Is a quick hitch worth it when you have adjustable links

[Sidekick]

Just wondering what everyone's thoughts are. I have adjustable links and rear control lever on my 3 point arms but am thinking about using a quick hitch with a hydraulic top link to make switching implements easier and possibly without leaving the seat. The adjustable links do make hooking up easier but for fast switching of non pto implements it appears a quick hitch is the way to go. Basically just for the rake, boxblade, 30 cu ft dumpbox, and trailer hitch/mover. The mower, sickle bar, post hole, and snowblower wouldn't be able to use it because of my current pto shaft lengths. Thinking it would be easy to remove by just leaving it on the last implement used when switching over for pto implements. Back issues and arthritis are tough on old backs. Anyone tried one with adjustable links?

 

[woodman55]

YES, without a moments hesitation, yes. I find life much easier with the quick hitch/hyd top and tilt comb.

 

[Edke6bnl]

YES, without a moments hesitation, yes. I find life much easier with the quick hitch/hyd top and tilt comb.

When everything goes right with the quick hitch I can connect and leave without getting off the tractor. Same with removing a implement. BUT I put items on not so level or ideal ground and that takes a little more effort.

 

[jyoutz]

I have the telescoping lift arms and hydraulic top link and no quick hitch. It works for me.

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

like a lot of things its viewed as a latest and greatest toy/must have, an option for some, a must for others, and for some like me I don't see the need.

I have survived so far in life without. On a daily basis I might have to change a cat 3 implement once or twice at most so I find with good equipment maintenance, experience and a trusty pry bar at the ready I have survived and enjoyed life w/o. There was a time years back I spent more time in the seat of equipment than in my own bed.

That being said I don't think they are a bad thing. Just I have never had a burning desire to have one and the worry of pto lengths than can arise.

just my 2 cents and I am probably I am the very small minority here.

 

[biketopia]

I have one, a Harbor Freight variety. For the cost, for a Cat 1 machine, it's hard to beat. You might need to get the top hook that extends out another 1" but it's like $20 on Amazon. I spent a little bit of time getting all my implements set up the same, and man is it sweet, especially now with the hydraulic top link, I can drop and swap without getting off the tractor. My PTO implements all had enough overlap to be safely used without buying new shafts. I did buy some cat 1 to cat 2 conversion bushings on Amazon but for ease of hook up, and not having to leave the seat, well worth the investment to me.

 

[dirtydeed]

Yes, I think its worth it.

For your pto driven attachments, you can get a PTO extender. They are about 4 inches long and will make up the difference that the quick hitch pushes your implements back.

Something like this:

 

[Sidekick]

Yes, I think its worth it.

For your pto driven attachments, you can get a PTO extender. They are about 4 inches long and will make up the difference that the quick hitch pushes your implements back.

Something like this:

View attachment 149730

That would definitely make the pto easier to access. Wonder if they fit tight or add wobble.

Thanks, you talked me into trying one. After a search I found one from Speeco that doesn't need bushings on sale for $199.00 with free shipping at a company called Big Tool Rack. I think it's a Chinese import rebranded by Speeco. Seemed like most of them need special bushings pinned on that would be a pain with 2 tractors and only one having a quick hitch. You guys are great at helping others spend money 🫢.

 

[McMXi]

Just wondering what everyone's thoughts are. I have adjustable links and rear control lever on my 3 point arms but am thinking about using a quick hitch with a hydraulic top link to make switching implements easier and possibly without leaving the seat. The adjustable links do make hooking up easier but for fast switching of non pto implements it appears a quick hitch is the way to go. Basically just for the rake, boxblade, 30 cu ft dumpbox, and trailer hitch/mover. The mower, sickle bar, post hole, and snowblower wouldn't be able to use it because of my current pto shaft lengths. Thinking it would be easy to remove by just leaving it on the last implement used when switching over for pto implements. Back issues and arthritis are tough on old backs. Anyone tried one with adjustable links?

A quick hitch with top-n-tilt is about as easy as it gets when getting an implement on or off the tractor. It doesn't matter how the implement is orientated i.e. doesn't have to be on a level surface in order to pick it up. Many of my implements are QH compatible such as the snow blower, box blade, land leveler, rotary cutter, and sprayer. The flail is an hydraulic offset with lots of offset so not compatible.

I don't have any issues with the snow blower and PTO shaft on the MX in combination with a QH. Same goes for the RCR1884 (rotary cutter). No adjustments, adapters or modifications were needed.

I used to own a QH05 for the BX but currently have a QH10 and QH15. I would say that Land Pride makes the best fitting QHs in terms of the pins and latches based on what I've seen online. I made a post a while back about GWTC's latest QH and the ridiculous amount of space between the latches and pins.

