Quick Hitch Top Link doesn't go in

man00 · Mar 30, 2016

Chain is very tight

Can't get it to drop all the way in for some reason.
Any advice?
thanks

bcp · Mar 30, 2016

The only time mine does that is when an edge of the implement hitch frame snags an edge of the bottom hook, At a glance, it looks OK, but drops in if I kick it the right direction.

Bruce

Luke'sScreenName · Mar 30, 2016

I think you need a swivel top link. (my no be the right name)
Certainly you can raise the top link hook on the QH but I don't think that will really solve your problem.

Luke'sScreenName · Mar 30, 2016

Redirect Notice

This is what I mean.

sdef · Mar 30, 2016

I think we need more information:
- Have you ever hooked up this implement to this QH before? To me it appears the top link hook needs to be move up one position.
- Do you have other implements that require the top link hook to be at the current location?

I agree with bcp.

As a last resort, I also agree with Luke'sScreenName concerning that yoke. This implement may not be designed for a QH- assuming you have not hooked it up to the QH previously.

sdef · Mar 30, 2016

I think we need more information:
- Have you ever hooked up this implement to this QH before? To me it appears the top link hook needs to be move up one position.
- Do you have other implements that require the top link hook to be at the current location?

All of my implements connect to the QH with the top link hook mounted in the upper most/highest position.

I agree with bcp.

As a last resort, I also agree with Luke'sScreenName concerning that yoke. This implement may not be designed for a QH- assuming you have not hooked it up to the QH previously.

Catchad81 · Mar 30, 2016

Let your top link out some.

CDN Farm Boy · Mar 30, 2016

With the chain in there at the back, it shouldn't need the swivel link that Luke mentioned. The chain will provide the flex as long as the 3pt frame on the cutter side can pivot on the lower bolts attaching it to the deck.

If it's sitting properly in the lower hooks of the QH, it's simply a difference in vertical measurement between the hooks of the QH and the pins. Move the hook up to suit.

The amount it's up in the top hook is about the right amount too high as if the lower pins were sitting on the top edge of the lower hooks rather than properly down in the saddle of them.

man00 · Mar 31, 2016

I used the cutter before but never notice the top link until now. The bottom pins when raised are setting all the way down in the hooks on the QH. I'm concern that the cutter may jump out of the top link

sdef · Mar 31, 2016

man00 said:
I used the cutter before but never notice the top link until now. The bottom pins when raised are setting all the way down in the hooks on the QH. I'm concern that the cutter may jump out of the top link

Then the fix is to move the QH hook up a position. All of my QHs (have broken 2) seem to be designed to take the larger Cat 2 implement pins and this caused all of my implements to move around more than I liked. I am a bit OCD

. Bushing adapters are available to slide over the Cat 1 implement pins to take up some of the extra space provided by the QH's connections. All of mine came from Agri Supply. Bushings on the cutters two lift pins will also make it sit a bit higher and may provide some fine tuning of the space in the QH top link hook area if moving the hook up one position causes other issues.

If you have never been to an Agri Supply and one is within driving distance (90 miles for me), do yourself a favor and go there once and bring a truck or trailer. Pretty neat place that is setup like a warehouse. I always stumble across things I never knew I needed... I visit once every year or so- just because. Went there two weeks ago with a friend and he came back with a two bottom plow that was missing two attaching U-bolts for ~ 2/3 of the normal price. I ended up with a bunch of smaller items my local TSC is always out of and Agri Supply had them at a much lower price anyway.

CDN Farm Boy · Mar 31, 2016

man00 said:
I used the cutter before but never notice the top link until now. The bottom pins when raised are setting all the way down in the hooks on the QH. I'm concern that the cutter may jump out of the top link

Since you have used it on the QH before, and if the top hook hasn't been moved since you last had it on, it's most likely that you just never noticed that the pin doesn't sit all the way down in the hook.

