Thoughts on i-Matches?

[rmonio]

I've been making pretty good usage of car hauler/dollys for manuevering my tractor implements (Box Blade, Ballast Box, Forks, Bucket) around while attaching/detaching in my pole barn (concrete floor). However, I recently purchased a MX6 and have quickly realized that this unit is not as easy to manuever around as the others are. I believe the car hauler/dollys will be sufficient (with 5x5 posts on top of them to support the MX6) - but the ability to quickly connect to the 3-pt is a real bear as you have to take off the lower arms each time you attach/reattach in order to get the right spacing.

This leads me to believe that an i-Match would be in order - and I've not bought one because past postings on TBN have indicated that not all implements fit the i-Match and therefore it was not a good purchase. Is this still true? Can those of you who have an i-Match give me some of your thoughts on whether they are worth the price (the JD unit is expensive) and if they make things easier overall?

I don't mind buying one - but I'd like to hear from others what they think.

Thanks!

-Bob

 

[jcmseven]

I have really liked my I match. I would have no reservations about it. They are not that expensive, and if you get one or two attachments that are imatch compatable and are the ones you use the most, that is money well spent. I have three current I match attachments for my 3720 and once every two-three months I use my friend's sickle bar mower to cut the roadside near my home in the summer. With this tractor, and others I have owned, I just unhook the imatch and use the sickle mower (which is a non Imatch attachment) as a standard three point implement. It is not hard to use a non-match attachment if you have to, but the quick tach implements and the time and lack of skinned knuckles make the imatch one of the best things about my tractor.

John M

 

[kennyd]

Bob, The I-match is a wonderful thing to have, you will not regret owning one.
They are really great when you are starting with nothing, because you just have to make sure the new stuff you buy will fit it, and allot of new stuff will. The posts you read about non-standard stuff not fitting is a valid point only if you have a bunch of attachments already. But most things can be made to fit with a little welding and cutting if you know how.

I highly recommend you get a JD one, the Harbour Freight ones have lots of problems

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

You can also get these from a company called Jeffers. We have used quite a few and they have worked well for us. Its the same thing as the I-match, it just does not have the JD marketing-ized name to it.

 

[Chris_T]

Any thoughts on this:

http://www.buhler.com/products/quick_hitch.shtml

Was looking for info on RFMs and came across this. Looks remarkably like the I-match. It's a Canadian company with a distributor local to me, so it piqued my interest.

 

[rmonio]

I'd probably stick with the JD version as I'm not good at welding.

The principal drive here is the MX6 - the other units are pretty easy to manuever on the dollys in the barn. But that MX6 is alot harder!

Anyone know what the average cost is for the JD version?

-Bob

 

[cast_and_blast]

On my quote from the dealer on my 2305 it's $225. That's part of a package, but it should be in the ballpark.

Scott

 

[rmonio]

$225 isn't bad. Where in the South Metro (Mpls/MN) are you located? I probably know the dealer. ;-).

-Bob

 

[BloomingtonMike]

Tons of threads on these. The JD brand is very well made. Both the Speeco and JD are $200ish. The Speeco has the adjustable toplink wich might work for you. Get one and do not look back.

 

[rmonio]

Thanks, Mike. I had been quoted a price much higher than that by a dealer in southern MN for the JD version - and hence I didn't purchase as it seemed to be a bit too expensive. However, if the pricing is really in that range and I shop around a bit then I don't mind. It will save my sore discs in my back and neck!

-Bob

 

[mudcat]

You might want to check this out: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79288.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Rob, I don't have iMatch. And I have a 'fun' time hooking up the MX6...

But I don't expect to get a quick hitch. See, it adds additional weight to the 3 point, AND moves the cutter back a few inches (adding more leverage to its load) . If you check your MX manual, you'll see different ballast numbers for the iMatch compared to without. You might be within spec, but there is NO WAY I would be on 4310 (especially since I wasn't in the first place!)

For me, the telescopic draft links make more sense. The are also about $200.

My wife has figured out that anything I want to do with the tractor is at least $300; so maybe she will be excited to hear about a 33% savings for an upgrade!

But, for now, the spud bar does great, saving more money for my grapple...

 

[rmonio]

Well, Mike, I did break down and buy one. $225 wasn't bad for the unit and even if the weight is a bit more, I don't think it's too bad for the 4600. If this does the job for me with most of my implements then I'll be pretty happy.

Telescoping links? Do they make those for the 4600 too?

Oh well. I'll put it on tonite - there wasn't an owners manual so I need to look it over a bit and figure things out. Shouldn't be too hard though... .

-Bob

 

[rmonio]

Just got my i-Match. Are there instructions for these things out there?

-Bob

 

[BloomingtonMike]

Just got my i-Match. Are there instructions for these things out there?

-Bob

I believe my 3320 manual had something in it about Imatch. What can I help you with? I can get pics of anything you want to see. Just let us know.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Look at a manual for a TEN or TWENTY in the Deere FAQ. They cover iMatch...

 

[rmonio]

Okay. I believe I figured it out.

And, Mike, it does make short work of hooking up the MX6. If only the @#$% knuckle on the PTO shaft would hook up easier then I'd be set.

It looks like the Frontier Box Blade, ballast box, and even the Buehler Farm King Finish mower will fit fine. If they connect that easily then I should be in great shape.

Note to JD - put different cotter pins on those units. The flip type with the smaller shank works better and you don't need a pliers to ratchet the little buggers off!

I'll check out the manuals and see what they have to say - otherwise I'm pretty impressed with it. Probably saved my back and bad neck discs alot of hassle by having it, too.

Thanks for everyone's help!

(say, Mike - how come you changed your avatar graphic?)

-Bob

 

[rmonio]

I can't say enough about the i-Match unit. It has been a real godsend for me. I even had the conversion kit for my Buhler Farm King Finish Mower ordered so I can make it compatible (other than the Farm King, I only buy Deere equipment). This has made things so much easier and I have to kick myself for not buying one a long time ago!

Thanks for all the feedback everyone!

-Bob

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Gad you like it! I doubt it'd work for my 4310/MX6, though!

I changed the avatar because - just because!!

Oops my bale jumpin pic got lost again!

 

[rmonio]

Why wouldn't the i-match work for your 4310/MX6 combination, Mike? I would think it would be quite handy for you - unless you're using non-Green attachment (God forbid!)...

As for your Avatar, I liked the tractor jumping the vehicles.. I showed to quite a few people and they wanted to know if it was real or not.

-Bob