Toplink Need a shorter top link

[dnail1]

I want to use a very short top link on my Cat1 3-point. Only one I found locally from Tractor Supply is a Cat 0. What's the downside of using smaller diameter pins in the Cat 1 3-point?

 

[jeff9366]

What is the use for which you need a non-standard Top Link?

Agri Supply sells a 13", Cat 1 Top Link; short enough?

LINK TO 13" TOP LINK:

http://www.agrisupply.com/Top-Link-Cat-Center-Tube-Length/p/11929/&sid=&eid=/

 

[94BULLITT]

They used to have a extra short cat 1 toplink but I don't see it on their website. Did you check at any local tractor dealers?

A Cat 0 toplink uses 5/8'' pins and a Cat 1 uses 3/4" pins. The whole cat 0 toplink is weaker. Depending on what you are planing on doing with it you may break it.

 

[gwdixon]

Depending on the implement, some folks have used a piece of chain for a top link.

Another option is to cut the body of the top link down by removing a 1" or 2" (or whatever) cylinder from the body of the top link and then welding it back together. This may require cutting off the threads from both threaded inserts so they don't bottom out on each other.

I shortened a top link to make my box blade to tilt forward quite a bit to allow the scarifiers to dig deeper without the blade engaging the ground. A chain in that situation might collapse and allow the box blade to rotate too far forward.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Surplus Center has the shortest one I gave found. Needed one for my BX 25 which is very short coupled.

Ron

 

[Dingeryote]

McCormick/Landini dealer should be able to source a Cat-2 shorty, that will be about the same length as the CAT-0 at TSC.

Just need to use a 2-1 sleeve.

 

[oosik]

dnail1,
Welcome to TBN. I prefer the solution from gwdixon(cut down a Cat 1). It may cost a little more but you have a top link that fits and uses the correct pins. Its not like you are going to need a new cut down top link every week and this way you should have no problems causing damage to the tractor or implement.

 

[LD1]

Impossible to say what is best until we know what it will be used for. You dont want to use the smaller pins in the cat 1 holes without a bushing, or your holes will get become egg shaped.

Cutting one down is the best way if you plan on using it hard and heavy.

But if its something like just carrying a small seeder, light finish mower, or anything that dont see dirt, The Cat0 with bushings will be fine.

 

[Yandaddy1110]

Depending on the implement, some folks have used a piece of chain for a top link.

Another option is to cut the body of the top link down by removing a 1" or 2" (or whatever) cylinder from the body of the top link and then welding it back together. This may require cutting off the threads from both threaded inserts so they don't bottom out on each other.

I shortened a top link to make my box blade to tilt forward quite a bit to allow the scarifiers to dig deeper without the blade engaging the ground. A chain in that situation might collapse and allow the box blade to rotate too far forward.

Ive done this with standard cat 1 top links a few times. Easier than pulling your hair out searching the web for a speciality size top links. I can cut and weld one back together in about 20 minutes.

 

[dnail1]

Thanks to all for the suggestions. I looked at the one from AgriSupply but that is 17" minimum pin to pin. I need pin one about a 12" min. I wanted to use a middle buster/potato plow, tipped way forward, to scrape gravel out of a shallow drainage ditch that fills up when the town puts oil & stone on the road. Don't think the chain idea would work because the plow bottom would be able to swivel up and down. Don't like using the cat0 because smaller size pins would allow slop and similar problems as well as oval out the cat 1 holes. Since it won't be used that often, I did want something on the cheap. D.

 

[LD1]

Why wont it work with the standard toplink? What is the reason for wanting it tipped way forward??

Is it because you cannot lift it high enough?

 

[94BULLITT]

You can get cat 0 to cat 1 bushings.

Sent from my Samsung SPH-L710 using TractorByNet

 

[gwdixon]

Thanks to all for the suggestions. I looked at the one from AgriSupply but that is 17" minimum pin to pin. I need pin one about a 12" min. I wanted to use a middle buster/potato plow, tipped way forward, to scrape gravel out of a shallow drainage ditch that fills up when the town puts oil & stone on the road. Don't think the chain idea would work because the plow bottom would be able to swivel up and down. Don't like using the cat0 because smaller size pins would allow slop and similar problems as well as oval out the cat 1 holes. Since it won't be used that often, I did want something on the cheap. D.

You're right, chain would not work in that application.

Since you know the exact length you want maybe you can just take an old top link, remove the threaded portions, and weld the ends together (after cutting to the length you want).

Most farmers have an extra one, a bent one, or one lost in the back of the barn. Ask around.

Another option is to buy the ball ends and weld them to a piece of rod or heavy pipe to get a permanent top link of the length you want.

You don't say if you can do welding. If not, that limits the options.

 

[AgriStoreUSA]

dnail - I can get you down to 14 and 3/16" minimum with this unit: - Tiller Blades & Hydraulic Top Links | Lawn, Garden, & Agricultural Parts | AGRISTOREUSA.COM

 

[newbury]

One of the important things about toplinks is capability to adjust the length. Since you know the length and it's single purpose why not just take a length of suitable bar stock and drill a hole in both ends?

I'm thinking if there's not a lot of force on it you might get by with two pieces of angle stock (like a bedframe thickness) and just trim the "angles" off the ends. I only mention bedframe because they are so common and often found for free.

 

[RickB]

Thanks to all for the suggestions. I looked at the one from AgriSupply but that is 17" minimum pin to pin. I need pin one about a 12" min. I wanted to use a middle buster/potato plow, tipped way forward, to scrape gravel out of a shallow drainage ditch that fills up when the town puts oil & stone on the road. Don't think the chain idea would work because the plow bottom would be able to swivel up and down. Don't like using the cat0 because smaller size pins would allow slop and similar problems as well as oval out the cat 1 holes. Since it won't be used that often, I did want something on the cheap. D.

Chain won't work in your application because the toplink will be in compression. TISCO offers a Cat I toplink that adjusts from 13" to 19". Part # JSA1009 should run about $20 give or take.

 

[lostcreekranch]

One of the important things about toplinks is capability to adjust the length. Since you know the length and it's single purpose why not just take a length of suitable bar stock and drill a hole in both ends? I'm thinking if there's not a lot of force on it you might get by with two pieces of angle stock (like a bedframe thickness) and just trim the "angles" off the ends. I only mention bedframe because they are so common and often found for free.

BINGO! We have a winner. Suggest appropriate length 3/8" or 1/2" x 2" bar stock will be simple solution. Wouldn't even mess with angle stock. Find a local fab / welding shop and they probably have something on scrap pile. A good welder could burn fairly round hole for 7/8" Cat 1 pins on both ends and VIOLA you ready to go. If you have welding capabilities and a torch it is EZ-PZ. Rick

 

[RickB]

BINGO! We have a winner. Suggest appropriate length 3/8" or 1/2" x 2" bar stock will be simple solution. Wouldn't even mess with angle stock.


Rick

Bar stock in compression will fold up like a cheap tent. That's why steel comes in shapes like angles, channels, squares, rectangles & tubes.

 

[henrysMFGC2310TBL]

I did the same and cut and welded to get a shorter link. If you are going to use tubing make sure it has at least 3/16 wall thickness and just fits inside the brackets with minimal side clearance.

 

[whis]

get a piece of flat metal 3/8 or 1/2 thick a make one. wont be adjustable