Toplink Need a shorter top link

   / Need a shorter top link #1  

dnail1

New member
Joined
Oct 15, 2013
Messages
2
Location
Horseheads, NY
Tractor
Farmall A
I want to use a very short top link on my Cat1 3-point. Only one I found locally from Tractor Supply is a Cat 0. What's the downside of using smaller diameter pins in the Cat 1 3-point?
 
   / Need a shorter top link #2  
Last edited:
   / Need a shorter top link #3  
They used to have a extra short cat 1 toplink but I don't see it on their website. Did you check at any local tractor dealers?

A Cat 0 toplink uses 5/8'' pins and a Cat 1 uses 3/4" pins. The whole cat 0 toplink is weaker. Depending on what you are planing on doing with it you may break it.
 
   / Need a shorter top link #4  
Depending on the implement, some folks have used a piece of chain for a top link.

Another option is to cut the body of the top link down by removing a 1" or 2" (or whatever) cylinder from the body of the top link and then welding it back together. This may require cutting off the threads from both threaded inserts so they don't bottom out on each other.

I shortened a top link to make my box blade to tilt forward quite a bit to allow the scarifiers to dig deeper without the blade engaging the ground. A chain in that situation might collapse and allow the box blade to rotate too far forward.
 
   / Need a shorter top link #6  
McCormick/Landini dealer should be able to source a Cat-2 shorty, that will be about the same length as the CAT-0 at TSC.

Just need to use a 2-1 sleeve.
 
   / Need a shorter top link #7  
dnail1,
Welcome to TBN. I prefer the solution from gwdixon(cut down a Cat 1). It may cost a little more but you have a top link that fits and uses the correct pins. Its not like you are going to need a new cut down top link every week and this way you should have no problems causing damage to the tractor or implement.
 
   / Need a shorter top link #8  
Impossible to say what is best until we know what it will be used for. You dont want to use the smaller pins in the cat 1 holes without a bushing, or your holes will get become egg shaped.

Cutting one down is the best way if you plan on using it hard and heavy.

But if its something like just carrying a small seeder, light finish mower, or anything that dont see dirt, The Cat0 with bushings will be fine.
 
   / Need a shorter top link #9  
Depending on the implement, some folks have used a piece of chain for a top link.

Another option is to cut the body of the top link down by removing a 1" or 2" (or whatever) cylinder from the body of the top link and then welding it back together. This may require cutting off the threads from both threaded inserts so they don't bottom out on each other.

I shortened a top link to make my box blade to tilt forward quite a bit to allow the scarifiers to dig deeper without the blade engaging the ground. A chain in that situation might collapse and allow the box blade to rotate too far forward.

Ive done this with standard cat 1 top links a few times. Easier than pulling your hair out searching the web for a speciality size top links. I can cut and weld one back together in about 20 minutes.
 
   / Need a shorter top link
  • Thread Starter
#10  
Thanks to all for the suggestions. I looked at the one from AgriSupply but that is 17" minimum pin to pin. I need pin one about a 12" min. I wanted to use a middle buster/potato plow, tipped way forward, to scrape gravel out of a shallow drainage ditch that fills up when the town puts oil & stone on the road. Don't think the chain idea would work because the plow bottom would be able to swivel up and down. Don't like using the cat0 because smaller size pins would allow slop and similar problems as well as oval out the cat 1 holes. Since it won't be used that often, I did want something on the cheap. D.
 
 
 
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