iMatch???

[BKColeman]

Does anybody know much about this new iMatch Quick Hitch system coming out on the 4000 ten series?

Is it something that is connected to the tractor only? There isn't another piece you have to buy for each implement?

You only get the benefit if the implement is iMatch compatible? But you can still use any Cat 1 implement, right?

Is it compatible with the telescoping draft links or are they even necessary anymore? Is it compatible/useful with TNT?

My local dealer seems clueless on all things related to the new series. I've learned some from midlawns.com, but still wasn't too sure about the iMatch stuff.

Thanks,
-Brad

 

[blurrybill]

I called a dealer nearby with some of the same questions. He claimed that the system can be used with non-JD implements, but he didn't offer much else. He sent one of the new, rather skimpy brochures on the new 4x10 series tractors which shows it in action, but the picture is quite small. Dealer said the company (5 central Iowa stores) has ordered 16 of the series and I'll get a chance to demo one sometime in late February-early March. I'm interested in the iMatch and will take some pictures and post them, if I get a chance to demo the system.

Bill

 

[Knight9]

Looks to me like iMatch is just like some of the other quick hitch kind of products already on the market. I would guess that it is intended to be "universal" but we all know how "universal" implements are made /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif. There does not appear to be an implement component though, just a tractor portion

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.midlawns.com/iMatch.htm>iMatch picture</A>

Kevin

 

[cowboydoc]

Yep I've seen it and that's exactly what it is. It's just like the quick attach that you go buy at the farmstore, just painted JD green. Only thing special about the system is all the JD implements are made to fit it.

 

[BKColeman]

Yeah, I had figured it was another way to try to "convince" you to buy JD implements, I just want to make sure it won't give me any problems if I don't want to buy green for everything, or if I want to add top-n-tilt.

I'd be willing to pay the $185 or so if it gave me some convenience at times, but not if it is going to cause aggravation at other times. Nothing worse than paying extra for an option that causes grief.

-Brad

 

[cowboydoc]

It won't cause anymore grief than any other quick attach system.

 

[BKColeman]

I've never used any quick attach system so I don't know how much grief they might cause/prevent.
But if I go w/ JD, I'll probably get the iMatch option.

Thanks.

 

[blurrybill]

Cowboydoc,

For the uninitiated, please explain what aggravation is possible with quick attach systems. Thanks.


Bill

 

[cowboydoc]

Well your quick attach system is only as good as the implements that you attach it to. It will only work on implements that the quick attach will fit. Otherwise you have to take off your quick attach and hook up the implement.

 

[blurrybill]

The way the salesman explained it to me, there doesn't have to be a special attachment piece on the individual implements; is that not the case? Remember, I'm really uninformed on all this stuff, but am trying to learn. Give me some more details, if you can. Thanks.

Bill

 

[Knight9]

<font color=blue>The way the salesman explained it to me, there doesn't have to be a special attachment piece on the individual implements; is that not the case? </font color=blue>

I believe that is the case. What Cowboydoc is referring to, is that the spacing between the pins and the setup of the connection to the toplink varies from implement to implement. There is a range that satisfies most Cat I 3ph. A "quick hitch" can only handle implements that fall within a certain smaller range of spacing etc. Obviously JD will ensure all their implements fit the iMatch system. That does not mean, however, that a LandPride or BushHog implement will fit "as is".

My $0.02

Kevin

 

[BKColeman]

Bill, I'm in the same boat as you. My reason for starting this thread was to make sure I understood right. It sounds like Richard is saying you can use it with any of the new JD implements that fit it as is, without adding anything to the implement. But if you want to use something else, say a Land Pride finish mower, you'd have to take it off.

That makes it sound less useful. I'd like something that gives me the benefit when I use JD's stuff, but didn't get in the way (or have to be removed) when I used another brand.

I bet that JD will start selling adapters so that it will work with non-JD implements, but then that makes it no different than the other quick attach devices, such as Freedom Hitch, except for the $$$ green paint.

Brad

 

[beenthere]

<font color=blue>That makes it sound less useful. I'd like something that gives me the benefit when I use JD's stuff, but didn't get in the way (or have to be removed) when I used another brand.
<font color=black> When I get mine, I plan to alter the non-JD compliant attachments to fit the iMatch. They just as well be standard. If I rent something that doesn't comply or fit, then I will just adapt at that time. In the meantime, I will plan to enjoy the benefits of the iMatch.
Maybe someday JD or some other mfg will invent the elusive magic wand that all we have to do is touch the attachment and *poof!*, it jumps right on there, no matter what the brand is, and no matter what configuration the mfg. decided it would be. But real life must go on without that magic for awhile, I think.

 

[cowboydoc]

Knight has it exactly right.

 

[blurrybill]

The salesman told me that Landpride will work, but I'm not convinced he knew for sure -- until the tractors and the hitches start arriving, it's all speculative. Sometimes I feel like a detective trying to figure all this out. Thanks for the input from you experienced guys...

Bill

 

[DDT]

When I was looking at quick hitches I found 2 brands landpride and tactor supply. Both the hitches had the same measurements. bottom pins width and bottom pin to center of top link. I would not suprize me if woods was makeing these for JD. enogh time has went by to have standard measurements on quick hitches. my LP hitch fits the 5' bush hog, 5' IH disc and all of my land pride equipment. as long as the bottom pins fit your finish mower you can use your QH on it, I do. the only thing that I remove the QH for is the post hole digger. Good luck