Quick Hitches Quick Hitch with Top and Tilt?

liledoun · Jun 13, 2004

I have a T'n'T I made for my JD 4300 and a Speeco hitch that I couldn't do without. I have previous posts but all the pictures are at Webshots-3 or the other albums listed on the left of that page.

NO problems with the combination of T'n'T and Quick hitch except the minor extention of the length of tool attachment. It will move the implement back a couple inches. Be sure the top link will handle it, hydraulic or not.

Go for it.

JRF

Gary_in_Indiana · Jun 13, 2004

After looking at your pictures I'm now totally convinced the Speeco will work with a Top & Tilt. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Thank you for the link.

I'm still not convinced that Pat's system will work, though. Their ends lock to the lower arms themselves and don't use the movement of the ball sockets. I'm not all that concerned now, however, as I now know what I already have will work. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I'd also like to compliment your custom hydraulic blade angle system on your rear blade. I couldn't help but notice you also have a four way bucket on the front. No one can say you're not a fan of hydraulics. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Nice set up you have there. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

KiotiJohn · Jun 14, 2004

( After looking at your pictures I'm now totally convinced the Speeco will work with a Top & Tilt. )
After seeing those pics, I think the Pat's I have would work just fine with the T&T as well. The angle of lift does not seem severe enough to be any problem to the EZchange at all. Thanks for the pics JRF. John

Gary_in_Indiana · Jun 14, 2004

"I think the Pat's I have would work just fine with the T&T" 

It might work, I just don't know. Fortunately for me, as I said, I no longer need to worry about it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

If I were you and already had Pat's system, I know I'd sure want a definitive answer before I spent a whole lot of money adding a Top & Tilt. Then again, I'm the kind of guy who wears a belt WITH suspenders. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

rambler · Jun 14, 2004

( Mine will, on bx2200, I don't understand all the concern for the wear on the pins, it ain't like we are using 200hp tractors and all the pins are hardened, how long would it take to wear the pins, ten years use???? and they're replaceable. )

It's not wear, it's binding. When you tilt the 3pt from left to right, the pins need to angle. A ball will do so - that is the design of the ball.

Pat's locks the ball solid, and does not have a ball of it's own.

If you use tilt with a regular 3pt quick hitch, the balls of your tractor are still operational - all will be fine.

With Pat's system, the pins must be cock-eyed in Pat's latch mechinism.

This could bend or break the pins or Pat's latches. Angling the pins in Pat's hooks may apply too much force to the top of the hook, rather than the strongest bottom of the hook as intended? Applying angle forces to things not designed for them can be a bad thing.

So, the question is, can Pat's system take the movement of the tilt function of a top & tilt? (It very well may, and it seems to be a pretty handy system for many things...)

The first time I saw Pat's system was at my dealer several years ago. That was for a cat 2 hitch. My tractors go to 140hp, and yes I for one am concerned about applying that much power to angled, stressed pins, and long-term wear. I may not be the typical interested party here, but we shouldn't forget about the long reach of the internet, and who all is lurking & trying to learn from this forum.

You see, a typical use of this much power & a top & tilt is for a fork lift to handle round bales, heavy farm equipment, & large bulk-sacks of seed. These are heavy loads (2 tons plus) which people typically end up standing near or under - even tho we shouldn't. I just bought a quick hitch which my 15 row bean planter hangs on - that's 3000lbs empty, 4000lbs full, and boucing around the fields I wonder what the shock load is?

So, I would not dismiss the question so quickly, even tho the question does not apply directly to a small CUT. There are many readers out here.

--->Paul

Gary_in_Indiana · Jun 14, 2004

"It's not wear, it's binding" 

That's been my point all along. From what I now understand, something like an I-Match attaches to the ball sockets and can angle on them and, hence, not bind up.

As Paul said, the Pat's system locks onto the arms so the ball sockets are not used at all, hence, the only place for the necessary 'play' is where the pins lock into the hooks.

This looks like an opportunity for a Pat's II, for Top & Tilt. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

milkman · Jun 14, 2004

I just bought a quick hitch which my 15 row bean planter hangs on - that's 3000lbs empty, 4000lbs full, and boucing around the fields I wonder what the shock load is?

All the quick hitches i've seen have the hooks also, I don't understand the concern for the Pats easy hitch hooks and not the hooks on the quick hitch. Just a little confusing. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Inspector507 · Jun 14, 2004

The quick hitch allows the balls in the lift arm to remain fully functional whereas the Pat's System renders the balls ineffective. The main concern is the loss of the balls to be able move with the TnT.

Gary_in_Indiana · Jun 14, 2004

"The quick hitch allows the balls in the lift arm to remain fully functional whereas the Pat's System renders the balls ineffective. The main concern is the loss of the balls to be able move with the TnT." 

Well and succinctly stated. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

(Why can't I say things simply and effectlively like that?) /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

MarkV · Jun 15, 2004

Rambler you got me. If I were in your situation and running an implement that weighted as much as my tractor I would also be more concerned than I am about binding. You are correct and we should have put the conversation into a tractor size category before making blanket statements. I am not even sure if Pat's system is rated for that size tractor. One of those things that didn't apply to me so I didn't check.

Gary, I did take and adjust my side lift rod to both extremes yesterday with a landscape rake attached. I could not tell of any undo stress being applied to the pins. Now my tractor is a small frame 21 hp unit with limited movement available. I would guess less than 6" total or 3" in either direction. My observation was that enough natural free play exists between the pin and attachment hook to accommodate that much movement at least.

It seems that everyone is correct in what they are saying, just looking at it from different viewpoints. All the quick hitch systems using a locking hook system that I have seen have is certain amount of play between the pin and the hook. The amount of play seems more than enough to accommodate a hydraulically adjustable lift rod on my size tractor. Now if we were to insert the pin into a normal lower arm and weld the ball in a fixed position we would have a different conversation going.

Pat's has been very responsive the couple of times I e-mailed them. Might drop them a note and see what they say if you are still interested in the system as one of your options.

MarkV