How do you mark top link length on greasy threads?

[rfc143]

I've know, with pretty good precision, How long the top link needs to be when attached to the snow blower, the rake, the mower etc. But, short of getting a tape measure out to measure the exposed threads, or making a bunch of gauges, Does anyone know of a way to paint or otherwise mark the threads to make this quicker/easier?

 

[747driver]

I have very little grease on my top link, just enough to keep it from rusting and corroding...keeps it cleaner that way. If you have a camera phone, just take a picture of each implement you use and refer to it when hooking it up.

 

[M5farms]

clean the threads and use a paint marker . I use them all the time and have different color ones on certain implements like my hay cutter and put the color of the mark on the frame so i know the color mark to set too, sharpie works but will have to be redone periodically

 

[rfc143]

clean the threads and use a paint marker . I use them all the time and have different color ones on certain implements like my hay cutter and put the color of the mark on the frame so i know the color mark to set too, sharpie works but will have to be redone periodically

Cool. I'll Try that. Thanks.
Follow up question: Is there a way to unscrew the link completely? I want to soak it in degreaser and also put one of those threaded locking nut things on it rather than the hex nut on there now.

 

[M5farms]

what kind of top link do you have ??? all of mine are threaded tubes and yes you can unscrew mine

 

[rfc143]

what kind of top link do you have ??? all of mine are threaded tubes and yes you can unscrew mine

I assume mine came with the tractor. If you unscrew it far enough, it stops short of unthreading all the way. I haven't tried forcing it, but I'm guessing it's some kind of interference thread.

 

[mcfarmall]

I assume mine came with the tractor. If you unscrew it far enough, it stops short of unthreading all the way. I haven't tried forcing it, but I'm guessing it's some kind of interference thread.

Probably a burr or perhaps someone used the link in the fully collapsed position and the end of the threads bottomed out on the opposing half of the turnbuckle and mushroomed the end out slightly. It doesn't take much to make life difficult with threaded connections.

 

[TractorGuy]

I have never thought about or needed to mark mine. I spray all my exposed stuff that needs lubricant or rust prevention with dry molly lube.

You could always hacksaw a line in the threads. Then you still have to remember which line is for which implement.

 

[Farmer495]

I use a cheap pocket tape measure which stays on tractor, and the only implement I really care to be exact for moldboard plow. Everything else you can put on close enough, step back and look and see it the implement is sitting right.

I measure pin center to center on the top link.

Of course if your tractor will take a generic top link, you can buy them fairly cheap now and leave one set right length on each implement

 

[newbury]

<snip>

Of course if your tractor will take a generic top link, you can buy them fairly cheap now and leave one set right length on each implement

I'd like to get to 1 top link/implement and 1 tractor per implement