Quick Hitches Survey on quick hitches
- Thread starter GrantMO
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gerard
Veteran Member
I have had the same experieince that bsauter had. Freedom is the mercedes but the "per implement cost" makes it too expensive for me for home use. Not even comparable to the speeco/landpride type. That said I have the Landpride which is 100% better than NOT having it. Works on every implement I have except the post hole digger. ( I don't think the freedom hitch works on those either). I also had to "modify" my box blade a little to get it to fit. For $200 it's the best implement I've ever bought!!!!
GarageSmoker
Silver Member
As much as I wanted to start a new thread on this I won't. I am in quick hitch heaven! Bought the Speeco at TSC this morning and installed it in nothing flat. Then I put the bushings on the box blade. Then I backed up and...and...and... dare I say it...
connected with absolutely no hassles at all!!
Why did I wait 2 months to get this thing? It should be mandatory equipment for those of us over 50, or if you have had any back problems at all in you past.
Only bad news is they were out of extra bushings so I either need to swap them from implement to implement or go shopping for more. I intend to go shopping. I see no need to add any element of work to attaching things now. Nope! Leave the work to more productive things.
Did I mention how happy I am with my quick hitch???
/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
GS
connected with absolutely no hassles at all!!
Why did I wait 2 months to get this thing? It should be mandatory equipment for those of us over 50, or if you have had any back problems at all in you past.
Only bad news is they were out of extra bushings so I either need to swap them from implement to implement or go shopping for more. I intend to go shopping. I see no need to add any element of work to attaching things now. Nope! Leave the work to more productive things.
Did I mention how happy I am with my quick hitch???
/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
GS
JohnMiller3
Elite Member
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- Satoh S650G, MF135, MF165, JD5205
<font color=blue>… ...which brand impressed you the most?...</font color=blue>
Hi Pete…
I do like the female/male A-frame designs of Freedom Hitch, Jiffy Hitch, and a couple of no-name brands… they are all becoming homogenized to a point and all work basically the same from what I’ve seen… but I just can’t get past the point of buying a separate implement adaptor/female side for each and every implement… just not cost effective in my book… (for the price of one female end @ $180-200… I’d rather buy the SpeeCo Quick-hitch once for $169. and you’re done forever…)
Maybe it’s my mindset and the fact I’ve been hooking this stuff up since I was a little kid… and believe me, help was not always around… you had to make do… you became smart real quick or got a “boot in the rear…” /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif The pry bars and hammers became my friends and tools of persuasion over the years…
One day my friend’s father got a new Massey Ferguson delivered with the telescopic lift arms and dual-hole (Cat I & Cat II) balls… Man, us kids would race out to the tractor sheds to be the first to use that tractor… sometimes we’d get to the seat/platform at the same time and actually “fight” over who’s gonna use the Massey that day… /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif
Now, that was the easiest and quickest hookup of any tractor I had ever used… until I bought my own MF165 that also had the same thing… I was in tractor heaven…/w3tcompact/icons/love.gif
I got the SpeeCo Quick-hitch on my Satoh for my seventy year young Father… and it works very well with just about every implement with not fiddling around and the price was a bargain compared to the other mentioned above offerings… So from these choices… I’d pick the SpeeCo type one piece, one time buy and you start hooking up everything… and nothing more to buy when you buy another implement…
Someone earlier had mentioned about using the SpeeCo bushings on the implement lift pins… I have never used them… I think the bushing set is ~about $14 or so and again for each implement… replacement pins are about ~ $2.-3. and last a long long time…
Now, what’s not in your mentioned list of Quick Hitches… are what I really prefer the most… telescopic lift arms… Yes, you have to get out of your seat… but all of the time with PTO driven implements… you have to do that anyways… but hook-up is a snap, and extremely flexible for unleveled implements… My John Deere telescopic lift arms are almost as nice as my old Massey… you just have to change balls or use inserts (you end up constantly losing) when going back and forth between Cat I and Cat II implements… (anyways by now, most of my implements lift pins have been upgraded to Cat II)
