Ratcheting Cat l top link ?

[CADplans]

I got a welded 2X8 cylinder, and a weld on top link end,,,and an old steel top link,,,
It looks like with a little cuttin' and weldin',,,I could build the Hydraulink?

Is there any magic in that valve?

 

[the old grind]

I'm sure you'd want plumbed lines to be conservatively rated (surges ... no 'black iron', please) but the valve shouldn't need to be anything but pressure rated (not to blow out) and easily anchored to the cylinder.

IMO the only 'magic' to such store bought links is building them efficiently enough to sustain a profit.
'Parts is parts' but we can spread out the time/mat'l investment, so why not DIY?. ("I dare ya!" )

btw, my hesitation with a cyl that large is that there must be some airspace to account for rod displacement, no way around that. Could too much 'cushion' or unwelcome sag result from too much of it? (... considering a 2" cylinders's typical rod diameter/volume?)

 

[CADplans]

btw, my hesitation with a cyl that large is that there must be some airspace to account for rod displacement, no way around that. Could too much 'cushion' or unwelcome sag result from too much of it? (... considering a 2" cylinders's typical rod diameter/volume?)

I have the cylinder in a 2 1/2" bore also,, the larger bore might balance better with the rod being less of a factor?
The lower one is a 2 1/2" X 8",,,

I have too much "stuff" in the shed!! :laughing:

 

[the old grind]

With a similar rod displacement, the larger piston would act proportionally on a similar air volume to reduce progressivity when compressed equally so, less 'cush' o'all. (good call :thumbsup btw, it's not just a comparison of diameters if stroke length isn't equal, either 'total' or as applied.

To make it simplest, I'd also want the cyl with the best-matched range of length needed .

btw, Are those 1" eyes? (Cat-2) ... and will the 2 1/2" cyl extend far enough for you? (looks a tad short)

What else ya got? :laughing: ... IMO you could nail this.

Are we helping the OP yet?? Sorry.

 

[CADplans]

btw, Are those 1" eyes? (Cat-2) ... and will the 2 1/2" cyl extend far enough for you? (looks a tad short)

What else ya got? :laughing: ... IMO you could nail this.

Are we helping the OP yet?? Sorry.

I would cut both ends off,, and add back as necessary,,, Where is the tape measure!!??

"Are we helping the OP yet?? Sorry. "

We are helping to drive him crazy!! :confused2:

:laughing:

 

[CADplans]

Does anyone know where to buy a ratcheting Cat l top link,

I have a Cat ll ratcheting top link, but it is Cat ll, and it has clevis ends.
I am now thinking about cutting the clevis ends off my Cat ll top link , and welding Cat l ball ends on.
I would much rather buy a manufactured Cat l ratcheting top link,..... but....WHERE?

Actually, I had one of those ratcheting devices with a clevis at each end.
it is not a CAT II top link, it is a hydraulic cylinder replacement.

The lengths it can adjust to duplicates the lengths of a top link, about 20 to 28 inches.

I replaced the ratchet with this 3 position, pin adjustable, cylinder replacement.

The black ratchet took so much effort to change the angle of the rake,,, I never re-angled the rake!!

I might still have that black ratchet,,,somewhere,,,:confused2: