BX1860, considering a quick-hitch system

ds10 · Dec 7, 2013

I've had my BX1860 for almost 6 months. The only thing I've had on the three point hitch is a towing rig (triangle with a 2" ball and a 1 7/8" ball and a place to connect a chain as needed - this has been a really useful attachment). Now I'm thinking about a pine straw rake and will eventually wind up with some other items. I'd really like to consider a quick hitch system and see several of them on the market. There's one that's mentioned on this forum, but it appears to have some issues with top link distances. There's a few from Speeco, and I've seen others.

I'd like to get some feedback on which units are worth looking at, which are total crap, and which folks have found to be easy to work with.

At some point, I'll consider buying or renting various attachments, and I have read that not all are compatible with these quick attachment setups. When I was shopping for my tractor, I did consider a Deere, and they were pushing their quick attach 3 point setup too. Must be something to this? After putting on that first towing hitch setup, I could see why folks would consider a quick attach. Took a lot more work than I'd have expected!

Thoughts? Comments?

oldnslo · Dec 7, 2013

If you are going to be renting implements the Pat's quick hitch would be the most adaptive to all implements. They do not require the pin spacing to be the same and also do not require adapter bushings. They may (probably) will require a longer top link since they move the lift point back 3 - 4 inches.

ds10 · Dec 7, 2013

What happens with Pat's setup when using an attachment that doesn't really have a top link, like this pine straw rake or rakes or blades that have a similar setup where there's simply a triangular frame on the attachment? Does the attachment wind up tilted forward (and upward, I guess) or is there some other thing that has to be inserted to make up the distance to the top attachment point?

ovrszd · Dec 7, 2013

I think we need to clarify terminology.

A Pat's system is NOT a Quick Hitch. It simply converts the end of your 3pt arms to open hooks that can be latched. You still need a top link and it has to be manually hooked/unhooked and adjusted to fit.

A Quick Hitch attached the top link to the QH frame and it is never unhooked. The QH frame stays on the tractor. To hitch to an attachment you simply back up to it properly and pick it up with the 3pt.

Pat's is more versatile because the attachment needs no modification. A cavaet there is I've heard people say they have an attachment that the Pat's won't work on because of structural interference.

A QH is a LOT easier to use but requires all attachments conform to it's dimensions.

For a BX or any SCUT sized tractor I don't think you need to worry about brands of QH. The tractor isn't powerful enough to tear them up. Move into the CUT sized tractors and that changes. I bent a Northern Tool QH with a 30hp CUT tractor.

bcp · Dec 7, 2013

ds10 said:
What happens with Pat's setup when using an attachment that doesn't really have a top link, like this pine straw rake or rakes or blades that have a similar setup where there's simply a triangular frame on the attachment? Does the attachment wind up tilted forward (and upward, I guess) or is there some other thing that has to be inserted to make up the distance to the top attachment point?

They all do have a top link attachment point. The top link goes between the tractor and the top of the triangle or post on the implement. Look at the video still picture on your pine straw rake link and you will see the top link connected.

One possible cause of confusion: I've known several people who keep a pre-adjusted top link on each implement, and when they don't have a 3pt implement connected, there is no top link on the tractor. Most people just have one top link that stays with the tractor.

Bruce

94BULLITT · Dec 8, 2013

ovrszd said:
I think we need to clarify terminology.

A Pat's system is NOT a Quick Hitch. It simply converts the end of your 3pt arms to open hooks that can be latched. You still need a top link and it has to be manually hooked/unhooked and adjusted to fit.

A Quick Hitch attached the top link to the QH frame and it is never unhooked. The QH frame stays on the tractor. To hitch to an attachment you simply back up to it properly and pick it up with the 3pt.

Pat's is more versatile because the attachment needs no modification. A cavaet there is I've heard people say they have an attachment that the Pat's won't work on because of structural interference.

A QH is a LOT easier to use but requires all attachments conform to it's dimensions.

For a BX or any SCUT sized tractor I don't think you need to worry about brands of QH. The tractor isn't powerful enough to tear them up. Move into the CUT sized tractors and that changes. I bent a Northern Tool QH with a 30hp CUT tractor.