Got the itch for a hydraulic top link

TNhobbyfarmer · May 14, 2012

I recently installed Pat's Easy Change System on my Kubota 3430. I'm very happy so far. I had one of those "why didn't I do that years ago" feelings.

Well, that has brought on a want/need feeling for a hydraulic top link. This is for all you users of HTLs. How would you rate them?
1) Must have; why did I wait so long.
2) Nice addition; useful.
3) Like it but could as easily done without.
4) Wish I hadn't wasted my money.

I got a quote from Fit Rite Hydraulics, $262 which includes the cylinder, hose kit, hydraulic flow restrictor, and shipping. All feedback is appreciated.

RollTideRam · May 14, 2012

Besides using it to adjust your cutter or box blade at the touch of a lever, It goes great with Pats for making hookups easier.

LD1 · May 14, 2012

I dont have one, mainly because I dont have remotes. I only have a scrape blade, and while I would see a HTL being pretty handy at times, not so much if it costs me over $1k by the time I get remotes.

But if you have a boxblade, boom pole, scrape blade, landscape rake, etc I could see it being very handy.

Again, I dont have one, but Brian, that makes the Fit-Rite kits is a well respected member here. He goes by MtnViewRanch incase you didnt know. I hear his kits are top notch and you wont get better service at a better price. And since you are a member here too, he HAS to treat you right. Because word spreads fast here.

But I have only ever heard good things about his kits.

Gordon Gould · May 14, 2012

For me it turned out to be catagory 1 on your list. I've had it just over a year now. FitRiteHydraulics. Adds alot of versatility and convienience.

k0ua · May 14, 2012

I am curious on how you hook up the top link.. so school me some.. Isnt the hydraulic top link going to drop down and point toward the ground, due to its weight, just like the screw jack does? and how do you hold it up to point to the attachment point while going around the right tire to get to the hydraulic control. to extend or retract the cylinder rod to make the length correct to get hooked up.. My arm is not that long.. I can see it if you could reach the control valve lever and hold the cylinder up with your left hand, But I cannot envision on how to do this the way my control lever is set up from the factory.:confused3:

James K0UA

shortthrow50 · May 14, 2012

k0ua said:
I am curious on how you hook up the top link.. so school me some.. Isnt the hydraulic top link going to drop down and point toward the ground, due to its weight, just like the screw jack does? and how do you hold it up to point to the attachment point while going around the right tire to get to the hydraulic control. to extend or retract the cylinder rod to make the length correct to get hooked up.. My arm is not that long.. I can see it if you could reach the control valve lever and hold the cylinder up with your left hand, But I cannot envision on how to do this the way my control lever is set up from the factory.:confused3:

James K0UA

Just use a small bungy cord. Thats what i use to hold it up if i need to make an adjustment to get it hooked up.

SSdoxie · May 14, 2012

For me it is #1. Not so much why did I wait so long, that required getting the tractor with rear remote. I use mine combined with a quick hitch and I can reach the lock levers on the hitch from the seat so only time I am off hooking up is with PTO shafts and only includes 2 -3 times a year per each of the 3 (tiller, bush hog, & post hole digger). Some may think that is getting a little lazy especially since I also have hydraulic lock on my FEL Quick Attach, but when the Rhumetoid Arthritis starts kicking in at the ankles getting on & off tractor repeated gets to be a real pain in the true sense.

MrChris · May 14, 2012

I recently added TnT to my tractor so I'm still learning how to use it. So far though I definitely agree the HTL makes hooking up my various attachments easier. It's also easier and saves time while using my attachments to make adjustments right from the tractor instead of getting on and off the seat. When I use my no till drill and bush hog I want a level grade and just adjust the top link. For using my rear scrape blade, landscape rake and box blade however I also felt it worth the investment of adding the hydraulic side link. When grading our gravel road I find I'm actually making adjustments more with the side link to pitch the road to get a proper crown as well as ditching the sides. Brian from FitRite Hydraulics custom made the side link for me. I already know I would not be happy having to go back and manually make link adjustments. If my dealer had demonstrated TnT when I was buying my tractor I would have added it sooner.

TNhobbyfarmer · May 14, 2012

k0ua said:
I am curious on how you hook up the top link.. so school me some.. Isnt the hydraulic top link going to drop down and point toward the ground, due to its weight, just like the screw jack does? and how do you hold it up to point to the attachment point while going around the right tire to get to the hydraulic control. to extend or retract the cylinder rod to make the length correct to get hooked up.. My arm is not that long.. I can see it if you could reach the control valve lever and hold the cylinder up with your left hand, But I cannot envision on how to do this the way my control lever is set up from the factory.:confused3:

James K0UA

I thought about this dilemma as well. However, I checked and I can easily reach the lever that controls the hydraulic valve so this shouldn't be a problem for me. Maybe some of you HTL users can weigh in.

Triguy1 · May 14, 2012

TNhobbyfarmer said:
I recently installed Pat's Easy Change System on my Kubota 3430. I'm very happy so far. I had one of those "why didn't I do that years ago" feelings.

Well, that has brought on a want/need feeling for a hydraulic top link. This is for all you users of HTLs. How would you rate them?
1) Must have; why did I wait so long.
2) Nice addition; useful.
3) Like it but could as easily done without.
4) Wish I hadn't wasted my money.

I got a quote from Fit Rite Hydraulics, $262 which includes the cylinder, hose kit, hydraulic flow restrictor, and shipping. All feedback is appreciated.

I would say #2 or possibly even #1 though one can obviously get by without one. Since I received mine, (also from Brian) I have used it every time that I run the Tractor. For anyone who wants a fully functional tractor with the ability to use any implement or attachment quickly and efficiently, it seems like rear remotes and hydraulic top links should be a much more standard piece of hardware. Until I found TBN and Fit-Rite, it seemed like it was almost impossible to get this especially for a SCUT.

I can see no reason to be without it. Even the cost is minimal in the scope of the initial cost of the tractor and the implements.

Jon