Bent Top Link Bracket

MikeyB · Dec 28, 2007

Anyone with the TNT or just the top kit? I installed a third scv and also the top kit cylinder from JD that was parted out by the dealer. Today while moving snow and using my backblade I seriously bent the bracket that is attached to the center link cylinder that can be pinned to the upper support bracket while changing implements. Does anyone have the same setup and can tell me how to prevent this? Somehow I believe the bracket is supposed to be pinned down to the cylinder when not in use. Mine flipped up and was crushed when I lifted the blade all the way up ouch!

Hope this makes sense to someone who has this setup. Thanks for any info.

Mike

Superduper · Dec 28, 2007

Mike,

I know what you are talking about as I almost did that myself but backed off when I felt something unusual and heard some straining while lifting the 3ph. The top bracket (the replacement one, that is) is extremely heavy duty and you are lucky that the hanger bracket bent because if it didn't, you might have snapped off a portion of the cast housing that the top bracket is bolted to -- I think you know the one.

You would have to tilt the cylinder almost straight up for the bracket to flip. In actual practice, I can't imagine the top link cylinder being raised upright enough to cause it to do that and mine was in the up position simply because I forgot to flip it down while testing.

If you have your installation manual handy, you will see that there is a small pin with a u-shaped retaining wire which attaches to the u-bracket of the top cylinder, the same u-bracket that the hanger bracket is bolted to. This part is not supplied with the kit and the installation manual doesn't even list it, but it is clearly depicted in the illustration, many times. I believe that this pin retains the hanger bracket in the appropriate operating position but again, the manual does not reference it directly (only in the illustration) and it is not included in the kit, therefore, I have no direct knowledge. I don't have the manual scanned but if you can't find it or don't have it, I can try to post an image if you don't know what I'm talking about.

In the meantime, I'm sure a small bungee cord will work wonders for you until you get down to the dealer to replace that top bracket (and pick up the retaining pin too that is depicted but not referenced) If you ever find the part number for that pin, please let me know as well as I need one too.

~Superduper

MikeyB · Dec 29, 2007

Superduper,

I loan my tractor to a bud across the street that helps with fuel costs, maintenance, clearing my drive when I am away (alot), and such so I believe maybe it got flipped up during his use.

I can't really fault him since this has not been installed for long and I gave him a brief phone rundown on its use. Yes the cylinder bracket got munched big time and the bracket attached to the cast housing is bent nicely as well (I am surprised since it is very thick and has gussets at the 90 degree bend) so I can be thankful that the cast portion doesn't show any signs of distress. A new bracket is 30.00 or so and I may order it or just use a bungee as you suggest since my implements range from a back blade to just a mower for summer. The pin and clip is depicted in my diagram as well but was not supplied in the kit either. The pin looks fairly easy to find but the "spring clip" or "u shaped retaining wire" seems to be a bit unusual. I will look for one or try to get a part number for us on JD parts but I may just remove the bracket altogether since it will not be used much in my applications.

Thanks alot for your reply,
Mike

Superduper · Dec 29, 2007

Mike,

It's good to hear that the cast portion didn't suffer any damage. When this occured while I was using it, I felt the entire support area shift slightly and I stopped right away. Closer inspection showed that my hanger bracket was wedged up right against the base of the top support bracket and at that spot, I'm thinking that at the least, the two bolts holding the support bracket would shear and at worst, the casting would have broken. As you say, the top support bracket is VERY beefy and I wouldn't have banked on that being the weak link. If the bracket gets wedged like mine did at the very base, things might have gone down differently. Needless to say, I now operate the 3PH much more carefully now

When I said to use a bungy cord, I was referring to using it to secure the bracket in the correct operating position, not as a means to hold the cylinder up, even temporarily -- that cylinder is heavy. At $32.78, consider the cylinder hanger bracket as a cheap lesson of something worse that might have been. The top link support bracket at $89.70 is going to hurt a bit more and if you have access to some heavy duty tools and torch, you might be able to bend them back to get them to work the way it's intended. Personally, I would just as soon take my licks and pay the piper.

