bought the HF quick hitch. And guess what? Despite my best measurements, it doesn't fit a single one of my implements. In every case, even though the basic dimensions are correct, there's some obstruction that keeps the quick hitch from mating with the implement.

DITTO THAT
I started out and modified the QH and two implements, then realized this was going to be the same with all my equip. The heck with that.
Bought Pats and made my own spreader, should have done that first and some other HF tools.
Oh well someday I'll figure out another use for it, recycle!

 

[SPYDERLK]

I bought a 3/8 turn buckle at hardware store, open the left hand thread hook, take out the right hand thread hook and replace with a piece of allthread with 'L' bend on end and cut to necessary length. Time 5 mins, cost <$5.00.
Takes only a few turns ,if needed to change from the narrowest to widest hitch.

Good! Somehow you gotta mark widths tho. Angle is easy-just draw a line. Instant extension/Hi collapse ratio for storage too. Cant beat it if you have the stuff on hand.
larry

 

[Wingone]

I purchased a worksaver Quick Hitch. Found it wouldn't hook to several of my implements due to the top link either in the wrong place and have to unbolt and move it(quicker to take hitch off and just hook to regular 3pt) or in some cases, like the land pride tiller the bottom links would not fit in between the of the tiller and the pins due to the way the bottom of the tiller and the quick hitch. In some cases the way the quick hitch top link is made for the adjustment the bolt on the quick hitch link was in the way and to close to the implement to clear. I purchased a set of Pat's bottom quick hitch and everything is easier to hook up, but still can't use them on the land price tiller. Other than that one implemebt I like the Pat's system.

 

[klink]

When I bought my first cat.1 3pt hitch tractor, I thought I didn't need any quick hitches. Then I bought a pair of pat's easy hitches. they were a big help. Then I bought a John Deere quick hitch. It took a while to get all my implements standardized, but when I did get standardized, it works slick. no more jacking around, just back up and raise hitch. By the way, standardizing also requires implements be unhooked previously at the right heights and angles. I still have my pat's easy hitches in case I use someone elses implements. I like quick hitches because it sets the implement back 4", allowing more room to hook up the pto shaft. I thought I needed a second QH - so I bought a HF one. Thinking I would save some money - WRONG - I spent hours cutting - welding - milling - just to get it standardized with the John Deere ones. Save yourself grief and buy a John Deere one, or any other ASAE QH .
Klink

 

[Dargo]

I gotta admit that I just don't get the 'quick hitch' stuff. I have a dozen or so implements and have never had an issue since I first bought a tractor with telescoping links back in the early 90's. I have an uncle who bought some kind of 'quick hitch' system and it seems like he spends more time and effort jacking with it than I ever do with the good old fashioned manual effort. Several of my implements are cat. II as well. The only implement that ever is annoying is a really old and heavy 10' disc.

Being that I have spent the money for a pretty well equiped metalworking shop I guess I'll just build my own system if I feel the need one. I don't see any benefit myself except for the Delta type of system. I don't know if the company that sells them invented the system or just perfected the system. It does look like it work relatively well except for a a cab tractor. An old guy welded up a similar type of setup on a big scab tractor we used in the mines. It was used to drag roads, water roads, grade areas and clean up some muddy ruts with different cat III sized implements or attachments. None used PTO, but it was pretty slick for just backing into the implement and raising the attachment. We didn't have the slick cable linked locking system the Delta people have and we just used a big 2 or 3" grade 8 bolt with a hole drilled in it and a clip. Like most things I make for tractors and implements, I just use good ideas by others and make subtle adjustments in the build to fit my needs.

 

[bbirder]

Does anyone know if a Pat's hitch for Cat 2 will work with Cat 1 pins? Will it be too sloppy or loose to function? I have some implements with Cat 1 pins.

 

[PATG]

bbirder,

All you need is the cheap bushings on your implement pins. They bring your cat #1 pins up to a cat #2.

 

[3RRL]

But Pat's CatII system will work with Cat I pins no problem.
Although the bushings are the correct way to go as Pat stated, I've been switching between Cat I and II for over 3-1/2 years with his system. My Cat I implements are mostly pull type and my 7' HD Boxblade is Cat II. One thing I've noticed is how much ability there is to angle my boxblade for cutting gutters forward or pushing backwards with Pat's system. I've never had a failure or "jump out" and I have a 55hp 8,000lb tractor, even cutting and bulldozing in reverse. Using a boxblade like this probably puts more stress on his system in all directions than any other implement.

 

[SPYDERLK]

But Pat's CatII system will work with Cat I pins no problem.
Although the bushings are the correct way to go as Pat stated, I've been switching between Cat I and II for over 3-1/2 years with his system. My Cat I implements are mostly pull type and my 7' HD Boxblade is Cat II. One thing I've noticed is how much ability there is to angle my boxblade for cutting gutters forward or pushing backwards with Pat's system. I've never had a failure or "jump out" and I have a 55hp 8,000lb tractor, even cutting and bulldozing in reverse. Using a boxblade like this probably puts more stress on his system in all directions than any other implement.

Thanks! I was wondering about that.
larry

 

[pitt_md]

I've never used any type of quick hitch, but I don't really have any troubles changing implements. With telescoping links, I back up until I'm close, put my toplink valve in float, get off, hook the lower links and the toplink, get back on and back up to lock the lower links. Then I take the toplink valve back to neutral, raise the implement clear of the ground, get off, set the horizontal position I want on the stabilizers and I'm done. I've never been timed (that I'm aware of anyway ) but I bet it takes me less than 90 seconds to hook to my bush hog, including the PTO shaft.

I'm fine with telescoping lower links...

I have the telescoping lower arms on my tractor to and often wonder why people do not consider getting them instead of a quick hitch system. They fit everything without any modifications. Just back up till your within range and hook up.