Quick hitch, HF & RK

[John White]

Are the quick hitch from Harbor Freight and Rual king the same? I don't understand why when you buy a cat. 1 hitch you have to buy pins. Why don't they make them to accept cat 1 pins without adapters. I would say that most people who buy a cat 1 hitch have cat 1 impliments.

 

[KennyG]

I think the standard was set up to allow use of convertible Cat I / Cat II implements. This is not a very common type of implement, but when the QH standard was developed, perhaps they thought that would be the normal approach in the future. Standards are meant to be as flexible as possible. If they had made it purely Cat I it would have limited use with non-specific implements.

Edit: I don't think the HF and RK hitches are EXACTLY the same but either will do the job at a better price than the big names. Just be prepared to do a little grinding on the hooks if you get one that's a little off.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

And Ken, from Ken's Bolt On Hooks, makes an extended top hook if you need it. He also makes a quick pin set to replace the top hook bolts with. Very handy if you're like me, and have several attachments that each seem to need a different top hook height.

Ken's Bolt on Grab Hooks <<Quick Hitch Accessories>>

 

[Roadworthy]

I went with Pat's Quick Hitch rather than modifying implements to fit the hitch.

 

[WranglerX]

A lot of people have had to modify the HF QH upper hook because the bolts interfere with upper link on implement, what is point of saving a few dollars for HF junk when you have to spend more money to get extended upper hook to fix interference problem.... As for sleeves and pins.... IT just part of the process.... Modify implement once to fit standard configuration of QH and be happy forever....



Also specification for CAT 1 QH includes this style sleeve on implement which HF probably does not include and IF your new QH does supply them you only get one set, and you need to order more for each implement...

Dale

 

[KennyG]

The upper hook clearance can be a problem with any hitch that has an adjustable (bolt on) upper hook. And some implements need the adjustable upper hook (my 3 point splitter was impractical to modify to standard QH dimenstions). My solution with my HF QH was to replace the bolts with flush pins, which I made from hitch pins. Other people have done similar modifications to avoid needing the extended hook.

 

[WranglerX]

The upper hook clearance can be a problem with any hitch that has an adjustable (bolt on) upper hook. And some implements need the adjustable upper hook (my 3 point splitter was impractical to modify to standard QH dimenstions). My solution with my HF QH was to replace the bolts with flush pins, which I made from hitch pins. Other people have done similar modifications to avoid needing the extended hook.

View attachment 649365 View attachment 649366

Dale

 

[3gunr]

M y local rural king is selling the speeco qh that is made to accept standard size cat 1 pins, it also has the extended top hook so no mod is needed. I have the pats on one of my tractors and like it , but i might try the speeco on my other tractor.

 

[TheMan419]

Love my hf qh. I got an adapter that replaces the hook. It means you have to get off the tractor to pin in the top pin. I only use a brush hog and a tiller so I have to hook up the pto.

 

[Threepoint]

Years ago, the lower lift-arm hooks of the Harbor Freight QH were indeed sized to fit the 7/8" diameter Cat. 1 lift arm pins. My first HF QH is this way. Now, they are sized so they can accept the quick hitch bushing sets like these:

My other two, newer, HF QHs have the newer sizing.

Regarding the top hook clearance issue, here is another good source for an aftermarket replacement hook that extends farther from the bracket.
https://qualityfarmsupply.com/Product/HITCH-ampersand-LINKAGE/QUICK-HITCHES/Quick-Hitch-Repair-Parts/873-dash-HF141137

 

[blackd]

I just ordered the Quality Farm Supply hook. $34 delivered to my door. AgriSupply when they have them for $16 plus shipping and they end up at the same price, and QFS had them in stock. I did order the AgriSupply adapter, so now I should be mostly trouble free.

 

[TractorGuy]

The quick hitch I bought from Agi Supply came with the extended hook.

I just use cat 1 to 2 and 2 to 3 bushings on all my lift pins. Much less expensive than the special bushings. I like the looks and design of the special bushings but they didn't have them back when I got my hitch.