How many "TnT" owners

MtnViewRanch · Jan 22, 2010

I was just thinking about my "TnT" set up on both of my tractors. I would be lost without them. A lot of you talk about how much you use your hydraulic top link, but not all that many mention the hydraulic side links. I tend to use the side link more than the top link. In fact if I could only have one, it would be the side link.

So my questions are, just how much do you actually use your "TnT" and what size tractors do you have? I have a Mahindra 7520 (75hp) and 3215HST(32hp) with "TnT" sets that I made for both of them. I use both the top and side hydraulics on a regular basis.

DK35vince · Jan 22, 2010

I have Top and Tilt on my Kioti DK 35.
After having it for years I wouldn't want to be without it.
I use the top link all the time. I don't use the tilt very often, but I do like having the feature when I need it.

3RRL · Jan 22, 2010

I have a hydraulic top link and (2) hydraulic side links.
They are all independently controlled. I use them all frequently since I do almost every kind of dirt work with my trusty boxblade. I installed everything myself. Below are photos of the side links. Both of them have DPOCV's (double pilot operated check valves) to insure they remain locked in the position I set them, until I move them. The range of motion with two hydraulic side links is tremendous.
Rob-

Here is a video of what the top link and side links can do with the boxblade on...

MichiganIron · Jan 22, 2010

Once you have it, you can't live without it.

dex3361 · Jan 22, 2010

Boy I tell ya after seeing Robs smarmy set up I am kinda embarrassed to post mine.

Just kidding Rob as usual your set up is nothing less than admirable. I have a L4400HST Kubota and it has
45.6 HP ENGINE / 37.5 HP PTO. I use my TnT all the time but use the tilt more than the top. It is great not to have to get off of the tractor and make adjustments. I have changed the plumbing to ISO push/pull couplings.

beenthere · Jan 22, 2010

Only the top, and have found little use for the tilt. Then again, I do very little blade work, for which I'd say the tilt would be necessary.

Big Bri · Jan 22, 2010

3RRL said:
I have a hydraulic top link and (2) hydraulic side links.
They are all independently controlled. I use them all frequently since I do almost every kind of dirt work with my trusty boxblade. I installed everything myself. Below are photos of the side links. Both of them have DPOCV's (double pilot operated check valves) to insure they remain locked in the position I set them, until I move them. The range of motion with two hydraulic side links is tremendous.
Rob-

Here is a video of what the top link and side links can do with the boxblade on...

Wow. . . that is just too cool. I don't TnT yet but after seeing this video i don't think i'll be happy with it unless i have TnTnT Top and Tilt and Tilt.
thanks for the pic and video

jenkinsph · Jan 22, 2010

I have TnT on my 4520 and 110 and think it is a great addition. Doing a lot of blade work it helps tremendously.

mjncad · Jan 23, 2010

Top only for now, tilt is on the to-do list.

Picasa Web Albums - Matt - Top-n-Tilt#

GATC35 · Jan 23, 2010

I have hydraulic top link and side link on my New Holland TC-45D. Both purchased from Carter and Carter. Probably one of the best investments I've ever made. Two years ago I built a walking/jogging track for one of my customers. He has a 10 acre parcel of land with rolling hills and many large oak trees, really beautiful piece of property. The track runs around the perimeter of his property. The track is smooth and is level side to side. The tnt with my box blade made this project really easy.

Sorry.......no pics, backhoe is currently installed.

jinman · Jan 23, 2010

I have both and can't imagine being without either one. I just tilled up my garden spot with my KKII tiller. Adjusting the toplink and tilt of the tiller on the fly is the cat's meow.

I use my hydraulic toplink and tilt everytime I hook up or disconnect from implements. I can stand behind my tractor and reach over the fender to get to the levers. I never struggle with attaching implements. The hardest part is getting on and off the tractor.

Tig · Jan 23, 2010

My TnT allows me to look like I know what I am doing when I'm grading. Or at least in my mind it does.

I'm sure it has paid for it's self in time, material and fuel savings. My little 16 hp B7100 can work a lot harder because I can tune how aggressive I want to be when I engage the ground.

