I recently purchased a 19.5 acre farm, the remainder of what was at one time a Dairy farm. I have all the buildings and about 11 acres of pasture to mow to keep the weeds in check. I purchased a new 3038E with a 60" pull-behind mower. Options on the unit (besides the loader, which I was told was standard as this was an economy tractor) are an iMatch and Quick Hitch, the 1st quick hitch ever installed by this dealer.
The unit has plenty of power to pull the mower around the hilly terrain of my farm. As this is my 1st tractor, I may not know all the terminology for the parts so bear with me.
So far this summer, I have put about 6 hrs on mowing. I dropped the mower to move dirt w/ the loader and found I could not pick up the mower afterwards.
The adjustable bar forming the top of the 3 point hitch had loosened, and not being a tractor person, I did not notice it until I tried to reattach the mower. Along with the bar lengthening, the PTO shaft of the Quick Hitch (attached to the tractor) had also lengthened, making the hitch connection fully extended, which prevented the iMatch from being able to grab all 3 points of the mower (top could not be grabbed). I discovered that the inner and outer covers of the shaft had fully meshed with each other, preventing the shaft from shortening when the 3-point was raised. I had to cut the plastic on both inner and outer covers so they could slide independently and have the shaft shorten. I was then able to re-adjust the iMatch and pick-up the mower.
My problem now is the Quick Hitch does not latch onto the mower shaft. Fortunately I have a good dealer and they picked it up so it can be fixed.
Anyone else out there have a similar problem w/ their iMatch/Quick Hitch?
I want to add that the tractor is a blast to drive/use. Lots of power! I am anxious to get it back so I can finish mowing.
The unit has plenty of power to pull the mower around the hilly terrain of my farm. As this is my 1st tractor, I may not know all the terminology for the parts so bear with me.
So far this summer, I have put about 6 hrs on mowing. I dropped the mower to move dirt w/ the loader and found I could not pick up the mower afterwards.
The adjustable bar forming the top of the 3 point hitch had loosened, and not being a tractor person, I did not notice it until I tried to reattach the mower. Along with the bar lengthening, the PTO shaft of the Quick Hitch (attached to the tractor) had also lengthened, making the hitch connection fully extended, which prevented the iMatch from being able to grab all 3 points of the mower (top could not be grabbed). I discovered that the inner and outer covers of the shaft had fully meshed with each other, preventing the shaft from shortening when the 3-point was raised. I had to cut the plastic on both inner and outer covers so they could slide independently and have the shaft shorten. I was then able to re-adjust the iMatch and pick-up the mower.
My problem now is the Quick Hitch does not latch onto the mower shaft. Fortunately I have a good dealer and they picked it up so it can be fixed.
Anyone else out there have a similar problem w/ their iMatch/Quick Hitch?
I want to add that the tractor is a blast to drive/use. Lots of power! I am anxious to get it back so I can finish mowing.