Pat's Easy Change Vs Quick Hitch

[rayclar]

mine has hex bolts.

 

[ovrszd]

In regards to bushings. If my memory serves me right, when I bought my Pat's 6 years ago it came with a pair of Cat I to Cat II bushings and a pair of washers. I then built more sets so I always had a conversion on each attachment. And so I could easily remove that conversion and use the attachment on any Cat I tractor.

You can go to any Supply store and buy a pair of cheap Cat I to Cat II bushings, a couple flat washers and a pair of latch pins and make your own. Best part about this is it's versatility and no tools required.

Here's a photo of the setup on a Cat I pin converting it to Cat II.





Here's a picture of just the washer on a Cat I pin.




Here's the pieces laying on the floor for clarity. Also included an extra flat washer so you'd see what I started with.

 

[deere5105]

mine has hex bolts.

Would it be possible to post a pic or two of how you have yours installed?

 

[MikePA]

Would it be possible to post a pic or two of how you have yours installed?

See attached. Does this help? U bolts have two nuts, the hex bolts do not.

 

[deere5105]

See attached. Does this help? U bolts have two nuts, the hex bolts do not. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=352460"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=352461"/>

Yes.
I put two on the U-bolts, but none on the hex bolts. Based on material sent, it seems the intent was to put the 4 lock nuts on the 2 U-bolts and the 8 single nuts on the 8 hex bolts. Seems there has been a change from Allen bolts to hex bolts. I didn't initially think about running the nut all the way on the hex bolt then tightening the bolt then running the nut against the PEC.

Is that your interpretation if the manufacturer intent?

 

[RoyJackson]

Yes.
I put two on the U-bolts, but none on the hex bolts. Based on material sent, it seems the intent was to put the 4 lock nuts on the 2 U-bolts and the 8 single nuts on the 8 hex bolts. Seems there has been a change from Allen bolts to hex bolts. I didn't initially think about running the nut all the way on the hex bolt then tightening the bolt then running the nut against the PEC.

Is that your interpretation if the manufacturer intent?

The company that makes Pat's Easy Change is pretty small. They probably ship the fasteners they have on hand which might be why you got the hex bolts. You could call them for confirmation, if you like. They're a friendly crew down there and I'm sure they'll answer any questions you may have.

BTW, this may have been posted previously...when hooking up an implement, I suggest you use the black lynch pins rather then the zinc plated ones. The black pins have more tension and are less likely to come off (which means you lose the pin and washer...and the lower arm may come off the implement).
I did lose the washer and zinc plated pin more then once when mowing...and it can be a real PITA hooking that lower arm back up on a slope (been there!). When I went to the black lynch pins, I never had another problem...but be warned, they really snap shut! I had the bruised fingers to prove it.

 

[Guesseral]

In regards to bushings. If my memory serves me right, when I bought my Pat's 6 years ago it came with a pair of Cat I to Cat II bushings and a pair of washers. I then built more sets so I always had a conversion on each attachment. And so I could easily remove that conversion and use the attachment on any Cat I tractor.

You can go to any Supply store and buy a pair of cheap Cat I to Cat II bushings, a couple flat washers and a pair of latch pins and make your own. Best part about this is it's versatility and no tools required.

Here's a photo of the setup on a Cat I pin converting it to Cat II.





Here's a picture of just the washer on a Cat I pin.




Here's the pieces laying on the floor for clarity. Also included an extra flat washer so you'd see what I started with.

Yea I made my first set also I even welded it up, but the actual manufactured bushings are real easy and they look better. They are also from cat 1 up to cat 3 and fit much nicer/tighter in the QH hooks. I even took on my mower and used the cat 2 pins with the smaller cat 1 threaded end, that works ok but it isn't as tight of a fit I'm going to replace it with the factory bushings. I just like the factory bushings better is all to each his own is how the saying goes, if we all liked the same thing the world would be boring!

 

[rayclar]

Deere i'll post some pics tomorrow morning . ray

 

[deere5105]

Deere i'll post some pics tomorrow morning . ray

Thanks.

