Pat's Quick Attach Question

[CoachEarl]

I finally got some time on my new 2538 this weekend. I love it! I've been looking at the options for quicker and easier implement changing and I think Pat's looks like it will work with most everything. Any draw backs to using it with a 2538? I have a shredder, box blade and post hole digger so far. Thanks for info in advance!

 

[ovrszd]

Pat's is an improvement, especially if your tractor does not have extendable lower links. Before hitching up to an attachment you'll need to set the width of your lower links to match whatever you are hitching. Then you still have to dismount and connect the top link.

Biggest drawback is your PTO shaft may be short. Remember you are moving your attachment farther from the tractor.

You'll also see a difference if hitching to a heavy attachment, for the same reason as above.

Otherwise, go for it. Post pics of course.

Welcome to TBN.

 

[CoachEarl]

Will a PTO adapter work well enough for the shredder? Not sure if there is an issue with them breaking or anything.

 

[skipperbrown]

I have used a Pat's for years. The only issue I have had is Pat's moves the linkage back about 3". It took me a while to find a toplink that would work for all my attachments. Unless your cutter/shredder can't extend 3" further than it does now, you shouldn't have any problems. Keep in mind heavy implements will be leveraged out a little further, but it's never been an issue for me. The Pat's with telescoping arms is the cat's meow for hooking up implements. Also factor in a new toplink in the pricing.

 

[ovrszd]

I have used a Pat's for years. The only issue I have had is Pat's moves the linkage back about 3". It took me a while to find a toplink that would work for all my attachments. Unless your cutter/shredder can't extend 3" further than it does now, you shouldn't have any problems. Keep in mind heavy implements will be leveraged out a little further, but it's never been an issue for me. The Pat's with telescoping arms is the cat's meow for hooking up implements. Also factor in a new toplink in the pricing.

Maybe explain using Pat's with the telescoping arms?

 

[RoyJackson]

Will a PTO adapter work well enough for the shredder? Not sure if there is an issue with them breaking or anything.

I had the Pat's Easy Change for about 6 years...really liked it...still do, but I did go for a quick hitch. In many regards, I think the PEC is the more versatile system. As others wrote, it does move an implement about 4 inches aft. One of my implements, a Woods 5000 chipper/shredder, does require a PTO adapter due to that 4" extension. No problems with using the adapter. I still have the chipper/shredder and I still use the adapter.

 

[ovrszd]

I had the Pat's Easy Change for about 6 years...really liked it...still do, but I did go for a quick hitch. In many regards, I think the PEC is the more versatile system. As others wrote, it does move an implement about 4 inches aft. One of my implements, a Woods 5000 chipper/shredder, does require a PTO adapter due to that 4" extension. No problems with using the adapter. I still have the chipper/shredder and I still use the adapter.

Yeah, that same aft movement of the implement occurs with a Quick Hitch as well.

I agree the Pat's is more versatile. Sometimes modifications to the implement are required to use a Quick Hitch. Once those mods are done though the QH is much easier to use.

 

[CoachEarl]

Thanks for all of the input! I guess while I keep researching and deciding what I will do, if could find a way to keep my lift arms apart when backing up to the implement, it would be much easier. Any tricks on that? Mine get pretty narrow when they are hanging free.

 

[ovrszd]

That's a huge inconvenience. What type of stabilizers do your arms have?? Can they easily be adjusted to hold the arms apart? My old Ford uses telescoping stabilizers. Easy to pin them apart.

 

[CobyRupert]

The Pat's system has an optional adjustable spacer / separator "stabilizer bar" bar that will keep the lift arms separated. It's $20.

 

[CoachEarl]

That is what I'm trying to figure out. I have been a tractor owner for 7 days, so still trying to figure out all of the tips and tricks. I'm wondering if making my own bar like the one Pat's has will get me by for now. Maybe out of PVC.

 

[ovrszd]

That is what I'm trying to figure out. I have been a tractor owner for 7 days, so still trying to figure out all of the tips and tricks. I'm wondering if making my own bar like the one Pat's has will get me by for now. Maybe out of PVC.

Yep. Or a 1x4 board with a notch toward each end so it sets on edge down over the arms?? Kinda like a Capital E laying on it's face.

 

[CoachEarl]

Might be a perfect quick fix for now!

