Telescoping Draft Links

Doublezero · Jun 23, 2001

I've seen "telescoping draft links" mentioned or recommended as a "worth-the-money" option on two or three occasions when viewing these posts and replies. Please, someone point me in the direction of a discussion thread that will give me a clue of what this particular option is and does. Thanks!

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Mike_S · Jun 23, 2001

While I cannot point you in the direction requested, I can give you some information that might be of help to you. Imagine that you are attempting to hook up a heavy implement like a disk or tiller and think about how perfect you must align the holes in the draft links with the implement--it requires some luck or skill and often a strong back or big lever to move that implement an additional inch or two forward or backward on one side even if the other side lines up OK. Then imagine that the end of the draft link could easily extend four inches or so in order to line up just right--it would make life soooooo much easier in connecting heavy implements. I end my case. Mike S.

Bird · Jun 24, 2001

Just to add a little to what Mike S said, once you hook up the telescoping links and pick up the implement with the 3-point hitch, they slide back in and lock in position; very handy to have, wish my B2710 had them.

Bird

ronjhall · Jun 24, 2001

00:
Here is a photo of telescoping links. It's on my 2910 <font color=orange>Kubota</font color=orange>. But I believe they are similar to a <font color=green>JD</font color=green>.

Doublezero · Jun 24, 2001

Thanks Mike, Bird and Ron.

The description and picture make it obvious that this feature is a time and muscle saver. I only wish I had had this information before I ordered my JD 790. It might not have been an option for my tractor, but if I overlooked it, I'll be reminded every time I have to change attachments without help.

I wish I had discovered this board before I ordered my new JD. Well, it was new on 6-13 when I accepted delivery. It's got over 21 hours and a lot of dirt on it now.

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John Weaver · Jun 24, 2001

OO, I have a JD 790 also. I like it a lot. If you find out that telescoping draft links are available for it, please post as I would like to have them also. John.

Anonymous Poster · Aug 20, 2001

I have a 790 and got a quick hitch, takes all the work out of hooking up attachements.

Doublezero · Aug 26, 2001

Hugh,

Where did you get your "quick hitch"? Do you have problems with some attachments? I'm fairly certain things like my post hole digger won't work with a quick hitch.

Ron Hall posted a picture of the telescoping draft links and as they say "a picture is worth a thousand words". Replacing my draft links with telescoping ones would make changing attachments easier {without help}, but would probably be a pricey upgrade.

If anyone reads this with an opinion about the most economical alternative, I'm interested.

Larry

Anonymous Poster · Aug 27, 2001

I got the quick hitch from my local Deere dealer. I had the same concerns you have, he told me to take it home and try it if I did not like it I could return it. I had to fool around with the finish more, the width was different. I got some pins turned brackets around and it worked fine. Box blade, disk, and blade all fit fine. You need to keep an eye on the PTO shaft (don’t lower the 3PT hitch to far or the top of the quick hitch will hit it). I can drop one implement and back up to another with out cussing or breaking my back. Worth every Penney.... Get a ruler and measure your implements or get a dealer that will let you try one out.

JerryT · Aug 28, 2001

I bought a Quick Hitch from TSC and my basic experience has been very good. I had to cut off part of of some metal flanges on my box blade and very early discovered that the top link hook was absolutely useless. The hitch came with alternative adapter which works much better and easily fits all my implements. The top hook went into the trash. This adapter means that you have to get off your tractor to pin the top link. Finally this particular hitch requires bushings that fit over you implement pins that cost $18 a set. One set came with the unit. Despite these little problems the Quick Hitch has considerably simplified my life. Never having to mess with the lateral sway pins is almost worth the price of the hitch (under $200).