Implement Hook-up 101

[Soundguy]

The more ya do it.. the easier it gets. That and keep an 8' 2x4 laying around your implements to help nudge them in till you can eye them up perfectly.

Park your implements on flat level ground.. and preferable on something.. like a pallet.. or timber cribbing..

soundguy

 

[Slamfire]

It helps a lot if you can pivot the implement when hookin' up the lift arms. Wheeled dollies are one way to go. I park my rotary mower so the stump jumper is set on a spare wheel for my cart. I do love my Harbor Freight Quick Hitch though, it took some mods to the hitch and the implements, but now I can swap implements without any strainin' and only a little hammerin'.

 

[Podunkadunk]

'preciate it fellas. I read each and every post. I'm just glad to know that it's not me being an idiot, but rather everyone has the same problem...(unless there's a quick hitch).

I was reluctant to post this topic for fear of being called a rookie. Wait, I am a rookie. Nevermind.

-Podunk

 

[kentrodngun]

'preciate it fellas. I read each and every post. I'm just glad to know that it's not me being an idiot, but rather everyone has the same problem...(unless there's a quick hitch).

Hate to rain on your parade but the quick hitch, while it helps quite a bit, still needs some sweat & cussin to get the implements on the machine. There's lots of comments (good & bad) posted in the Attachments forum. My two cents? I'm glad I bought it but it's still challenging to hook stuff up.

 

[hsvhobbit]

Some days the tractor gods smile on me and my first backup to the implement leaves me in a perfect position to hitch everything up. That day was delightful. If it ever happens again I'll appreciate it more because of all the OTHER days the gods were laughing at me and my efforts.

I keep a rubber mallot handy and usually extend the lower arms as much as possible. Then I back up to where the hitch's are beyond the pins and move the arms back to them. If the tractor's just a little off angle I'll usually hook up the one pin I can and either back or pull forward just enough to drag the implement the few inches it needs.

 

[em14]

Podunkadunk,
You have gotten a lot of good advice ... I have tried all over the years and practice of the placement of the tractor's the control arms with the ball hitch relative to the implement’s pins is the most important in my opinion. The use of a sledge/engineer’s hammer is an absolute great help in getting the ball connectors on the implement pins and is many times the only way! Knock the H--- out of them! The upper connection is just a matter of adjusting the length and then after connecting ... re-adjusting the length to correct the "attitude" ... I also have a larger JD that has adjustable lower control arm lengths and control arm “controls” on each back side of the rear fenders. This makes hook-ups a snap compared to the misery of the pass hook-ups of large implements.
Leo

 

[flINTLOCK]

Except perhaps for $$, seems quick hitch like Pat's is favored by most. If $$ were no object, why would you not want quick hitch system??

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Except perhaps for $$, seems quick hitch like Pat's is favored by most. If $$ were no object, why would you not want quick hitch system??

They don't work with EVERY piece of equipment. Also to be considered is the fact that quick hitches move the implement back anywhere from a couple inches to as much as 5" back farther away from the tractor. Not a big deal on some implements, however, they can change the dynamics of how your draft control senses the tool hooked to the tractor, the balance of the tractor with a heavy implement on the hitch, as well as the length of the pto shaft on some shaft driven equipment. There is no perfect solution.

 

[kentrodngun]

They don't work with EVERY piece of equipment. Also to be considered is the fact that quick hitches move the implement back anywhere from a couple inches to as much as 5" back farther away from the tractor. Not a big deal on some implements, however, they can change the dynamics of how your draft control senses the tool hooked to the tractor, the balance of the tractor with a heavy implement on the hitch, as well as the length of the pto shaft on some shaft driven equipment. There is no perfect solution.

You forgot to add sometimes the extra length makes your top link too short to hook-up. Been there, cussed at that, and then got out a long 2x4 to pry it into position.

 

[schmism]

while i skimmed most of the repsonses i dont think anyone mentioned it....

most newer tractors come with (or offer as an upgrade) a "delux" 3 point... which includes adjustable end links on the bottom arms.

