Harbor Freight quick hitch

[RalphVa]

Have ordered pins from Kenny's website to replace the 2 bolts holding the top hook in place. Wish I had them NOW. Having some issues with the top hook requiring lower height of the implement than the bottom pins require. Removed top hook once and will have to remove and put it back on to get it underneath the new WC46 chipper with it on floor. In future, it'll be on a dolly made from the bottom shipping container metal bottom with castors underneath. So, top hook clearance will be no problem.

Once the bottom pins slide into place, the latches pop shut.

Ralph

 

[RalphVa]

Got the 2 pins to replace the bolts on the top hook today, as well as the "hitch adapter", a U shaped thing that fits over where the top link attaches and has a single point out with a hole in it to insert the top pin of the implement.

Will put on the adapter and pins and post some picks.

 

[RalphVa]

Put the hitch adapter and pins for the top hook on. The top pin of the HF QH is not full Cat. 1. I had to use my step bit to drill it out. Took a few seconds. A regular bit would have bound up.

Swung the hitch adapter up out of the way. Will not clear the hook. Can use the hook of the adapter quite quickly now.

Ralph

 

[RalphVa]

Here are the pics of the HF QH with pins for the top hook from Kenny's boltonhooks web site and the hitch adapter from another place. The hitch adapter in various forms and prices from $20 to $46 is available several places.

One pictures shows the hitch adapter folded back out of the way of the top hook. In this picture, you can see the two pins holding the top hook. I used other securement than what Kenny sold me.

The other picture shows the hitch adapter folded towards the implement to use it instead of the top hook. With the pins in the top hook, it is easily removed.

Ralph

 

[JethroB]

Just curious, how much was invested in adapters, bushings etc. beyond the initial $110 quick hitch?

 

[arrow]

I was almost decided to get the QH from HF. But I am leaning towards the C1 QH from Tractor Supply. Don't mind paying a little more if the quality is a step up. I believe it is made by the same company that makes the SpeeCo but sold under another brand. They look identical. The good thing is Tractor Supply will deliver to my local store for free compared to Agri Supply shipping it to me for $50. Saves me from having to drive 100+ miles to pick one up.

The SpeeCo appears to be way less money than the TS unit. I have the SpeeCo and paid a bit over $200.

 

[tibadoe]

The SpeeCo appears to be way less money than the TS unit. I have the SpeeCo and paid a bit over $200.

TS must be out of stock of the Cat 1 QH that I posted earlier. Now it's linking an displaying a Cat2. I will keep an eye on it.

 

[WranglerX]

Just curious, how much was invested in adapters, bushings etc. beyond the initial $110 quick hitch?

For me "zero" .... But I adapt(ed) each implement to fit to quick hitch with out having to change setup of QH... Having to assemble and remove various fixtures on QH for different implements sort of defeats the purpose....

Dale

 

[KennyG]

I've posted this before, but I will add it here. The pins make moving the hook quicker, but don't solve the problem of interference with implements that have a relatively narrow top hook connection opening (like my Frontier box blade.) My short pins took care of that issue.

 

[arrow]

TS must be out of stock of the Cat 1 QH that I posted earlier. Now it's linking an displaying a Cat2. I will keep an eye on it.

Now at $180.

 

[RalphVa]

Just curious, how much was invested in adapters, bushings etc. beyond the initial $110 quick hitch?

The pins for the hook were $12 but about an equal amount for shipping. The adapter was $46. There are some around for $20-26. I liked this one. I spent a little more than the $150 I got for my old Mac.

Ralph

 

[tibadoe]

Now at $180.

Good deal - got to get one ordered before it disappears again.

 

[RalphVa]

Has anyone switched to the Cat 2 pins for your Cat 1 HF QH to better fit those lower hooks? You'd still get maybe some slight side to side motion, but these pins would cut out most of the to/from or up/down movement. These are a bunch cheaper and easier to remove than those with the expandable pins.

Ralph

 

[RBA50]

Plain bushings are probably less expensive. You really need to go all the way to cat 3 to cut out the slop, that's the way the QH is designed. Probably run about $5 per set and you need Cat1 to Cat2 and Cat2 to Cat3. I personally use the one piece adapters from Northern Tool, or similar ones I found elsewhere. If you shop around you can get a pair for about$12-$15. Still need bushings for the top hook though. There will always be a little side slop, but that doesn't hurt anything.

 

[workinonit]

Has anyone switched to the Cat 2 pins for your Cat 1 HF QH to better fit those lower hooks? You'd still get maybe some slight side to side motion, but these pins would cut out most of the to/from or up/down movement. These are a bunch cheaper and easier to remove than those with the expandable pins.

Ralph

You then will need to use CAT II to CAT III bushings.

 

[PILOON]

For cheap bushings simply order some DOM tubing of proper inside/outside dimensions and cut to length.
DOM is 'drawn over mandrel' and very accurately sized.
Also generally nice cold rolled so very resistant to wear.

Down side is shipping costs might kill the deal so try a local metal supplier.

 

[LittleBill21]

guys u might want to check out youtube links for a modification for the HF QH. appears it doesn't work with a lot of implements because of the bolt implementation for the top link....

 

[i7win7]

guys u might want to check out youtube links for a modification for the HF QH. appears it doesn't work with a lot of implements because of the bolt implementation for the top link....

??? are you referring to an extended top hook
TOP HOOK FOR CAT 1 QUICK HITCH | Quality Farm Supply

 

[KennyG]

guys u might want to check out youtube links for a modification for the HF QH. appears it doesn't work with a lot of implements because of the bolt implementation for the top link....

Look at Post #29 for the solution to the top hook bolt interference

 

[RalphVa]

Has anyone switched to the Cat 2 pins for your Cat 1 HF QH to better fit those lower hooks? You'd still get maybe some slight side to side motion, but these pins would cut out most of the to/from or up/down movement. These are a bunch cheaper and easier to remove than those with the expandable pins.

Ralph

These aren't any longer, just bigger O.D., than Cat. 1 pin. The QH comes out to almost the holes in the pins. I just bought Cat 1-2 & Cat 2-3 bushings, which combined with the pins in the holes to keep them from coming off the Cat. 1 pin. Will provide pictures later. These fill up the space in the QH bottom hooks, but the bushings are too skinny to completely cover the Cat. 1 pin all the way to the holes. Think I only need on implements like back blade and bush hog that go up/down and to/fro a lot but am trying them on the chipper because I am using it now (if it ever dries up; did so for about 10 minutes this afternoon).

Ralph