Top link ratchet adjustment

[pmsmechanic]

I already have a hydraulic top link but would really like to do something like this for the side link. Now you have me thinking.

 

[Musdalen]

Well, think out loud. I'm listening.

 

[fried1765]

I agree - market it!

That said, I'm wondering if anyone has attempted the same thing for a lift arm adjustment? My new JD's one major negative is the lack of a reasonable leveling mechanism for the 3 pt. It has leveling but I have to get off the tractor and use a very awkward adjustment that is just ridiculous in my opinion. On my old For 8n, I could crank the leveling mechanism from the seat, and I did. A lot. I use a grading blade a lot and not having a simple leveling mechanism is a real PITA. The JD system is designed to be set once and forgotten, and that doesn't work for me.

So, why wouldn't this work as a leveler? Would it be strong enough? (2200 lb lift capacity). It would have to avoid interference with the tires.

Get the type ratchet with the folding handle.
It should work perfectly.

You might also check the Agri-Supply website item number 38124.
That is a "ratchet jack". You can convert it from clevis ends, to long thread 3pt. ball ends.
That handle is not foldable, but is removable.

 

[Musdalen]

AgriSuply seems to be a Southeastern chain mostly. I'm looking at comparable places here.

I'm also thinking about repurposing a lift arm crank off of an old Ford 8N or early 100 series tractor. Not sure why it wouldn't work.

 

[Catman8]

AgriSuply seems to be a Southeastern chain mostly. I'm looking at comparable places here.

I'm also thinking about repurposing a lift arm crank off of an old Ford 8N or early 100 series tractor. Not sure why it wouldn't work.

I was looking at the side link also, but on my tractor it's so close to the tire I was afraid the nobi of the tire would catch the handle and tear something up. I'm like you, I'm looking for a small crank style adjuster but I don't think they make them small enough for my tractor, but like you said, prefab something to work.

 

[petegoud]

If you look at the picture I just posted in this link you'll see a hydraulic side link I made by simply cutting the ends off a cheap cylinder and welding on new ends. I use my tractor in the woods and on hilly land a lot, so having the means to instantly adjust the angles with a fingertip works much better for me than a hand crank. If you lived on level land that wouldn't be much of a problem. By installing a needle valve in line I was able to restrict the flow of oil thus giving me finer control.

 

[Ford850]

There are a lot of side link leveling boxes out there. leveling box side link - Google Search

 

[Musdalen]

A noon trip to Theisens (local farm supply chain) produced a quite heavy duty ratchet jack. However, it uses square threads, completely different than the threads of the toplink or any top link they had on sale there. So, for now, I passed. A simple solution would be to buy weldable link ends, which they have, and simply cut off the crosspin yokes on the jack and weld on the ball-end links. But I'll have to pay someone for that. I'll poke around in a few other places first. Meanwhile, think I"ll go home and eyeball my tractor for potential to fit with an 8N side link leveling device.

 

[fried1765]

A noon trip to Theisens (local farm supply chain) produced a quite heavy duty ratchet jack. However, it uses square threads, completely different than the threads of the toplink or any top link they had on sale there. So, for now, I passed. A simple solution would be to buy weldable link ends, which they have, and simply cut off the crosspin yokes on the jack and weld on the ball-end links. But I'll have to pay someone for that. I'll poke around in a few other places first. Meanwhile, think I"ll go home and eyeball my tractor for potential to fit with an 8N side link leveling device.

Same item (ratchet jack) is sold at Agri-Supply for $29.99 + shipping.

 

[Musdalen]

Indeed, I also found exactly the same binder at Northern Tool I had search for ratchet Jack and found nothing useful, but ratchet Binder was the ticket. NT is a bit pricier but localish (40 miles). Cut the end, weld on two replacement link ends, and good to go. That's my thought at the moment anyway. Get the foldable handle in the deal too.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200576800_200576800