Dromone Engineering from Oldcastle, Co Meath, has developed what it calls the Dromone Quick-Link system, a new quick-hitch three-point linkage system for tractors and implements. With Quick-Link, Dromone has taken the three-point linkage A-frame or triangle concept a step further.

The initial seed for the Dromone system was sown in 2010. Padraig McCormack, son of Dromone Engineering founder Pat McCormack, had to make several implement changes on the tractor while doing some work around Dromone’s premises and the McCormack farm.

Leading the project, Padraig, with no doubt some input from his father, Pat, and all under the watchful eye of current managing director, William Egerton, has developed what promises to be a very useful system for farmers everywhere.

There is a major safety aspect to these systems; they make yoking to an implement simpler, faster and much safer.

The majority of the three-point linkage systems fail at the implement end. Some require the implement part of the system to be welded onto the implement or are one machine solutions only.

Dromone has recognised this problem with three-point linkage quick-hitch systems and set about developing its own solution, or several solutions.

The Irish Farmers Journal got to try out some of these.

The Dromone system

Padraig McCormack is keen to emphasise the safety features of the Dromone system. There is no reason to leave the tractor seat other than to hook up pto or hydraulic pipes.

Padraig explained that it is ideal for anyone farming alone, or of a certain age, or with a previous injury.

The Dromone three-point linkage Quick-Link system has five main components. There is the tractor element, which incorporates an hydraulic top link, three different implement attachment options and a Euro loader implement frame to yoke to loader implements with standard Euro brackets.

The frame is Cat II rated and capable of handling a load. According to Padraig, two silage bales or a pallet of fertilizer are well within the system’s limits. The tractor end is very strong. The well-built frame, triangular in design, has a thick flat plate to slot into the implement receiver.

The hydraulic top link allows the driver to drive into the implement receiver and pick up the implement, regardless of angle. With the implement ‘home’ on the tractor end, a spring loaded locking plate secures the implement in place.

clever bit

The clever bit from Dromone is how the coupling is attached to the implement. There are three options for attaching to an implement.

The first and cleverest is what Dromone calls its Multi-Link frame (yellow). This is bolted to a vast range of implements without having to do any welding on the implement or frame.

Each lower linkage bracket and the top link bracket can be adjusted in slotted holes. There are two pairs of slotted holes in each position to allow for as many widths and variations as possible.

There are two implement mounting holes in each bracket, set at an angle, close or far away from the Multi-Link frame. This adds to the range of mounting options and can be turned to angle the holes downwards or upwards.

The second offers users the option of a cheaper and semi-permanent frame on the implement. Again, it does not require the frame to be welded onto the implement but once adjustable brackets are set to suit an implement, they are then welded permanently in position on the Multi-Link frame.

There are wide slots in the implement frame to allow the mounting brackets to be positioned to suit a range of implements. With measuring done, each bracket is locked in place by bolts before being welded permanently in that position.

Serrated teeth provide an indicator for the bottom brackets. They are then positioned centrally in relation to the top link bracket and welded. The design of the brackets is such as to make it easy for anyone to correctly weld it up.

option

This means that the frame will only suit that implement or another with identical linkage geometry, but offers users another option. Without some fancy welding it can only be used on implements with clevis and pins rather than spuds.

I suspect, though, that Dromone will have a solution to this.

The final frame option is a simple Quick-Link frame which can be welded directly to a flat surface of a transport box or yard scraper.

Dromone system put to the test

We set out to test the versatility of the Dromone system. The adjustable Multi-Link frame (yellow) is what will set this system apart.

We started with a basic machine, fitting it on the log splitter which was very handy for dropping it off and then going rolling. Then we went to Donohoe Agri in Enniscorthy to try it on more machines. Running around the yard with the tape measure we found that the vast majority of implements they stocked conformed to at least one standard in relation to linkage geometry and dimensions.

Two tricky customers were chosen, a Vicon fertilizer spreader and Kverneland-Taarup mower. Both had spuds for linkage balls to slide onto so required at least one of the bottom brackets of the frame to be removed and the other side to be ‘hung’ in place before bolting it all up.

A quick measure with the tape beforehand provided a guide to where the brackets should be positioned.

The Multi-Link frame is heavy. A second pair of hands would make it easier and safer to configure on an implement. Attaching to pins and clevis is easier because it does not have to be mounted on the implement. There are a lot of bolts (12) to tighten up. I brought my 24mm ratchet spanner with me because, in most cases, it was not possible to get a socket and ratchet on the nuts to tighten them.

The fertilizer spreader worked out nicely with only the hydraulic shut-off pipe and pto to connect up once attached. I knew that the side mounted mower was going to be difficult; they are difficult on a good day.

With the Multi-Link frame mounted on the mower there was a definite twist on the headstock as the machine’s flotation spring pulled the right hand spud lower than the left. A bit of counterbalance (me) on the left-hand link arm clicked everything into place. Unlatching the Multi-Link frame from the tractor’s Quick-Link frame also required some light persuasion on the locking mechanism.

Overall, the mower was a little awkward but workable. Back home, some more implements were put to the test. The sprayer was the other ‘difficult’ implement in the set, but again worked out well.

Overall, a big thumbs up for the Dromone system, both adjustable and welding versions. The Euro-Link loader adapter added another element to the Dromone package.

For loader attachments such as dung fork, bale fork, pallet forks and various buckets, the Dromone system really brought a Swiss Army knife-like versatility to the tractor.

Of course, there are implements it just won’t suit, such as the farm’s Lely Lotus 600 tedder with ‘floating’ brackets, but, on the whole, it makes life that bit easier and safer on the farm.

Quick-Link pricing

Dromone’s Quick-Link system is now ready to hit the market place. You can get more information from Seamus Fitzgerald, Patrick Duffy or Paddy Briody at Dromone Engineering on 044-9666346 or email info@dromone.ie

Below is the indicted pricing for all the various components of the system.