Trying to judge scale on the picture, it looks like there is 3x of the pin diameter of hook above the pin. So if it's a standard Cat 1 toplink pin that makes it 3 x 3/4" or 2 1/4" that the pin would have to move up to come out of the hook. I doubt there is that much room for the bottom pins to lift before they hit the keeper bars which means it can't come unhooked. If the QH fits everything else you have with the top hook in the current spot, I'd leave it where it is and run it. Eventually if I ran out of other things to do, I'd modify the hitch on the cutter to suit. I've never understood the point of constantly moving the hook on the QH to fit everything, kinda defeats the "quick" part if you ask me.

man00 · Mar 31, 2016

I raised the hook on the QH, the pin went down pretty much all the way, now its a booger getting unhook. IF no danger of popping out of the hook on QH, then I may just put it back the way it way and forget it. Not hard to figure out I'm new to using a tractor
thanks

CDN Farm Boy · Mar 31, 2016

We were all new to tractors at some point in our lives and here to help. The top link is about providing fore/aft location while the weight is carried on the lower links. It's not the end of the world if the pin isn't tight in the bottom of the upper hook. In fact, I'd rather it was sitting just a little high in the hook so I knew the weight was where it is designed to be, on the lower pins. Sounds like lowering it back to where it was will work out just fine for you

KyleH · Mar 31, 2016

Just looking at the pictures, is you top link binding up on the quick hitch hook? The top link where it mounts to the hitch has two plates with two pins that allow it to move like a hinge sort of, but if the lower one is under the hook and can't swing freely the it would be too tight as you are describing. Maybe with the bottom hitch pins still in the quick hitch, remove the upper pin, with the tension off of it obviously, and ensure it's not caught up on the hook on the quick hitch.

Just a thought as those plates seem to be up and down rather than pointing towards the chain on an angle.

xring100 · Mar 31, 2016

man00 said:
I used the cutter before but never notice the top link until now. The bottom pins when raised are setting all the way down in the hooks on the QH. I'm concern that the cutter may jump out of the top link

If the bottom pins are tight in the hitch its should be fine if you can drop and rest the cutter on the ground and it doesnt come out your fine. If the top link bottomed out in the hook you wouldnt be able to latch the lower links.

CDN Farm Boy · Mar 31, 2016

KyleH said:
Just looking at the pictures, is you top link binding up on the quick hitch hook? The top link where it mounts to the hitch has two plates with two pins that allow it to move like a hinge sort of, but if the lower one is under the hook and can't swing freely the it would be too tight as you are describing. Maybe with the bottom hitch pins still in the quick hitch, remove the upper pin, with the tension off of it obviously, and ensure it's not caught up on the hook on the quick hitch.

Just a thought as those plates seem to be up and down rather than pointing towards the chain on an angle.

Considering that his cutter has the chain at the back to provide the flex/float, I doubt he has the hinged link at the top that you suggest (and is common on many cutters)

man00 · Mar 31, 2016

CDN Farm Boy said:
Considering that his cutter has the chain at the back to provide the flex/float, I doubt he has the hinged link at the top that you suggest (and is common on many cutters)

right no hinge, next chance I'll try it with the tiller see how it hooks. I can always just move the hook back down where it was if it doesn't work out.
This is a Speeco quick hitch (E cheap one) Maybe look at Pat"s QH later on.

KyleH · Mar 31, 2016

Ah, sorry, was thinking it had the hinge setup for some reason.

ovrszd · Mar 31, 2016

CDN Farm Boy said:
We were all new to tractors at some point in our lives and here to help. The top link is about providing fore/aft location while the weight is carried on the lower links. It's not the end of the world if the pin isn't tight in the bottom of the upper hook. In fact, I'd rather it was sitting just a little high in the hook so I knew the weight was where it is designed to be, on the lower pins. Sounds like lowering it back to where it was will work out just fine for you

Bingo. Nothing wrong with top location where it was before.

As for jumping out and unhooking. Only way that can happen is if you are running with the lower hooks unlatched!