Hi Pete…
I do like the female/male A-frame designs of Freedom Hitch, Jiffy Hitch, and a couple of no-name brands… they are all becoming homogenized to a point and all work basically the same from what I’ve seen… but I just can’t get past the point of buying a separate implement adaptor/female side for each and every implement… just not cost effective in my book… (for the price of one female end @ $180-200… I’d rather buy the SpeeCo Quick-hitch once for $169. and you’re done forever…)
Maybe it’s my mindset and the fact I’ve been hooking this stuff up since I was a little kid… and believe me, help was not always around… you had to make do… you became smart real quick or got a “boot in the rear…” /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif The pry bars and hammers became my friends and tools of persuasion over the years…
One day my friend’s father got a new Massey Ferguson delivered with the telescopic lift arms and dual-hole (Cat I & Cat II) balls… Man, us kids would race out to the tractor sheds to be the first to use that tractor… sometimes we’d get to the seat/platform at the same time and actually “fight” over who’s gonna use the Massey that day… /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif
Now, that was the easiest and quickest hookup of any tractor I had ever used… until I bought my own MF165 that also had the same thing… I was in tractor heaven…/w3tcompact/icons/love.gif
I got the SpeeCo Quick-hitch on my Satoh for my seventy year young Father… and it works very well with just about every implement with not fiddling around and the price was a bargain compared to the other mentioned above offerings… So from these choices… I’d pick the SpeeCo type one piece, one time buy and you start hooking up everything… and nothing more to buy when you buy another implement…
Someone earlier had mentioned about using the SpeeCo bushings on the implement lift pins… I have never used them… I think the bushing set is ~about $14 or so and again for each implement… replacement pins are about ~ $2.-3. and last a long long time…
Now, what’s not in your mentioned list of Quick Hitches… are what I really prefer the most… telescopic lift arms… Yes, you have to get out of your seat… but all of the time with PTO driven implements… you have to do that anyways… but hook-up is a snap, and extremely flexible for unleveled implements… My John Deere telescopic lift arms are almost as nice as my old Massey… you just have to change balls or use inserts (you end up constantly losing) when going back and forth between Cat I and Cat II implements… (anyways by now, most of my implements lift pins have been upgraded to Cat II)
MikePA
Super Moderator
I haven't had near the experience John has but I have to agree about the telescoping lower links. It is real easy to see why those without them have trouble hooking up attachments. The telescoping lower links on my 25D make this relatively easy. I've never had to use a pry bar to move a piece of equipment. I
1. Pull the locking pins on the lower arms and swing them out towards the rear tires.
2. Back the tractor so at least one of balls on the lower arms is roughly lined up with one of the pins.
3. Get off the tractor and adjust the height of the arms with the 3ph lever
4. Slide the links out, swing the arm onto the pin.
As John pointed out, you have to get off the tractor and it does involve moving from one side of the attachment to the other. I suppose the value of some type of quick hitch is a function of how often you change attachments per day. However, if someone does not have telescoping lower links, I would recommend them to see if they meet someone's needs before some type of quick hitch.
1. Pull the locking pins on the lower arms and swing them out towards the rear tires.
2. Back the tractor so at least one of balls on the lower arms is roughly lined up with one of the pins.
3. Get off the tractor and adjust the height of the arms with the 3ph lever
4. Slide the links out, swing the arm onto the pin.
As John pointed out, you have to get off the tractor and it does involve moving from one side of the attachment to the other. I suppose the value of some type of quick hitch is a function of how often you change attachments per day. However, if someone does not have telescoping lower links, I would recommend them to see if they meet someone's needs before some type of quick hitch.
JRP
Platinum Member
Re: Questions for Speeco quick hitch users
After reading the posts on this thread got excited and picked up a Speeco Cat 1 hitch for my M6800 yesterday. It has sat in my garage while we prepared for Hurricane Fay, and today as I surveyed and started repairs of the damage. I have several questions for Speeco useers:
The top connection is a hook or a metal strap thing. Which do you use?
