New version of Pat's Easy Change

[DK_Farms]

Re: New version of Pat\'s Easy Change

I went the same route that Bob did. I didn't think I needed a quick hitch till I got one. Even though I have to switch between the top hook to the top universal yoke between implements for now, it's a blessing not having to mess with what was the most troublesome part for me, the bottom pins. The top hook is a problem, however, in that the mounting ears for the adjustable hook hit the implement before the hook can get fully underneath the top pin. But as someone suggested in another thread, I picked up some scrap 1-1/4 inch plate and I am having a top hook made that extends out 1/2 inch further. That should make all my tools compatible with the hook, except the Befco mower. My neighbor has a set of the Easy Changes and he loves them. He made a 2x4 spreader bar to help with hook-ups. So far, I'm glad I took the plunge.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Re: New version of Pat\'s Easy Change

As for the $20.00 spreader bar that I bought for Pat's Easy Change. I think it was a waste of money because the spreader bar is in the way of the implement's PTO shaft. As you back into an implement with a PTO shaft, the spreader bar is positioned OVER the PTO shaft and you have to remove it to connect the PTO. OR, you can run a chain around the PTO shaft to suspend it while you back up to the implement, but that assumes you have somewhere on the implement frame to suspend the shaft without scratching up the whole works with the chain.

Now as for the Easy Change system itself. It is not perfect, but even with the fact that I wasted $20 on the spreader bar, I am THRILLED WITH IT. I hooked up implements in SECONDS, without any skin loss from my knuckles, and without any of the neighbors hearing swearing coming across the fields and valleys. So my neighbors like it too! And now my 8 year old daughter will have to come up with another excuse for how she learned "those words," so I guess that the kids at the elementary school will have to find a new source of learning, so they probably won't endorse the Pat's Easy Change.

I would buy the system again in a heartbeat.

Are there better systems?

Probably, but each one is a compramise and you have to decide what compramise you can live with and what you can't.

In my case, the Pat's Easy Change system is my BEST option. I would have preferred a system that had a male & a female part with one part mounted on each implement and the other mounted on the tractor, but since I share implements with a neighbor, that option is not available. I THINK I would have preferred a Quick Hitch, but not all my implements are compatible, and the one I use most often is the main culprit so that option is not available. . . another drawback to the Quick Hitches are the added weight, but that is not an issue for everyone.

The Pat's system works. It fits everything I own and everything else I use that I borrow. I know of no other system that will do all of that. So I can honestly say that I fully endorse the system and can recommend it to anyone who is looking for a quick hitch solution.

 

[Henro]

Re: New version of Pat\'s Easy Change

The reason I am interested in Pat's system is because on my BX2200 Kubota the 3ph arms are pretty short, and don't spread as wide as I would like.

Pat's system would add over 3 inches to the arm lenght, and since the ends would then slip over the pins on the implements they would not have to spread as wide as they would otherwise.

I would be grateful for any comments on why I want to use this system and if anyone can shoot some holes in my logic and save me almost $200 that would be fine too!

The added lower link lenght should let me lift implements a bit higher...

All thoughts greatly appreciated. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Inspector507]

Re: New version of Pat\'s Easy Change

Henro,
Keep in mind if you lengthen the arms to try to gain width, you may not get good solid contact with the pins, but at an angle.
If you add length but keep the same width, you may get good contact then.

Jerry

 

[Inspector507]

Re: New version of Pat\'s Easy Change

Bob,
Maybe keep the PTO shaft UNconnected at both ends until the implement is hooked up??
I'm still looking at Pat's system, just had my 3rd heart attack and my inside connection on the new Midwest Quick Hitch hasn't come through /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. I just can't be pushing and pulling on implements anymore.

Jerry

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Re: New version of Pat\'s Easy Change

Henro, Pat's system allows for some adjustment of the angle of the hooks, so you will be able to add some length and still square up the hooks to the pins.

I set my hooks to connect up as square as possible the Befco mower, which is also my widest implement and the implement I use the most.

 

[david43a]

Re: New version of Pat\'s Easy Change

Heron I own a bx22 I set the pins on the attachments to the inside so I don't have to spread the lower arms as wide. I know you own a bx2200 and a b2900 and you probably share impliments ? So maby it wont work for you. Also the bx2200 will lift 600 lbs 24" behind the link pins won't the lift capacity be deminished by lengthing the lower lift arms ? Just my opnion David.

 

[Henro]

Re: New version of Pat\'s Easy Change

<font color="blue"> Also the bx2200 will lift 600 lbs 24" behind the link pins won't the lift capacity be deminished by lengthing the lower lift arms ? </font>

I am sure that is true, but I don't think adding a few inches would matter too much to me, as I don't really want to lift real heavy things anyway...Just want to use a back blade, landscape rake [and be able to swing it around without hitting the ground] and if possible my Rhino post hole digger with its standard length augers.

Guess what I really need to figure out is how much height I would gain with the extension of about 3.5 inches, and also by drilling new holes a bit further out on the lower link arms, as others have reported doing.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Re: New version of Pat\'s Easy Change

Henro, adding about 4" to the lower arms may help you with the PHD issue because if you keep the top link a little shorter and add length to the bottom links you change the angle at which you connect to the PHD and that alone will cause the PHD to be held vertically higher off the ground. Now the fact that the lower links are slightly longer will also help raise the bottom pins higher off the ground, but probably not much more than 1" depending on the angle that your lower arms lift to.

 

[milkman]

Re: New version of Pat\'s Easy Change

Henro,
I noticed you installed your quick hitch the same way I did. I didn't get the spreader bar, If you take the pins that attach the quick hitch to the lift arm and insert them through the other way, so the hole in the end of the pin is on the inside of the arm, the spreader bar fits into these holes, at least that's the way Pat showed them to me. I've used the quick hitch on several impliments and I don't see a drawback at all, of course I'm not pulling a plow with a 100 hp machine, but they don't use Cat 1 impliments either.