Quick Hitch

[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!