Another I Match question

unreconstructed · May 29, 2007

I live in cotton country in West Texas, so the JD folks have nearly no knowledge about Cat 1 and Cat 2 equipment.

I have a 5203 and 2320. Am considering going I Match on the 2320 and have noticed that the Cat 1 I Match is on the 5203 "build your own". Just wondered if the Cat 1 I Match is stout enough for an MX 6 which I have on the 5203. Also, JD list a Cat 2 "Economy Quick Hitch" which looks similar to the I Match--at least in the photograph.

Would appreciate any thoughts anyone has about the quick hitch options for the 5103 series.

Also, a great thread about the pins for the I Match.

Thanks for your help as always.

radman1 · May 29, 2007

The Cat I I-match on the MX 6 mower is plenty strong enough. Unless you are only going to use the i match on JD i match capatible equipment, I would go with SpeeCo or another brand. I match only seems to fit well on JD/Frontier equipment. Speeco/HF has an adjustable top hook (JD is a fixed hook) and has an adapter to replace the hook if needed and will therefore work on most 3pt equipment, if the implement pin spacing/width is right.
I have both Speeco and Harbor freight and would recommend the Speeco. The spacing/width is better on the speeco and the Speeco will accept the recommended Cat I bushings. HF has smaller lift hooks and can't use the bushings. (I didn't know this until I bought the HF, widened the spacing of the lower hooks). All of my attachments already have the bushing on them and the HF won't work until I torch the hooks larger. (Another project). Speeco will come with the adapter and one set of bushings. Speeco however costs about 2-2.5X more. I match costs more than the SpeeCo and IMHO less adjustable.
Remember, you can't use Cat I hitch on one tractor and Cat II on the other tractor and expect them to work on the same implements.