Cat 2 vs cat 1

[Gaspasser]

Have an new L6060 with Cat 2 3 pt hitch. Rear tires have total 1200lbs rimguard and I'm going to order a cheap cat 1 3pt ballast box (Chinesium, 5 cubic feet, 800 lbs) to balance the loader capacity. Going for about $240 delivered. I'll need bushings to get the cat 1 to fit the cat 2 hitch. As I contemplate getting other attachments, I note that cat 2 are more heavy duty but harder to find and more expensive of course. Any real downside to just getting cat 1 implements and adapting bushings with the understanding that they will be lighter duty? Or should I just bite the bullet and go with the cat 2 implements? I will be getting a box blade and/or land plane for gravel driveway work and eventually tree clearing and grading. I have an excavator to pull stumps. Thoughts, suggestions appreciated.

 

[GeoHorn]

Bushings.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Down side.... Tearing up / breaking an implement from putting to much HP to the hitch.
Keep your expectations and work down and you'll be fine.

 

[jaxs]

At 60 horse and 4,000 pounds the L6060 isn't even at upper end of traditional cat 1 tractors. For example my 100hp 4020 Deere and neighbor's late model 60hp 4000 Ford both have cat 2 hitch but the 4000 can't shake a 4 bottom the Deere pulls without even getting into governor. You aren't likely to overstress anything but the cheapest of low end cat 1 implements. The only implement I would caution you about is rotary cutters. Dealers have a nasty habit of selling people rotary cutters with gear box rating same as tractor horsepower. Price point dealers pull that stunt to make customer think they gave them a bargain since Bush Hog the same width costs 4x-5x as much. Mr El Cheapo"s 6' cutter has a 50 horse gear box while Bush Hog's 6' has a 80-100+ horse box. Regardless of width, I recommend at minimum 80 horse box for your 60 horse tractor. Medium quality cat 1 implements will serve you well.

 

[mikester]

Get CAT2 implements when it is appropriate i.e. you probably don't need CAT2 to run a 6 foot finishing mower. CAT2 box blade wouldn't hurt.

Another option is a CAT1/2 quick hitch.

You can also replace your CAT1 lift arm pins with CAT2.