Upgrading/Upsizing 3 point hitch... Need your honest opinions and fabricator leads

[russkat]

I'm seriously considering upgrading/replacing the 3 point hitch on my loader from a Cat 0 to a Cat 1 for the following reasons...

1) General selection of used cat 0 implements are poor in my local area, cat 1 pieces I see for sale fairly often.
2) Cat 1 implements, in general, seem to be better constructed/more rugged, and of course are heavier.

When I do see a cat 0 piece for sale, more often than not it's too small for my machine and/or it's just too flimsy.

My tractor is an Ingersoll 7020 4wd loader. 20hp gas, over 2,000 lbs with loaded tires/wheel weights. (1,700 lbs bone stock).
Here is a pic of the hitch that is on there now. Same hitch/tractor, but not mine. Mine is buried in the shed right now.

So I have a few questions about a possible change to a Cat 1 hitch.

1) Is my thinking flawed here ? I'm not going to try to use a 950 lb blade, I know better.
2) Anyone know any experienced fabricators who could tackle this for me ? I don't need it until spring.
I'm looking for someone who has some experience in custom 3 point hitches, knows the proper geometry, etc... not just someone who has a plasma cutter and welder. Send me a PM with names/leads.


Thanks
Derek

 

[Baby Grand]

Going to Cat 1 sounds like a great idea to me. My only caution about uprating your hitch is what the hitch is mounted to. If the mounts are designed for only cat 0 loads, then using Cat 1 ground engaging implements or a 3pt backhoe might be too much for the structure. Just something to check about before you go too far down that road. Also, what is the lift capacity of your present hitch is?

 

[russkat]

Going to Cat 1 sounds like a great idea to me. My only caution about uprating your hitch is what the hitch is mounted to. If the mounts are designed for only cat 0 loads, then using Cat 1 ground engaging implements or a 3pt backhoe might be too much for the structure. Just something to check about before you go too far down that road. Also, what is the lift capacity of your present hitch is?

You could also get the 7020 and prior generations of the same machine with a stout Davis or Woods backhoe that I believe utilized the same mount as the 3ph, so it's very strong.

Tough to find the exact cat 0 lifting specs anywhere in the manuals, it's pretty robust for a cat 0 hitch.
Wish I could be more helpful...

 

[Xfaxman]

These might help.

You could search eBay for three point hitch kit or buy the parts at Tractor Supply.

Keep us posted.

 

[bcp]

More 3 point specs:

SAE J715b

Bruce

 

[russkat]

Thanks Bruce and Xfaxman !!!

 

[2458n]

Keep the arms you have now if you can get the 26 inches between the arms. Chop off the ,"0" end for the implement and weld on the cat 1 ends. same can be done with your top link. I would go with a type 1 top link and buy the bushing to reduce the Tractor end back to 0. I do know the top link used to be 19.99 and the reduced bushing was 2.99 at TSC.

 

[russkat]

Keep the arms you have now if you can get the 26 inches between the arms. Chop off the ,"0" end for the implement and weld on the cat 1 ends. same can be done with your top link. I would go with a type 1 top link and buy the bushing to reduce the Tractor end back to 0. I do know the top link used to be 19.99 and the reduced bushing was 2.99 at TSC.

I actually don't want to start hacking up the HH34 hitch, come spring I can quickly sell it for 7-800 dollars. Perhaps even now.
Doing what you suggest, wouldn't I still have Cat 0 hitch geometry ? Still 12" instead of 18" (distance between lift arms and top link)