Is there good or bad?

flying belgian · Oct 25, 2010

I'm finially going to break down and buy a quick hitch (catagory 2) for my tractor. You know I been doing with out all these years and getting by hooking plow and anhydrous app. right to hitch but I am getting tired of it and you got to spend your money on something and I choose to spend mine on a quick hitch. Now my question. There really can't be much difference from one brand to the next can there? Is it ok to just by the cheapest?

JMS/.MN · Oct 25, 2010

Early JD was very light, so are some current ones you find at fleet stores. I"ve had two since the 70s and 80s. One was made by that outfit in Jeffers, MN, maybe the other as well, but slightly different design, and sold through local JD dealers. 70s had a pushrod to lock, (harder to operate), but side frames and bottom hook are the same width. 80s one has a snap over center operating handle, but the lower hooks are narrower than the side frame, so harder to center. One I rebuilt to handle cat 2 or 3, so used on a Case 2470, then JD 4450 MFWD, both near 200 hp. No structural problems with either one all these years. Only operating hassle is hyd hoses on towed equipment snagging in the hooks, open or closed, while turning. Solved that with an inch pipe, cut to fit, with large washer on each end...lock into the hooks and lay the hoses over the top of the pipe. Also easier on the hoses when parked- upper hitch member would drop onto them, stretching them- now the QH drops to the drawbar, and that cross pipe holds it up.

showcrop · Oct 25, 2010

I was at a salvage yard 2-3 months ago. I noticed they had a half dozen or so.

VicS · Oct 25, 2010

My dad bought a cheap one from our local farm supply store in the 70's. He welded plate steel in the hooks, so you don't need adapters for the pins. It has been indestructible. We have pulled on the top hook hard, with a Case Magnum front wheel assist. We also have a newer compact JD with a cat 1 quick hitch, don't know how we got along without it. We have a tiller,box blade,grader blade,log splitter, hay rake,6 ft brush cutter,7 ft finish mower,and a big bale mover. It took me about 2 yrs to adapt every thing to the quick coupler, but it is worth it.

Ray · Oct 25, 2010

I see them at farm sales all the time for around 100 bucks.We always bought the aftermarket hiniker and other brands without a problem.

F150Mustang · Oct 25, 2010

We have a couple JD cat 3 narrow quick hitches we really like (the welded ones not the cast ones). They are both bolted to Ih tractors.
There was a company called "Metro" from Minneapolis that made a true cat 2 quick hitch (cat 2 on both sides). We have two of these also and really like them but there downfall is there locking mech. The handles are built to light and tend to break.
We keep looking for another one on auctions but havent found one yet. We really like both sides being cat 2.

Anonymous-0 · Oct 26, 2010

I bought and use the one from harbor freight and it works good for my original intent (being able to hook up a half ton + container without straining my muccies and dropping my bale fork in place without needing absorbine). It's not all it's cracked up to be when it comes to things like mowers, rakes, and tedders without an extra adapter that kinda takes out the "quickness". Now that I have broadened my horizons, I am considering the ones (or similiar) that Northern Tool has that are just a hook that pins onto the lift arm and just use a normal top link. You can also get a toplink with a quick hook (at least here)

Dave

ohiojim · Oct 26, 2010

they are real handy if you change everything over to fit them,..i bought mine at i believe harbor freight for 98.00,..son in law bought his at tractor supply for 200.00 and they are identicle

fixerupper · Oct 26, 2010

How big is the tractor and what kind of implements are you lifting? Is your plow semi-mounted or fully mounted? The top hook is the weak link. A cat 2 quick hitch hooked to a five shank or bigger V ripper and a big enough tractor to pull it will result in a broken-off top hook. Happened to me and some of my neighbors who run cat 2. That's an extreme case involving heavy lift and pull at the same time. If you are using it for merely lifting, a cheapy bargain brand will probbly do but if you're pulling hard on it you might want to spend a little more money and be safe. Jim

Is there good or bad?

flying belgian

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JMS/.MN

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showcrop

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VicS

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Ray

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F150Mustang

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Anonymous-0

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ohiojim

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fixerupper

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