What is the most standard holes location for the top hook. If i have to start modifying my implements I want to make them the true standard.
The top hook connection seems sloppy. Do you add some kind of of bushing?
Yea! The electric company is here! Gotta go
Jim
After reading the posts on this thread got excited and picked up a Speeco Cat 1 hitch for my M6800 yesterday. It has sat in my garage while we prepared for Hurricane Fay, and today as I surveyed and started repairs of the damage. I have several questions for Speeco useers:
The top connection is a hook or a metal strap thing. Which do you use?
What is the most standard holes location for the top hook. If i have to start modifying my implements I want to make them the true standard.
The top hook connection seems sloppy. Do you add some kind of of bushing?
Yea! The electric company is here! Gotta go
Jim
GlennT
Gold Member
Re: Questions for Speeco quick hitch users
I'm going to reply to this to keep the discussion going; however, I expect others to elaborate more fully--and maybe even disagree. Although I don't have a metal strap for my speed hitch, I believe it is used to provide the flexibility that is needed with a shredder or finish mower. Flexibility is needed to allow the implement to roll freely over dips and humps in the soil. I use a short section of heavy chain bolted directly to the speed hitch instead of the strap arrangement. The top hook is placed where it allows you to connect the most implements. On my speed hitch the center of a pin resting comfortably in the lower recess of the hook is at a point 18 inches perpendicular to a line drawn between the two bottom pins. The top pin does fit rather loosely in the hook; however, this doesn't seem to create any problems. The bottom pins, on the other hand, need bushings or the implement will jerk forward and backward. I'm not sure that this necessarily causes problems, but it is disconcerting to the operator.
I'm going to reply to this to keep the discussion going; however, I expect others to elaborate more fully--and maybe even disagree. Although I don't have a metal strap for my speed hitch, I believe it is used to provide the flexibility that is needed with a shredder or finish mower. Flexibility is needed to allow the implement to roll freely over dips and humps in the soil. I use a short section of heavy chain bolted directly to the speed hitch instead of the strap arrangement. The top hook is placed where it allows you to connect the most implements. On my speed hitch the center of a pin resting comfortably in the lower recess of the hook is at a point 18 inches perpendicular to a line drawn between the two bottom pins. The top pin does fit rather loosely in the hook; however, this doesn't seem to create any problems. The bottom pins, on the other hand, need bushings or the implement will jerk forward and backward. I'm not sure that this necessarily causes problems, but it is disconcerting to the operator.
JerryT
Silver Member
Re: Questions for Speeco quick hitch users
I have a Speedco and the hook is useless. The adapter works well and although it more closely simulates the regular top link in its closest position, its much easier to use with the pin in the hole furthest from the top link connection.
I have a Speedco and the hook is useless. The adapter works well and although it more closely simulates the regular top link in its closest position, its much easier to use with the pin in the hole furthest from the top link connection.
GarageSmoker
Silver Member
Re: Questions for Speeco quick hitch users
I agree that the adapter seems to work best although I wasn't going to reattach the hook to see if it worked on my rotary cutter just to prove it. I took the hook of when it didn't match up with the box blade which was the 1st implement I attached. I don't consider it a big chore to attach the adapter anymore than I thought attaching the top link was a chore. It was the bottom 2 that got to me. This has fixed that problem for good.
GS
I agree that the adapter seems to work best although I wasn't going to reattach the hook to see if it worked on my rotary cutter just to prove it. I took the hook of when it didn't match up with the box blade which was the 1st implement I attached. I don't consider it a big chore to attach the adapter anymore than I thought attaching the top link was a chore. It was the bottom 2 that got to me. This has fixed that problem for good.
GS
bsauter
Silver Member
Re: Questions for Speeco quick hitch users
I just use the adapter attachement since the top hook won't work with my cheap Farm King grader blade. It would work with everything else but the adapter is just like the regular toplink and works well. No slop or anything. I still love the Speeco and am very happy with it.
