Hydro Top Lift Tie

ritcheyvs · Jun 9, 2014

Does anyone have tips or tricks for holding a hydraulic top lift up while it's not connected to an implement? My original mechanical top lift had a bracket that held the link up by clipping into a bracket on the tractor. I've been thinking about using a loop of rope around the cylinder to loop over that same tractor bracket. Then I decided to ask for any ideas here.

pmsmechanic · Jun 10, 2014

Quick attaches are cheap...

rd_macgregor · Jun 10, 2014

Although I don't (yet) have the TnT setup, I've already wondered the same thing. I noticed that hydraulic hoses connected to my remotes to power my grapple make it a bit difficult to hang the top hitch on its bracket; if I increase the number of remotes to power the TnT (and still have another one or two pairs to power other stuff), I may not be able to use the existing bracket at all. On my 2006 model DK45S, the top link hanger bracket and remotes are both to the right of center.

Bob

VTFireftr · Jun 10, 2014

rd_macgregor said:
Although I don't (yet) have the TnT setup, I've already wondered the same thing. I noticed that hydraulic hoses connected to my remotes to power my grapple make it a bit difficult to hang the top hitch on its bracket; if I increase the number of remotes to power the TnT (and still have another one or two pairs to power other stuff), I may not be able to use the existing bracket at all. On my 2006 model DK45S, the top link hanger bracket and remotes are both to the right of center.

Bob

I remove the whole thing when I have my backhoe on. I leave the tilt cylinder attached, but I need the remote for the backhoe, so I just take the thing off and store it in the garage.

MtnViewRanch · Jun 11, 2014

ritcheyvs said:
Does anyone have tips or tricks for holding a hydraulic top lift up while it's not connected to an implement? My original mechanical top lift had a bracket that held the link up by clipping into a bracket on the tractor. I've been thinking about using a loop of rope around the cylinder to loop over that same tractor bracket. Then I decided to ask for any ideas here.

Some 1/4" or 5/16" rod and bend up a new hanger, or bend your existing hanger 90* and use the hydraulic port to hook onto if it will reach.

A hose clamp around the cylinder with a link of chain.

On my 75HP tractor I was able to just widen the loop to hold the cylinder. On my 32HP tractor, I twisted the existing loop 90* and latch it onto the hydraulic port. I was able to make use of the OEM bracket-holder on both of my utility tractors.

murphy1244 · Jun 11, 2014

Use a bungee cord as you won't be able to bend the bracket.

MtnViewRanch · Jun 11, 2014

murphy1244 said:
Use a bungee cord as you won't be able to bend the bracket.

Why? I bent both of mine. Just because it is hardened, if it is, does not mean that you can't bend it. You can always put a torch to it.

murphy1244 · Jun 11, 2014

MtnViewRanch said:
Why? I bent both of mine. Just because it is hardened, if it is, does not mean that you can't bend it. You can always put a torch to it.

It is and I don't own a torch.

mj007 · Jun 12, 2014

murphy1244 said:
It is and I don't own a torch.

Use #9 smooth wire (tempered or annealed if it has enough strength), vise grips, pliers, hammer & punch in a vise, etc. and bend up the form you need - go for it!