 

[CobyRupert]

IMHO:
Pat's "lynch pin washers":
Pro: Handy in that, by design, they can't slide on the attachment's pin and stay in the right spot between the Pat's hitch and the lynch pin.
Con: Under certain conditions, with just the right force, and the right bump, (& a waxing moon when Saturn is in retrograde, etc..) I've seen these washers "pivot" and get past the end of the lynch pin, which sends the lynch pin flying, then one side of the brush hog falls off the 3 pth. Not fun when it's an hour past sundown and you're on the side of a hill. As a precaution, I use standard washers that can't do this.
(Another solution if using the "lynch pin washers", and this is hard to explain, is if you can turn the attachment's pin so it's the hole (for the lynch pin) is horizontal, then the lynch pin is blocked from inadvertently coming out by the "bulge" of the Pat's system where it goes over the tractors lift arm)

I've learned that part of my problem with Pat's is when you have multiple width attachments. Some of mine are Class 1, some Class 2. (Yes, I use proper bushings) The Pat's hitch doesn't have an equivalent for the swivel ball that's built into the end of the standard lift arm. This means when you mount the Pat's system, despite instructions, it doesn't have to be aligned with the lift arms so much, but had better be aligned to the width of that particular attachment, so that the pins of the attachment are at a perfect right angle to the pat's hitch. Otherwise, there's to much "sideways force", and lynch pin washers fail, and did I mention this is when the brush hog falls off...grrr!

I think for me, where attachments are different widths, this means I should realign the Pat's hitch depending on what attachment it's going on. Not exactly a quick hitch system if readjustment is required, but turning a wrench on the mounting bolts is still easier than wrestling a 1000 lb mower, or making 5 attempts to get tractor/attachment aligned.
I wish telescoping arms were standard. I actually though they were. Deere wants $800 ($400 ea) for telescoping arms! 40 lbs bar of metal with green paint. Expensive paint!

Also the mounting bolts than came with my Pat's System lasted about 2 hours running a 1100lb rotary mower. I don't think they were even Grade 2. Time will tell if the grade 5 (or grade 8?) I replaced them with will last.

 

[RoyJackson]

IMHO:
Pat's "lynch pin washers":
Pro: Handy in that, by design, they can't slide on the attachment's pin and stay in the right spot between the Pat's hitch and the lynch pin.
Con: Under certain conditions, with just the right force, and the right bump, (& a waxing moon when Saturn is in retrograde, etc..) I've seen these washers "pivot" and get past the end of the lynch pin, which sends the lynch pin flying, then one side of the brush hog falls off the 3 pth. Not fun when it's an hour past sundown and you're on the side of a hill. As a precaution, I use standard washers that can't do this.
(Another solution if using the "lynch pin washers", and this is hard to explain, is if you can turn the attachment's pin so it's the hole (for the lynch pin) is horizontal, then the lynch pin is blocked from inadvertently coming out by the "bulge" of the Pat's system where it goes over the tractors lift arm)

I lost a few lynch pins...just as you described.
The cadmium colored pins have weaker spring clips then the black oxide lynch pins. I've never had one of the black oxide lynch pins come loose. The "downside" of the black pins is they are difficult to open....use a flat blade screw driver as a lever. When they spring closed....well, don't let them spring closed on a finger! It's like a mouse trap closing on your finger!

BTW, if you do go for the PEC, order a few extra bent washers...

 

[fried1765]

Might be a perfect quick fix for now!

For the Pat's Easy Change System.
The inexpensive/easy way to keep the three point arms apart the required distance, is to bend a piece of 3/8" rebar.
Just bend each end down about 2", with the desired arm spacing distance set between the bends.
Works just like the one they sell, but is not adjustable.
If you need different arm spacing, for different implements, make several different length bars.

 

[The Deerslayer]

Will a PTO adapter work well enough for the shredder? Not sure if there is an issue with them breaking or anything.

I have the Pat's and needed the PTO extension for my shredder and brush hog. Both implements continue to work well and without any issues at all.

 

[mikeman1]

I thought about getting them too but i only change my implements maybe a couple of times in a day. I have extendable links and the stabilizer bar is also a slider so i just take out the pin and it slides to move the link arm left to right. i hook up the link arm that is not adjustable first then i hook up the other side. really only takes a couple minutes and i'm done.

 

[hslogger]

I like Pat's. I have extra bent washers in my tool box, and have them on all my three point implements.Never lost any,or my pins for that matter while operating.
The Pat's spreader bar is really handy. I have implements of various decade vintage. There is fluctuation in the width of all my units. I just back up. Use the spreader bar to measure the distance, set it and the stick the two legs in the hitch holes and I am lined up, ready to rock and roll. I think overall it is a fine product and would purchase again.

 

[CoachEarl]

Thanks all for the fantastic information for a newb!!