iMatch, Pat's Easy Change or something else?

[2nstonge]

iMatch, Pat\'s Easy Change or something else?

Hello all,

I have a 4110 and am putting together my shopping list of 3pt attachments. I own none today and everything will probably have to be new (not many - make that any - used attachments in my area). Box blade and tiller are first, probably a rake after that. No bush hogs or rear mowers that I can foresee. I'm not sure if this is a factor but I'm leaning toward green attachments, the dealer is only 3 miles from home and takes good care of me, but, a new TSC is right down the road and another local equipment guy is now carrying other brands - so, I might be hooking-up multiple manufacturers at some point.

My question is, should I go with the JD iMatch, Pat's Easy Change, or something from the local TSC for a hitch system? I've read alot of previous posts but thought I would ask for insight from JD specific folks; especially anyone with 4110 experience.

Thanks in advance for any input.

-Norm

 

[Cliff_Johns]

Re: iMatch, Pat\'s Easy Change or something else?

I have a 4110 with an I-Match. It's very solid and well constructed. Seriously heavy duty. I've found it easy to use, but I haven't tried Pat's so I can't compare. I believe that the I-Match is much easier to use, but that Pat's may be more flexable in some situations -- although I don't know exactly what those wituations would be.

I'd say go to the Deere dealer and check out the I-Match, lift it, play with it, look it over carefully, before you get something "comparabe" at TSC. You may find the Deere one is worth a few more dollars (or you may not, but at least you'll know).

Cliff

 

[kennyd]

Re: iMatch, Pat\'s Easy Change or something else?

I have the I-Match and would not be without it.
Since you are starting from scratch, it will be easy buying your new implements to fit the I-Match.

 

[jim_wilson]

Re: iMatch, Pat\'s Easy Change or something else?

I put a Speeco Quick Hitch on my BX23 last year and it is great. The Speeco works the same way the iMatch does. If you are looking at implements make sure they are ASAE quick hitch compatible. If you get Frontier they should all be compatible with the iMatch (or a Speeco). I have a Woods box blade and that fit right onto the Speeco with no problems. I also have a Kioti rear blade (made by Midwest) and that would have fit without any problems except for mods I had to do to it to get more lift - the BX has limited lift capacity on the 3pt. I would recommend the iMatch or Speeco over Pat's quick change because if you line up your implements properly you won't even have to get off the tractor. With Pats you will still have to get off and attach the upper link.

 

[txhawg]

Re: iMatch, Pat\'s Easy Change or something else?

If you don't mind me asking, how does the speeco compare to the Imatch pricewise?

 

[KennedyDiesel]

Re: iMatch, Pat\'s Easy Change or something else?

Watch your bushing lengths. The OE Deere bushings are plenty long enough for the Imatch, BUT the width between the ears on the Frontier rear blade is about 2-3/16" and the bushing can just about walk out if the i match.

I'm having some longer bushings built for mine.

 

[2nstonge]

Re: iMatch, Pat\'s Easy Change or something else?

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I'm pretty much sold on the iMatch. Reading thru the Pat's posts again it sounds like it has more flexibility if you have older, non-ASAE attachments. Even then alot of posts about fabricating and welding to get stuff connected. Since my stuff will be new(er) and most likely major brands I "shouldn't" have problems. And with no fabrication experience or a welder there better not be problems!

Thanks, -Norm

 

[Turkeyman]

Re: iMatch, Pat\'s Easy Change or something else?

Will the iMatch work with a Top and Tilt? The top should be fine but it seems like I will not be able to get 6-8" from the tilt. Pat's system works with my TnT.

 

[jim_wilson]

Re: iMatch, Pat\'s Easy Change or something else?

Not sure what the iMatch costs but I ended up getting the Speeco from Northern Tool and when I bought it (last summer) it was $199.00 if I remember correctly. I think it is up to $219.00 now. I have however seen some auctions on Ebay where somebody is selling a 3pt Quick Hitch and the pictures they have posted look just like the Speeco - and they are going to something like $120.00 - a price which sounds too good to be true if you ask me.

 

[JDFANATIC]

Re: iMatch, Pat\'s Easy Change or something else?

What are the differences between an ASAE 3PT attachment and a non-ASAE one? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[2nstonge]

Re: iMatch, Pat\'s Easy Change or something else?

JDFanatic,

I guess like any standard, it's only as good as the companies that adopt it for their product. Here's a quick article with dimensions for the ASAE quick hitch spec.

http://www.louisianalawnandgarden.org/Parish/quick_hitch_std.asp

From reading alot of other posts, it appears some foreign manufacturers haven't quite adopted the spec and older attachments made prior to the ASAE spec may not fit the quick hitch. ALOT of posts about welding and fabricating to get stuff to work. I have to minimize the pain and suffering so anything I buy will have to be to the ASAE spec.

-Norm

 

[JDFANATIC]

Re: iMatch, Pat\'s Easy Change or something else?

2nstonge,

Thanks. I've been considering an iMatch, but was wondering what I would have to do to my York rake. I'll be doing some measuring this weekend. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[megotatractor]

Re: iMatch, Pat\'s Easy Change or something else?

kennydiesel; had the same bushing trouble with my frontier blade and Imatch. I'm trying some washers.

 

[mwhiz01]

Re: iMatch, Pat\'s Easy Change or something else?

I have a New Holland now with various implements. Is the Imatch something that can be retro fitted to a New Holland? The biggest differences between the Pat's Easy Change and Imatch seems to be 1) the 2 point connection with Pat's versus the full 3 point connection with Imatch 2) the flexibility of being able to adjust or move the connection with Pat's to fit variable sized implements versus IMatch is pretty much it fits or it doesn't. I like the JD 3 point connection but I like the flexibility of Pat's given that I have implements from various manufactuers already. Is that about it? Any other opinions?

Thanks

Mitch

 

[2nstonge]

Re: iMatch, Pat\'s Easy Change or something else?

I think you've got it covered. The iMatch is manufactured to the ASAE quick hitch spec, TSC's version, Speeco's and others 'should' be as well. So, you might have other options rather than just going with JD's. As I understand it, only newer US manufactured attachments are a safe - but not fool-proof - bet for quick hitch capability. Even so, you might want to measure attachments before you buy. I wouldn't be any too happy to cut, grind and weld a brand-new attachment to fit. Off-shore brands probably won't fit the standard quick hitch. All of this was told to me by a JD dealer in NY who carries both US and foreign gear, he suggested the Pat's (which he doesn't sell) if I had a mixed bag of attachments.

-Norm

 

[Cliff_Johns]

Re: iMatch, Pat\'s Easy Change or something else?

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I have a New Holland now with various implements. Is the Imatch something that can be retro fitted to a New Holland? )</font>

To answer this specific question, a Cat 1 Imatch will fit any TRACTOR with a cat 1 3pt hitch. It is any attachments which do not conform to the standard that must be modified. I think you already understood this, but I wanted to make sure.

Cliff