box blade advice

[JRP]

If you already have a hydraulic remote, and you have a welder a hydraulic top link is a pretty easy project.

Get a new cylinder, hoses, and QD fittings, and two swivel ends that have a CAT 1 top link size pin holes. Tractor Supply Co. I think the pin holes are 3/4".

Cut off the end of the rod and weld on a cat I top link swivel end.

The other end needs an adapter. A piece of steel that’s cut to fit into and is pined into the cylinder fixed end. I cut a 1/4" plywood template first, then transferred it to steel. Us a quality 1" hole saw for the pin bore if you can't afford or don't have access to a twist drill bit. Weld another swivel to the adapter.

Mine cost about $120 in materials. My first project.

Photo.

Jim Poux

 

[John_Mc]

KJN128 - Yes, I do have a hydraulic toplink, as well as a hydraulic side link. If I recall, the whole thing cost me $1300 or so. I did not already have the rear remote hookups, so that price is for them as well as the cylinders, hoses, etc. and installation by my dealer. (The rear remotes have quick-disconnects on them, so I can hook up other things besides the Top-'N-Tilt... not that I own anything else to hook up to them... yet) I use the box blade a lot, so it was worth it for me to get this stuff installed. For more occasional use, I probably would have stayed with the manual stuff.

If you do get one installed, I'd consider doing two. It probably will not be twice as much, since a lot of the labor is not duplicated. If you only get one, the toplink is the most important, IMO. If you do get the sidelink as well, keep your old adjustable mechanical link. I had the hydraulic link put on the same side as the controls (makes it easier to operate the controls while you are turned to see what is going on with the link). At the recommendation of several people here on TBN, I put the old adjustable link on the other side to give me a greater range of adjust ment.

John Mc

PS When you get a chance, please consider filling in some of your bio information on the "control panel" page. It makes it easier for folks to tailor advice to your equipment and uses if they can refer to it.

 

[KJN128]

cool what size cylinder did you use

 

[DK35vince]

KJN128,
I made a hydrualic top cylinder with a 2 1/2" tie rod cylinder.Around $65 for the cylinder,$30 hoses,$30 for set of 2 - 1/2" quick couplers.
I had a bent top link that I cut the ends off of and welded to the hydraulic cylinder.