 

[dirtydeed]

That would definitely make the pto easier to access. Wonder if they fit tight or add wobble.

Thanks, you talked me into trying one. After a search I found one from Speeco that doesn't need bushings on sale for $199.00 with free shipping at a company called Big Tool Rack. I think it's a Chinese import rebranded by Speeco. Seemed like most of them need special bushings pinned on that would be a pain with 2 tractors and only one having a quick hitch. You guys are great at helping others spend money 🫢.

I have a pto extender. Yes, they do add just a bit of wobble but I don't thing its anything to worry about on a small machine.

I also have the speeco quick hitch. Its the "E-hitch". You are correct, you wont need bushings for it.

 

[McMXi]

When everything goes right with the quick hitch I can connect and leave without getting off the tractor. Same with removing a implement. BUT I put items on not so level or ideal ground and that takes a little more effort.

With top-n-tilt it doesn't matter if the implement is level or not. Just a thought.

 

[SDT]

Just wondering what everyone's thoughts are. I have adjustable links and rear control lever on my 3 point arms but am thinking about using a quick hitch with a hydraulic top link to make switching implements easier and possibly without leaving the seat. The adjustable links do make hooking up easier but for fast switching of non pto implements it appears a quick hitch is the way to go. Basically just for the rake, boxblade, 30 cu ft dumpbox, and trailer hitch/mover. The mower, sickle bar, post hole, and snowblower wouldn't be able to use it because of my current pto shaft lengths. Thinking it would be easy to remove by just leaving it on the last implement used when switching over for pto implements. Back issues and arthritis are tough on old backs. Anyone tried one with adjustable links?

Not worth the cost and downsides in my opinion.

 

[Sidekick]

I have a pto extender. Yes, they do add just a bit of wobble but I don't thing its anything to worry about on a small machine.

I also have the speeco quick hitch. Its the "E-hitch". You are correct, you wont need bushings for it.

View attachment 149731

Thanks for the picture. That is the one I ordered and hopefully it will work on my attachments with open pins also. I wanted black but this model only seems to come in red. I have a can of truck bed liner to fix that. I have used the spray over powder coat before withgood luck. Just measured my old post hole digger and that isn't going to work with it but luckily it only gets used about once every 2 years. Now to find 3 point extender to try. Found a cheap top link on Vevor that's about the right length I think I will try to start. Originally I had seen a quick hitch at harbor freight for $79.00 but didn't like adding bushings to implements and having to remove them for the BX use. My back needs a break and hopefully this will help.

 

[chim]

I bought a quick hitch and it's still brand new, unused. This is the third tractor I haven't used it on.

 

[D2Cat]

I bought a quick hitch and it's still brand new, unused. This is the third tractor I haven't used it on.

I've got a Speedco I bought 10-12 years ago and it sets on a pallet unused.

 

[jimh406]

I guess it depends on how often you change implements and what those are. If you take the same implement on/off, it's pretty useful.

I've found that I usually have to adjust the top link to get everything to line up. I believe it would be just as fast with the regular 3 pt. The reason why is that the implement angle is different in use for all of my implements. That is, the angle I want is different if I'm using a rear blade, grader scraper, or rotary cutter.

Fwiw, I have the optional quick adjust bottom links which are never used in my setup with the QH, so I guess that money was just a bit of a waste.

 

[McMXi]

I've found that I usually have to adjust the top link to get everything to line up. I believe it would be just as fast with the regular 3 pt. The reason why is that the implement angle is different in use for all of my implements. That is, the angle I want is different if I'm using a rear blade, grader scraper, or rotary cutter.

But this is where hydraulic top and side link make all difference. Without those, a QH provides way less functionality than it does with them.

 

[dirtydeed]

I guess it depends on how often you change implements and what those are. If you take the same implement on/off, it's pretty useful.

I've found that I usually have to adjust the top link to get everything to line up. I believe it would be just as fast with the regular 3 pt. The reason why is that the implement angle is different in use for all of my implements. That is, the angle I want is different if I'm using a rear blade, grader scraper, or rotary cutter.

Fwiw, I have the optional quick adjust bottom links which are never used in my setup with the QH, so I guess that money was just a bit of a waste.

X2.

I do typically need to do some top link adjustment. That's really not a big deal at all. I keep a small magnetic level in my tractor toolbox to help.

I use my machine for a landscaping business so I change attachments often. Many times, I'll have up to three attachments on a job site. I'm not about to wrestle with them to get hooked up when I'm sweating, tired and the rain (or nightfall) is on the way.

YMMV