marking hydraulic side link cylinder

[/pine]

I am getting ready to add a hydraulic side link on my 3PH...

For reference, I have always used a tape measure to bring the (manually) adjustable link back into symmetry with the solid link on the other side...

Is there a way to permanently mark the cylinder rod?...

is there any other way to know (without measuring or gauging) when the hydraulic side link is exactly the same length as the non-hydraulic side...when in the nominal position? (solid link will be replaced with manually adjustable)

I can usually tell within a few fractions by eye-balling it but that requires getting off the machine etc... which for anyone with arthritis knows that can be as painful as adjusting a manual side link...

 

[beenthere]

I think you will find that more precision than what you get from the tractor seat isn't necessary.

You will adjust it depending on how the attachment is cutting or riding on the 3 ph or with respect to the ground.

I don't think you want to score the hyd. ram rod, and just marking it will be fruitless.

 

[/pine]

I don't think you want to score the hyd. ram rod, and just marking it will be fruitless.

roger on that...pretty much what I figured...It's just nice to know starting out on something that the implement is square on that plane...

I'm sure I will be able to get it close once I have zero'ed it out a few times and I get a good idea of how much exposed rod there is at that point...

 

[beenthere]

You for sure will enjoy the convenience. I have the top link hyd, but not the tilt link. For my uses, not really that necessary to move away from straight (even for the rotary cutter, ballast box, carry-all, forks, rotary tiller). But the rear blade is a different story.

 

[CharlieS]

Just drop the impliment (box blade for example) down so its an inch or so above a flat surface. then adjust so its parallel to the ground.

 

[AKKAMAAN]

Is there a way to permanently mark the cylinder rod?...

You can clamp a thin 1/4" steel rod to the rod clevis, make proper markings on the cylinder with tape, sharpie etc.....

 

[kennyd]

You could make a gauge attached to the rod end pivot that overlaps the cylinder body, then reference marks could be made on each. Look at my VERY crude drawing below:

 

[kennyd]

You can clamp a thin 1/4" steel rod to the rod clevis, make proper markings on the cylinder with tape, sharpie etc.....

Great minds think alike! But you sure draw better than me:ashamed::laughing:

 

[AKKAMAAN]

You could make a gauge attached to the rod end pivot that overlaps the cylinder body, then reference marks could be made on each. Look at my VERY crude drawing below:

Oh darn....you beat me with a minute.....hahahhahah:laughing:

 

[/pine]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions...

I was really hoping for something that would possibly stain the rod...rather than a mechanical indicator...

Honestly, I think it would be almost as easy to incorporate a magnetic or laser type switch/sensor connected to a (single response) beeper... as it would be a visual caliper type indicator....

perhaps one day cylinder technology will permit an economical type switch/valve that will return a cylinder to an assigned spot in the stroke...?