OK, What am I doing wrong?

[agood]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Sorry, I guess I should be more clear. If you can add another pivots point in the mowers floating connection and find a way to lock the end of it into the quick-hitch you'll be fine.

I don't know what the other pieces are that are included with the quick hitch, pls post up a pic!
Ken )</font>

Ken,
Look up a few posts and you will see that AndyMA has posted a picture of the adapter and you will see that he is going to get us a picture of the adapter being used in a similiar application to mine.

 

[AndyMA]

Just got back from the farm. In the next three pictures I will try and show how the adapter and Quick Hitch go together. Your Quick Hitch is slightly different than mine in that mine "thins down" near the back edge where the bolts mount the upper "U" shaped thingie that graps the upper pin on an implement with a fixed top pin. If your yoke adapter does not clear the bolts you may have to remove it (I don't have too) My Bush Hog top mounting looks almost exactly like yours and I have no problem.
In the third picture I have tried to modify your picture to show how it would work in your case. Let me know if I am clear.
Andy

 

[AndyMA]

Looking down on the adapter

 

[AndyMA]

My Bush Hog top link that I use the Quick Hitch with.

 

[AndyMA]

A modified version of your Quick Hitch with the problem showing how the adapter should fit in. When I relooked at this, I realize that you just need to mount your "U" adapter lower (see my pictures aboue) for the adapter to work.

Hope this solves the problem.

Andy

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Am I wrong here, but isn't a quick hitch supposed to be something that allows you drive up to the implement, stay in the seat, lift the hydraulics and then drive away (and if necessary connect the PTO on some implements)?

If so, then this adapter makes the quick hitch a NON-quick hitch because the top link still has to be connected to use it?

Am I missing something or do I not understand it?

 

[beenthere]

Once you have the right combination for a good connection at the top point of the quick hitch, you may find (as I did) that there is not enough flexibility in the rotary deck to raise without bending the braces that go from the top of the 'triangle' back down to the deck. I replaced these two braces with chain. It works great (attached), and is much improved over the steel straps that would bend easily if I backed up a slight bank to mow.

 

[AndyMA]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Am I wrong here, but isn't a quick hitch supposed to be something that allows you drive up to the implement, stay in the seat, lift the hydraulics and then drive away (and if necessary connect the PTO on some implements)?
If so, then this adapter makes the quick hitch a NON-quick hitch because the top link still has to be connected to use it?
Am I missing something or do I not understand it?
)</font>

No you're not missing anything, but I'll tell you I never have any trouble getting the top link connected. It's the bottom 2 that cause all the heartache. Also with the amount of movement that you get with both the adapter and the linkage on the implement getting the pin in the hole takes a couple of seconds. Hooking up the PTO still takes many many times longer and is much harder. I guess according to your defination there are no Quick Hitches when you have a PTO implement.

Just my thoughts

Andy

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Andy, I just was unclear on the top attachment. My post was probably unclear about the connection of the PTO shaft, obviously any PTO operated implement is going to be attached manually. It meant that using the adapater turned the Q.H. into a manual hitch again because of the top link.

So in actual use, how is a quick hitch with a manual connection of the top link any different than the Pat Easy Change system? Pat's system has lower links that are not connected to each other, but the lower hooks do the same thing the quick hitch lower hooks do, and the top link is still a manual process.

I guess maybe something like the Delta or Freeedom hitches would solve this problem becuase of the "male" and "female" adapters on the tractor and the implements resolve the mis-match?

 

[agood]

Thanks AndyMA for the pictures....I think I can make it work...my only concern is that my swivel link on the top of my mower is longer than the one on your bush hog.....so the adapter is closer to the quick hitch and the holes won't line up. BUT I can screw the top link in closer to the back of the tractor and probably make it work...but this will have the quick hitch at a slant towards the tractor.....will that be a problem you think?

 

[AndyMA]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">(
So in actual use, how is a quick hitch with a manual connection of the top link any different than the Pat Easy Change system? Pat's system has lower links that are not connected to each other, but the lower hooks do the same thing the quick hitch lower hooks do, and the top link is still a manual process.
I guess maybe something like the Delta or Freeedom hitches would solve this problem becuase of the "male" and "female" adapters on the tractor and the implements resolve the mis-match?
)</font>

Pat's system and the Speeco system are ver similar. Pats is better if you have implements that are not consistent in the spacing of the lower pins. Pat's requires you to adjust the top link fo reach implement. In the case of the Speeco (or equilavent) the "angular slop" (technical term /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif ) in the adapter bracket might allow easier top link hookup. The "Triangle Shaped" Quick Attaches in most cases make easy work of the top link. Their problem from what I can tell is mostly their cost. Also some of them interfer with the PTO shafts on some implements. My company is currently working on various types of Quick Attaches that hopefully will be more universal and lower cost. I'll keep you posted.

