Quick Hitches Quick Hitch with Top and Tilt?

Gary_in_Indiana · Jun 9, 2004

Does anyone use this combination of a Top and Tilt with a Quick Attach system? If you do, how does it work for you? Do you have any problems combining the two? Are there any implements you find work better or worse with this combination (or not at all)? Are there any special considerations when combining the two? I have a quick hitch that I'm less than thrilled using and have wanted a top and tilt for quite a while but don't know if they're even compatible. Thanks. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Inspector507 · Jun 9, 2004

I'm still waiting on the "Midwest" quick hitch. Or one from Integration Engineering !!!

Gary_in_Indiana · Jun 9, 2004

I think the general problem with quick hitches has nothing to do with the quick hitches themselves. I think it's more a case that over the years implement manufacturers looked at Category 1 standards as a "suggestion" or "approximation" rather than a strict guideline to be followed exactly. As a result it's pretty tough to make one hitch that'll accomodate everyone's idea over the years as to what those measurements should be.

Heck, I even have implements by the same manufacturer that vary a fair amount so it's not even like the different makers are arguing over what, exactly, the standard should be. I called that manufacturer to ask about that and got a reply that just made me smile and shake my head. "We don't guarantee our implements to be quick hitch compatible but we're hoping to have them all that way in a couple years." /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif "Great! Can I trade mine for the one's made the right way when you get that done?" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

If Midwest has solved the problem of implement attachment poing spacing inconsistencies in a quick hitch all of us will be beating a path to their door!

I'm even looking very hard at Pat's system just to eliminate all of the messing around I now do with the top link after I get the lowers lined up. I'd think with your hydraulic top link you'd fare a lot better than me on that count. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif That's one of the reasons I'm asking about the compatibility. I want to get a top and tilt, too. I'm looking at the TCC info right now and like what I see. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

MarkV · Jun 10, 2004

Gary I went to the Pat's system and it has helped. I wouldn't say that implements are now trouble free to exchange but they are much easier. Like you, when I looked at the different spacing of the pins on my stuff I knew right off that the quick hitches like Speedco and Landpride were just not going to work. I guess the sure fire set up is the Freedom Hitch but with 8 or 9 implements the cost was just to much for me to justify.

I sure can't see why a T&T system would not work with a quick hitch. It mounts to the 3 pt like anything else would. I would think it would be a big help with alignment of the quick hitch to an implement.

MarkV

Inspector507 · Jun 10, 2004

The biggest problem I see Mark, is the lift arms have a ball socket to accept your lift pins, where as Pat's system does not. Any "tilt" with an implement attached will put the pin in there at an angle.

Henro · Jun 10, 2004

Any "tilt" with an implement attached will put the pin in there at an angle.


Personally I would not worry too much about that, but only because the pins are cheap and easily replaced. I wonder if the Easy Change contact surface is harder than the standard pin? Certainly would not want the Easychange end to wear away!

This is similar to the question of how the "squareness" of the interface between the pins and Pat's ends changes with width of the pins, I think.

Interesting question Gary. I don't recall it tilt angle with respect to Pat's system coming up before...too many posts here to read them all though... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Gary_in_Indiana · Jun 10, 2004

"I sure can't see why a T&T system would not work with a quick hitch. It mounts to the 3 pt like anything else would. I would think it would be a big help with alignment of the quick hitch to an implement." 

My concern is not the angle of the pins to the quick hitch (or Pat's) hooks so much as the other side of the quick hitch/Pat's where it attaches to the lower arms. I'm wondering if the ball sockets are able to rotate as far with the quick hitch/Pat's attached as without. I think that's where the potential torque problem might occur.

Inspector507 · Jun 10, 2004

Gary,
The ball sockets are rendered immovable after the "hooks" are installed. A pin goes through the hole and 4 set screws prevents any movement at all.

MarkV · Jun 10, 2004

Just to add to what Inspector said, the 4 set screws on Pat's system allow you to adjust the angle of the hooks to minimize any side loading or the torque I think your referring to at the pin. That may have been clear as mud. As an example, I have two implements that vary by 2+ inches in width at the pins. If I adjust the set screws on Pat's system so the hooks are perfectly vertical when hooking up the narrowest implement the hooks will be somewhat tilted towards center when hooking up the widest implement. By adjusting the set screws somewhere in the middle both implements seem to work fine. I guess over time you could wear the pins but I don't see that as a big issue. The lower arms still have balls at the tractor end to compensate for stress there.

MarkV

Gary_in_Indiana · Jun 10, 2004

"The ball sockets are rendered immovable after the "hooks" are installed" 

Well, then... if that's the case it would seem that there would be incompatibility between a quick hitch/Pat's set up and any top-n-tilt/TCC set up. The portion the you have (the hydraulic top link) would, of course, be totally compatible but the hydraulics on the lower control arm would be another thing.

As I see it now, I'm OK with the hydraulic top link alone regardless of what else I might do or not do. Beyond that, it seems like I'll have to decide whether I want the hydraulic link on the lower control arm or a quick hitch/Pat's set up. That's the conclusion I'm reaching based on the information supplied here.

If anyone has a different take on this, please let me know. The last thing I want to do it have money tied up in two new toys that won't work together.