On the other hand, if you need a new top link support bracket, I do happen have a new one lying around that was left over from another kit and I'll be happy to work out something with you for that if you wish -- that is if I can find it.

MikeyB · Dec 29, 2007

I will probably just pay the piper as you say. The instructions don't say much or anything about securing that bracket when no in use. Even if I had the wire clip pin I'm still not sure how it would work. After looking at the install diagram I am still scratching my head a bit. With the bracket flipped down on the cylinder it blocks the holes in the small u bracket that is welded to the cylinder itself so I'm not sure how the dang thing would work.

How do you fasten your bracket and keep it out of the way when not in use?

Thanks,
Mike

Engine66 · Dec 30, 2007

I think I have the same problem...not sure...maybe you can help. I took delivery of a 4720/400cx/448BH with a 3rd SCV that shares a bracket with the power beyond kit and the chrome 3PH upper arm holder. I attached/pinned my 3PH upper arm into the lowest of the holes to avoid hitting the chrome holder. (I hope this makes sense) Meaning, my chrome 3PH upper arm holder hangs straight down and if my 3PH upperarm was attached/pinned in a center or top hole, then it would hit the chrome holder and bend it if the 3PH is raised. It seems that the bracket with power beyond and 3rd SCV hose connections interferes with the upper arm holder. Is this the same problem you guys are talking about? Seems that there should be a way of keeping the chrome holder suspended upright somehow so it does not get smashed when the 3PH is raised. I have a pic and will share to illustrate when I get a chance.

MikeyB · Dec 30, 2007

If you look at the attached JD parts diagram we are talking about brackets 1 and 3. Bracket 3 is attached to the top cylinder via a bolt. My bracket #3 flipped up and was crushed on bracket 1 that is bolted to the cast iron housing where you fill the hydraulic fluid. The top link support #3 is really only used to hold the cylinder up while changing implements when it is attached to bracket #1 via the pin #25. Normally it is just flipped down when not in use. Hope this makes sense, as they say a picture is worth a thousand words.

Mike

Superduper · Dec 30, 2007

Engine66: the chrome link you are talking about is the hanger rod that supports the 'standard' non hydraulic top link. This is merely a heavy guage wire rod that is no big deal if it gets bent. The one that Mike is talking about is a large bracket about 5" x 14" and which actually replaces that small wire rod. It needs to be large because the top cylinder is actaully a very heavy item and if you were to drive around with the top link cylinder supported, it would have to be very substantial.

Mike: I found the hardware yesterday at TSC. It is merely a 1/4" locking pin and costs about $2 plus change. It appears that you install it by inserting the pin through the (cylinder u-bracket) and tilting the hanger bracket forward until it rests on the just inserted locking pin, then the u-shaped wire loops around the hanger bracket and over the locking pin. This keeps the hanger bracket secured at a 45 degree angle. Because the retaining loop is a little loose, it can pivot up to about 90 degrees but no more. I think this will work for you and if you can find one (at deere?) with a more shallow 'U', it will have less pivot room. In any event, it appears that this will retain the strap in a position where it won't be damaged however, I don't like the way it protrudes up 45degrees as I have even less room than you since I also have power beyond and diverter option installed and it's really tight back there. I'm sure yours is similar but my top cylinder can rotate around about 30 degrees from side to side and that bracket will also rotate making it look rather funny. This spring, I think I'll remove the hanger bracket and do one of two things: (1) drill holes through the bracket to coincide with the cylinder u-bracket to that it could be pinned securely or (2) remove the bolt securing the hanger bracket to the u-bracket and replace it with a lynch pin which will allow me to easily remove the hanger bracket as needed but of course, this is the less desirable method as it will probably end up in the bracket getting lost eventually, especially since the quick-hitch rarely requires removal.

MikeyB · Dec 30, 2007

Superduper,

Funny you should mention drilling a hole through the bracket. That is exactly my plan as well. I was at the dealer ordering the two new (expensive

) brackets and found a pin that will work. My plan is the same, drill a hole through the bracket and pin it so that it rests on the cylinder facing backwards.

Thanks for all your help.

Mike