sub soiler broke top link

[derek01]

I broke the top link while using a subsoiler with my Kioti DK40SEH HST I guess I did something wrong with the 2nd lever that adjusts the float for the 3 pt hitch any suggestions as to what I did wrong and what I should do to avoid this again, I imagine I could have done more damage then I did.

[jinman]

Derek, please explain how the toplink broke. Did it just snap off or did it bend into a banana shape? When you are digging with a subsoiler, the pressure on the toplink is all compression. I'm inclined to say you had a faulty toplink, but a photo or more details might help us to better evaluate your failure.

[psj12]

The Fred Cain type subsoilers have a shear bolt.

[teg]

It doesn't matter if photos will help or not.... I want to see them

Which hole was it in on the tractor?

[jonyyuma]

I know that that little blade is like pulling an anchor..Talk about planting a tractor and making the govenor work???I have to wonder how many Mules it would take to pull it ?

[derek01]

I will bring the top link to the shop tomorrow (forgot to bring camera home) thats all that left to take photo of it is slightly bent it broke both the female and male parts of the top link. I really do not under stand the float lever for the 3 pt hitch. The subsoiler was very deep and if I remember right it was angled with the top tilted toward the tractor I think it pulled down too deep? Still the top should not have busted right. I thought the top link was maybe faulty (even though I have been using it for 2 years) until I broke the second one. I wish I had taken photo of the whole thing busted in place.

[teg]

Broke the second one!?!?! Photos, please!!! Yes, something doesn't sound right that you broke two of them...

[JohninCT]

I will bring the top link to the shop tomorrow (forgot to bring camera home) thats all that left to take photo of it is slightly bent it broke both the female and male parts of the top link. I really do not under stand the float lever for the 3 pt hitch. The subsoiler was very deep and if I remember right it was angled with the top tilted toward the tractor I think it pulled down too deep? Still the top should not have busted right. I thought the top link was maybe faulty (even though I have been using it for 2 years) until I broke the second one. I wish I had taken photo of the whole thing busted in place.

I believe that you are referring to the draft control lever. On my Kioti DK 40 the position control lever is the red outside one and the inside yellow lever is the draft control. I've only played with the draft control a little and don't really use it much, but I'll try to explain how it works. There are 3 holes at the tractor for the top link to connect to. Look in your owners manual. The bottom two are for draft control use (bottom light load, middle heavy load, top no draft control). Connect your top link to the middle hole. Start by putting both levers the all the way forward then back off the yellow lever to the depth that you want the subsoiler to maintain. When it pulls through a hard spot in the ground the draft control senses the added load and raises the implement up to pull easier. Then it will lower back down to maintain the set depth. You may also have to slow down the 3 point lowering speed using the speed control knob below the seat so that automatic draft control will not be jerky.

Somebody please chime in here if I've mistated or missed any info on using the draft control.

[derek01]

I used the top hole, if you look closely at the break you will see that it was bent slightly. I understand that the 2 lower holes are for the draft but it seems that every time I adjust the yellow lever the hitch either will not go up high enough or down low enough especially when I am using rear lever for the 3 pt hitch.

[JDGreenGrass]

If it was bent before it broke I am sure that contributed to the breakage.

Did you hook on to a root or a rock.?? How fast were you going.??

A sub-soiler definitely puts a lot of stress on the top link, as you are now aware, I'm sure.