Back

Equipment

Front hitch options fit a variety of applications

7R Series Tractor with front hitch
The 7R Series Tractors offer two front hitch options to best fit a variety of applications.

Standard (non-ground-engaging) hitch option for applications including, but not limited to:
  • Front-mounted mowers, toppers, and snow blowers
  • Carrying front seed hoppers and plow packers
  • Carrying front ballast
  • Operating light-draft implements
Premium (ground-engaging) hitch option for applications including, but not limited to:
  • Operating primary tillage equipment and standard blades 
Premium hitches include a push bar and heavier lift arms:
  • Hitches with zero front auxiliary valves include one mid-mount valve.
  • Hitches with one front auxiliary valve include two mid-mount valves.
  • Hitches with two front auxiliary valves include three mid-mount valves.
To ensure adequate hydraulic availability, up to two selective control valves (SCVs) can be included with a front hitch.
Joystick control
Joystick control
Paddle pot SCV controls
Paddle pot SCV controls
Tractors equipped with a factory front hitch have the option of selecting a joystick control or paddle pot SCV controls. The joystick control is not compatible with the sixth rear electrohydraulic SCV because of the CommandARM™ space required for the front hitch joystick.

Features of John Deere factory-installed front hitches include:
 

 

Standard

Premium

Lift capacity at ball ends (ISO)

5200 kg (11,464 lb)

5200 kg (11,464 lb)

Lift range

750 mm (29.5 in.)

750 mm (29.5 in.)

Overhang when folded

55 mm (2.2 in.)

55 mm (2.2 in.)

Approach angle (depending on tire and axle setup)

25.5 - 38.7 degrees

25.5 - 38.7 degrees

Reinforcing push bar

Field-installed option

Standard

Auxiliary valve with front couplers

Optional

Standard
(optional second valve)

Category 3N hitch

Standard

Standard

7-pin connector - for implement lights

Standard

Standard

9-pin harness and connector (ISO)

Field-installed option

Field-installed option

Front-mounted remote switch

Standard

Standard

Hitch damping

Triple-Link Suspension (TLS™) axle, same effect

TLS axle, same effect

Hydraulic mode select

Single and dual

Single and dual

Electronic position control

Yes

Yes

Full ground clearance

Yes

Yes*

iTEC™ compatible

Yes

Yes

Power take-off (PTO) compatible

Yes

Yes

Installed weight (with push bar)**

--

455 kg (1003 lb)

Installed weight (no push bar)**

345 kg (760 lb)

-- 

 
*Hitches with a push bar maintain front axle to ground clearance for row-crop applications and can be used with ground-engaging implements, including primary tillage implements and standard blades.
 
**Equals weight of added hitch components.
 
The integrated and styled compact hitch design maintains full maneuverability even with the larger front tires. The hitch extends only 55-mm (2.2-in.) ahead of the front support when the arms are folded.
 

Standard (carrier version) hitches can be converted to a premium (ground-engaging) hitch by ordering and field installing a conversion kit that includes push bar and heavier lift arms.

All factory-installed front hitches are capable of single- and dual-acting hydraulic cylinder modes. This allows the operator the flexibility to choose the correct mode for a variety of front hitch applications. Single acting provides hydraulic force for retracting the front hitch cylinders and allows front implements to follow the contour of the ground or surface. For example, this would be the correct mode for a front-mounted snow blower. Dual acting provides hydraulic force in retracting and extending the front hitch cylinders to provide down force for ground-engaging implements.

 
Additional hitch features include:
  • Integrated and protected routing of oil lines
  • Category 3 top link with storage position
  • Integrated towing clevis with pin
  • Compatible with group 42 - 44 front tires
7R position sensing
7R position sensing

The 7R with front hitch comes equipped with position sensing that allows operators the ability to establish an upper height limit set point and lower limit set point through CommandCenter™.  Position sensing maintains the height of the hitch arms based on the set points.
 
Position sensing provides the following benefits:

  • Add to iTEC sequence (raise/lower set points)
  • Limit height for front-PTO implement (stay within desirable driveline angles)
  • Set lower position for ground-engaging depth or blade position
  • Maintain set height without added fixed link (position will auto correct)
  • Prevent inadvertent hitch operation outside of desired range of motion (takes guesswork out of placing height of front implement)
  • Less fatiguing for repetitive-type work where the same position is required over and over
For a 9-pin connector, order kit RE322555. The kit includes all necessary components and allows ISO implement communication.
 
NOTE: 7R Series Tractors with a factory-installed front hitch do not ship with a front weight support.
 
Front hitch – Field-installed options:
 
For more information on ordering a front hitch ready configuration, refer to Attachments, front hitch/power take-off (PTO) ready
 

For tractors ordered non-hitch or non-hitch ready please contact LaForge® for front hitch options.

Laforge Systems Inc.
4425-C Treat Blvd. #230
Concord, California 94521
Phone: (925) 827-2010 or 1-800-422-5636
Web site: www.fronthitch.com 

LaForge is a trademark of Laforge Corporation.

Front hitch options:
  • Standard front hitch with zero front couplers, 5200-kg (11,450-lb) maximum lift capacity at hitch balls
    • NOTE: 3150-kg (6944-lb) International Organization for Standardization (ISO) lift capacity.
      Less push bar (hitch raise/lower hard plumbed to mid-mount valve)
      Includes zero front auxiliary couplers.
      ISOBUS connector available through Parts.
  • Standard front hitch with one front auxiliary coupler, 5200-kg (11,450-lb) maximum lift capacity at hitch balls
    • NOTE: 3150-kg (6944-lb-) ISO lift capacity.
      Less push bar (hitch raise/lower hard plumbed to mid-mount valve)
      Includes one front auxiliary couplers.
      ISOBUS connector available through Parts.
  • Premium front hitch with one front auxiliary coupler, 5200-kg (11,450-lb) maximum lift capacity at hitch balls
    • NOTE: 3150-kg (6944-lb) ISO lift capacity.
      Includes push bar (hitch raise/lower hard plumbed to mid-mount valve)
      Includes one front auxiliary couplers.
      ISOBUS connector available through Parts.  
       
  • Standard front hitch with two front auxiliary couplers, 5200-kg (11,450-lb) maximum lift capacity at hitch balls
    • NOTE: 3150-kg (6944-lb) ISO lift capacity.
      Less push bar (hitch raise/lower hard plumbed to mid-mount valve)
      Includes two front auxiliary couplers.
      ISOBUS connector available through Parts.
  • Premium front hitch with two front auxiliary coupler, 5200-kg (11,450-lb) maximum lift capacity at hitch balls
    • NOTE: 3150-kg (6944-lb) ISO lift capacity.
      Includes push bar (hitch raise/lower hard plumbed to mid-mount valve).
      Includes two front auxiliary couplers.
      ISOBUS connector available through Parts.
  • CommandARM™ paddle pot SCV controls
    • NOTE: Not compatible with joystick control.
      Provides proportional paddle pot SCV control for mid-mount valve(s).
  • Joystick control
    • NOTE: Does not include mid-mount valve or loader-ready components.
      ISOBUS compatible.
      Not compatible with six rear SCVs.
      Not compatible with CommandARM SCV controls.