Harbor Freight tools that DO suck

Status
Not open for further replies.
/ Harbor Freight tools that DO suck #141  
PVC melts and grabs. They may have been OK on steel. Mine never broke, just wore out fast.

Bruce
 
/ Harbor Freight tools that DO suck #143  
I just go to estate and farm auctions and buy quality name brand tools at "Hazard Fraud" prices.

I swear that "Chinese tool smell" is a carcinogen.

There's a Youtuber by the name Project Farm that does a bunch of head to head testing of tools and always includes HFs options. The results are predictably laughable.
 
/ Harbor Freight tools that DO suck #144  
Every one of the last batch of belt sander belts has separated at the seam. Every single one.

I need more, but don't know what to buy now.
 
/ Harbor Freight tools that DO suck #145  
/ Harbor Freight tools that DO suck #146  
Every one of the last batch of belt sander belts has separated at the seam. Every single one.

I need more, but don't know what to buy now.

Hmm. How old were they? What tool were they for? I once had even some good quality 4" x 21" belts separate as soon as I put them on, after several years just sitting in a storage cabinet.

I've been happy with sanding belts and cylinders from Grizzly Industrial for my 6" x 80" oscillating edge sander, 6" x 48" combination sander, and my large oscillating spindle sander. They hold up very well.
 
/ Harbor Freight tools that DO suck #147  
The HF quick hitch was fully capable of showing me that I have no use for such a contraption,,,

QHTractor_zpsdamjw07x.jpg


I am glad I only spent $70 to learn, rather than the $300 or $400 that JD charges for the I-Match hitch,, that would be equally useless.

I am enjoying the Pat's Hitch System,,

So would this be a decent quick attach with some modification on the top hook?
 
/ Harbor Freight tools that DO suck #148  
So would this be a decent quick attach with some modification on the top hook?

All of your implements must be quick hitch ready,, and I mean ALL,,

If one is not, you will need to remove the QH to use that attachment,,
If an attachment is "close" to QH compatible,, you will fight to get it on the QH,,
the big hook? I have that,, too,, it helps some.

mods to a RFM i a major undertaking,, the mower is the worst attachment to QH convert,,

THEN,, there is a post hole digger,, and boom pole,, neither can be QH adapted,:confused2:
 
/ Harbor Freight tools that DO suck #149  
So would this be a decent quick attach with some modification on the top hook?
Yes. Simplest is replace the hook's bolts with slide-in pins that have K-clips to prevent falling out. This lets you adjust height of the hook as needed. (photo. This also shows the drawbar modified so it won't roll out of level).

Rear ballast for loader. Hitch 65 lbs, + 70x2. Easy to mount. I have another two of those rings but haven't needed them. The photo also shows a toolbox I mounted on the q-hitch.

And a spike harrow lifter I built. It pins on in place of the hook.


For some of us it is worthwhile to modify implements to fit those 'standard' (ha) implement dimensions. I used washers to widen the pins of a small disk to get to 'standard' width. For my rotary mower I throw a loop of chain around the mast on the front of the mower and the top of the qhitch, this gives an ability to flex over uneven ground while still being able to lift the mower. I built a rear forks assembly I can back into and lift, this is the implement that is on/off the tractor most often. And some implements can be modified with a piece of 3/4" pipe over the cross-bolt at the top of their front mast.

It's a beginning toward standardization. There will still be some implements that you need to just hitch directly. Hopefully only things that are used rarely.
 
/ Harbor Freight tools that DO suck #150  
I considered one briefly until I found out it changes the distance by several inches and I had already cut my PTO shaft down. If I had tried it first, I may not have had to cut the shaft. Can't say for sure either way.
 
/ Harbor Freight tools that DO suck #151  
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.
 
/ Harbor Freight tools that DO suck #152  
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.
 
/ Harbor Freight tools that DO suck #153  
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:

Quick Hitch hook mod.jpg

Quick hitch mod.jpg
 
/ Harbor Freight tools that DO suck #154  
... 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.
 
/ Harbor Freight tools that DO suck #155  
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.
 
/ Harbor Freight tools that DO suck #156  
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.
 
/ Harbor Freight tools that DO suck #157  
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.
 
/ Harbor Freight tools that DO suck #158  
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.
 
/ Harbor Freight tools that DO suck #159  
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.
 
/ Harbor Freight tools that DO suck #160  
... 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.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Marketplace Items

2023 Deere 325G (A60462)
2023 Deere 325G...
2006 FRAC TANK 500BBL WHEELED (A60736)
2006 FRAC TANK...
2020 MACK GRANITE (A58214)
2020 MACK GRANITE...
2013 ORTEQ ENERGY GN182 GOOSENECK HOSE TRAILER (A58216)
2013 ORTEQ ENERGY...
2011 Jacobsen T-700 Commercial Reel Mower (A61567)
2011 Jacobsen...
PENDING SELLER CONFIRMATIONS (A59908)
PENDING SELLER...
 
Top