What exactely is the I-match?

[Deadman]

I know its some sort of quick way to hook up accessories for the tractors, but could someone explain it better.
Sorry, but I've just never seen one. I can't find it on JD's web site either.
I guess a pic would be cool too!

 

[jdbower]

I know its some sort of quick way to hook up accessories for the tractors, but could someone explain it better.
Sorry, but I've just never seen one. I can't find it on JD's web site either.
I guess a pic would be cool too!

It's a U-shaped chunk of metal that in theory should allow you to back up to an implement and just lift it with the 3-point instead of needing to hook up everything manually (you still need to get off the tractor if you need to use the PTO - but that's easy). John Deere calls it iMatch because they have a marketing department, this is actually a universal standard (ASAE Category 1 Standard S278.6) which makes the reality even more frustrating.

The reality is that many attachment vendors choose to ignore this standard and few deem it worthy of a mention as a selling point. My DR-chipper gives me the biggest chip on my shoulder, but even my JD-supplied Frontier tiller needs an adjustment to be compliant. Hopefully these non-standard designs will be phased out over the next few years, but I'm not holding my breath.

Here's a picture from JD:
http://salesmanual.deere.com/sales/...ctor_hookup/i-match_quick-hitch_lx_mx5-6.html

 

[Deadman]

Thanks.

By looking at that, I think my turnbuckles are the way to go afterall.
I can swap impliments in like 3 minutes anyway, so I guess I'm really glad I didn't buy the I match. Seems like it gives the impliment more leverage too, because it gets moved rearward more.

 

[BloomingtonMike]

I like the Imatch very much and with many of my tools it is truely back up, lift, drop handles and go. As to the FT tiller comment, I have a Frontier RT1260 tiller that is Imatch compatable as well - what adjustment did you have to make?

 

[rmonio]

I find the i-match to be a wonderful addition when I'm dealing with my MX-6 mower (a real beast to connect up). Also, with my Frontier Box Blade it does a nice job latching on when I'm ready to use it. However, I've had to get a conversion kit for my Buhler Farm King RFM ($50) and it looks like my JD Ballast Box isn't compatible (go figure!) - so there are some things that just arn't workable with the standard. You also need to learn a little about bushing, sleeves, cat1-cat2-cat3 conversions, etc...

(much like the computer industry managed standards for many years, the same is true for the i-Match and the ASAE Category One standard...)

Given what I know now, it still would have been smart for me to have bought an i-Match back when I first got my 4600. The majority of my implements all work with it naturally (sans the Buhler Farm King) and I'll figure out how to get the Ballast Box working when I next talk to my JD Dealer mad: )... The time + muscle savings over the years also make it well worth it for me.

-Bob

 

[jdbower]

I like the Imatch very much and with many of my tools it is truely back up, lift, drop handles and go. As to the FT tiller comment, I have a Frontier RT1260 tiller that is Imatch compatable as well - what adjustment did you have to make?

When it works, it works great. On my tiller, the two lower links are too close together. It looks like a ~1" bolt can be loosened to move them a bit farther apart to be closer to standard.

 

[BloomingtonMike]

When it works, it works great. On my tiller, the two lower links are too close together. It looks like a ~1" bolt can be loosened to move them a bit farther apart to be closer to standard.

That is how mine is adjusted. Did you have any problems with the length of your PTO shaft being too long without the Imatch? For me it is somewhat tight even with the Imatch installed - Imatch is almost a requirement for the RT1260 and Cat1 tractors. I know it can be used on Cat2 as well.

 

[jdbower]

That is how mine is adjusted. Did you have any problems with the length of your PTO shaft being too long without the Imatch? For me it is somewhat tight even with the Imatch installed - Imatch is almost a requirement for the RT1260 and Cat1 tractors. I know it can be used on Cat2 as well.

The nut I need to loosen is visible in your picture, I just need to move the connection point outwards on either side and it'll work just fine. It's not a big deal, just a minor annoyance that the default position isn't the standard. My DR issues are more severe, but that just means that I need to start building up a small metalshop, so I guess it's an excuse to buy more tools (if I only had room!).

I never had any issues with my PTO shaft (in fact, I'm a bit worried about how much it's extended with Pat's Quick Hitch installed), but mine is not nearly as beefy as yours. If you ordered yours from the dealer explictly for iMatch they may have adjusted the side links for you and given you a longer PTO shaft.

 

[BloomingtonMike]

When I was looking for a tiller I wanted it to work with Imatch upon arrival. I called around and a JD dealer 50miles away had this one on the lot (had been demoed one time) for a great price. I asked if it would work with Imatch and the dealer said it was almost a requirement as it was almost too tight with the included shaft without Imatch. It works perfectly really with my setup. The tiller is a medium duty model and is beefy. I have a lot of rocks in my yard so it is nice to know this one is designed to be rugged.

 

[CDsdad]

Is it standard on all JD compacts now or standard on some models and options on other? And does it get in the way when you don't have a rear attachment, or do you just take it off? Looks interesting.

 

[jdbower]

Just for BloomingtonMike I changed around my tiller to accept iMatch (although I need a new toplink pin, the hole that matches the hook for the iMatch is way too big). The bolts are 15/16" and they're hard to turn unless you've got strong teeth...

Is it standard on all JD compacts now or standard on some models and options on other? And does it get in the way when you don't have a rear attachment, or do you just take it off? Looks interesting.

I don't think iMatch is standard on any tractor, it's ~$2-300 option that attaches to the three point. If (when?) it worked on all of my attachments I'd just leave it on the tractor all the time - all it does it lock the sway arms and the toplink into a fixed position and add a little weight. If you don't care about the green paint, you can find the equivalent products pretty much anyplace, but I doubt you'll save a whole lot.

It's a great idea, I'm just frustrated at the attachment vendors for not implementing it on their end since it is a cross-vendor standard - but I come from a world where something that's three years old is ready for the junkyard even though it cost millions new... (except for the stuff I sell, of course, that's future proof! )

Edited to add that it may interfere with a rear bagger, it just occurred to me that my Pat's Quick Hitch can hit the bags so iMatch may get in the way unless you have a 3-point-attached bagger.