Quick Hitches Quick hitch confusion

[greg_g]

I want you to understand that I'm talking from the point of a satisfied customer - and not a paid advertiser. But I resolved ALL my QH issues by selling it - and replacing it with the Pat's system.

As was stated previously, you often have to get off the tractor anyway to finish the QH toplink connection and/or the PTO shaft. Pat's system resolves the lower lift arm alignment and pickup issues. You simply get on your feet to work out the toplink

//greg//

 

[beenthere]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ....As was stated previously, you often have to get off the tractor anyway to finish the QH toplink connection......)</font>

Sorry, but I seldom have to get off the tractor to hook up and unhook using my QH (iMatch). That is the beauty. If I hook to the PTO attachment, then I do. But mostly I switch back and forth with the ballast box on (and then off) and either the carry-all or the forks, or just using the iMatch to pull logs out of the woods. Can't come to where the QH would be anything but the best way to go, but then that is only one opinion - mine at the moment.
Having to get off to un-hook rather than just reach back and release the locks, drop and go, would be an extra step that I enjoy not having to do. And with the ballast box being so heavy, dropping it without getting off the tractor, and picking it up without getting off the tractor, just makes that much, much nicer, easier, and quicker. Real easy on the knees too. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[The_Other_Mike]

I've done a fair amout of spreading and leveling with both top soil and stone in the past few months (about 80 hours seat time). Probably close to 200 yards of material all together. I was switching between the LR and RB almost every day and sometimes more than once per day. I also store my tractor inside where there is no room for an attached implement. There have been countless times that I've detached an implement to allow me to work in tighter spaces with the FEL, and then had to hook up again for more work. The QH makes all of this on/off/on/... fast & easy.

However ...

Both my LR and RB rest on built-in kick-stands. So, although the QH allows me to stay on the seat, I am nevertheless on my feet every time. No biggy - I can take it. The day I cannot, I can rest the hitch end of the implements on a block or similar, not use the stand, and stay seated. Hmmm, that just may be next time I go out there ...


Anyway, BEFCO's RFM has a hinged/floaty/whatever top-link, FYI.

 

[JRP]

"In a nutshell, sounds like a QH will generally save me implement hookup time without implement modification. "

Don't count on no modifications. If you think this you probably will be dissapointed. You might get by with the top link strap provided with the Speeco, but you will still have to use a pin. For 3pt hookup the top link just fits between two straps. For the QH top hook hookup there must be clearance below the top pin holes for the hook to slide in. Many implements do not have the room for the hook.

Overall, the Speeco or JD is cheap, fast, and safe. Time spent making your implements fit will be only once. You will enjoy the convenience for many years afterward. If you have or borrow an implement that won't work on the QH then it only takes a few minutes to remove the QH and hook up without it. Weld some 3/8 grab hooks on the sides of the quick hitch. Very handy!

A hydraulic top link, if you have one, also makes hook up easier. A nice to have.