imatch knock-offs? (JD2305 & RC2048)

JCCinOhio · May 18, 2022

I have a JD 2305 and am looking at getting a RC2048 rotary cutter.. I looked at the manual for the cutter and it said the imatch is required to 'facilitate driveline length'..

I have no other rear implements... so hate to pay $400 for an imatch. Anyone have luck with any of the spin-offs?

Thanks!

KennyG · May 18, 2022

These are very simple devices and I think all the cheap quick hitches work OK. I've been using a Harbor Freight QH for over 10 years and it's great. The only issues I've seen are that the hook forging isn't as precise and, in extreme cases, may benefit from a little grinding and the bolts on the adjustable hook my interfere with some implements, requiring an extended hook or link. (This last issue could happen with an imatch also.)

WranglerX · May 18, 2022

Imatch is just JD's very expensive version of a generic quick hitch (QH).....

al3 · May 18, 2022

Almost 20 years with a Speedco. Painted JD Green and chain boxes added. Has held up just fine, no issues. An occasional shot of lube in the linkages and some black tape round the plastic grips.

TerryR · May 18, 2022

JCCinOhio said:
I have a JD 2305 and am looking at getting a RC2048 rotary cutter.. I looked at the manual for the cutter and it said the imatch is required to 'facilitate driveline length'..

I have no other rear implements... so hate to pay $400 for an imatch. Anyone have luck with any of the spin-offs?

If you have no other implements, and don't expect to change often, do you need a quick-hitch at all? I have a number of implements, but don't change them all that often and have never found the need for one.

You may have to shorten the driveline, but that's a common practice that's described in many online sources.

JCCinOhio · May 19, 2022

Yep.. after talking with the dealer driveline shortening seems the way to go. Picked up a lightly used 2018 RC2048 cutter yesterday at a little over $1k less than a new one..

EverythingAttachments · May 19, 2022

Speeco E Hitch has been wildly popular because it doesn't require bushings, whereas the iMatch and most others do.

In stock and ships free to your home. Details: https://www.everythingattachments.c...nt-quick-hitch-by-Speeco-p/speeco-qh-econ.htm
Travis

jonsstihl · May 19, 2022

like your chain boxes. do they get in the way of the PTO shaft. I find it is already tight enough getting in there to hook up a shaft without chain boxes but I could really use chain storage.

al3 · May 19, 2022

jonsstihl said:
like your chain boxes. do they get in the way of the PTO shaft. I find it is already tight enough getting in there to hook up a shaft without chain boxes but I could really use chain storage.

Yea, was thinking about that when I mounted the boxes, so each box is attached via a pair of threaded studs welded to the QC so they could be removed. I find the QH itself is what gets in the way; the two smaller chain boxes are pretty irrelevant.

I wind up laying on my back to connect the PTO shaft. Between the QH, the tractors metal PTO guard, and the rotary cutters plastic PTO housing/guard, sliding underneath is the quickest, most reliable way to ensure the shaft disconnect is indeed fully seated.

My rear PTO is only used a few times each season, so the on-the-back routines is merely annoying. But I do change between ballast box, box blade and straight blade frequently, so QH has been a friend. Often skid trees, so chains boxes have earned their place….