Followup on iMatch on X595

[glagen]

I tried the iMatch on the limited 3PH on my X595. The bracket fits the hitch OK and of course you need an iMatch-compatible Ballast Box (#BW15073). However, the center draft arm cannot be extended long enough to properly level the ballast box -- it sits at an upward angle facing the driver. I tried to substitute the center draft link from my 4310 3PH but it will not fit into the 595 rock shaft assembly.
If someone really wants to make this work, you will need to insert a longer threaded rod into the center draft link assembly in order to level attachments.
Steve Z

 

[beenthere]

Could you make up a short link to go on one end of the adjustable top link, that would add some length?

I was thinking of a pair of bent steel straps, that would be narrow at one end (fit the X595 end) and then widen out to accept the tractor end of the top link. I would think the ballast box would keep the top link in tension, so even a short chain in place of the top link would likely work. If slop is a problem, then a chain inside a pvc pipe would stiffen the 'link' up enough, maybe.

 

[glagen]

Beenthere,
Not a bad idea but, there is a lot of stress on the center draft link and I would not feel comfortable with a strap or chain link arrangement. I think that draft requires the rigidity of a solid rod.
Steve Z

 

[DJLX]

glagen-I went and ordered Pat's easy change system instead of messing with the iMatch or Speeco quick hitch. Haven't yet installed it due to the holiday but might this weekend. Let you know how it works.

 

[glagen]

Please do. I am very interested in how you make out.
Steve Z

 

[DJLX]

Had a chance to play with Pat's 3pt quick hitch on the JD X585.
First let me say that Pat's is nicely made unit. It fit on the lift arms just fine but the Xseries lift arms have a peculiar turn up at the ends. Here are some pictures that show without and with Pat's. Notice that the turn of the lift arms causes Pat's to angle up and interfere with the ballast box. If JD needed to raise the pivot point of the arms, they should have made the elevation change in the middle of the lift arm. So now I have a Pat's Easy Change that I can't use /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/lebondj/DSC00988a.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/lebondj/DSC00982a.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/lebondj/DSC00983a.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/lebondj/DSC00986a.jpg

 

[Dutch445]

Interesting situation,
have you thought about moving the lift pins on the ballast box down further? if they were closer to the bottom, near the bottom of the range of the 3ph arms, maybe the angle wouldn't be so bad?
it's hard to know from the pictures where things line up with the arms all the way down...

/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[glagen]

DJLX,
From your pictures it looks to me like you simply need to extend the length of the center draft arm in order to better level the box. Try turning out the bolt with the center arm connected to the ballast box using the "T handle" until it gets level. Let me know how you make out. I suspect you will find Pat's attachments will be fine.
Steve Z

 

[DJLX]

True that I could move the pins on the ballast box and also can make it work if the ballast box is up on wood. In fact I slap some casters on a peice of ply and now can move the heavy box out the way /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif But what about future implements /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
The problem is when lifting the ballast box up, the angle causes Pat's to hang where the U bolt mounts. Picture shows this is in the lowest positon. As you raise it up it binds.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/lebondj/DSC00986a.jpg

 

[Dutch445]

hmmmm,
did you check this binding with the toplink in it's shortest position? tilting the box toward the tractor? if that works, maybe you could weld a piece of angle iron to the bottom and change the angle as it's sitting to help install and remove?

as far as other implements,,,, i guess it's going to be hard to say what will encounter the same problems..