What is "I-Match?"

[sixdogs]

I have seen this mentioned occasionally and believe it to be that JD has come up with a way to makes a proprietary factory 3-pt hitch so the owner of the JD tractor MUST use JD equipment. Would that be a good explanation?

If that is true it makes no sense in that JD would limit buyers for it's tractor to those who were interesting in purchasing ONLY new JD proprietary impliments. And that I-match equipment would only work with a JD I-Match tractors and the tractor will only work with I-Match equipment?

I thought that idea flailed with the Farmall Quick-Hitch 2-pt system. Surely I must not understand everything.

 

[Blagadan]

If that is true JD are making a bad marketing descision...

 

[RollTideRam]

"Imatch" is added to your factory hitch. They don't force you to buy it, and you can add it to almost any tractor if you want to. It is Deere's hitch, and they made it to fit their brand of equipment. Other equipment is made to the same spec Deere uses, but not all brands. I don't use it because I have implements from several companies. Pat's easy change and a hydraulic top link works pretty good for me. JC

 

[kennyd]

I have seen this mentioned occasionally and believe it to be that JD has come up with a way to makes a proprietary factory 3-pt hitch so the owner of the JD tractor MUST use JD equipment. Would that be a good explanation?

No, that is not a good explanation at all. The I-Match is just a brand name for a quick hitch. There is nothing proprietary about it all all, in fact it's copied by several other manufacturers like Land Pride, Speedco, and even Harbor Freight. It just seems everybody likes to pick on JD because it cost's more.

MANY years ago, A set of standards was developed by the ASAE for the link spacing of 3PH implements, You can view the specs HERE. There are many large manufacturers of implements that are starting to adhere to the standard, but, OTOH, many short-line companies continue to make things any way they want and not follow the specs, So there is an appearance of JD stuff being proprietary-but I don't think that is the case at all. It's just that the companies that are following the specs usually charge more for their stuff (like Frontier or Land Pride), and other small companies who make less expensive stuff (like Howse, King Kutter, ect.) are not following the specs. Add to that the all the older stuff in the marketplace makes the whole question of whether or not a implement fit fit a mystery at best...

This issue has been discussed here for years, sometimes not politely either. Do a search, make your own decision whether to buy or not...but don't blame JD

 

[FastPauly]

I agree kennyd, no blame should be put on JD concerning this. They are just selling a device that utilizes the ASAE standard just as the aftermarket folks are doing. The price difference is just a factor that will help you decide what you want, the JD I-Match or whatever name the aftermarket one will have on it. Is there a quality difference? Sure could be, and it can be in either direction. I just wish ALL the implement folks would adhere to the standard......cause it does really work.

 

[2Malamutes]

I have seen this mentioned occasionally and believe it to be that JD has come up with a way to makes a proprietary factory 3-pt hitch so the owner of the JD tractor MUST use JD equipment. Would that be a good explanation?

Surely I must not understand everything.

No, and correct respectively.

KennyD explained this well; I don't know why people want to rip on JD just because they have chosen to actually adhere to the standards and design for other companies who have done likewise. If you owned a competition grade .22 caliber firearm, and all of the expensive to spec ammo fed properly but when you used blue light special discount ammo it frequently misfed due to a casing tolerance issue would you blame the firearm manufacturer? If you don't like the iMatch concept, simply don't use it and your 3pt. will work just like any other 3 pt.

 

[flyngti]

I don't know why people want to rip on JD just because they have chosen to actually adhere to the standards and design for other companies who have done likewise.

There definitely are people who grumble about JD, but I think it comes more from a lack of understanding of the ASAE standard. I doubt that many people complain about the actual adherence to the standard. At any rate, I agree with everyone here -- don't blame John Deere.

Common grumblings seem to be:

Q: Why does the I-Match have the top and bottom hooks located where they are?
A: Because it's part of the standard

Q: Why does the I-Match require bushings to use a cat 1 implement with cat 1 pins?
A: Because it's part of the standard

The bottom line is if you use implements that adhere to the ASAE standard, an I-Match or any other 3-pt quick hitch is a great addition.

 

[sixdogs]

Thank you all. I knew I could get a straight answer here.

 

[Wesdor]

KennyD has it right, but I'd like to add a bit more information.

When I bought my 4310 - 3 1/2 years ago, I did a lot of research here at TBN. After reading LOTS of material, I had the dealer add the iMatch to the order. It was the best low priced addition I made.

A friend has a tractor without a quick hitch and I helped him hook up three different pieces of equipment today. It was not impossible, but two of them would have been much easier with the quick hitch.

BTW - I do not have any John Deere attachments and everything except my post hole digger fits with the iMatch.

It is a real time saver when you are attaching equipment.