Quick Hitch

[PJL13]

Hello all!! I have only had my LS XJ2025H for a few months now, but love it!! One thing that a friend (Kubota owner) recommended was to get a quick hitch, especially since I switch between my brush hog and 3-point finish mower once in awhile. I was wondering if any other LS owners have used any of the quick hitches out there and what your thoughts are of them. My friend was pushing Pat's Easy Change system as the best one, as he claims it's a little easier to use for his different implements (brush hog and tiller, as he has a belly mower). Any thoughts and/or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[GMC Cooker]

Gonna be watching this for replies to your question I Will be putting in an order around the first of the month for a 2025h and also interested in getting a quick hitch

 

[George2615]

I have the HF quick hitch and had to slightly modify the top links on my attachments (box blade and snowblower) for a good fit. Can't use HF hitch at all with post hole digger. Never had a Pat's easy change but that may be the best choice to use without modifying anything. I may switch to Pat's system.

 

[check]

I have the Pat's quick hitch system, and it works fine for me!

 

[GaryM]

Another happy user of Pat's hitch system. Had mine for about 12 years. Yes I still have to hook up the top link, but that's never been an issue. I don't need to modify any equipment either.

One thing to be aware of, since you are no longer using the ball joints on the draft arms you may find your side to side adjustment restricted a little. I have a hydraulic side link and can not tilt my scraper blade as far as I could before.

 

[atsah]

I find my farmex QH to be very useful, no bushings needed.

 

[jdom84]

I use the HF quick hitch on my xj2025. It works and was only $75 with coupon.

 

[ovrszd]

I put a QH on my Kubota 4 years ago and haven't taken it off once.

What you need to accept is that as you add attachments you may have to do modifications to them to fit the QH. If it's attachments that you use a lot it's worth whatever mods need done.

I had a Pat's on a smaller Kubota that I owned several years ago. Although it's an improvement, especially on a tractor without extendable lower links, it's not even close to a QH. I don't think it's fair to the Pat's system to compare it to a QH.

Here's a video I shot a couple years ago hitching my Kubota to a 10ft 3pt brush cutter and unhitching, using a QH. Pretty easy to see how long it took. Next time you are hitching without a QH time yourself.

Quick Hitch 3pt attachment hookup - YouTube

 

[California]

While there are several brands of Qhitches made in China I think most are identical clones and HF sells them the cheapest. So long as you are well under the 45(?)hp that HF rates them for, I don't see a reason to buy one anywhere else. John Deere has an expensive one with the top hook at a fixed height. The dimensions of this one are the 'industry standard' but most implements are pretty casual in precisely meeting that standard. Expect some minor modifications to some of your implements, for example relocating a bolt across the top of the mast that interferes with the QH's hook. Mostly minor stuff.

It's a huge advantage to simply back up to an implement, shove it around with the QH if needed to line it up, then hook it and go.

 

[ovrszd]

While there are several brands of Qhitches made in China I think most are identical clones and HF sells them the cheapest. So long as you are well under the 45(?)hp that HF rates them for, I don't see a reason to buy one anywhere else. John Deere has an expensive one with the top hook at a fixed height. The dimensions of this one are the 'industry standard' but most implements are pretty casual in precisely meeting that standard. Expect some minor modifications to some of your implements, for example relocating a bolt across the top of the mast that interferes with the QH's hook. Mostly minor stuff.

It's a huge advantage to simply back up to an implement, shove it around with the QH if needed to line it up, then hook it and go.

Yep. Another problem is no space below the lower link pins for the QH hooks to get under them without hitting something.

 

[alexsbuddy]

I have had the HF Quick Hitch for over a year on my XG3037 and am very pleased. Bought on sale for less than $75.......best money I ever spent. No more strained back and now takes a few minutes instead of 30 minutes. Quality of HF QH is excellent.....same one that is sold under different labels for much more.

Also bought a few quick hitch adapters from Agri Supply which are very useful on non-standard implements.

 

[LD1]

Look at the implements you have and see if a QH will even work.

QH standard didn't really become the "norm" until recently.
Never worth it for me to get a cat 1 QH.

Because a 50 uear old 2-row planter, 20 year old kk tiller, 1980's bushhog 306, and a whole hoste of homemade implements over the years.....not one was qh compatible. Little thought was given to the placement of the lower pins. Just as long as they were close to the 26" standard was good enough. And most old stuff didn't have the toplink pin offset forward to have clearance under it to hook from the bottom.

If you have all newer stuff that is compatible, then a QH is money well spent

 

[pmsmechanic]

I modified every piece of three point equipment that I have to fit on my quick hitch. I've gained back the time spent modifying many times over through the years.

 

[ovrszd]

I modified every piece of three point equipment that I have to fit on my quick hitch. I've gained back the time spent modifying many times over through the years.

Many, many, many times.

I even have a QH on my little JD2210. Wouldn't be without it when tote boxing firewood into the shop.

 

[hslogger]

Happy with my Pat's. I am on my third tractor and first time I ever had a decent, non-knuckle patience-trying set up for my three point and it saves me time and grief. Get one and buy some extra washers for the other implements you will acquire over time. Also get the spreader bar that is optional. Voila!

 

[Gale Hawkins]

We have successfully used Pat's Easy Change system for 5 years on the MF 265 using Pat's #2 Cat hitch. The son said to get one for the 1966 Ford 3000 we just bought and since it is either a Cat 1 or 2 we again with the Cat 2 version as of last night.

I have seen some QH systems that would prevent me from connecting and disconnecting the PTO due to my physical limitations.

In the end just go with the system that seems to work best. I think yesterday to the door Cat 2 version was $205.00. We use bolts for keeper pins so once set up it is just snap on the arms or unsnap the lift arms and go. The top link connects last and and unconnects first.

I like the safety of keeping the hands and rest of body away from the lower arms when the tractor and equipment makes physical contact. Everyone will develop their own system of hitching I expect.

We did keep tightening the set screws at first but I have not touched them in the last couple years. The two Cat 2 pins on each side does 99% of the load carrying in our case. You have the option to make a Cat 1 a Cat 2 or the other way around at the time you order. If we ever get a tractor that is Cat 1 only I think we just go with the Cat 1 to Cat 2 version so we could still hitch to everything even if just to move or transport it.

Personally I enjoy the extra space between the implements and rear tires.

 

[KennyG]

While there are several brands of Qhitches made in China I think most are identical clones and HF sells them the cheapest. So long as you are well under the 45(?)hp that HF rates them for, I don't see a reason to buy one anywhere else. John Deere has an expensive one with the top hook at a fixed height. The dimensions of this one are the 'industry standard' but most implements are pretty casual in precisely meeting that standard. Expect some minor modifications to some of your implements, for example relocating a bolt across the top of the mast that interferes with the QH's hook. Mostly minor stuff.

It's a huge advantage to simply back up to an implement, shove it around with the QH if needed to line it up, then hook it and go.

Good points. Note however, that there are two versions of the John Deere QH, the original with fixed top hook and a newer version with adjustable hook. Not sure if the old version is still in production. They look much nicer than the HF but I couldn't see the functional value and got mine from Harbor Freight.