JOHN DEERE iMATCH™ AUTOHITCH™

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New innovation automatically connects PTO attachments to compact tractors

Attachments are the arms and legs that help you tackle a wide range of tasks with your compact tractor. Now, John Deere is introducing a new innovation that will help you switch from one attachment to another – and one chore to another – faster and easier than ever before.

The new iMatch AutoHitch, which follows in the footsteps of iMatch Quick–Hitch, takes operator ease and efficiency to a whole new level by eliminating the hassle and frustration of attaching PTO–powered implements to compact tractors.

The new iMatch AutoHitch will enable John Deere compact tractor owners to easily hook up the PTO drive shaft of rear rotary cutters and tillers without leaving the operator's seat. No other compact tractor manufacturer in North America offers this time- and effort-saving feature to its customers.

"This is a revolutionary advance in the compact tractor segment and, for the first time, operators will be able to easily swap out PTO attachments from the comfort of their seat," says Sean Sundberg, strategy manager, John Deere Worldwide Commercial & Consumer Equipment Division (C&CE). "Before iMatch AutoHitch, customers had to climb down from the tractor and hook the implement shaft to the PTO drive, which can be a bit of a challenge. Now iMatch AutoHitch does the work for you."

The iMatch AutoHitch is available as an option on new John Deere compact utility tractors. Dealers also can retrofit it to existing John Deere tractors.

"At John Deere we listen to our customers, anticipate their needs and respond with practical and innovative solutions to help them complete outdoor tasks faster, easier and better," adds Sundberg.

The iMatch AutoHitch is just the latest in a series of ongoing product innovations John Deere has engineered to make it easier for customers to operate their equipment. In 2002, the company introduced the iMatch Quick-Hitch, which allowed for the seated hookup of 3-point hitch attachments. With iMatch Quick-Hitch, operators simply need to back the tractor to the implement, raise the 3-point hitch to connect the implement and secure the latches.

"The iMatch Quick-Hitch has been very popular, and the new iMatch AutoHitch raises the standard even higher by allowing users to easily attach the PTO drive," explains Dan Paschke, compact tractor product manager, John Deere C&CE. "Once the implement is locked into place, iMatch AutoHitch locks the PTO drive and shaft coupler together. Thanks to these features, the operator literally doesn't have to leave the seat to add and remove implements, or connect and disconnect the PTO drive."

For more information, visit www.JohnDeere.com/AutoHitch. The site features highlights and detailed explanations of the iMatch AutoHitch.