Removing Implements?

MikePA · Feb 8, 2002

Roy,

Yep, you explained it just fine. They're right, you have to remember that the mmm is there. This can also happen when you are pushing snow with the FEL and get close too an object like a wall, barn, car, etc. It's easy to be concentrating so hard on where the bucket is that you forget where the mmm is. It's for this reason that I will be removing my mmm for next winter. I didn't hit anything, but taking the mmm off means one less thing to watch. My problem is not having a place to store the mmm when it's removed. I'm starting to have to do triage for which implements will sit outside.

MossRoad · Feb 8, 2002

To All,

In all seriousness, this is the main issue that pushed me in the Power Trac direction. After experiencing 3pt hitch implement changes on my big IH machine, I decided that it is no fun trying to switch implements on the 3pt hitch system. Especially on uneven ground. I got good at it, but it still takes time to do it. The power Trac system is just too easy. 15 seconds to drop an unpowered implement and hook up another one sold me on this(add another 30 seconds if the implement is powered). You can be so much more productive when you can change implements at the drop of a hat. With this in mind, why don't more 3pt. hitch people convert to something like the Freedom Hitch and rear mounted finish mowers and leave the FEL on full time? I'd like to hear some thoughts on this from 3pt. owners. The Freedom Hitch seems like a great solution and time saver.

MChalkley · Feb 8, 2002

MossRoad - As an ex-Freedom Hitch owner, and an enthusiastic proponent of them for quite a while now, I'd say there are two basic reasons for not using them (excluding posthole diggers, which they don't work too well on, without extensive modifications): 1) They don't know about them or don't believe they work as well as claimed or 2) they find them expensive enough that they can't justify the expenditure. I certainly can't think of any other good reasons...

MossRoad · Feb 9, 2002

How expensive are they?

MChalkley · Feb 9, 2002

I don't remember exactly. Every time I bought them, I was getting enough of them to get a discount. I think they're about $170 each. So, your minimum investment, assuming one tractor section and two implement sections, would be $510.

MossRoad · Feb 9, 2002

Ouch! Those $120 quick attach plates don't seem so bad now.

nhman · Feb 9, 2002

Taking the loader on and off gets easier after you do it a couple times. You may want to think about making a dolly for your loader.

I keep the tractor and loader parked in the 2 car garage with our two cars. The garage is deep enough that I can park the b7500 w/o the fel in front of one car, and the loader in front of the other car. I build a dolly for the loader so I can wheel it around in the garage easily. Got the wheels from Tractor Supply and used 2x6's as the cross members on the dolly. There are several threads about loader dollys which is where I got the idea and design approach.

I have only taken by 60" mmm off once about 3 months before the winter. I struggled getting it off and have yet to put it back on. I imagine once I do it a couple times, it will get easier. I have only owned my tractor for about 6 months and am a first time tractor owner who grew up in the city, but I'm learning.

If you live near the Texaco, I think I saw you out taking your mmm off the other weekend as I drove to Leesburg to Tractor Supply. I live 2 miles on the other side of Waterford toward Lovettsville

Contratulations on your new tractor, you really got a nice unit.

nhman

nhman

nhman

nhman

frank_f15 · Feb 9, 2002

MR: don't have a freedom hitch, but do have a rear finish mower and always leave the fell on, don't find it to be a problem when mowing the fields or the larger parts of my lawn. rear mower on and off in no time but rear blade can be challenging. may have to look int something like the freedom hitch.