Heavy duty top link

tpaulson · Jan 29, 2002

There have been serveral posts on a heavy duty top link bracket for Kubotas when they have a backhoe mounted. The extra bracket prevents the rockshaft housing from being damaged.

I have a TC45D and a 3pt logging winch and would think it puts a lot of force on the top link also.

Does New Holland make an extra support bracket for the Boomer toplink? Or is it just not needed on Boomers?

kubmech · Jan 30, 2002

I don't get to see a whole lot of NH tractors but the main issue with the Kubotas is the regular top link bracket is bolted directly to the rock shaft cover (reference the pictures in the thread you're refering to) which puts alot of stress on a small area that's not well reinforced. The HD bracket spreads the load out better across the back of the tractor. If you can get a picture of your set-up we can have a look at how your top-link
is installed.....

tpaulson · Jan 30, 2002

Here are a couple of pictures of the TC45 toplink area. I didn't feel like going out to take pictures so I borrowed the bottom picture from one of jinman's posts. Thanks jinman.

jinman · Jan 30, 2002

In most implement applications the toplink actually pushes toward the tractor, so use of a winch is pulling against the four bolts the opposite of the designed loading. This might be a better question for New Holland engineers, but I would think that the amount of a steady "pull" loading of the toplink would be related to the strength of the bolts. I'd definitely be concerned for any shock loading that pulled against the plate. Obviously, I don't know the answer, but I think you have good reason to be concerned. The size of the drawbar and it's brackets are a good comparison. They are made for the kinds of pulling forces you are exerting. ...and feel free to use my photo all you need./w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

kamarch · Jan 30, 2002

Jim - I thought you added a Hydraulic clyinder, to replace your factory top links? Based on your post, I have acquired all the top link parts, and plan to do the cylinder install this weekend. Thanks for the detailed description of parts.

I am in the market for a auger. Any thoughts on a 9" or 12" diameter auger to go along with a TC45D? I have been driving by a stange set-up on a JD 4200, which includes a frame mounted auger (steel box frame surrounds the auger). I assume that the frame is lowered and keeps the auger on a track to control horizontal torque. Anyone have any adieas on this or have seen a similar setup?

jinman · Jan 30, 2002

Kevin, that's an old photo which predates my adjustable toplink. Also, I have a Howse auger and both 12" and 9" augers. There are better ones like you mentioned in your post which tend to be more stable and are a lot more expensive. I bought mine several years ago new with both augers for $450. I suspect they are considerably more these days.

kubmech · Jan 30, 2002

Although the upper housing looks pretty "beefy' The brackets are tied only to the upper housing. Seems the bolt holes (with the plastic plugs in them) could be used to tie in a larger bracket spreading the load out more efficiently. That's the basic premise for the HD top-link bracket.

Bayrat · Feb 3, 2002

I am involved in the Kubota debate. The N/H looks about the same to me. I can't believe the manufacturers don't do a better job here /w3tcompact/icons/sad.gif.

MikePA · Feb 3, 2002

A question...

Don't most 3ph implements depend more upon the lower links for support and strength versus the top link? I wouldn't think the stresses would be evenly split among all 3 points?

IOW, the top link sets the angle of attack of the implement and assists the lower links with maintaining left/right alignment. Other than that, what else is the top link expected to do that would require it to be heavy duty (this excludes a 3ph back hoe)?

tpaulson · Feb 4, 2002

<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr>

Don't most 3ph implements depend more upon the lower links for support and strength versus the top link?

<hr></blockquote>

Yes, most 3pt attachments would put most of the force on the lower links. After reading posts about backhoes causing damage, I began to think about the possibility the logging winch would also put a large force on the top link. If you use only the upper pulley there appears that the majority of the force is on the upper link. See attached photo. There is a lower pulley on the winch that the cable can be looped around. This would put more of the force on the lower links.

The manual for the winch doesn't mention anything about damage to the tractor 3pt caused by using only the upper link. Since reading and seeing on TBN the damage that can be done to the rockshaft housing, I will definitely be using the lower pulley most of the time. But, it would still be nice if the upper link had a little extra support -- just in case.