Getting the most from your machinery
While visiting nursery trade shows this past winter, I noticed two devices that allowed a tractor driver to hitch to implements without leaving the seat. I’m as lazy as the next guy. I also don’t like to pinch or hurt myself attaching an implement to a 3-point hitch.
The Delta Hook Rapid Hitch System will work for 3-pt hitches, but not wagon or trailer tongues. The AGRI-Speed Hitch will hitch tongues, but not 3-pt hitches.
I was impressed with the strength of both. They were both created out of need and the developers of each began designing and welding pro-types until they were satisfied with their efforts.
Anyone with one tractor and several implements will like the Delta Hook Rapid Hitch System for 3-pt hitches. A control plate is mounted on the 3-pt hitch that fits into receiver plates that are mounted onto each implement.
The plates are about the size of the 3-sided safety signs for farm equipment.
The driver just backs into the implement with control plate lowered; raises the 3-pt hitch when contact is made; the triangular shape is self-aligning; dismount only to hook a pto shaft. A rope must be pulled to disconnect the latch. It fits older implements and all brands.
Contact Dina M. Johnson, Alexander Equip., Greenville, SC; 866.833.1160; 864.232.2448 [email protected]
Control plates & receiver plates are available for Cat. 0, I, and II. I will include the prices I was quoted 6 months ago so no one will waste time. For Cat. I: 1 for tractor ($345) + 2 implement ($340 each) = 3 piece. Cat. I set: $979. View video at www.deltahook.com
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The AGRI-Speed Hitch was built by an Iowa dairy farmer to handle silage wagons. They do not have a video. Seeing the two pieces would greatly help one understand how they work, while my words will not draw that picture.
To install the pieces: The first part slides over the end of the wagon tongue and attaches with a hitch pin. The other part bolts to the draw bar of the tractor or pickup truck with two bolts.
Once installed, the operator backs up aligning the large “V” on the tractor hitch to the rod on the wagon. As the tractor continues to back up, the hitch raises the rod and hooks the wagon. The wagon is pulled with a pintle hook that is 1 3/4″ thick.
A cable releases the hitch from the seat. (These are built for large equipment and heavy loads.)
Contact Bergman Mfg in Iowa. Barry Bergman 1-800-551-4554; Mike Bergman 1-800-677-8329 http://www.bergmanmfg.com/index.html Tractor or truck unit- $185/ Wagon Unit-$185/ Pick-up Receiver- $45
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In no way is this an endorsement. John Deere offers I-Match for 3-point hitches, but General Equipment tells me it is not universal with older JD implements and other brands of implements. I am not aware of other hitches, but there may be. These were being marketed at nursery trade shows.