Mid-hitch upgrade

[Handy Don 16,062]

The mid-hitch on my 854 (pre-Attach-a-Matic) is pesky to operate when mounting the mower deck. Small, awkward levers plus clevis pins to lock closed or open. 

As well, I’m nearly done adapting a heavy Allis-Chalmers mid-mount grader and I’m concerned that for doing real work the factory hitch might not be strong enough. 

 

I have a couple of recent mid-hitches off of 500-series tractors and am contemplating an upgrade!

Has anyone gone this route?

Would it make more sense to find a way to strengthen the factory hitch?

 

From measuring, I know these are not a direct replacement. The newer hitch’s:

- Overall height is ½” less (4.5 vs. 5.0 inches) which moves the “mount point” a half-inch higher (the fore/aft position is the same). To keep the deck happy, I’d cannibalize another pair of side plates to add the ½” to the height. 

- Right side plate doesn’t have the pivot shaft for the PTO clutch/idler pulley’s support arm. I’d add that. 

- Clearance to the tie rods might be tight where the locking mechanism juts forward (lengthening of the later frames put more distance between the hitch and tie rods)

 

Edited 6 hours ago by Handy Don

[squonk 45,810]

Tried it and the 2 things you mentioned is true. The PTO arm and the tie rod interference (short frame brings the rods closer to the hitch. )  Unless you plan on pounding on some serious hard pack dirt I don't think the normal hitch would be a problem.

Edited 6 hours ago by squonk

[ri702bill 11,545]

Different generation WH grader blades had 2 types of mounts. The early mid mount - like a mower deck, and the later that used the Unidrive plow / tiller mount.

So, would you rather do a "push" mount or a "pull" one??