Harbor Freight tools that DO suck

[Kernopelli]

I have one I bought on Ebay for 99 cents. I purchased it from TADD Wholesale, it was a HF return, looked new, proved to be more than durable and works great. The bad side of the deal was exactly what CADplans and California stated, be prepared to make modifications to "standardize" your implements. In the end, I only modified my rake and box blade to the quick hitch and now I havent used in several years because it really didn't save much time and effort. The problem for me was I had to constantly put the hitch on and take it, depending on what implement I was going to use. If you are willing to modify all your impements the end result would be great, if not, I wouldn't bother getting one. If I had physical limitations that wouldn't allow me to hook up implements conventionally, it would be well worth it.

 

[Alan W.]

The 3 in 1 hex bit countersink tool. Should have checked reviews but it was cheap right. The cutting flutes are not sharpened. It wouldnt countersink wax.
I will be returning it.

 

[Threepoint]

So would this be a decent quick attach with some modification on the top hook?

The HF QH is well made, and uses virtually the same design and construction as all the Asian-made CAT 1 QHs, including some of the big-name branded ones. There are probably thousands in use by folks that swear by them. Don't know why this is in the HF "DO suck" thread, as CADplans' comments aren't brand specific. Except to the extent that HF is the least expensive way to find out if a QH is not for you in the first place. :laughing:

I have a HF QH on each of my three loader tractors, and wouldn't be without them. Saves a lot of tugging, pulling and prying when hitching up, even if you have telescoping lower lift arms as two of my tractors do. If I want to use a post hole digger or a rotary cutter, I just take off the QH. No big deal, in my case. The oldest HF QH is over 16 yrs old, and for the last five years I've kept it on my 45 hp Kioti NX. It has handled very heavy grading and snow removal with no problem at all, including with a 750 lb Woods box blade, and a 550 lb Woods rear blade.

Two mods I suggest for greater ease of hitching up (although not a necessity):

(1) Replace the top hook with an extended version for $16.95 from Quality Farm Supply: 873-HF141137- Quality Farm Supply Other vendors sell this, but as of now this one seems to be the cheapest, especially if you order something else at the same time to take advantage of the flat shipping rate.

(2) Cut off the heads of the two OEM HF QH bolts that attach the top hook, shortening the bolts so that the ends are flush with the sides of the top bracket. Then drill a small hole in each, just inside the inner wall of the bracket, and insert a small hairpin hitch clip to hold each bolt in place (sandwiched between the top hook and the inner wall of the bracket. See pics, which should display correctly when double-clicked:

 

[California]

... mods I suggest for greater ease of hitching up (although not a necessity):

(1) Replace the top hook with an extended version for $16.95 from Quality Farm Supply: 873-HF141137- Quality Farm Supply Other vendors sell this, but as of now this one seems to be the cheapest, especially if you order something else at the same time to take advantage of the flat shipping rate.

Thank you! I ordered one. The last time I looked for that replacement offset hook - a couple of years ago - every site was out of stock.

At the time I also saw photos of one (but not available) with even greater offset. While our standard Speeco-style replacement hook has its bolt holes centerline in the same line as the back edge of the hook, one that I saw had the entire holes offset beyond that back edge. I've never seen it since.

Here is one with the greater offset but it is specific for John Deere I-match so I don't know if the bolt spacing is the same as our generic qhitches.

 

[Threepoint]

Thank you! I ordered one. The last time I looked for that replacement offset hook - a couple of years ago - every site was out of stock.

At the time I also saw photos of one (but not available) with even greater offset. While our standard Speeco-style replacement hook has its bolt holes centerline in the same line as the back edge of the hook, one that I saw had the entire holes offset beyond that back edge. I've never seen it since.

Here is one with the greater offset but it is specific for John Deere I-match so I don't know if the bolt spacing is the same as our generic qhitches.

Happy to help!

Ken now also has one for the generic QHs for $40 plus shipping. Ken's Bolt on Grab Hooks <<Quick Hitch Accessories>> He posted on TBN recently about it, and the fact that it is made in the U.S. From the artwork, it appears to extend the same distance as the QFS hook, but I don't know.

 

[California]

Ken now also has one for the generic QHs for $40 plus shipping. Ken's Bolt on Grab Hooks <<Quick Hitch Accessories>> He posted on TBN recently about it, and the fact that it is made in the U.S. From the artwork, it appears to extend the same distance as the QFS hook, but I don't know.

Again, thanks. I see his I-Match and generic hooks each add 5/8" offset. Also the I-Match description notes they aren't interchangeable.

 

[Tomtint]

Hankook, like Kumho, is Korean, not Chinese. They are OEM on some cars and trucks. Might not be a bad choice.

My Mer eds Sprinter vans came with them OEM.. I got 45k out of the first set and changed to Michelins. They probably had another 10-15k left on them but winter was coming and I wanted better snow traction.

 

[Gary Fowler]

YMMV. Alkaline they're not. But the AAAs work fine for me in the free flashlights. The double AAs are ok for other small battery devices. I've not tried the C or D cell versions; no coupons for them, that I know of.

I tried them once in a camera, even new they wouldn't power the camera. As said, they may work for a few minutes in a flashlight if they dont leak corrosive chemicals inside your light. I sure wouldn't put them in anything of value.

 

[California]

I tried them once in a camera, even new they wouldn't power the camera. As said, they may work for a few minutes in a flashlight if they dont leak corrosive chemicals inside your light. I sure wouldn't put them in anything of value.

Free AAA's in the free flashlights, that's the perfect application! And I use them in a cordless mouse. Free and they are good for a few weeks. Not long enough to leak.

 

[California]

... Replace the top hook with an extended version for $16.95 from Quality Farm Supply: 873-HF141137- Quality Farm Supply Other vendors sell this, but as of now this one seems to be the cheapest, especially if you order something else at the same time to take advantage of the flat shipping rate.

I ordered one on the weekend and it arrived cross-country today Friday. Excellent service from QFH! And this is a Speeco hook.

I'll get out to the ranch in a few days and compare its dimensions to the HF hook. For now - its holes are slightly more than 5/8" from the centerline of the hook spine.