Pat's Quick Hitch Question for GC1720

[Langanobob]

I recently bought a Pat's Quick Hitch for my GC1720, I've been busy and it's still in the box. I have a question that I didn't think about earlier. If I need to put the factory backhoe back on, is there enough clearance to leave the Pat's Quick Hitch installed, or do I need to remove it before putting the backhoe on? Probably a dumb question and I could just try it or ask Pat's but I thought I'd give it a try here. Thank you, Bob

 

[Dmacleo]

IIRC yes with slight mod but been years since I measured stuff from 2019 to 2022. was measuring for a GC1705, GC1715MB and shortly after those 2 a GC1723E. never put them on since backhoe almost always on so...meh, not done.
again IIRC I would have had to trim approx 1/4 inch off fiberglass rear in 2 places (where arms touched when vertical) and it would have been a 3 inch wide by 1/4 inch deep slot in fiberglass.
but you have them, toss them on and see. if not remove, bolts will still be fresh and easy to remove. for test fit no need to adjust side stays all you need to worry about is if the extra 3.5 inches it adds to lift arms prevents folding up enough to clear backhoe front frame and rear fiberglass. also no need to drive cotter pin for test fit.

edit: also keep in mind if it does work your top link as it is now will be WAY out of adjust. pats adds 3.5 inches to length of lift arms so top link needs to be lengthened to match. but if it causes clearance issues it can easily be removed.