Ive got them and its a sinch to hook stuff up... maybe not AS quick as some sort of cam lock style but i cant imagine haveing to do it old school.....

 

[vmarc]

Except perhaps for $$, seems quick hitch like Pat's is favored by most. If $$ were no object, why would you not want quick hitch system??

Will they work with a "deluxe adjustable" end link?

 

[flINTLOCK]

If you wanted to keep the physics of lift the same for weight capacity you would have to shorten the lift arms?? Is this advisable solution??

 

[StevenPaul]

Easiest way to hook up all implements....

laugh! and keep laughing...laugh at yourself, laugh at the implement, laugh at your wife who's lookin out the window laughing at you, laugh at your dog who's also laughing at you, laugh at the horses who are laughing while eating, laugh at your kids who think your an idiot and who think they can do it better, laugh at your tractor because you were told it would make life easier (they forgot to mention hooking up implements when they sold it to you, so they're laughing too), laugh at the pain you recieve from hooking up implements, laugh at all the other "stories" you'll from shared implement hook up nightmares, laugh at the project/task/chore that you thought would take less time with an implement but now it's been over an hour trying to get the implement hooked up, just keep laughing! cuz ya love it! and wouldn't have it any other way!

As frustrating as they are to hook up, I still love it! It's the beauty of once you get it on..... you can really get it on doing the task at hand! Don't know about the rest of you but when riding the country roads and I see someone with a tractor and implement, I feel like a bench warmer/coach/cheerleader or whatever on the sideline rootin for our team! And when I'm on the tractor and I see a car go by, I feel like the winning quarterback in the Super Bowl game!

But to answer your question, you have to be smarter than the implement. It's like a chess game, there's only certain moves certain pieces can make. Learn your opponents moves and you will have mastered the art of implement wrestling! My record is about 5 wins and 50-60 losses, but I'm gaining on them!

Good luck and be prepared to face your opponent!
Steve

 

[StevenPaul]

oh yeah, quick story, got so mad one time trying to put an implement on I started laughing, laughed so hard, I farted, farted so hard, had to stop and go inside and rethink the whole situation.

 

[kentrodngun]

oh yeah, quick story, got so mad one time trying to put an implement on I started laughing, laughed so hard, I farted, farted so hard, had to stop and go inside and rethink the whole situation.

More than we needed to know (but I laughed anyway )

 

[dsgsr]

Practice, Practice, Practice, It's the only answer. As has been stated those quick-hitches don't fit all implements/attachments, Plus just because you have one doesn't mean you don't have too get off the tractor. You still may have too hook up the PTO (Power Take Off) shaft. They are only good for implements that don't have the PTO and are the right dimensions for the quick-hitch. If you have the extendable links, you have the most modern way to hook up implements over the Old days of wrestling heavy Iron and if you have a Hydro (Hydrostatic Drive) tractor, than thats even better


David

 

[bx23barry]

Never thought it was a big deal. Just something that comes with the tractor.

 

[flINTLOCK]

I'm still left with my last question. If the lift arms are longer and limit the capacity of the 3-pt system, wouldn't you shorten the arms??

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Lots of good advice, here's my trick.

1) Back up straight as possible with lower arms just over the pins
2) Stab FEL bucket edge into dirt lifting weight off front wheels.
3) Set engine to idle and use joystick/FEL/bucket to inch tractor back and forth as needed.
4) Get one arm on and pinned and use joystick to locate other arm even with pin.
5) Put top link on last after hooking up PTO. Turn off tractor when hooking up PTO if you don't trust your tractor.
5) Laugh and curse as necesary.

The hardest implements to hook up are those that are heavy and not symetrically balanced. Such as a big sickle bar, disk mower etc...

 

[JerryG]

Most tractors have one lift arm that is not adjustable. Put that one on first.

Then put the adjustable arm on. Use the adjustable link to match the height of that arm to implement.

Last, attach the third arm.

The PTO shaft can be connected before or after the third arm.

To remove the implement, do just the opposite of above.