Quick Hitch

[dinoedwards]

Is it true that SpeeCo is the only Cat1 QH not requiring bushings?
Can be had at Tractor Supply for $170.

 

[WranglerX]

That seems to be current trend... And that is a derivation from the current QH standard....

 

[jshomestead]

I have the speeco quick hitch, got it on amazon and it works fine.
The only thing I need to figure out with it is my brush hog has a rotating pin on top that can pop out of the top hook. If anyone has any solutions, I'm all ears. I'm about ready to weld it in place so it doesn't rotate.

 

[WranglerX]

I have the speeco quick hitch, got it on amazon and it works fine.
The only thing I need to figure out with it is my brush hog has a rotating pin on top that can pop out of the top hook. If anyone has any solutions, I'm all ears. I'm about ready to weld it in place so it doesn't rotate.

"Linkage" on brush hog is not adjusted correctly.....

 

[CalG]

The only "attachment" I use that would really benefit from a quick hitch is the concrete ballast block. That thing is a royal PIA to get hitched. Mostly cause I don't have any level spots to drop it.

 

[bcp]

You don't need those expensive bushings with the enlarged end. The simple tubular ones work OK, even if doubled up on the implement pin to fit the hitch.

Bruce

 

[bcp]

That seems to be current trend... And that is a derivation from the current QH standard....

View attachment 3323648

Good to see that chart still in circulation. I put it together many years ago from 2 or 3 pages, then initialed it at the bottom to identify it.



Bruce

 

[California]

I have the speeco quick hitch, got it on amazon and it works fine.
The only thing I need to figure out with it is my brush hog has a rotating pin on top that can pop out of the top hook. If anyone has any solutions, I'm all ears. I'm about ready to weld it in place so it doesn't rotate.

Instead of using the top hook, I use about 16 inches of chain with hooks. I shorten the link between the tractor and the top of the QH. In place of the top hook, I make a chain loop around the QH's top hook area and back to the mower. When backing up to attach the mower only the lower hooks have to be aligned precisely.

This chain still allows lifting the mower, and the slack works better for crossing low spots where there can be an extreme angle between the tractor and mower.

For parking the mower, that chain is used to suspend the driveline at the approximate height needed to hook it up next time, and keep it out of the dirt.

 

[California]

You don't need those expensive bushings with the enlarged end. The simple tubular ones work OK, even if doubled up on the implement pin to fit the hitch.

Bruce

I run with no bushings. Hitting so many gopher mounds my rough mowing doesn't have, or need, precision.

20 years of this and I don't see any notable wear on the QH or the mower's lower pins.

 

[bcp]

I have the speeco quick hitch, got it on amazon and it works fine.
The only thing I need to figure out with it is my brush hog has a rotating pin on top that can pop out of the top hook. If anyone has any solutions, I'm all ears. I'm about ready to weld it in place so it doesn't rotate.

Maybe this will give you an idea.




Bruce

 

[California]

Maybe this will give you an idea.

I like my chain in place of that #3 link. It allows more slack for uneven ground, and is easier to hook up.

 

[California]

Can't find the photo of my top chain but I found this. I replaced the hook bolts with removable pins because my implements from various eras have different upper hook heights.

The photo also shows how I adapted the trailer ball crossbar to keep the ball upright. Those small tabs are welded to adapter sleeves then are bolted to the bar and to the ends of the pins. I thought the tabs would get twisted after a while but no.

 

[kennyd]

Only the Speeco "E"-Hitch does not require bushings on the lower pins, you still need them on the top link connection. Good Works Tractors now has a version like that too.

 

[Tinhack]

Good Works Tractors now has a version like that too.

Yep. They're pretty proud of it too at $329. I got mine at Harbor Freight about 15 years ago for something like $79 or $89. Mine doesn't require bushings either. I tack welded strips of metal into the lower hooks. Easy to replace if they ever wear out, but they haven't yet. And that was long before anyone said you had to have bushings for all your implements.

 

[Tinhack]

I like my chain in place of that #3 link. It allows more slack for uneven ground, and is easier to hook up.

I use a stirrup between the quick hitch and my upper link cylinder. This accomplishes the same thing. And it works for my mowers and the back blade. The picture shows the 3PH in the raised position, so it doesn't depict all the free movement when at mowing/working height. I've used this setup for about 15 years.

The white staining is dry-lube.

 

[WinterDeere]

For those running w/o bushings, or bushings lacking the larger bulb at the end, any issues with side-to-side play allowing the implement to fall out of the quick hitch?

I actually like the bushing design, and the non-OEM versions are cheap enough at TSC that I don't mind buying a pair for each implement. The convenience of my iMatch quick hitch is well worth that cost of admission.

It's funny that the cost of bushings thru Deere actually had me hold off on getting a quick hitch, when I first ordered the latest tractor. But then once I saw they were one-third of OEM price at TSC, I jumped in with both feet.

 

[KennyG]

The only "attachment" I use that would really benefit from a quick hitch is the concrete ballast block. That thing is a royal PIA to get hitched. Mostly cause I don't have any level spots to drop it.

I use a QH for everything but still find it convenient to have the implements level when hooking up. For the stuff that's outside, I have "landing spots" that I have level with concrete blocks or 4x4's.

 

[dinoedwards]

Good info! I have a rake, box blade and rotary cutter.
Concern is cutter.
My RC5 may need a clevis/stirrup, see photo. Thoughts?

 

[dinoedwards]

Maybe this will give you an idea.

View attachment 3325413


Bruce

You're saying the hook will fit under #10?

 

[deezler]

Thanks @dinoedwards for the timely thread. I am more interested than ever in getting myself set up with a quick hitch. But the idea of adding bushings to all my equipment sounded daunting.

So then I found the good works tractor page and was intrigued by both the speeCo and their own quick hitch designs. But they want $300 for this same SpeeCo hitch, $170 sounds a lot better!