May take Roy's advice too and contact Pat's to get their intent on installation. Seems a consensus on how it is supposed to go together.

 

[rayclar]

Here are the pics deere. All parts that were shipped were used except for the extra bent washers for the three point pins. ray

 

[deere5105]

Here are the pics deere. All parts that were shipped were used except for the extra bent washers for the three point pins. ray

This is exactly what I was looking for. Think I will just disassemble mine and reassemble like yours. Have you had yours like
this for a period of time? Any issues with anything loosening due to vibration, etc..?

 

[rayclar]

Sorry mine have been on about three weeks only. No problems so far. ray

 

[deere5105]

Got it all swapped around and had one bolt on the last turn snap off. Always got to be one to give trouble! Will get an extractor and remove and replace it soon.

Hooking up to heavy 8' disc harrow was effortless. Need to evaluate length of top link as it seems to be extended to the max and could leave little room for adjustment if needed. It created no issues with disc harrow as it seemed to have enough length to level it as needed.

This also has me curious about the rotary cutter shaft. May go ahead and hook to it to see how that fits too. Have seen some comments where they had to be extended with use if the PEC.

Last decision to make will be whether to paint JD Green. Thanks for the helpful comments and pics.

 

[RoyJackson]

Hooking up to heavy 8' disc harrow was effortless. Need to evaluate length of top link as it seems to be extended to the max and could leave little room for adjustment if needed. It created no issues with disc harrow as it seemed to have enough length to level it as needed.

This also has me curious about the rotary cutter shaft. May go ahead and hook to it to see how that fits too. Have seen some comments where they had to be extended with use if the PEC.

PEC does move your lower link hook up aft about 4".
You may need a longer top link...I didn't, but some TBNers did.
Also, you may need one of these (rather then buying a new PTO drive shaft):
Pto Adapter

I believe your tractor is a Category II, so the one I linked to may not work...

 

[deere5105]

PEC does move your lower link hook up aft about 4". You may need a longer top link...I didn't, but some TBNers did. Also, you may need one of these (rather then buying a new PTO drive shaft): Pto Adapter I believe your tractor is a Category II, so the one I linked to may not work...

Looks like a good alternative if it fits. Will look into that a little further. Thanks for the suggestion Roy.

 

[deere5105]

After having my rotary cutter come off the lift arms multiple times today I removed the PEC. I have had it happen previously but chalked it up to being a fluke. Not sure what is causing it or can be done to prevent future occurrences.

Anybody else have this happen and find a solution?

 

[RoyJackson]

After having my rotary cutter come off the lift arms multiple times today I removed the PEC. I have had it happen previously but chalked it up to being a fluke. Not sure what is causing it or can be done to prevent future occurrences.

Anybody else have this happen and find a solution?

I had this problem when I had the PEC. I suspect you lost the washer too, didn't you?
The problem is the lynch pins. The standard lynch pin (cadmium colored) spring clip (the circular part the flips down) don't have enough tension to keep a heavy implement from slipping loose. The cure is to use those black lynch pins...the spring clips are quite stout (don't let it come down on your finger tip!!). Tractor Supply has the black ones. I never had another problem with an implement coming of the PEC once I started using them.

 

[deere5105]

I am using the heavy duty black ones. Noticed they don't seen to clamp all the way closed. Seems the washer is holding them partially open.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

After having my rotary cutter come off the lift arms multiple times today I removed the PEC. I have had it happen previously but chalked it up to being a fluke. Not sure what is causing it or can be done to prevent future occurrences.

Anybody else have this happen and find a solution?

Are you releasing the locking OPEN lever after you finish hitching? If you are not sure how it could happen. My son has forgotten a few times but I caught it.

 

[deere5105]

Are you releasing the locking OPEN lever after you finish hitching? If you are not sure how it could happen. My son has forgotten a few times but I caught it.

Yes. The latch holding the locking mechanism open is released. The hitch is not coming unlocked. Today twice the washer came off, the lynch pin still clasped in the lift pin and arm slid off the lift pin. Had to completely unhook and reconnect to the mower.