Quick Hitch vs Pats or Euro Hooks

[HorsPower]

I have an L5740 Cab and have been deliberating between a quick hitch, Pats or swapping out my link ends for Euro hooks. I've read many threads discussing the pros and cons.

Pats and the Euro hooks are certainly the most versatile in terms of fitting "anything". Pats are a non starter for me, they look lunky and extend the distance of the lower arms. If I go this direction it would be welding on Euro links to the lower arms and hyd top link. However, I don't see them saving that much time over connecting the typical ball ends. You still have to try to set the width of the lower links in order to just back up lift and hook. Does the little spreader bar that comes with the Pats system work well? I guess once you've hooked everything up once, you can mark your widths on the spreader bar, for each implement.

Then you still have to connect the top link. I have a hydraulic top link, and the control lever in the cab is not reachable while trying to put the pin through the top link, which requires adjusting, walking back, adjusting etc (for heavy implements).

I also realize that modifying implements to make sure they all fit the quick hitch requires / time / effort / cost as well. However once everything is setup, it seem like the quick hitch is WAY faster to hook up implements, especially with a hydraulic top link. Back up, tilt, lift, click and go (or hop out and connect the PTO, then go).

Looking for feedback from those that have used both Euro hooks or Pats system, and have also used a quick hitch to speak on both approaches.


I've measured all my implements, and it seems like I can make a Category II quick hitch fit just about everything with relatively little effort- by replacing lower link pins with longer ones, and adding a couple of upper link pins at the proper height.

With regard to Category II (~32" between the bottom hooks) quick hitches, what does everyone like? Looks like options are Speeco, Ag KNX (which might be the same as Speeco), and Titan.

Thank you,

 

[TMGT]

I have used all 3 styles, I liked the euro hooks the best since I have a lot of implements that would require a lot of involved modifications to fit a quick hitch.

I also switch to a backhoe somewhat regularly, and the QH was one more thing to remove and install.

If you can make all your implements hit the quick hitch and don't need to take it off for any of them, I would say it's the easiest.

As for best brand, I'm not sure, I think any good name brand would be fine. I wouldn't go with the cheap Chinese versions, they are a bit too rough in the fit and finish.

I would say you shouldn't need a spreader on the L5740, just pin your stabilizers in a close position, and they should have enough movement to line up. Unless the pin spacing is a lot different between the implements.

 

[HybridVigor]

I'm a big proponent of the euro style hooks, but it's not like there is a one size fits all answer. I had a one piece QH, but have since sold it and never looked back. I’ve never tried Pats because I was worried they wouldn’t be sturdy enough for heavy Cat 2 implements based on some reviews out there.

If you have one tractor and all of your implements are QH compatible I would agree that the one piece QH is the fastest way to connect from the cab. I didn't care for working around the QH when hooking up the PTO, but that isn't a deal breaker for many.

For me, the biggest issue was implement compatibility. I've got several pieces of equipment that just would not be worth adapting to a one piece QH hook up. I've also got implements in both Cat 1 and 2 sizes so I'd need to make them all compatible to one hook width. Like you, I have a hydraulic top link and depending on the tractor I can reach the lever or I have to walk back and forth. That wasn't a deal breaker for me since the top link is usually the "easy part" of hooking up.

One big advantage of hooks on the tractor for me is the ability to easily switch between different category implements. My draft link sway bars are designed that with a quick quarter turn and pin hole swap they go between Cat 1 and 2 widths. Since I have more than one tractor with hooks I also don't have to worry about moving the QH between tractors.

I have two tractors that didn’t have extendable draft links and they were the first ones to get euro hooks. I have a third "big" tractor with extendable links that certainly help with hooking up, but I plan to convert it to hooks before this winter is done.

I'm farming and constantly switching between 3pt implements in season so I definitely think the euro hooks were worth the investment. I installed my first set about 5 years ago now.

 

[HorsPower]

Thanks Hybrid and TMGT.... You guys have helped me solidify the decision to go to Euro hooks. Brian at Fit Rite offers a nice service for me to send my link ends in and he will replace them with the Euro hooks. Easier than modifying my implements, and it sounds like there will still be a notable improvement over the standard ball ends.

 

[HybridVigor]

Brian will do a nice job and you'll also get a high quality hook. One of the sets of hooks I bought was a cheaper set off of Ebay and while they work, they're not as nice as the AMA hooks that I assume Brian is still using. Every now and then my cheap ones don't automatically allow the ball to fall into the hook if they're in the closed position while hooking up. Never had that issue with my pair from AMA.

 

[dodge man]

I have Pats and like them, the extra setback isn’t an issue for me and it doesn’t move them back a lot. The only issue I can think of is a driveshaft that is borderline too short will definitely be short with Pats.

I don’t use the spreader bar anymore. It’s kind of hard for me to explain but the Kubota BX I had before let the lower links flop in but the JD I have now lets the lower links flop out wider. In other words the turn buckles work in opposite directions between Kubota and JD. The spreader bar worked OK but was an extra step.

 

[930ck]

On my L5740 I went with euro hooks , got them from fit-right , welded them to extendable links I made. I have too many different three point equipment to use a quick hitch

 

[PikaPika]

DO IT PLEASANT. Here is one.

You can use EURO HOOKS from the
Tractor cabin with this kind of links.
Brian at Fit Rite maybe could help doing these to you.
By This JD we can open Euro Hooks and widen right lower link from the cabin.

The right stabilizer on JD is unlocked and has a spring to move it with that link. Works well.
But if the stabilizer bar is locked type then we can open the lock as next.
You can from the cabin open and lock the right stabilizer bar and move the right lower arm easy left or right as you need.

I have in my own Kubota tractor my own made hydraulic stabilizers on both sides. That is good too.

You can ask factory made from Piippo hydraulics Finland.

But next they do not have
The use of top link from the cabin.
You need a thick rope and a spring inside it,
one feet long spring is good to keep the rope above.
This is need for biggest tractors.

IF you like QH then this was universal QH for all tools, but expensive.
We can do everything but is it worth
to do.

Here was my ideas.
Begin with EURO HOOKS.
Good luck going this way.
My works are done.
I am 84 years old.