I just use the adapter attachement since the top hook won't work with my cheap Farm King grader blade. It would work with everything else but the adapter is just like the regular toplink and works well. No slop or anything. I still love the Speeco and am very happy with it.
JRP
Platinum Member
Re: Questions for Speeco quick hitch users
I looked at some of the dimensions of the hooks and I think the two side hooks and top hook are made to the diameter dimensions of CAT III side and top pins. I wonder if they decided to make one hook size, and just let every one adapt to it. It seems that with a CAT I to CAT II top bushing, plus a CAT II to CAT III topp bushing I should be able to make the top connection not sloppy.
The big tractors in this area just back up to an implement, raise and go. No getting out of the cab. We should be able to do the same.
I know this question comes up a lot, but I never have seen an answer that is really detailed. What exactly is the entire ASAE standard for CAT I quick hitches. Most people give the distance between the lower pins. Sometimes they include distance from bottom to top. But never as detailed as an engineer would like to see. What about clearance around the pins? Width of the top pin slot? Tolerances?
I looked at some of the dimensions of the hooks and I think the two side hooks and top hook are made to the diameter dimensions of CAT III side and top pins. I wonder if they decided to make one hook size, and just let every one adapt to it. It seems that with a CAT I to CAT II top bushing, plus a CAT II to CAT III topp bushing I should be able to make the top connection not sloppy.
The big tractors in this area just back up to an implement, raise and go. No getting out of the cab. We should be able to do the same.
I know this question comes up a lot, but I never have seen an answer that is really detailed. What exactly is the entire ASAE standard for CAT I quick hitches. Most people give the distance between the lower pins. Sometimes they include distance from bottom to top. But never as detailed as an engineer would like to see. What about clearance around the pins? Width of the top pin slot? Tolerances?
hazmat
Elite Member
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Re: Questions for Speeco quick hitch users
jr,
search and yee shall find <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=implement&Number=41560&page=&view=&sb=&o=&vc=1>ASAE Standard on TBN</A>
jr,
search and yee shall find <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=implement&Number=41560&page=&view=&sb=&o=&vc=1>ASAE Standard on TBN</A>
Casimir
Gold Member
Re: Questions for Speeco quick hitch users
I got the TSC (SpeeCo) hitch and I love it. I tried the top hook, but almost all of my implements had something that interferred with the top hook, so I just use the strap adapter. As far as I am concerned the $169 I spent for the Quick Hitch is the best money I have spent since I bought the tractor. I can hook up any of my implements in just a couple of minutes, with a minimum of jockeying the tractor. I sometimes have to lengthen or shorten the top link to get the adapter to match the holes for the top pin. My Hardy brush cutter has a movable bracket on the top, which gives enough slack to allow the brush cutter to flex properly. I have gradually acquired adapters for all the implements, but keep a couple of Cat II to III bushings around just in case I need to hook up something that doesn't have the adapters. Changing the lower pins to Cat III probably would have been cheaper, but I didn't even think of it /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif.
Did I mention that I like the Quick Hitch???
I got the TSC (SpeeCo) hitch and I love it. I tried the top hook, but almost all of my implements had something that interferred with the top hook, so I just use the strap adapter. As far as I am concerned the $169 I spent for the Quick Hitch is the best money I have spent since I bought the tractor. I can hook up any of my implements in just a couple of minutes, with a minimum of jockeying the tractor. I sometimes have to lengthen or shorten the top link to get the adapter to match the holes for the top pin. My Hardy brush cutter has a movable bracket on the top, which gives enough slack to allow the brush cutter to flex properly. I have gradually acquired adapters for all the implements, but keep a couple of Cat II to III bushings around just in case I need to hook up something that doesn't have the adapters. Changing the lower pins to Cat III probably would have been cheaper, but I didn't even think of it /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif.
