Need short top link

[Trev]

A friend just made me a 55-gallon drum full of rebar and cement, with a rod through it for the lower lift arms, and welded on a couple of bars with holes in them for the pin for the top link. So, what I'll have is a very heavy rear weight to hook on when plowing snow, etc.

The problem is, I need a very short top link to use with this. Is there a place I can buy a top link that's adjustable from around 6-12 inches in length? Probably not.. but it can't hurt to ask, and if anyone would know you folks would.

Thanks,
Bob

 

[Inspector507]

Bob,
Not sure if you'll find one that short. But since it's for ballast, maybe you could just use chain??

Jerry

 

[Trev]

Okay, I just re-measured.. and I think I could use something that could go as short as 10". Think that's possible?

I don't see a way to use chain.. picture a 55-gallon drum, with the lower hitch pins about 1/3 of the way toward the bottom. Hence, when you lift it, it wants to tip over either forward or backward. I think I need a solid link of some kind, and because it's so heavy, a solid bar is very hard to use.. an adjustable one would make it a snap.

I'll do a picture tomorrow if this makes no sense.

Thanks,
Bob

 

[DocHeb]

Since most of the weight will be supported on the lift arms, how about a turnbuckle, with eyebolts that have a 3/4" ID?

 

[Trev]

Doc, you may have hit on it!

Here's a pic of the basic setup. Note the bar my friend made.. which is way too long and not adjustable. Maybe your turnbuckle in place of the upper link bar would be just the ticket.

Thanks!
Bob

 

[BXMMCC]

I needed the same thing - couldn't find a short top link. Went to Home Depot, bought 7 links of 3/8 inch chain, two shackles (clevises to some folks) attached the chain to the shackles, went to the plumbing department, asked the guy to cut a piece of pipe that the chain would fit through, but not the shackles. For less than $10, a custom length top link. You may need more or less chain.

Or, get a draw bar and cut it to length. It's plenty strong and already has the correct size holes.

 

[Egon]

Trev:

Is the barrel completly full? Have you lifted it yet? How much does it weigh?

The turnbuckle idea sounds good. Just make sure it has the proper strength rating.

Just fulla questions this morning.

Egon

 

[markie61]

You beat me to it! My father-in-law built a 55gal counterweight years ago and replaces the toplink with a turnbuckle. Works just fine, since it is not ground engaging.
Mark

 

[Trev]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Trev:

Is the barrel completly full? Have you lifted it yet? How much does it weigh?

The turnbuckle idea sounds good. Just make sure it has the proper strength rating.

Just fulla questions this morning.

Egon )</font>

Hi Egon!

Yes, the barrel is full.. and estimated weight is around 1200 lb although I don't have a scale to actually weigh it. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

No problem lifting it.. I lifted it off my bud's trailer with a boom pole.. it came right up with no problem. It's just that it's a bear to connect because you can't wiggle it around like you can most implements. You have to back up the tractor another 1/4 inch, try again, and so on.

Once I get the bottom pins hooked on, then the fun starts... how do I hook up the top link? Hence my wanting an adjustable one. The only other option I can see is to back up the tractor just a bit, until the barrel starts to tip backwards, and try to get it just right so the fixed-length top link fits. This would require more moving of the tractor by 1/8th inch increments or so until it lined up perfectly, and I'm afraid the silly thing might just tip over completely in the process.

If I can find a turnbuckle of the right length, I should be all set. If not I'll try the chain/shackle/pipe approach that BXMMCC suggested.

Or, as a buddy at work just said, why not just buy a toplink, cut it down to size, and weld it? I would have to have someone do the welding part.. one of those skills I haven't picked up yet. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif He also thought I should call around to tractor places on the off chance that they might already have a short toplink.

This is just an experiment.. to see if I can get the weight I want on the back for plowing, etc., and when/if I ever get a FEL (still working on the wife for that! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif)

Thanks to all who replied!

Bob

 

[stnickstoys]

I've built short top links for tillers by buying the Cat 1 eyes at the local farm store and welding them to bars of steel. Also used 1" threaded rod and large nuts welded together to make them adjustable.
Have also used heavy steel tubing.
Hope this helps
Nick