Quick hitch questions

random

Well-known member

Equipment
L3301, bucket, backhoe, grader, plow, harrow, cultivator
Nov 2, 2020
717
401
63
NC
Two-part question:

Just picked up a quick hitch after reading about them around here - On the implement it fits, all's good. But there's something I hadn't considered before getting it: the TOP link.

Most of my implements have a top link with a bolt a few inches below, just close enough to block the QH top hook from getting under the pin.


hitch1.jpg


hitch2.jpg


I can see a few ways around this:

1. Position things first, then put the pin in. Only I still had a little trouble getting the hook in over the bolt, so I'm not sure that's going to work for all of them.

2. It looks like there is an adapter I can get that will let me link the parts, instead of a hook. (This seems to be the best long-term solution, and what I'll do - just read about that while posting this question)

3. What I'm wondering about: what about hooking it onto the bolt? Would that be safe, not only for operator but for the implement? Does that bolt have enough shear strength to work like this?

I was seriously considering option 3, pending responses here, until I read about that adapter. But I'm still curious if it would have worked.

Part 2:
Any trick to attaching the bushings? I didn't see anything in the manual. You can see one in the second pic - they have a pin that goes through the bushing and the link pin, and it's REALLY tight (for obvious reasons).
 

armylifer

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
BX1860, FEL, RCK54P MMM, BB1548 Box Scraper, Quick Hitch, Piranha Bar, BX6315
Mar 26, 2013
2,050
783
113
Thurston County, WA
One thing that you can do is re-position either the top hook on the QH to allow you to hook up the implement or re-position the bolts on the implement to match the hook.
 

Bmyers

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
Grand L3560 with LA805 loader, EA 55" Wicked Grapple, SBX72 BB, LP 1272 mower
May 27, 2019
3,293
3,849
113
Southern Illinois
Bushing attachment has been a pain, until I realized if I used a pair of locking pliers and squeeze the pin and tap it in about a 3rd of the way and then remove the pliers, made life much easier.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

random

Well-known member

Equipment
L3301, bucket, backhoe, grader, plow, harrow, cultivator
Nov 2, 2020
717
401
63
NC
One thing that you can do is re-position either the top hook on the QH to allow you to hook up the implement or re-position the bolts on the implement to match the hook.
So you're saying I CAN hook to those bolts? That was my biggest concern, wasn't sure if that was OK.
Yeah the hook has quite a few holes available for adjustment, almost a 4" range.
 

i7win7

Well-known member

Equipment
BX2370, B2650 grapple, tree puller, trailer mover, 3 point hoist, mower, tiller
Feb 21, 2020
3,379
3,982
113
Central, IL
Looks like a piece of steel under top bolt. If you cut it out to use bottom bushing, add 2nd bolt/bushing to top hole.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

random

Well-known member

Equipment
L3301, bucket, backhoe, grader, plow, harrow, cultivator
Nov 2, 2020
717
401
63
NC
Ok guys, I'm a bit confused.

I'm asking if it's ok to hook the hitch to the bolts, but it seems like you guys are telling me HOW to hook it to the bolts? That would suggest that it IS ok.

The hole ABOVE the bolts is where the hitch pin connector goes that I usually use. I've never used the bolts to connect anything. I just don't want to break them by doing this.
 

random

Well-known member

Equipment
L3301, bucket, backhoe, grader, plow, harrow, cultivator
Nov 2, 2020
717
401
63
NC
From reading that thread (thank you for the reference @i7win7 ) it appears that it's fine to do so. So I don't have to make another trip back to Agri-supply tomorrow!
 

je1279

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
LX2610 w/ 60" MMM, LP 72" Snow Plow, EA Wicked 55" Grapple, and Woods 60" BB
Dec 6, 2020
728
469
63
Upstate NY
It is fine to connect to the bolts. The top hook supports the least weight of the implement. Just make sure your hook is adjusted correctly so the lower pins/bushings are fully seated in the quick hitch.
 

RBA50

Member

Equipment
B2320, LA304 loader (B1658 QA), B2789 snowblower, RCK54-29B MMM, HF quick hitch
Apr 29, 2013
133
20
18
Goldendale, WA
In your first pic, if there is interference from the welded bar under the bolt, just move the bolt to the top hole, and install the poper bushings while you're at it. The bolts are fine for the top hook, not much load there.
 