Did I mention that I like the Quick Hitch???
jimg
Veteran Member
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- Jun 5, 2003
- Messages
- 2,039
Im getting a TC24D which doesnt come w/ telescoping hitch arms. I asked the dealer about getting them and he indicated they werent available from NH. He also couldnt figure why I would want them. Even being very new to all this I could figure that out esp after looking at the rear mount snow blower. It very heavy, big and wont move unless considerable force is applied. So, does anyone know if there are aftermarket arms for the 24?
I suspect maybe not...so Im thinking along the lines of a Speeco hitch...which I cant seem to find locally. I thought it was interesting though that some thought the telescoping arms were of nearly equal value w/ the speed hitch. jimg
I suspect maybe not...so Im thinking along the lines of a Speeco hitch...which I cant seem to find locally. I thought it was interesting though that some thought the telescoping arms were of nearly equal value w/ the speed hitch. jimg
Hey Jim, I have been looking for one myself for the new baby! Check out Northern. I believe they are selling the speeco ones (not positve, but look like them). $245 shipped.
www.northerntool.com
www.northerntool.com
jimg
Veteran Member
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Thanx Dave,
BTW have you happened to find anyone locally who carries it?
BTW have you happened to find anyone locally who carries it?
Anonymous Poster
Epic Contributor
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- Sep 27, 2005
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I spotted yesterday that TSC carries them. Looks to be a version of the SpeeCo - at least when you hold up the pictures side-by-side, they are exact except for the TSC logo. Around here they are going for $180 for Cat-1 and $260 for Cat-2.
Hope this helps!
Hope this helps!
Gary_in_Indiana
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The quick hitches at at least two TSC's in my area have the Speeco logo right on them. I've honestly never seen one with the TSC label.
Maybe the guys at the distribution center that services my area didn't want to mess with 're-labeling' them. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Maybe the guys at the distribution center that services my area didn't want to mess with 're-labeling' them. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
DK_Farms
Silver Member
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I posed this question about quick hitches earlier but I didn't realize the subject had been exhausted. Please accept my New Member apologies. I will search better next time.
I have a Befco RD6 grooming mower and a Mohawk (Ag-Meier) 6 ft. box blade on my JD4610. The box looks like it is quick hitch ready, has a double-sided pin, Cat 1 and Cat 2 sizes, but the folks at Befco say they won't have an adapter for the mower until next year. Am I to understand from the previous posts that I could use a generic quick hitch by using bushings on the Cat 1 pins on the mower? The mower has floating bottom and top link attachment points. Help me out here folks, I'm having trouble visualizing this.
Thanks
Ken
I have a Befco RD6 grooming mower and a Mohawk (Ag-Meier) 6 ft. box blade on my JD4610. The box looks like it is quick hitch ready, has a double-sided pin, Cat 1 and Cat 2 sizes, but the folks at Befco say they won't have an adapter for the mower until next year. Am I to understand from the previous posts that I could use a generic quick hitch by using bushings on the Cat 1 pins on the mower? The mower has floating bottom and top link attachment points. Help me out here folks, I'm having trouble visualizing this.
Thanks
Ken
MarkV
Super Member
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Ken, I think you have it. On the Speeco or landpride systems the lower hooks are sized for Cat II and need a bushing to help eliminate excessive play on Cat I applications. A Cat 1 to Cat II adapter does the job at a lesser cost than the ones sold by the manufacture. What you need to check is the spacing of the lower pins and the distance from the lower pins to the top link connection to make sure they meet Cat I specs. That is where most people run into trouble. Do keep in mind that the quick hitch systems put the implement farther from the tractor and may require a longer PTO shaft.
Now a question for you. You say that your mower has floating bottom attachment points. I am having trouble understanding how you can lift it without a fixed bottom attachment point.
MarkV
Now a question for you. You say that your mower has floating bottom attachment points. I am having trouble understanding how you can lift it without a fixed bottom attachment point.
MarkV
