Implement Connection

I have a 1977 year model 255 Massey Ferguson with category-1 three point hitch. As time has gone by it has become harder and harder to connect to implements. It is no fault of the tractor.
I am searching for the best quick easy way to attach to implements for this tractor, and me. I need the hitch to be able to handle all of the weight that the tractor can handle. The price is an important factor in this search also.
I could sure use some opinions from y'all.

Thanks.

Mule

I solved the problem by getting a tractor for each implement.

Using jackstands and adjustable screw jacks, that allow the implement to sit level and square when off is the the best I have to offer. Jm

Look at the Pats quick hitch.....could be what your looking for.

Yes, Quick hitch is just what you want.

Do You want:

cheap.

Easy.

Flexible.

Cheap is the Harbor Freight 3pt quick hitch. It is a little light weight, which makes it easier to take off and on. It works. It appears to take all the abuse a 35 hp tractor can give it, even tho it is a bit light weight. The issue is you might need to modify or swap out some of your implements, as many, esp older ones, don’t fit the quick hitch. Some implements are not quite standard size, and a fair number have a brace or bracket in the way of getting the big top link hook into the upper link. Lots of farm supply and implement dealers sell cat 1 quick hitches that work just the same. Some are heavier and have different latches, etc. all work about the same, most cost a little more. There is a special bracket to get that allows you to use with some difficult implements, you have to pin on in place of the grab hook.

Easy is one type of hitch that is like a triangle wedge like a giant letter A. But you have to bolt on the special bracket on every one of your implements, that wedge shape probably makes it a little easier to hook up, and will work with most of your stuff but you have to buy the bracket for the tractor and a bracket for each of your implements, which adds up the price and overall complexity as then you can’t use other stuff without the brackets, or loan your implements to others without taking the bracket off. So, it is easier to hook up, but much more complicated to start out, and spendy! I’ve never actually seen one of these in person, as they are so expensive and take so much to convert everything.......

Flexible is using Pats lower link arm hooks. These are a hook latch that goes on the ends of your lower arms. Back up to the implement and lift up, the Pats adaptor hooks over the arms as a quick hitch does, then you put the top link on like always, and good to go. These are more adaptable to odd three point implements as the top link is working with your normal top link, and the bottom links can be used wider or narrower for off spec implements. However you need to get off and put the top link on still, and holding your bottom arms the correct width requires you use a temp cross bracket or get off and hold them in place as you lift the three point. So it’s really flexible to work with everything, but it does require a little more work on your part to hook up.

None of these work well with a post hole auger or a 3pt backhoe or a scissors lift bale mover or other specialized implements that use modified top link hook ups. The Pats might possibly work with these, but only if you can adjust the length of those specialized implement top links.

Also all of them move the implement back a few inches, which means an already too short pto will be way too short, and if for example you move round bales that your tractor can just barely lift, with the bale back another few inches it might not be able to lift now.

That is more than I know about the topic.

Paul

Paul that is a very good explanation to a troubling topic. Over the years I sold a lot of quick hitches only to go back to the farm latter and find the thing setting in the shed. Like you siad works if all your implments are standard but most are not and also does nothing to help in the pto area nd sometimes makes the shaft not long enough. Very well said.

I use the same approach as Traditional Farmer, tractor for every implement. The new problem is keeping all the tractors running.

IH fast hitch..............problem solved years ago.

Quick hitch with a hydraulic top link. I found the quick hitch doesn't work well without being able to move the top as all three points need to be in perfect alignment to hook up and especially on ground that is uneven, that doesn't happen.

We solved the problem by not having those 3 pt implements to use. Also a tractor for each tool helps with not hitching too. You would be amazed at the amount of time spent on hitching in the days end.