3-Point Hitch Quick Hitch versus Telescoping draft links

JB4310 · Oct 3, 2011

nunyabinis said:
I tried several systems before going to the Quick Hitch. Now that I've had a Quick Hitch and a Hydraulic Top Link I'll probably never use another type. I almost never have to get off the tractor to hook-up implements.

The reason I tried every other system first is because I was too lazy to modify all my implements to fit the Quick Hitch. I finally manned-up and modified everything and I couldn't be happier. Telescoping draft links are nice but they fall far short of the Quick Hitch system.

X2 here.
Though I never tried other systems, I held off getting the imatch thinking it was not necessary. once I got it I realised how useful they are. Then I got the HTL and now it's something I would not be without.

There was a thread of a guy trailering a tractor with an implement suspended on a QH and the dynamics of the way it bounced around did somehow cause the locking bars to back out and the implement became unhitched. So I guess it's not as solid a connection as the pin thru the draft arm eye in certain circumstances. But I still vote for the QH.

If I just plowed fields all day I probably would just want to be directly coupled to the draft arms with no QH. but for my utility type tasks with frequent implement changes, the QH and HTL makes my life so much easier and productive.

JB.

Furu · Oct 4, 2011

radman1 said:
I have a CUT and Toolcat with quick hitches. 4-5 Ag tractors with quick hitches up to 245 hp and Cat III. Never has a quick hitch failure over 30 years. I have had to replace the ag quick hitches because they will wear out with time. Usually at the place where they pin to the lift arms. Could a weld break at the hook? Yes, but have not seen one.

I have seen telescoping draft links that were not retracted and still the arms did not pull apart when using an implement. Most of my tractors have telescoping draft links but I rarely use them with a quick hitch. Usually quicker to realign the tractor a bit than get off, and extend the draft links. Even if extend the draft links, it is easy to push them back together by accident when using a quick hitch.

radman

With your background with ag quick hitches especially with the heavy duty cat 2 and 3 versions, do you have a brand recommendation you recommend as better or worse than others. I have a liking for the Woods but your experience having worn out several might be very instructive.
Thanks

Rustyiron · Oct 4, 2011

SPYDERLK said:
Standard or telescoping draft links are extremely simple, rugged and clean. Quick hitches can be pretty rugged but almost never present as clean a profile and are more lkely to cause problems with rear extending hyd lines or just by encountering debris on a tractor used in a multitude of varied situations. QHs also usually extend the load further back from the tractor and thereby apply greater strain to the lift as well as more swing to the load when turning. Further, the attachment at the pins does not articulate nearly as well as the balls and will cause some binding when tilting an implement. Altho they are often convenient we have removed QHs from all our utility tractors.
larry

Gotta agree with this.

Kyle_in_Tex · Oct 4, 2011

I gotta be the one to ask the hard hitting question. How are you managing to bend so much stuff? I've managed to tear stuff up if trying to back up with the box blade and push too much (backing up) or hit a stump. For me, I only push previously disturbed dirt/sand while backing up. Forward ho, is my motto.:laughing:

Actually, all kidding aside, the lower arm stabilizers are meant for tension loading and not so much compression loads (hitting stuff while backing up).

Our 5420 has extendable Cat 2 lower arm links from the factory and they are bullet proof.

Furu · Oct 5, 2011

Reference Kyle_in_Tex question:
I guess I don't think that I have bent that much stuff. Two Cat 1 draw link pins on my Woods BB-720 in over 4 years and the sway bar on the right side twice, once when the Himalyan Black berries disconnected a frame draw link lynch pin which fell out and the other time which was never determined but was most likely from a terrain event. The dealer's parts department told me that Deere determined the old design (which I have) for the sway bar was substandard and redesigned it because of failures. I have not purchased the new design yet. Dealer told me one operator was bending the sway bar at the rate of 2 a month before the redesign and none since. 24-30" Stumps buried in 12 foot tall brush that is 2+ inches hiding all sorts of hidden treasures can be a challenge. For the terrain and brush that I deal with it is very low damage rate according to the folks around here. I, being a VERY frugal person, try to evaluate any new acquisition thoroughly before purchase so that I don't buy something that can't live up to the requirements of the jobs. My chipper alone weighs in at 1950 pounds which is a bit heavy but has never created any issues.
I don't have anything that even allows me to push backward like a box blade. The Farmi does put a compression load on the draw links when winching 36" timber but does not seem to phase the tractor or equipment.

jrolph · Aug 17, 2012

We have Kubota b3200 almost new. I find that wrestling a tiller into position not fun. My local dealer gives me dumb stare when I ask about telescoping lower links. Perhaps we should have bought a Kioti. Comments?
John

MaximizerMatt · Feb 10, 2017

Furu said:
radman

With your background with ag quick hitches especially with the heavy duty cat 2 and 3 versions, do you have a brand recommendation you recommend as better or worse than others. I have a liking for the Woods but your experience having worn out several might be very instructive.
Thanks

Old thread, but I did come upon it today (6 years later). I don't have any direct experience with this brand, but have heard good things about them: BOSS Quick Hitch - LeeAgra.com The "Boss" hitch. Comes only in Cat 2 and 3 versions. The factory rep I spoke with said he has a customer who buys new JD hi-horse tractors and takes the JD quick hitch off to install the Boss. When they trade tractors, the Boss comes off for the next tractor and the original JD hitches go back on the trade-ins. They certainly look robust. Used to operate a lot of hi-horse JD 8000 series tractors w/ JD quick hitches and never had any issues, other than the occasional locking lever getting loose. They're pretty much a necessity on the big ag implements.

EDIT: Looks like LeeAgra just came out w/ a new Cat. 1 hitch: Farm Hand Cat 1 Quick Hitch - LeeAgra.com Can also attached bale spear and trailer hitches directly to the quick hitch itself. Looks pretty cool!