Snap Coupler versus 3 point

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         The snap coupler equipment was fairly easy to hook up on the WD, D17 Series 1 and D17 Series IV I owned.  However, the IV had a heavy drawbar and was awkward to reinstall after getting done with the SC equipment.  So, I moved up to an AC175 with only 3 point equipment.  I am not impressed with the process of hooking up 3 point equipment.  It takes me 3 or 4 times getting on and off the tractor and sometimes backing up an extra time or two to get lined up.
     Why not have something like skid steers where one lines up the attachments and then makes 2 clicks?  At least with the SC, one would simply back up the tractor until the spring snapped and then put the arm connectors in place.  

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Jim from the UP Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 19 Jul 2010 Points: 1	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jim from the UP Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Snap Coupler versus 3 point Posted: 19 Jul 2010 at 10:02pm
	The snap coupler equipment was fairly easy to hook up on the WD, D17 Series 1 and D17 Series IV I owned. However, the IV had a heavy drawbar and was awkward to reinstall after getting done with the SC equipment. So, I moved up to an AC175 with only 3 point equipment. I am not impressed with the process of hooking up 3 point equipment. It takes me 3 or 4 times getting on and off the tractor and sometimes backing up an extra time or two to get lined up. Why not have something like skid steers where one lines up the attachments and then makes 2 clicks? At least with the SC, one would simply back up the tractor until the spring snapped and then put the arm connectors in place.

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D-17_Dave Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: Mocksville NC Points: 990	Post Options Post Reply Quote D-17_Dave Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 19 Jul 2010 at 10:07pm
	Your trying to reinvent the wheel. The Snap Coupler is obviously a better setup for not only hooking up but for drafting also. Now they have fast hitches for 3 point systems if the attachment is supported properly. But to fight this argument is pointless now. That silly 3 point won out and now we all have the same problems of sveral times on and off the tractor to hook up unless we have a helper.

Dave in il Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 22 Sep 2009 Location: Manville Il Points: 1748	Post Options Post Reply Quote Dave in il Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 19 Jul 2010 at 10:37pm
	Your lift arms will extend making hooking up to a 3pt implement a one shot deal. Get reasonably close, then on the top of each lift arm is a lever that can be lifted allowing the ball end to be extended. After hooking the lift arms to the implement, back the rest of the way up until they lock in their original position then hook up the center link. You might need to clean and oil things to get them working if they haven't been used in a while. Series IV D17 through 190 XTs (including your 175) all had this. So do the bigger tractors for that matter. Or there are "quick hitches" but those are a PITA and make hooking to the draw bar or getting to the back of the tractor difficult. Quick hitches are only needed on other poorly designed tractors. In you haven't seen a quick hitch look at any green & yellow tractor with a 3pt and it probably has one. LOL!

Bill Long Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Bel Air, MD Points: 4556	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bill Long Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20 Jul 2010 at 6:42am
	I totally agree that the Snap Coupler is Much better than the 3 point. It is a better hook up and leads the implement from in front of the rear axle much better than the 3 point. However, it came out like the John Deere hitch, the IH two point, and all the others much too late. There was too much 3 point equipment out there and the customers just did not want to reinvest in new implements even though snap coupler was better. Ladies and Gentlemen Harry Fergeson won. The three point is the hitch. Good Luck! Bill Long

firebrick43 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 10 Dec 2009 Location: Warren County Points: 592	Post Options Post Reply Quote firebrick43 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20 Jul 2010 at 8:26am
	Bill, yes Harry Fergeson won, but not for the reason you think. When JD was designing their new series tractors (4010) they new they needed a mounted hitch that was better than what was on their 40 at the time. (This was mid 50's right before the 4/5/6/7/820s came out) The company actually approached IH and wanted to purchase the right to put the fast hitch on their tractors as well. IH thought they would come out on top if they didn't let them produce it so JD choose the 3 point for the sole reason that the patents had expired so there would be no wrangling to produce it. As we all know, the 4010 and especially the 4020 became the sales leader of the time and with 4 of the 6 (Ford, Massey, Case eagle hitch was close enough, and now JD) the 3 point became standard.

RMD Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Silver Level Joined: 07 Oct 2009 Location: Connecticut Points: 300	Post Options Post Reply Quote RMD Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20 Jul 2010 at 9:27am
	The other part to this is that 3-point implements are cheaper because most of the hitch mechanism is on the tractor; not so with Snap-Coupler -- takes a lot more steel to make a Snap-Coupler implement.

Ryan Renko Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Edwardsville, I Points: 2325	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ryan Renko Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20 Jul 2010 at 7:53pm
	I did some garden plowing this spring and after cleaning the plow, I headed to the barn. I was really amazed how from the drivers seat I could unlatch the arms and simply press down on the snap coupler lever and DONE!!!! It seems like a great system. Ryan

Hurst Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: Midway, Ky Points: 1213	Post Options Post Reply Quote Hurst Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20 Jul 2010 at 7:59pm
	I just wonder how the geometry would handle larger loads. It seems like it could be upgraded to hold more power, but I still would be a little weary of a snap coupler with 200+hp at the wheels and a large subsoiler or the like. Otherwise, it was definitely a great concept by Allis. Hurst
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Chris (swIA) Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 13 Sep 2009 Location: Prescott, IA Points: 319	Post Options Post Reply Quote Chris (swIA) Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20 Jul 2010 at 8:57pm
	The snap coupler would have been better at higher horsepower also. I have seen a couple of center links snapped while pulling large chisel plows or rippers. The snap coupler puts the load under the tractor similiar to the drawbar drawn implements. A lot of the larger equipment today uses a pintle hitch which is not unlike the snap coupler eye. I think that if the tractor could pick it up, the snap coupler could handle it.