Best place to buy Hydraulic top and side link

[nosaj2]

I have notice that internet searches don't list all of the places that carry hydraulic top and side links. I have not figured out how to make the search function on Tractorbynet.com narrow down the searches to something useful. So I know I'm probably asking something that has been asked a million times.

Where is the best places to get the best value on hydraulic top and side links?

 

[newbury]

Fit Rite Hydraulics - fitritehydraulics.com

 

[oosik]

I bought my hydraulic top link from FitRite - seven years ago. They are specifically made for each tractor and with the enclosed instructions - they are a very easy installation. The FitRite unit is definitely much heavier duty than the OEM unit.

 

[Fallon]

Fit Rite Hydraulics - fitritehydraulics.com

Not cheap, not fast, but quality. My 2 TnT units have came from him. 3rd will too if I ever get another tractor. His lead time is often a month or 2. One cylinder did develop a pinhole after a year. Warranty replacement was cross shipped & showed up quickly.

The ones the dealer sent with my new machine didn't fit properly & leaked horribly. After 3 failed units that never fit & leaked various amounts they gave up & refunded the TnT option. I was happy to wait for my FitRite. It installed in a few minutes & looked OEM with better than OEM instructions.

 

[RoyKing]

Fitrite worth the time and money, get the restrictors a few bucks extra

 

[Fallon]

Fitrite worth the time and money, get the restrictors a few bucks extra

I think he has those built into the fitting on the hoses these days instead of an extra fitting.

 

[/pine]

FWIW...I have never seen anything but praise for Fit Rite T&T sets...the only negative comments I've ever seen were for the wait time...he is a one man operation.

However there are alternatives some are less expensive but with this type of thing you generally get what you pay for...

Top links are easy...not hard to find an off the shelf top link that will work without any alteration or modifications here is one example: Tractor Top Links, 3 Point Hitch Top Links

The hydraulic side links are not so easy...generally they are different for different models of machines...there may be a few generic ones out there that will fit a few tractors but for the most part they are custom specific to match the different lift rods on the 3PH....

Many guys make their own actually using the ends from their non adjustable lift rod by cutting the ends and welding them to a cylinder that will fit in the space and has the correct stroke etc...finding said cylinder can be a challenge on it's own...
Double Acting Hydraulic Cylinders | Hydraulic Cylinders | Hydraulics | www.surpluscenter.com
Good Luck...

 

[lostcreekranch]

+1 for Fit-Rite. I've bought two T/T sets .. plus a top link only for a Kubota I used to have.

 

[/pine]

More on shopping for a side link cylinder...
The cylinder should be stout enough to compare with the size of the machine and the 3PH...A side link only requires a 4"-5" stroke...

The issue is finding a cylinder that when extended 50% of the stroke and (modified with the correct ends) measures (pin to pin) the same as the OEM static lifting rod...

Most peeps that install T&T move the adjustable lift rod from the right side to the left and install the hydraulic tilt cylinder on the right side especially if the remote QD's are on the right side...but what ever works best for hose plumbing is prudent...

If you are moderately handy and can weld it is not a difficult thing to make/fabricate your own custom side link....there are an untold number of threads here where others have done it...it's not something that takes any special talent or machining tools etc...There is lots of information and threads here on TBN describing the procedure (with pictures and everything)...!

IMO, For anyone that uses their 3PH for anything other than pulling a mower/cutter...hydraulic top and tilt is the single most beneficial modification an owner can make to their tractor...it's like upgrading from a shovel and a wheelbarrow to a back hoe and a dump truck when it comes to making it easy making adjustments...it also greatly reduces the the learning curve on most implements because it makes it so easy to make minor adjustments without having to get off the tractor...

 

[lostcreekranch]

More on shopping for a side link cylinder...
The cylinder should be stout enough to compare with the size of the machine and the 3PH...A side link only requires a 4"-5" stroke...

The issue is finding a cylinder that when extended 50% of the stroke and (modified with the correct ends) measures (pin to pin) the same as the OEM static lifting rod...

Most peeps that install T&T move the adjustable lift rod from the right side to the left and install the hydraulic tilt cylinder on the right side especially if the remote QD's are on the right side...but what ever works best for hose plumbing is prudent...

If you are moderately handy and can weld it is not a difficult thing to make/fabricate your own custom side link....there are an untold number of threads here where others have done it...it's not something that takes any special talent or machining tools etc...There is lots of information and threads here on TBN describing the procedure (with pictures and everything)...!

IMO, For anyone that uses their 3PH for anything other than pulling a mower/cutter...hydraulic top and tilt is the single most beneficial modification an owner can make to their tractor...it's like upgrading from a shovel and a wheelbarrow to a back hoe and a dump truck when it comes to making it easy making adjustments...it also greatly reduces the the learning curve on most implements because it makes it so easy to make minor adjustments without having to get off the tractor...

Moving your adjustable side link to the left side, with a hydraulic link on right side, gives you huge tilt variance with a box blade, rear blade, or grader plane.