Toplink Hydraulic Top Links...RedLand Hill?

[couchsachraga]

I know that CCM has by far the best top links out there (as they contain pilot check valves)-I have one of their side links, but jury-rigged something for a top link because last year they didn't have any in stock in the size I need when I ordered.

I tried ordering another top link from CCM about a month ago, but had a really nice chat with Mark at CCM the other day, and it sounds like there won't be any top links in the size I need (16" retracted) until the fall, at the earliest. While I'd much prefer to give CCM my business, as they have always been great to deal with, and Mark has always been exceptionally helpful on the phone, I need to get a few jobs done NOW with a new implement that won't work with my jury-rigged setup.

So, I noticed a place called "Redlandhill" has some for sale on EBay- does anyone have any experience with them? I know they don't have check valves, but I need something NOW to get a few jobs done, so I may have to compromise. The one "plus" I noted was that the cylinder extends 8" (it actually retracts to 16.5"), while the CCM one only extends 6" (from 16-22", as I recall).

(Yes, I did try searching this site, but came up empty handed.)

Thank you all in advance for any opinions / words of wisdom.

Couchsachraga

 

[jmc]

I originally bought Kubota's TnT which are both non piloted. Before I returned them because of leak down, it was the side link that was most annoying because leak down during bush hogging caused a sawtooth finish. I don't think I would ever notice the top link problem since during bush hogging, its mostly slack, and with box blading, you are readjusting it more often than the leakage rate. So if you are mainly bush hogging and box blading like I do, having the pilot on the side link only may be good enough. Still, its nice to support the competent dealers that make this site possible.

John

 

[botaman2]

I like you called CCM got the same fall at the earliest answer. Also in the need for a HTL like now, purchased one on E-Bay from REDLANDHILL, I got it a week ago,have used it a few times,and like it. The closed length is 18"(pin hole centers) open it is 26". It has a 2"bore with 8" stroke.I already had the rear remotes on my Kubota,so all I needed to do was have some hydraulic lines with fittings made up at NAPA. Cost direct without bidding is $169.00,plus $7.50 shipping.

 

[3RRL]

Will you guys post a link for those, please? Do they have the check valves on them?
Thanks,

 

[dangier_VA]

I purchased a set of forklift forks from RedLand Hill two years ago. Very satisfied with the quality and construction. They even met me halfway with them. I would have no concerns with anything they supply.
Regards,
David

 

[MadReferee]

Do they have the check valves on them?

No, they do not have check valves.

 

[PineRidge]

A cylinder is just so-so without a double piloted check valve. Talk with some of the guys here that replaced a common cylinder for one with a check valve before you spend your hard earned money. If it were me the wait until fall might not be so bad.

Someone once said, "A deal is not such a deal if you end up with something that you don't want."

 

[greg_g]

A cylinder is just so-so without a double piloted check valve.

I'd say that qualifies as a sweeping generalization. In many cases these check valves merely compensate for substandard performance of cheap cylinders and/or leakdown through aging tractor remove valves. I have a high quality Cat 2 HTL (3" cylinder, 1.25" rod, 12" stroke, 3000 psi) - and have not yet encountered a situation where I'd need the checkvalve. Now as the cylinder and tractor age, the need may arise somewhere down the road. But in the mean time I'd be trading a problem that may not exist yet - for check valve chatter and decreased feathering ability.

Before buying my HTL, I checked with an area hydraulic shop. The shop foreman advised he could easily retrofit my intended HTL with the double pilot check valve plumbing - no difficulty at all. I mentioned what some have said here about the right check valves not being available in America. According to him, that's only a problem when you get a foreign cylinder with metric fittings. Mine is a US cylinder with 9/16" SAE fittings, for which he said there'd be no problem retrofitting with the proper double pilot check valve assembly. Like http://www.princehyd.com/Portals/0/products/valves/catalog/valvesRd1416.pdf

//greg//

 

[MadReferee]

That particular Prince DPOCV was discussed at length a few years ago when some of us were going to use it. It's cracking pressure is too low. Also, having a cylinder that has BSPP port fittings is no issue at all. Adapters are readily available here and I still have a few in my stock pile. Your hydraulic guy obviously mis-spoke or doesn't understand the real issues.

One of the main functions of a DPOCV, besides keeping leaky cylinders from moving, is to prevent the cylinder from moving due to shock loads caused by implements bouncing either during transport or during normal ground engaging activities. If the cracking pressure is too low the DPOCV will open and the HTL will move. You need a cracking pressure af around 500 to prevent shock movement.

 

[greg_g]

You need a cracking pressure af around 500 to prevent shock movement.

Unless I'm reading it wrong, it looks like that that RD-14xx "cracks " at 750

//greg//