Harbor Freight Quick hitch review

[@kylerayk]

Here are some things you need to do to the HFQH. Keep in mind that it's made in China and also keep in mind that the CAT 1, 2, 3 etc. "standards" allow for a wide variation in implement pin width and centerline height of the third pin. So here is my story with the HFQH. First, the top hook is too close the the QH frame and needs to be extended by 1" to 1-1/4" which is accomplished by welding a block to the back of the hook and redrilling the holes. There are aftermarket ones available for purchase for around $30 if you aren't handy in the fabrication department. Second, the supplied pins that hook the QH to the draft arms are grossly undersized...by 0.100" to be exact. This will cause excessive wear on the swivelly balls of the draft arms and provide a lot of unnecessary slop to the assembly. I bought a set of CAT 1 lower link pins at Farm & Fleet and re-made the lower pins using the purchased ones as a starting point. A little lathe work and fabrication/welding will do the trick. You will also have to drill out the holes in the QH to 57/64" to accommodate the new pins. Third, you need to use bushings on the lower pins of your implement to bring the O.D. of the pins from 7/8" to around 1-7/16" so they fit snugly in the lower hooks of the QH. You have to do this with ANY QH you use, Land Pride, iMatch, SpeeCo, Lee Agra, etc.. I made such modifications to my HFQH and it has served me well for over 3 years with no other issues. Also, in order to keep the "quick" in the QH, you need to adjust your implements to match one setting on the QH...this is only a concern if you use (usually) older implements from a variety of manufacturers as I stated before, the "standards" for 3PH's are very loose at best and allowed manufacturers MUCH leeway in their designs.

[@DoctorVsDirt]

Wow, thanks for the detailed help. Good info. My Titan implements adjust so that I got a pretty snug fit after I expanded the lower pins. It is frustratingly that "standards" aren't standard.

[@mrblanche]

Now you need the quick-connect PTO connector. By the way, those latches are spring loaded. If you leave them in the "latched" position, you can connect without even flipping the handles.

[@DoctorVsDirt]

Yeah. The PTO connector is a pain in the butt.

[@markcraytor2334]

Although in this case it wouldn't matter because you still have to dismount the tractor to hook up the PTO, but at 4:00 if you would have flipped the arms down and backed up to the next implement it would self lock. the bottom locks are spring loaded and move in when you back into the bottom pins. It took me awhile to figure that out.

[@DoctorVsDirt]

Thanks for the tip. I didn't realize it did that

[@timsawyer7443]

... that is, IF the implement is heavy enough to "trip" the springs (kind of like a baby mouse not springing a mouse trap). I have a hard time, for example, getting my rear (straight) blade to engage those springs. Still, love my HFQH!

[@richardmiller3781]

Just curious, what LS tractor is that? How do you like it? I just purchased one myself, less than a week ago. So far great.

[@DoctorVsDirt]

It is a 3135HC. I love it. I have about 150 hours on it and couldn't be happier. She is small and nimble in the forest, but has really good power.

[@yauwohn]

SAFETY FIRST!!! SHUT the engine down BEFORE coupling the drive shaft!! ALWAYS!!!

[@braddenham9189]

Shaking hands with danger

[@barrymcfeat5141]

A demo which shows what is fairly obvious once quick att. is on the tractor :-). However, you drop off your box blade,…… Totally at the wrong elevation to perform its proper function. Perhaps this demo was totally about the hitch?….. But how many folks also look to see the angle a box blade?

[@altonhenderson4120]

You get what you pay for with the HF quick hitch . All bolts and pins are metric and the top hook does not extend out far enough . I have 45 years welding experience so I just fixed all these issues myself . Just be aware these hitches may work right out of the box on Asian tractors but not on most tractors sold in America .

[@DoctorVsDirt]

Had to modify my Titan implements a little to us this hitch. Otherwise, it has taken a lot of punishment as I box blade and brush cut in the "jungle" of SC. I only have a 35 HP tractor though. I'm not using huge, heavy implements.

[@highstepperARF]

Hey friend, turn that thing off before you touch that PTO shaft. Even in neutral. Call me paranoid, but.... God Bless!

[@DoctorVsDirt]

I hear ya. My PTO is button controlled so something really freaky would have to happen for that puppy to start up, but real bad outcome if it does. My biggest fear on the tractor is the hydraulic lift lever for the 3 point on the back of the tractor. Great for when the engine is on but only goes down with engine off (as expected with a hydraulic). I worry about hitting that thing by accident and having an implement come down with no way to bring it back up. You cannot be too cautious around a tractor.

[@wiremeshpolice]

Came here to say this.

[@billwilliams9897]

Wonder if this would work with the Kubota Mx 5100. Its 50 HP. But I think most of my attachments are category 1. Because I have to use my adapter sleeves over my pins to make a snug connection in my control arm balls.

[@DoctorVsDirt]

I have found that the tractor isn't the issue so much as the implements.

[@billbrinkman9955]

I bought a harbor freight quick hitch. The top link needs to be replaced with one that extends out further for most implements. I purchased one on line witch was very resemble. I replaced the bolts on that bracket with pins as I have to change the height between implements.

[@DoctorVsDirt]

Fortunately, my implements fit with just the adjustment of the center bracket on the quick hitch and by changing the angle on the 3 point. I wish implements were more standard.

[@terrysharp4376]

You can leave the handles down and when you back into your implement they'll snap in

[@billbrinkman9955]

Hi. I just received your comment on my mail box. I never had that happen and don’t know how to do it. Will have to ask my grand son. We live in northern Mnuchin. Home of Polaris-- Roseau,man. I could not use my new Bush Hog with the hook that came with it.

[@lakeville1853]

Did you have to alter the top hook that most people here on KZbin talk about

[@madtater5948]

124$ in 2022 still a good bargain

[@everettware3466]

I’ve had some pretty foul language here lately hooking up the tiller. Everything else is light enough to move.

[@VroomvroomNY]

So is it just me or is everything in the background bought from harbor freight too

[@billbrinkman9955]

I hit the send button before ready. Should say Minnesota

[@rickvaughan8993]

FYI you can click on the 3 dots to the right of a comment. It will bring up edit and delete. So you can fix it instead of posting a new comment to explain! Took me awhile to figure that you could do that.