Quick Hitches Harbor Freight Quick Hitch Issues

jlbmi · May 19, 2014

I recently purchased a Harbor Freight Quick Hitch for my Kubota. I tried to hook up my Landpride backblade and it will not work. The centerlink hook will not fit far enough into the opening in my backblade to hook the crossbolt. I also find that it will not work with my Landpride rotary cutter either. Any suggestions?

Threepoint · May 19, 2014

Is it because the two hex-head bolts that secure the top hook in it's bracket are hitting the sides of the blade bracket before the hook can fully engage? If so, there's a quick fix for that. It involves cutting the heads off each bolt with a sawzall or hacksaw, trimming the bolt to length so that it does not protrude beyond the sides of the hook bracket, then drilling a 3/32" or 1/8" hole through the bolt shaft to receive a small hitch pin clip between the tooth and one inside wall of it's bracket. Not my idea, but I can't recall where I saw it, my bad. I did save a pic that I downloaded from the originator's post, which I'll upload here, apologies and thanks to the originator.

I did this a couple of weeks ago with a new HF QH that I just bought for my larger tractor. Works great with my 84" Woods box blade and rear blade. On mine, there was enough space between the hook and the inside bracket wall to receive the clips, but the originator of the idea needed to grind a small amount off the sided of the tooth to gain the necessary clearance (see his pic). He also just bought two hitch pins the diameter of the bolts, then cut them to length, rather than cut and drill the original bolts. I didn't want to make a trip to the store for that. The whole mod took me about thirty minutes. Hope this helps. BTW, there are other solutions, e.g. welding an extension to the original hook then boring new bolt holes. But they involve much more work.

jlbmi · May 19, 2014

Threepoint. Thank you! I appreciate the tip and that is exactly what I need to do.

bcp · May 19, 2014

Someone else here welded about a 1 inch square bar onto the front of the hook and drilled two new holes so the hook was about an inch farther back.

On mine, I cut some mild steel rod a little bit longer than the width of the hook mount, then riveted it in place. The clip idea is better since you can still adjust the hook height if needed.

Bruce

Cherokee140 · May 20, 2014

Looking pretty hard at this...for less then $100 it seems like it would be worth the chance. Those that own them (the HF kind) how has it held up....we all know with HF you get something that will work great or trash can filler. Some things from them that I have are going on 20 years old and still going good...others busted on the way out of the box.

Threepoint · May 20, 2014

Cherokee140 said:
Looking pretty hard at this...for less then $100 it seems like it would be worth the chance. Those that own them (the HF kind) how has it held up....we all know with HF you get something that will work great or trash can filler. Some things from them that I have are going on 20 years old and still going good...others busted on the way out of the box.

The HF Cat. 1 QH on my smaller tractor has been on about 10-15 yrs. It's gotten a steady workout with a 5-ft. Howse BB maintaining about a mile of crusher run drive and moving snow with a 6-ft rear blade. I've been impressed enough to get one for my new 45 hp tractor. That will be the real test, as the larger tractor is about twice the weight. Force = Mass x Acceleration.

45 hp is the top end of the rating for that QH.

I happened to stop in HF yesterday and noticed that their Cat. 1 QH is on sale this month for $99. Take another 20 to 25 percent off with a coupon. There's a youtube video comparing the HF to the John Deere QH that struck me as pretty objective. No surprise that the HF is much closer in build quality to the less expensive brands.

KennyG · May 20, 2014

I have had mine for almost four years. With 24 hp and less than 1500 lbs lift capacity I don't challenge it but mine looks like it may last forever.

Guesseral · May 20, 2014

Had mine for two years now no problems. Love it!

