Quick Hitches Pat's Quick Hitch Question

[jsagraves]

I ordered and installed Pat's Quick Hitch with the stabilizer bar and here is where the problem is. I have put the stabilizer bar on regular (and upside down), but either way, does not work with the PTO shaft. The stabilizer bar gets bent by the PTO shaft whenever raising (or lowering) the 3-point system. I'm getting the impression the stabilizer bar is intended to be used for hook-up only and removed before raising/lower system. Any thoughts?

 

[check]

Mine interferes as well, so I take it off as soon as I hook up.

 

[Mendonsy]

The stabilizer bar is only intended to keep the hitch spacing while changing attachments. It must always be removed before operation. I painted mine Kubota orange to help me remember that it needs to be removed.

 

[jajiu]

I'm glad I found this thread because I just bought a set and getting ready to put it on my tractor an didn't see anything in the instructions about taking off the stabilizer bar after hooking up the attachment. Makes sense though. That's why I went with Pat's quick hitch as I currently use a quick hitch from Harbor Freight that requires sleeves over the pins and it can't be used with the PTO shaft.

 

[MF283]

I've been considering the quick hitch myself, how much trouble is the bar to put on or take off?

Ronnie

 

[prichard]

I don't have the bar and haven't seen a need for it. I set side link pins for spacing and the lift arms stay where needed.

 

[Mendonsy]

I've been considering the quick hitch myself, how much trouble is the bar to put on or take off?

Ronnie

It is a drop-in if your attachments are all the same width. If you have to adjust the width it takes about a minute.

 

[ch1ch2]

I found I do not need the stabilizer bar. I have the chain/ turn buckle adjustments on the outside of the lift arms. I set them and forget them. I have a spring on the inside of the arms. to keep them from flopping. This keeps the cat 2 spacing I need for most of my implements.

For my other odd size or cat 1, I back up close and adjust the chain/ turn buckle to eye ball close and I am done.

 

[MF283]

Thanks for the answers guys.

Ronnie

 

[GaryM]

I've had my Pat's Quick Hitch for 13 years and never had a need for the stabilizer bar. I'm not certain he had the bar available when I bought mine.

I will mention that if you have a hydraulic side tilt the Pat's system will not allow as much movement as the original ball ends do.

 

[bdog]

I had pats system on one of my tractors years ago. It is much better than the traditional ball connections but it is no comparison to a true quick hitch. Yes it is a pain to make sure all your implements are compatible but even with the pats hooking up implements was a chore. With a quick hitch it is a breeze. I will never own another tractor without a quick hitch. Don't get me wrong the pats system is slick and works well but they are no match to a quick hitch.

 

[N2DFire]

...I currently use a quick hitch from Harbor Freight that requires sleeves over the pins and it can't be used with the PTO shaft.

My apologies for the hi-jack but I just purchased the HF Quick Hitch and we're in the process of converting all of our vintage 1900's and Home Built equipment to work with it.

Can you please explain what/how the PTO shaft can't be used with it?

This is the model I bought and I can't see where we are going to have any issues. Currently working on the Rotary Cutter and this will be the only PTO driven implement we have (for now) so I'm curious what problems to watch for (aside from the obvious change in length)

3-Point Quick Hitch for Tractors - 27-3/16" Clearance

Thanks

 

[ch1ch2]

My apologies for the hi-jack but I just purchased the HF Quick Hitch and we're in the process of converting all of our vintage 1900's and Home Built equipment to work with it.

Can you please explain what/how the PTO shaft can't be used with it?

This is the model I bought and I can't see where we are going to have any issues. Currently working on the Rotary Cutter and this will be the only PTO driven implement we have (for now) so I'm curious what problems to watch for (aside from the obvious change in length)

3-Point Quick Hitch for Tractors - 27-3/16" Clearance

Thanks

I think you mis-read.
It is the Pat's system w/stabilizer bar that there is a problem using a pto shaft.

 

[countrybumpkin]

That's why I went with Pat's quick hitch as I currently use a quick hitch from Harbor Freight that requires sleeves over the pins and it can't be used with the PTO shaft.

This is what he is referring to, and I almost asked the same thing as he did, how does the QH interfere with it?

 

[ch1ch2]

This is what he is referring to, and I almost asked the same thing as he did, how does the QH interfere with it?

I miss that.
Good question. I do not know how HF-QH would interfere with a PTO

 

[PatrickGeorgeCox]

The instructions that came with my CAT I "Pat's" quick hitch says "Stabilizer bar is attached between the two hitches to hold your lift arms at different widths. Shown in Fig-6. This helps in hooking up implements."

The instructions also contain the note "The Stabilizer Bar must be moved when PTO Implements are used."

My Kubota B2920 lift arms need to be held at the proper width to allow easy hookup. I'd like to have a more rigid check chain system, but it is what it is and I can live with it. I use the stabilizer bar on my B2920, but it isn't needed on my M8540.

I don't know if the instructions included with the system have changed since I bought & installed mine, but they seem clear about the proper use of the stabilizer.

Pat

 

[jajiu]

The top of the HF QH where the release handles are blocks the PTO shaft and I cannot hook it to my seeder that I use as a sander in the winter. The hook-up for the shaft on the sander is high and I had to take the QH off the tractor and the sleeves I put on the sander off and hook it to the 3PT arms for the past few years until I found the Pat's QH. It may work on some PTO hook-ups, but not all.

 

[countrybumpkin]

What spreader are you using?

 

[jajiu]

It's a Herd Seeder. I bought it thru my Kubota dealer. He recommended it over a regular sander, and it has a beater in it to loosen sand from the sides and works very well.

 

[ovrszd]

I had pats system on one of my tractors years ago. It is much better than the traditional ball connections but it is no comparison to a true quick hitch. Yes it is a pain to make sure all your implements are compatible but even with the pats hooking up implements was a chore. With a quick hitch it is a breeze. I will never own another tractor without a quick hitch. Don't get me wrong the pats system is slick and works well but they are no match to a quick hitch.

My sentiments exactly. Especially if using CATII equipment.