Toplink Buy hyd toplink with or w/o check valve??

[sixdogs]

I decided to buy one of those hydraulic toplinks for my Kubota L4300 for lighter duty work such as raking and planter use. I like accuracy in my work and figure this would be easier.
Queston is, do I want the one with the check valve to prevent drifting or do I want one without. The one I am looking at "with" the valve is from CCM.

If anyone owns one type or the other maybe you could offer some suggestions. Thank you.

 

[kennyd]

Just do a search on the term "ccm" and you can read all the old posts about them...This has been discussed 100+ times

 

[greg_g]

If you have a well-maintained hydraulic system, the check valve is little more than a nice to have option. But if your hydraulics are subject to leakdown, the check valve option will help compensate. But if it's bad enough where the lift arms drop under load, toplink check valves can't help. I've had a conventional HTL on my Cat2 tractor for 4 years now. No check valves, and no leakdown whatsoever. If it didn't involve the expense of installing remotes, I'd already have one on my Cat 1 tractor as well.

//greg//

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I think that a lot of TBN members have the top link with the check valve and are quite happy with them. Myself, I do not have the check valve and have had no problems with the hydraulic drifting. As Greg said, they are a "nice to have option", but not really needed if you have a good hydraulic system.

Just my experience.

 

[AKfish]

I find that I'm always "tweaking" the adjustment for the toplink while I'm working. More aggressive angle, less aggressive with my rear blade. A little deeper, a little shallower; with my tiller...

And the only time my top link (or side link) "drifts" is when the tractor is shut down.

Long and short - I don't really think it matters a whole lot. I'll bet that no matter what type cylinder you get - you'll always be changing the adjustment, too.

And when it's parked... so what?

Either way - you're gonna really like having the ease and the ability to quickly change things with the hydraulics. Way sweet!

AKfish

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I find that I'm always "tweaking" the adjustment for the toplink while I'm working. More aggressive angle, less aggressive with my rear blade. A little deeper, a little shallower; with my tiller...

And the only time my top link (or side link) "drifts" is when the tractor is shut down.

Long and short - I don't really think it matters a whole lot. I'll bet that no matter what type cylinder you get - you'll always be changing the adjustment, too.

And when it's parked... so what?

Either way - you're gonna really like having the ease and the ability to quickly change things with the hydraulics. Way sweet!

AKfish

I have to agree, that is the reason for having the hydraulic links, so that it is easy to make constant adjustments. If you find that you hook up to your implement and are not making frequent adjustments, then you most likely didn't really need the hydraulic link (or links) after all.

 

[JB4310]

I don't see a reason why it would hurt having a check valve and since CCM is the easiest place to get one from and all they sell is HTLs with check valve you kinda don't have a choice.

I tried getting an HTL made up local and had no luck.

Also I only have one set of remotes so when I want to run something else off the remotes I want to be able to set angle on 3pt and not have it change through bleed down or have to swap lines to readjust. although I guess it couldn't bleed down if lines were disconnected anyway?

I did read here somewhere at least one guy said he didn't want check valve for some reason or another.

JB.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I did read here somewhere at least one guy said he didn't want check valve for some reason or another.

JB.

That might have been me, I would not have a check valve on the side tilt cylinder. I have many places that float mode works very well at road transitions.

And you are correct as far as CCM is concerned, they sell all their hydraulic links with the check valves, and have the best priced top links at this time I believe. So why even bother looking someplace else?

 

[sixdogs]

Thanks to you all. I know I could have searched it and I probably read some of those posts first time around anyway but by asking can get the collective wisdom in mere moments. I know CCM sells one but so does Surplus Center--looks identical?

Second question--Do you suppose I could use a cat II HD toplink with a 1000 lb chisel plow in tough conditions and have it work or are thse things best with lighter duty conditions?

 

[Gittyup]

Dalton has hydraulic toplinks without check valves. I think they are a little cheaper too. Though, if I were buying new, I'd pay a little more for the check valves.