3pt Top Link chain

[miscjames]

Top link chain. I know a lot of people run them for their rotary cutters. What else do you use them on and do you have pictures of your set up? What are some precautions?

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Top link chain. I know a lot of people run them for their rotary cutters. What else do you use them on and do you have pictures of your set up? What are some precautions?

Using a chain in place of a top link allows the implement to be able to rotate back onto the tractor.
I'm not saying that it will, but the possibility is there.

 

[Gordon Gould]

EDIT: ^^^^ He is right as noted below


Before I got a hydraulic top link I used to run a chain as a top link at times on my land plane. You have to be sure the surface is loose first because if you hit a snag the back end of the LP could easily roll up and smash the tractor. Plus my LandPlane is different than most in that it is heavy in the back which makes it run flat with a chain top link on a loose surface. Using the chain allows it to follow the road surface over sharp humps and dips. If you put the chain thru a pipe it would catch the back end if it tried to roll up. For the chain I used a choker hook at the tractor end and a slider on the LP end to make it adjustable.

I also used it on a log tongs set-up I made. Gave me some quick adjustment capability for the A-frame angle.

gg

 

[RayIN]

After reading about guys using a length of chain top link, I made one. I considered what happens if the mower or land plane tips up all the way. My rotary mower would tip up to about 60° before the A-frame hits the back of the tractor diff. housing, but by then the PTO shaft has already broken, which I should've already known and shut down the tractor. Using a short pipe 6" shorter over the chain prevents this from happening.
I wonder how many tractor operators don't watch the implements they are using, just turn the key and steer? This can cause problems though, I have a loose disc in my back from looking over my right shoulder watching what's happening; my chiropractor fixes me about 1-2x/week.

 

[TerryR]

The Bush Hog brand cutter I bought 25 years ago used a chain, not instead of the top link, but from the top of the A-frame to the rear. This left the rigid top link in place, which I'd expect would provide at least some resistance to the cutter flipping over forward. In any case it was never a problem.

 

[John0829]

I will not say it could not happen, however in all the times I have used a chain for the top link I have never had an implement flip up enough to be of concern.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Using the chain allows it to follow the road surface over sharp humps and dips.

I don't want my land plane to follow the road surface. Instead I want it to cut down the humps and fill in the dips.

 

[Gordon Gould]

I don't want my land plane to follow the road surface. Instead I want it to cut down the humps and fill in the dips.

I know what you are saying. But I'm not talking about wash board and stuff like that. My road makes use of water bars and broad based dips for drainage that get filled in and/or a unwanted mound left with a stiff top link. I would have to go back and fix these with the bucket or a rear blade. Using the chain saved me from this.

Of course the real answer is a hydraulic top link. It allows me to adjust as I grade and is better than the chain because it allows me to control rather than just follow the surface.

gg

 

[LouNY]

After reading about guys using a length of chain top link, I made one. I considered what happens if the mower or land plane tips up all the way. My rotary mower would tip up to about 60° before the A-frame hits the back of the tractor diff. housing, but by then the PTO shaft has already broken, which I should've already known and shut down the tractor. Using a short pipe 6" shorter over the chain prevents this from happening.
I wonder how many tractor operators don't watch the implements they are using, just turn the key and steer? This can cause problems though, I have a loose disc in my back from looking over my right shoulder watching what's happening; my chiropractor fixes me about 1-2x/week.

It is surprising how much further I can twist and turn to the right, and do so for quite awhile.
Compared to the left I can easily rotate twice as far as the left side.

 

[RayIN]

The Bush Hog brand cutter I bought 25 years ago used a chain, not instead of the top link, but from the top of the A-frame to the rear. This left the rigid top link in place, which I'd expect would provide at least some resistance to the cutter flipping over forward. In any case it was never a problem.

That's the way I modified my old rotary mower. If this top link chain begins to worry me, I'll use the chains on the A-frame to rear wheel straps with a pipe 6" shorter than the chains again.
Making this top link chain was much less work though.

 

[RayIN]

It is surprising how much further I can twist and turn to the right, and do so for quite awhile.
Compared to the left I can easily rotate twice as far as the left side.

Ya, it's difficult to look over your left shoulder while operating the 3-pt controls for me, plus my new tractors ignition key is where my right knee turns it off when I look over my left shoulder.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Of course the real answer is a hydraulic top link. It allows me to adjust as I grade and is better than the chain because it allows me to control rather than just follow the surface.

gg

Ah, I use hydraulic top links so I basically forgot that there's another version.

I shouldn't have, since with the rear blade on the M6040 I have to use the stock link, because all three remotes are in use with that blade.

But since the top link can only be a certain length for the blade's pivot to stay horizontal, I'm fine with using the stock top link in that application.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Ah, I use hydraulic top links so I basically forgot that there's another version.

I shouldn't have, since with the rear blade on the M6040 I have to use the stock link, because all three remotes are in use with that blade.

But since the top link can only be a certain length for the blade's pivot to stay horizontal, I'm fine with using the stock top link in that application.

Maybe instead of removing your hydraulic top link, simply disconnect it and bungee the hose ends up out of the way. Seems like that might be easier than swapping the whole setup each time?

Obviously, you are a candidate for adding some diverter-s.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Oh, it's no big deal to swap the links. Don't do it often anyway. Although, more often than the excellent side link I bought from you.

And I did run a diverter valve for a while, to operate the steering on the axle on my home grown Frankenblade - now a towable 3-way blade.

 

[California]

The A-frame at the front of my mower is rigid and will hit the Quick Hitch if the back of the mower raises up. I adjust the QH forward for 6 inches slack there, and use a chain to bridge that gap. The chain is so I can lift the mower for tight turns. And occasionally for lifting and backing into brush for a first, high, pass.

This 6 inches of slack is so I can cross a depression without the mower tailwheel bearing the weight of the back of the tractor.

 

[Fladogman]

A chain also works great on a landscape rake

 

[chim]

When I had my bush hog I used a chain. The frame had no provisions for slack. It was bought used, so maybe it was missing a part or two. Using a top link made the 'hog into a rigid triangle and put an incredible amount of force on the mounting if the tractor's rear wheels dipped into a depression and lifted the mower if the wheels were on a high spot.

 

[old and tired]

I rarely hook up the toplink to either the finishing mower or the bush hog. If there's a rock to hit, lifting the 3 point hitch gets it over any obstacle.

My 3 point hitch holds it's position quite well, no drop so no worries...

 

[John0829]

Lets remember the OP was asking about using a chain on NON mower or cutter applications.

 

[California]

... Using a top link made the 'hog into a rigid triangle and put an incredible amount of force on the mounting if the tractor's rear wheels dipped into a depression ...

When I first got the bushhog I mowed down the diagonal on a gentle slope and got to a level area.

At that point the tractor went sideways. And no brakes!!!

After giving this some thought I realized the rigid mount at the 3-point had suspended the tractors rear tires, not off the ground but with so little weight that they had zero traction on fresh grass.

I added the slack space between mower / QH, and the chain, after that.