Quick Hitches Need a quality quick hitch

[Ricn]

You have my interest, maybe should try one myself; PTO hookup is never easy these days and I too have back issues making bi-weekly changes a real pain.

Edit: so after talking to my Kubota dealer, who is against using the extenders saying, if it breaks there can be serious damage to the tractors PTO shaft or “other things”, I now wonder about their uses. I sort of expected that opinion as dealers have some liability but now don’t know what to think about using one; sure sounds easy and cost effective for an issue I’d like to solve if it can be done safely enough. I suppose a new shaft cut to length is the best plan still? Having no experience with an extender I welcome all pros and cons concerning this subject.
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Ricn

 

[LouNY]

I have QH's the one on my 574 stays on most of the time. I had one on the Branson 8050 just from habit,
The Branson has the Eruo type hook style and I have gone to using it, with the hook style the ball is mounted
to the implement and you just back under with the hooks and lift to catch. The nicest point is that there is
no quick hitch frame work taking up space that I have to try and squeeze thru and under to connect the pto
it is much easier for me to reach without that in the way.
The Pat's style quick hitch would be very similar and function the same.

 

[WranglerX]

For those still mulling over quick hitch, here is supposedly industry standard... Some manufacturers have not found it yet... If you buy QH and it does not fit you implement, modify implement, it will always fit your rig then.... Do it once, cry once, life gets better after that....



Dale

 

[Overtaxed]

Pat's quick hitch doesn't have the size problem, you can move it to size to your implement rather than modify the implement to fit. But it does, IMHO, have another problem, the angle of the hooks changes when you make the 3pt wider or more narrow, which can make hookup difficult/impossible. IMHO, it's still the right option for me, but, like all of the options, nothing is perfect.

 

[Ricn]

I checked our local Harbor Freight and Tractor Supply today, neither stock the quick hitches so many talk about; evidently they are Net only purchases out west, much like all else these days. Maybe should give the Pats another try, my first ones came with broken springs and after seeing what is required to install new ones I sent them back unused; IMO the springs are a weak link in their system but nothing is ever perfect like Overtaxed says. Great handle there Overtaxed, about like it is here as nobody wants to stock anything unless it sells in 30 days for fear of inventory taxes...

Ricn

 

[goeduck]

I have one set of Pats. Never again. Some like them and that is great. I do not. Just my :2cents:

 

[lennyzx11]

I have one set of Pats. Never again. Some like them and that is great. I do not. Just my :2cents:

I have a set also and didn't care for them. Laying on the shelf after the first month of installation.

I like my HF QH. And have did a couple of mods to make it friendlier like adding receiver mounts.

As the 2501 mentioned is near identical to my 3301, here's a couple of things I've learned.

1. I step my left leg over the left lower link arm and reach down with my left hand to align and connect the PTO end. Meanwhile, my right hand is holding the outboard end of the shaft/guard up on the rear side of the QH. (I like the bungee cord idea. Going to try it). Once that end Is done, I can slide the rear back to connect on the mower(s). If it's stiff or jammed, I'll move to the back and pull directly back on the shaft, cuss myself for not lubing it last time this happened, and pull it backwards into place.

2. Be careful with the QH with the bottom of its horizontal bar and the top of the PTO shaft. If you dump the 3 point all the way down, the QH will get down low enough to touch the shaft guard and shaft. Changing terrain elevations can put the shaft into the hitch.

 

[Maxify55]

I've had several over the years.
I guess Pat's is the one that lasted the longest but even they have their issues.

Bottom line is, I guess, that there needs to be less stuff in my way to get the PTO shaft linked....NOT MORE.

My :2cents: worth

 

[TheMan419]

I checked our local Harbor Freight and Tractor Supply today, neither stock the quick hitches so many talk about; evidently they are Net only purchases out west, much like all else these days. Maybe should give the Pats another try, my first ones came with broken springs and after seeing what is required to install new ones I sent them back unused; IMO the springs are a weak link in their system but nothing is ever perfect like Overtaxed says. Great handle there Overtaxed, about like it is here as nobody wants to stock anything unless it sells in 30 days for fear of inventory taxes...

Ricn

HF and TSC will take it as a return to the local store even if you buy on line.

TSC only sells a Pat's clone or a Cat 2 QH that looks like the HF one. I originally bought the pat's clone. It does not come with the spreader bar. The HF design makes more sense to me. If you got the HF route there is an adapter for the top link. It gets rid of the hook. Buy it. I had to go out and find it at the local Rural King. They also had a QH in stock but it was a couple hundred while the HF version was $99 plus 20% off with coupon.

 

[RoyJackson]

2. Be careful with the QH with the bottom of its horizontal bar and the top of the PTO shaft. If you dump the 3 point all the way down, the QH will get down low enough to touch the shaft guard and shaft. Changing terrain elevations can put the shaft into the hitch.

That's a good point! I've never had a problem with the PTO driveshaft hitting the QH frame when operating, but I have when raising the 3PH to full height (PTO was off, but any interference with the drive shaft is not a desirable condition)