Andy

 

[AndyMA]

<font color="blue"> Thanks AndyMA for the pictures....I think I can make it work...my only concern is that my swivel link on the top of my mower is longer than the one on your bush hog.....so the adapter is closer to the quick hitch and the holes won't line up. BUT I can screw the top link in closer to the back of the tractor and probably make it work...but this will have the quick hitch at a slant towards the tractor.....will that be a problem you think? </font>

Nope, tilt away. Glad the pictures were helpful. BTW, If you want the Quick Hitch to be "straight" for other implements, cutting and redrilling of the yoke on your mower wouldn't make it unusable without the Quick Hitch, you'd just exten the top-link a little.

Andy

 

[beenthere]

For most attachments, the quick hitch is 'quick'. At least I find it that way, and most often don't have to get off to unhook or to hook the attachment. However, the design of most rotary cutters is such that the 'triangle' is loose at the top to accomodate the need for the rear of the deck to float over dips and rises. Thus the short 6" connector (which to me is not flexible enough to allow enough float) at the top of the hitch. For me, using the quick hitch is still quicker than hooking up the lower lifting points the old way, where each lower arm had to be positioned and locked with a pin. I don't have any trouble aligning the quick hitch to the attachments. I find that some attachments have to be modified, as they were designed and built without the quick hitch in mind (I assume).

So "quick" is relative, the way I see it. And I wouldn't be without mine, no way. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[PineRidge]

The bottom lift arms of the NH telescope out or in so that once you back up to an implement you don't have to jerk it around to line it up. The top link and the PTO shaft still hook up in the conventional way but it saves a lot of muscle by not having to jimmy the implement in place for alignment. I would think a set of these arms wold still be cheaper than the quick hitch mentioned, yes, no?

Just a thought

 

[agood]

I have to agree with Beenthere. My tractor has turnbuckles that I have to loosen on both sides before I can move the lower arms enough to remove/install them on the attachment. With the Quick Hitch....I will never have to touch these lower arms....that is a big time saver....I do not care about have to get off the tractor...I don't think I could reach the release arms on the quick hitch from the driver's seat anyway. I am looking forward to trying it this weekend.

AndyMA what company do you work for? Send me an email or PM if you want.
Thanks

 

[agood]

WORKS LIKE A CHAMP!!!

See the attachment, It works great! THanks AndyMA.

 

[GaryM]

Re: WORKS LIKE A CHAMP!!!

I notice that the back part of your PTO shield is missing. For your safety and those around you, please replace the shield or PTO shaft. Don't want to lose any TBNers. Or anyone else for that matter!

 

[Casimir]

Re: WORKS LIKE A CHAMP!!!

agood:

Your photo shows the hookup just as I tried to describe in my earlier post -- with one exception. I would suggest taking the upper hook off completely when using the wishbone adapter. You want the top linkage to be able to "float" when the rear of the cutter rides over high and low spots. As currently pictured, I think the hook would keep the linkage from moving down, which would give the same effect as a solid linkage, and perhaps bend something if the rear tractor wheels go through a dip or you try to back up an incline with the mower.

As I said earlier, even with using the wishbone adapter in place of the top hook, I find the Quick Hitch to be much faster and easier to use than a standard 3-pt. The "Pat's" system, with hooks that fasten to each lower lift arm separately, would work the same way, but the arms could move laterally, making backing up to an implement a little more tricky. However, it would allow you to use an implement where the lower lift pins are set wider or narrower than the Quick Hitch hooks. Enjoy. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[agood]

Re: WORKS LIKE A CHAMP!!!

Thanks for all the advice here....what a great source of informtion.
I worked on my quick hitch some more this past weekend and now have all my implements setup to attach easily with it. The hardest part is connection the PTO shaft....I am very pleased with the Quick Hitch.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Re: WORKS LIKE A CHAMP!!!

Seriously consider buying a new PTO shaft that has full shielding. It is for you safety and the piece of mind of your family.