[randyny]

I've agonized over this inexpensive add-on for several years now. I liked the Pats easy-change but was very concerned over adding 3-4" to the hitch as far as capacity is concerned. I recently got the Carter after wrestling with the 3-pt logsplitter. Holy mackerel, that thing is heavy. Got the hooks and the spreader bar. The bar is a necessity as far as I am concerned for hooking up to some implements but it doesn't work with the weight box. I'll fix that soon enough. The sheer joy of backing up to the splitter and lifting it up leaves me speechless. It's that good. It also makes me want to punch the original inventor of the hitch balls in the balls. It should have been a hook from the start.

On a related note, if I were going to buy a new rig today, I would go with the new JD 1026 mainly because of the auto-connect. Drive up and over the mower deck, and it latched on - including the PTO! Check out the vids on their site That is just amazing! The Legacy loader is just as easy as the JD, but deck is quite difficult. Getting the front pins in, and also stretching to attach the PTO shaft is not easy even when it goes well. It works on the rear attachments too.

Don't get me wrong, I love the Legacy and it's done everything I need but wrestling the heavy attachments is only going to get harder for me as I get older.

Well, if the Legacy ever wears out, I'll be going green. Sadly (happily) that does not seem to be in the cards....

 

[firefighter5143]

ur a wanna be traitor!!! The hitch looks look a cool idea.

 

[Andy]

Randy, I have to agree the jd 1026r has a slick way of hooking up the attachments versus our xl's but the only thing I do not like is how low the hydraulic lines are with the fel on and I sure don't like that joy stick. It looks like you have to get on the tractor from the left side.

 

[ddot]

what size did you order cat1 2 5/8

 

[randyny]

Yep, the basic cat 1 3 5/8" fit perfectly. and the spreader bar made the whole contraption more stable, meaning the hooks stay upright and dont wobble, and when you take it off the whole thing can be carried in one piece, arms and all. Definately a good product.

 

[NE Indiana mower]

Are the parts of the spreader ends going thru the hooks solid pins or just a steel tube? If a steel tube it might lower the weight that the hooks could carry.

 

[exNCite]

Hey Randy,
Also noticed you have different treads on your tires. Are you on your second set? If so what did you put on. My rears aren't bad, but fronts are getting pretty worn.

Sorry to distract from your original conversation.

 

[TennesseeJim]

Randy: I know this thread is a little old but looking at these Carter hitchs for my Legacy XL. I have to put the BB on and off a lot when pulling my topdresser. How are they? and did you figure out a way to rig the stabilizer bar so it doesn't interfere with the BB?

I think Carters has a long turnbuckle bar also that looks like it could work if the end tabs were longer.

Thanks for any info and Photos!

PS


I Thought about Pat's Easy Change also; but it may push the arms too far back on these small tractors. Plus the arm is angled at the end and I don't know if Pat's would go on Square ..............maybe someone has used them on a Legacy:trink40: