DIY Top Link cylinder

[MtnViewRanch]

I made my own and wish I had purchased. A store bought top link has a check valve arrangement such that when you really load the top link the check valve prevents the hydraulic pressure from pressuring up the hose. I don't mean picking up an implement, I mean the reactive force when the plow hits the dirt and the force tries to compress the top link cylinder.

When my box blade takes a big bite the hose swells and the cylinder compresses, changing the implement settings. The pressure is probably greater than my system specifications.

You get what you pay for. A cylinder and hoses is pretty cheap. Works for many including myself, but a top link with the check valve arrangement is better. If you figure out and buy the correct check vale arrangement then the price is about the same. Lots of additional effort and risk, but same price.

If your hose swells enough that the settings change and are noticeable to where your implement performance changes, I would guess that something else is at play? :confused3: But if you feel that it is solely because of the hose, then why not just get a higher psi rated hose and control the swelling-pulsing motion?

I know that on my own equipment I notice about a 1/8" movement in the ram from these pulses that you are talking about. I do not feel that 1/8" alters the adjustment enough to even consider something else.

Just my :2cents:

 

[bubbacuse77]

I agree with Mtn View Ranch, I don't have check valves and I have never had a Ram move enough to cause any noticeable adjustments.

 

[bubbacuse77]

I agree with Mtn View Ranch, I don't have check valves and I have never had a Ram move enough to cause any noticeable adjustments.

 

[Djames55]

Will this work? I don't think you can make one much cheaper. Link>>>CAT1 $129.95Hydraulic Top Link Category 1, 2 X8 Stroke
Also here is a CAT2 $159.95>>>Hydraulic Top Link, Category 2, Tractor Top Link | Agri Supply, 67465

 

[lostcreekranch]

A big advantage of sourcing your upper link cylinder from Brian @ Fit- Rite is that Brian will build a cylinder specific to your tractor. You can specify cylinder length and stroke as well as lengths of your hoses and QD to match your remotes. With Agri-Supply you take what they offer.

My 2 cents worth.

Good luck!

Rick

 

[ovrszd]

Will this work? I don't think you can make one much cheaper. Link>>>CAT1 $129.95Hydraulic Top Link Category 1, 2 X8 Stroke
Also here is a CAT2 $159.95>>>Hydraulic Top Link, Category 2, Tractor Top Link | Agri Supply, 67465

Yes, those will work fine and are a good price. I built mine and don't think I was much over that cost but I'll dig around and follow up with my cost.

 

[ovrszd]

Here's a link to the thread I posted about my homemade toplink. Looks like my total cost was $267.44 for a CAT II.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/hydraulics/273331-hydraulic-top-link-homemade.html