Oh yea here is the second option

not my picture but this is what I did. I didn't like the other option because with some stress or strain the short ends of the pin could twist and come out. But I am a worry wort also!

countrybumpkin · May 20, 2014

I've had both of mine for about four years and use it with a bunch of different equipment and have not had any trouble, one I have a SSQA plates welded to for use on the loader. I do have to say I pretty much don't use the top link hook , I just use the adapter , you can order them from harbor freight but I just made mine. I have several pieces of equipment it would work with and several it won't but I find it just as quick and easy to use the adapter instead of switching between it or the hook.

Threepoint · May 21, 2014

countrybumpkin said:
[snip]I do have to say I pretty much don't use the top link hook , I just use the adapter , you can order them from harbor freight but I just made mine. I have several pieces of equipment it would work with and several it won't but I find it just as quick and easy to use the adapter instead of switching between it or the hook.

I've been planning to modify a 20-year old 6' York so that it will receive the QH hook. An adapter would sure save some cutting and welding. Didn't know HF sold one. I just checked their website and couldn't find it with the search terms I used ("quick hitch adapter"). Would love to see a pic or two of what you made.

KennyG · May 21, 2014

You can't find the adapter on line. If you call them they will take an order right away.

bcp · May 21, 2014

The HF adapter is in the parts list in the manual for the hitch. You have to call HF mail order and ask for it.

Bruce

Threepoint · May 21, 2014

KennyG said:
You can't find the adapter on line. If you call them they will take an order right away.

bcp said:
The HF adapter is in the parts list in the manual for the hitch. You have to call HF mail order and ask for it.

Bruce

KennyG and Bruce, thank you! I downloaded the manual from HF's website and, sure enough, there's the adapter. (Affirming once again, "When all else fails, read the directions.") I can't tell for sure from the diagram whether it would work with my old York rake without first removing the hook each time, which I'd like to avoid. Looks like the hook may still interfere with the upper end of the York rake's center strut, which forms the bottom of the rake's upper bracket. I've attached a pic of the rake. Those of you who have the HF adapter, what do you think?

countrybumpkin · May 21, 2014

Yes you would need to remove the hook to use the adapter, and yes the adapter would be the easiest thing for the rake in the pic. That's the reason I just leave the adapter on and never use the hook, I almost always would have to get off anyway to either hook up a pto shaft or a parking stand anyway.

Threepoint · May 21, 2014

countrybumpkin said:
Yes you would need to remove the hook to use the adapter, and yes the adapter would be the easiest thing for the rake in the pic. That's the reason I just leave the adapter on and never use the hook, I almost always would have to get off anyway to either hook up a pto shaft or a parking stand anyway.

O.k., makes sense. Appreciate the info!

KennyG · May 21, 2014

Agree need to remove the hook. I'm the one who did the cut off pins with the internal spring pins. It makes it really quick to move or remove the hook. I use the hook in two positions and removed to use the link for different attachments.

Threepoint · May 22, 2014

KennyG said:
Agree need to remove the hook. I'm the one who did the cut off pins with the internal spring pins. It makes it really quick to move or remove the hook. I use the hook in two positions and removed to use the link for different attachments.

Thanks, KennyG!
Sorry I couldn't recall the thread with your original hitch pin clip idea. The solution was brilliant.
:drink:
There are some smart folks on this board.

Guesseral · May 22, 2014

AgriSupply has the top link adaptor also and there not to bad of a price, of course there is also shipping.

Top Hitch Adapter-Quick Hitch | Agri Supply #61369

gtrippleb · May 25, 2014

I've had one on my Sc2400 for about 5 yrs now and when I brought my T2320 down to NC in December, the first thing I did was stop at HF and bought another one. I bought a couple adapters and I leave them on the attachments that I can't use the hook on.

pmsmechanic · May 25, 2014

I have a set of pallet forks that I had the same issue with. I just took my cutting torch and cut a slot just wide and deep enough for my top hook. You could probably do the same. If a torch isn't your style then drilling a 1 1/8" hole and cutting the rest of the slot with a hack saw would probably do the job too. With the light weight of the rake I wouldn't worry about the loss of strength.