Carter EZ Hitch vs Quick HItch or Pats Hitch

[shooterdon]

Forgive the ignorance but I am a new tractor owner trying to make my experience less frustrating.

The reading I have done on the site does not shed a lot of light on the impact of adding a quick hitch and its effect of the length of the PTO shaft. Both the Quick hitch and Pat's seem to add about 4". Will I need to add new PTO shafts to my powered attachments? Currently running a King Kutter brush hog and JD rototiller.

I have seen a PTO extender that adds just over 4". It seems like the way to go as it will make hook up easier. What are others doing/using?

Amazon.com: All States Ag Parts PTO Adapter - Quick Release Collar/Coupler 1-3/8" 6 Spline Female 6 Spline Male PA9 PA-9: Garden & Outdoor

The Carter EZ hitch, adds some height over the links so the PTO extender is not needed, and also has the benefit of maintaining the lift capacity of the 3pt by keeping the load closer to the lift arms.

Welcome to CARTER AND SON'S TOOL AND DIE

I am hoping to use cut down pallets to move firewood using the TSC Carry All. At 24" beyond the lift arms, my 3PT is rated at 840 lbs so not a lot of capacity. 1/6 th of a cord.

Thanks for any feedback

 

[houser52]

I can only comment on the Carter's but they were a real pain in the ***** for me. I wrestled with them a few months, took them off, threw them on the bench and 2 years later, they're still laying there. I even covered them up so I'm not reminded of my experience.

See my comments about the Carter's here

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/356377-carters-ez-hitch.html?highlight=Carter

 

[Inspector507]

I'm using a first generation set of Pat's. I have never taken them off. On some implements you may need a longer PTO shaft or an extension. I was lucky, only 2 of attachments use a PTO shaft and it was long enough to use.

 

[oldballs]

Seems to me that one of the important factors in using PAT's or Carters is whether you have stabilizers on the 3 point. Without the stabilizers, you fight the turnbuckle widths for mounting an attachment. The four inch increase could be enough to need the extender. I guess it would depend on how close the original shaft was cut to a usable length as is.

As a newbie of not long ago, I have had the same experiences. My Carter's is has been replaced with a PATS on one tractor and a LandPride QH on the other tractor. The Carter is well made and did serve some time for me.
Cheers,
Mike

 

[foggy1111]

I've owned a HF quick hitch....and discarded it after a short time. Went to Pat's about ten years ago.....and would not change for another brand. I just (last week) bought a new tractor with the telescoping links.....and I'm uncertain if I will "live" with them or put the Pat's on. I think adding the Pat's to these telescoping links will be the real deal..... Anyone with experience here?

 

[GaryM]

I've had a set of Pat's for about 12 years. Two pto implements that did not need new shafts and I have no issues hooking up any of my implements due to width variations.

Very happy.

 

[TheMan419]

I have the harbor freight qh. Love Love Love it. Need to get a pto extender for the tiller. Not for the bush hog.

If your implements are newer the hf type should work. I tried a pats clone. Problem was it did not have a spreader bar. So it sucked. I am pretty sure if I had gotten the pats w the spreader bar I would have kept it.

 

[CalG]

I have the harbor freight qh. Love Love Love it. Need to get a pto extender for the tiller. Not for the bush hog.

If your implements are newer the hf type should work. I tried a pats clone. Problem was it did not have a spreader bar. So it sucked. I am pretty sure if I had gotten the pats w the spreader bar I would have kept it.

I bought and fitted the PAT's devices to the little Kabota JUST to facilitate PTO shaft length between several tractors.

They Work OK. Somewhat easier to hitch up than right off the balls, but barely.
It depends on the implement pins.

 

[oosik]

I have six implements that go on my 3-point. Some are a lot easier to attach/detach than others. As much bitching, complaining and custom modifying as goes on with these "quick attach hitches" - - I'm just happy as a clam that I choose to not go that direction.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

I have the HF style QH but Mahindra brand. Makes hookups a lot easier. For blades, landscape rakes, and such that when unhooked, the top falls to the ground, you'll need some kind of stand that keeps it level to get the full benefit of easy hook-up.