Building a Top 'N Tilt

[Turfman]

Building a Top \'N Tilt

OK, I’ve read about top n tilt for a long time and after spending 15 hour with the box blade last week I wanted one. So I went to the local supply house and learned that they will install one for $575 per function. Top link 575, side link 575, total for a top n tilt 1150 plus tax. There had to be a better (same quality, less money) way. I know some of you have built them. I’ve looked at the posts and am lost on what I need to do to put one together. I understand about the hydraulic top and side links, but don’t understand about how to get the hydraulics back to the unit, where I tap into existing lines (or which lines), what valves I need and where to mount them. I have a Kubota B2710, with a three FEL valve. What do I need to buy, where is the best place and how to I get the lines back there to run the thing?

Thanks,
Turfman

 

[brisbine]

Re: Building a Top \'N Tilt

Ever since I found out it would cost me around $1700 to install top-n-tilt on my Kubota B21TLB, I have been looking into building my own as well. Unfortunately, the critical parts (cylinders, hydraulic couplers, and valves) all add up to an expensive parts list. By the time I price out the cylinders (~$200 each) and a 2 spool valve (a good quality one I found was ~$600), I am already at $1000. Throw in the hoses, hydraulic couplers, the ends for the rams, misc hardware, and my time, and now $1700 does not look so bad. I may be shopping in the wrong places, but for me quality is as important as price, especially when talking about hydraulic valves & cylinders.

Just something to consider, based on my initial experiences in the matter. I would be very interested in what you find for prices of the major components-- maybe I could shop there too!

-Brian

 

[Bird]

Re: Building a Top \'N Tilt

By doing mine myself (bought Tisco cylinders and valve from a Kubota dealer and had the hoses custom made), it still cost me over $800. You have two choices for getting the hydraulics back there. One is to run a hose from the power beyond port on your loader valve to the inlet of the new valve (don't forget that you need an open centered valve), then from the outlet on the new valve back to the tractor where the power beyond hose currently goes. The other way is to use the optional hydraulic outlet on the right side towards the rear of the tractor, which is what I did (and two Kubota dealers I talked to didn't even know that outlet existed, but it's shown in the Illustrated Parts List.

Hey, why am I repeating myself?/w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif Just go to <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=owning&Number=24170&page=&view=&sb=&o=&fpart=5&vc=1>this thread</A> and read all about it (and I called it Tip 'N Tilt when it should have been Top 'N Tilt./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif A rather long thread, but has pictures, too.

 

[MarkV]

Re: Building a Top \'N Tilt

Turfman, from what everyone has said they pay for the parts of a top an tilt system and then had to modify the parts to fit, it sounds to me like you have gotten a pretty good price. I’d bet you will not be able to save more than a couple hundred doing it yourself and it will take a bunch of fiddling. Might be worth letting someone else deal with the hassles. Do a search and you will find a bunch of info on Top an Tilt.

MarkV

 

[ronjhall]

Re: Building a Top \'N Tilt

Turfman
One of the largest expenses is the valve. I went to my dealer and asked if he had anything could use. He took me to his leftover parts area. He had a couple of valves. One was left from a front blade. It was very similar to a FEL valve. It was brand new and had hoses and fittings attached. His price was a small fraction of new price. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Give your dealer and others a call. You may luck into a similar deal. /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif