Pics of the 318

The hitch is very stout and well made. I purchased it from Ruegg MFG It is actually a cat 1 hitch. He gave me my choice between the cat 0 or cat 1 for the same price so I chose the cat 1 that way I could buy my implements for the local farm store.

The yard box is a lot bigger then the tractor but it still comes in well under the weight limit the tractor is designed for so it has no problems using the box at all. It works very well and will be even better once I get some weight stems on the 318.


I have been very pleased with this tractor and hitch. :fing32:

Awesome pics. I bet those rear tires are getting a work out with that box blade on there.

I know this will be my dumb post for the day, but what is the difference b/w the Class 0 and Class 1 3PH for our little tractors? I know the implements would be different, but why or should I say how is it different?

For starters, glockem, here's the wiki on hitches:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three-point_hitch

Since Ruegg now offers a cat 1 as well as a cat 0, I believe that with you starting with no implements, you might be well served by a cat 1. You can always get a sleeve hitch adapter to use the lower cost sleevehitch implements such as a moldboard plow. I was able to drive around with 700 lbs of concrete blocks on my cat 0, so Mr. Fixit's box blade ain't even straining his tractor.

D-Dogg said:

Since Ruegg now offers a cat 1 as well as a cat 0, I believe that with you starting with no implements, you might be well served by a cat 1.

Click to expand...

Hey Drake, Since I am in the same situation, currently without a 3pt hitch or attachments, I am curious as to why you believe one would be better serve to go with the cat 1 vs the cat 0? I have already decided that I am going with the ruegg hitch but is there that much more difference between a cat 1 and cat 0 implement? Is it durability, cost, or availability that would be the biggest concern? With a local TSC and a NTE reasonably close we have a choice of a supply for both cat 1 and cat 0 implements. And then there is always the internet.

Theo, it seems to me that when I see a used implement come up for sale, it is either cat 1 or sleeve hitch. Not so many folks selling their cat 0 attachments. I guess I'm trying to be a little thrifty.

I do notice the cat 0 things currently available satisfy the majority of my needs, but I am mostly locked into getting new. And of course, there are many unique and useful cat 0 attachments designed and built for our tractors by enthusiasts such as ourselves. They work very well because they were built by a person who uses our tractors every day.

As a matter of fact, ironmanfabrication.net advertises a cat 0 backhoe!

I am glad you asked about my reasoning, because in retrospect I should have recommended compiling a list of every current and future chore, and examining the options attachment wise. Then make a decision on the hitch type.

And you were right about the tri-ribs, BTW. With all the rain we've been having, they are tearing up the lawn. Need to put some turfs back on for now.

Drake,

Thanks for the info I think I will just go with the cat 0 hitch then and I did notice that "coming soon" posting at the IMF site. Man that would be so sweet to have a FEL and backhoe from him for the 318. But one at a time and FEL first. But only after the 3pt hitch from Ruegg... LOL

I can't take credit for that bit of knowledge about the tri-ribs Steve down at JD dealer told me about that. I can't wait to test my V61s.