HF quick hitch too wide

[ChristmasTreeFarmer]

I recently purchased a HF quick hitch, mounted it with great anticipation, and discovered that it is about 4" too wide for all four of my Category 1 implements (two of which are newer Kodiak implements). I did some research on TBN to determine the HF model I should purchase, and bought that model (don't recall which one it was now). I don't mind making changes to the implements, but all four implements being four inches narrower than the hitch seems odd. Can I just get some longer lower lift pins for the implements? Thanks in advance!

 

[LD1]

NO on the longer lower pins. You will bend them.

What do your implements measure and what does the quick hitch measure?

Standard cat I should be 26" and cat II should be 32". Did you buy a cat II? or was it boxed incorrectly?

 

[bandaidmd]

sounds like you got a cat 2, I have two cat 1 hf hitches and I had to widen them from the stock 26 1/2 to fit my implements.

 

[ChristmasTreeFarmer]

Thanks for the responses. The lower links on the quick hitch are 27 1/4" inside to inside, and 29 1/2" outside to outside. My implements are at the farm, and I didn't measure them. Beginning to sound like I have a category 1 hitch, but somehow also have four oddly-narrow implements (a 5' bushhog (new Kodiak), 5' box blade (new Kodiak), 6' blade, and 5' two-row adjustable disk).

 

[bcp]

Are your implement pins pointed inward or outward?

Sounds like they may be inward. If so, turn them around.

Bruce

 

[ChristmasTreeFarmer]

Already pointed outward.

 

[LD1]

.....

 

[LD1]

Those specs seem big for a cat I hitch. Curious to see what the implements measure...

 

[radioman]

4 inches too narrow? and looks like you do have a cat 1 QH. I just measured my HF QH and its 27 on inside of lower arms. Are you sure you have cat 1 implements because if it 2 inches short - it would be cat 0 and the lower pins would be awfully tiny mounted on kubota L tractor. Something is amiss here and I am willing to bet you have right QH.

 

[ovrszd]

Yeah, you definitely have a CAT I QH.

I'm with radioman and wondering if your attachments are setup for CAT 0. As he said the pins will be smaller than 7/8", not sure what CAT 0 pins measure, and they would be about 4" narrower than CAT I.

It's also odd that an attachment of the size you described would be setup for CAT 0. But I've never been around Kodiak equipment either.

Here's a link to some data regarding the differences in tractor 3pt sizes. Might save that website, it's very informative.


TractorData.com - Three-Point Hitch

 

[ChristmasTreeFarmer]

Sorry for taking so long to get back. My new Kodiak 5' bushhog and 5' box blade are 24" wide from one side of the lower pins to the other...measuring at the end of the rim next to the implement. The ears on the box blade are actually bent in from use...if I pushed them back out, it may fix the problem. I have a 5' two-row disc that is also 24". I also have an older-than-dirt 6' blade that is 26".

Went to TSC this weekend and found a set of QH adapters that go over the category 1 pins...they have a significant collar next to the implement (at least 1"). If I used those, it would make the 24" wide implements 26" wide...only problem is that the adapters are $33.

I also looked at longer category 2 pins...I could drill out the holes on the implements and use these longer pins. I would need some type of collar to keep the implement from sliding back and forth while hooked up...but this would be less expensive than the adapters above.

Any other ideas?

 

[ovrszd]

If you are just wanting to convert your implement pins from CAT I to CAT II, buy the cheap bushings and then pin them on with washers like in these pics.

 

[paulwestski]

Northern Tool has the adapters for $13.00 a pair.
Free ship to store.

NorTrac Quick-Hitch Bushing Set — Fits Category 1 Hitches | 3-Point Hitch Adapters| Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[ChristmasTreeFarmer]

Thanks for that Northern Tool link. I also understand now that the bushings go on so that the large diameter shoulder faces outward...to keep the implement from going left to right too far (it is a stop). I'll have to measure everything, but that just might work in my situation. My narrow implements are 24" wide from shoulder to shoulder. My quick hitch is 29 1/2" outside to outside. So, I would need links that are 2 3/4" from the inside shoulder to the outside shoulder (5.5"/2). I'm pretty sure this will work!

 

[ovrszd]

Yeah, the shouldered end goes out. It's got a hole thru it that you match up with the hole in your implement pin. Then you drive in the provided roll pin to hold it on. That's why I don't like that kind. Requires tools to install/uninstall. If for some reason you remove the QH and want to use your original 3pt arms on an implement you have to drive out the roll pins and remove the bushing. Or if you have multiple tractors without QH.

 

[BHD]

are the thee point pins/ bolts facing the correct way?

 

[ChristmasTreeFarmer]

yes...outward

 

[Fallon]

yes...outward

Some implements are designed to swap between CAT 0 & CAT 1 (or 1 & 2, etc) by putting the pins in or out.

 

[Fallon]

http://www.tractordata.com/articles/technical/threepoint.html has the official specs...

 

[George2615]

Sounds like he has Cat 0 implements if they are 24" wide and a Cat 1 QH. I have a similar problem with one of my implements which is a Cat 0. I'm going to make it a Cat 1 so it fits my QH. All the rest of my implements are Cat 1.