OrangeKrush

Well-known member

Equipment
BX2680, LA344 with Piranha tooth bar, LP PF 1242, LP Rear Blade, KK 60" BB
Nov 15, 2020
1,047
515
113
Indy
Use the bolt that fits best with your adjustable hook and when you get a chance maybe get a sleeve for the bolt if it needs slack taken out. Maybe you have some old steel pipe around that you could cut a sleeve from.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

armylifer

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
BX1860, FEL, RCK54P MMM, BB1548 Box Scraper, Quick Hitch, Piranha Bar, BX6315
Mar 26, 2013
2,050
783
113
Thurston County, WA
So you're saying I CAN hook to those bolts? That was my biggest concern, wasn't sure if that was OK.
Yeah the hook has quite a few holes available for adjustment, almost a 4" range.
I see that you got several answers that agree you can hook up to the bolt. I would get a sleeve, as suggested by OrangeKrush, though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

jaargh

Member

Equipment
BX1880V w/LA344 FEL, BB1248 Scraper, RCR1248 Brush Mower, 60" Rock Rake
Mar 30, 2021
47
49
18
southern california
I see that you got several answers that agree you can hook up to the bolt. I would get a sleeve, as suggested by OrangeKrush, though.
Armylifter... I was with the 82nd from 80-83... 307th Engineers, then transferred to an “experimental” unit to drive Dune Buggies until I was medically retired for for line of duties injuries.. HOOYA!!
 

armylifer

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
BX1860, FEL, RCK54P MMM, BB1548 Box Scraper, Quick Hitch, Piranha Bar, BX6315
Mar 26, 2013
2,050
783
113
Thurston County, WA
Armylifter... I was with the 82nd from 80-83... 307th Engineers, then transferred to an “experimental” unit to drive Dune Buggies until I was medically retired for for line of duties injuries.. HOOYA!!
I was in the 307th Medical Battalion and the 1st Bn 501st Infantry in the 82nd. Back in the day we had so many druggies in Division the nickname for us was the jumping junkies. After we got rid of the draft and all the malcontents, we started becoming a very professional Army. I loved serving in the 82nd. My dad and his brother also served in the 82nd. Uncle was in Div Arty, 82nd, and dad was in 3rd Bn 325th Infantry, 82nd ABN Division.
 

bcp

Active member

Equipment
BX2360
Apr 20, 2011
645
78
28
SW WA
Move the bolt. That's why most modern implements have two holes. One is for quick hitch, other one is for top link.

Bruce
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users

jaargh

Member

Equipment
BX1880V w/LA344 FEL, BB1248 Scraper, RCR1248 Brush Mower, 60" Rock Rake
Mar 30, 2021
47
49
18
southern california
I was in the 307th Medical Battalion and the 1st Bn 501st Infantry in the 82nd. Back in the day we had so many druggies in Division the nickname for us was the jumping junkies. After we got rid of the draft and all the malcontents, we started becoming a very professional Army. I loved serving in the 82nd. My dad and his brother also served in the 82nd. Uncle was in Div Arty, 82nd, and dad was in 3rd Bn 325th Infantry, 82nd ABN Division.
Yup... jumping junkies.. my company was attached to the 3/325... I remember guys getting high on the flight out to the dz...

As for this thread.. are those bushings for a grade 2 hitch..
 

armylifer

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
BX1860, FEL, RCK54P MMM, BB1548 Box Scraper, Quick Hitch, Piranha Bar, BX6315
Mar 26, 2013
2,050
783
113
Thurston County, WA
Yup... jumping junkies.. my company was attached to the 3/325... I remember guys getting high on the flight out to the dz...

As for this thread.. are those bushings for a grade 2 hitch..
Are you speaking of a category 2 hitch? If so, I cannot answer that one. Maybe someone else can.
 

i7win7

Well-known member

Equipment
BX2370, B2650 grapple, tree puller, trailer mover, 3 point hoist, mower, tiller
Feb 21, 2020
3,379
3,982
113
Central, IL
From reading that thread (thank you for the reference @i7win7 ) it appears that it's fine to do so. So I don't have to make another trip back to Agri-supply tomorrow!
All 3 of my QH's (different brands) have an adjustible top hook. Maybe a little anal but, moving the hook makes the QH not so quick. Modified my stuff so I can back under any implement and instantly use it. My box blade is the only exception. It was easier to buy an extended top hook than mod a new piece of equipment. Only plan to use it with 1 tractor anyway.
 

OrangeKrush

Well-known member

Equipment
BX2680, LA344 with Piranha tooth bar, LP PF 1242, LP Rear Blade, KK 60" BB
Nov 15, 2020
1,047
515
113
Indy
Like mcfarmall said .. move the bolt to the upper on both implements if needed and hopefully both will work out with the quick hitch. If not you may have to make adjustments to the implement. You’ll figure it out even if you do have to move the hook for a certain implement, it’s still quicker.