I even got another compliment today on my lane way. It was a war zone when we bought the place. Now it's quite respectable.

thunderworks · Jan 23, 2010

I have both on my L5030 Kubota and use both the top and the side cylinders constantly. Watching Rob's little video reminds me of "B" grade Western's where the bad buy makes someone "dance".

SFish · Jan 23, 2010

JD 3320 with a 72" box blade and top n tilt (by Gearmore). This hasn't improved the quality of the work I can do, but it now takes 1/10 the time. I also use the top n tilt with a landscape rake, and sometimes the tilt with my post hole digger and logging winch.

Steve

/pine · Jan 23, 2010

I will be adding T & T in the Spring...I am currently accumulating the parts...

On some setups I see the hydraulic cylinder on the right sides (normally where the manually adjustable link is)...leaving the non-adjustable link on the left side...

...In other cases I have seen the cylinder on the left leaving the adjustable link on the right... in others I have seen the cylinder on the right with the manually adjustable link moved to the left side...

Is this just personal preference? Is there any advantage to leaving a manually adjustable link on the opposite side from the hyd. ?

3RRL · Jan 23, 2010

jinman said:
Adjusting the toplink and tilt of the tiller on the fly is the cat's meow.

I use my hydraulic toplink and tilt everytime I hook up or disconnect from implements. I can stand behind my tractor and reach over the fender to get to the levers. I never struggle with attaching implements. The hardest part is getting on and off the tractor.

lol Jim, this is the truth!
I forgot how easy it is to hook up implements since you can move either lower drag link to where it needs to be...even if the implement isn't on level ground.
BTW, maintaining your road and cutting gutters on the right and left is a snap with TNT.

jenkinsph · Jan 23, 2010

/pine said:
I will be adding T & T in the Spring...I am currently accumulating the parts...

On some setups I see the hydraulic cylinder on the right sides (normally where the manually adjustable link is)...leaving the non-adjustable link on the left side...

...In other cases I have seen the cylinder on the left leaving the adjustable link on the right... in others I have seen the cylinder on the right with the manually adjustable link moved to the left side...

Is this just personal preference? Is there any advantage to leaving a manually adjustable link on the opposite side from the hyd. ?

The advantage of keeping the adjustable link is it allows you to use tilt in either direction,, that is wind it up short and extend the other side hydraulically for full tilt to the right, wind it to the middle position and tilt equally left and right, or unwind it fully and retract the right cylinder to tilt to the left.

Mostly personal preference, but I find it easier to look over my right shoulder to work a rear implement. So with the tilt cylinder on the right side works for me. The best way to go and what I am fixing to do is have tilt cylinders on both side where they oppose each other. That way you get the full range of tilt in either direction. As simple as adding another tilt cylinder and a couple of hoses.

MtnViewRanch · Jan 23, 2010

Pine, I think that usually the manually adjusted side link is kept on so that the 3pt can be adjusted so that the hydraulic side link is at 1/2 of its stroke when a rear blade (any blade) is mounted. That way you always have an equal amount of tilt available left or right. It is difficult to have a hydraulic tilt that would just fit on and be exactly at the half way point. You usually have to do some adjustment of the manually adjusted side link to end up this way. This manual adjustment should normally be 1/2" or less.

MtnViewRanch · Jan 23, 2010

I would like to know if those of you that have your side links set up so that you only get tilt in one direction,(or if you have 2 like 3RRL) are you able to use the full stroke of the hydraulic? In 3RRLs' picture, it looks to me like he has a whole lot of tilt on his blade and he barely has used 1/2 of his stroke. Does stuff bind up if you use the full stroke?

/pine · Jan 23, 2010

...allows you to use tilt in either direction...

OK I knew there would be a little bit of adjustment benefit but I was thinking that if you raise one side (power up) the opposite side would be going down the same amount as the other side raised...?

With the power side fully extended or retracted you are saying I could still adjust the ower side to the full spectrum of the (manually) adjustable side link?

For some reason I figured that if the advantage was that significant most tractors would come with adjustable links on both sides rather than one...
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Questions about cylinders...

My tractor is going to require a custom side link due to an angled upper clevis ...since I have the old top and bottom clevises (from a broken adjustable sdie link) wont it be cheaper to buy a genaric cylinder and weld the clevises to it than to pay for a custon cylinder? is this a common practice?

on the same token the same angled clevises may prevent me from switching the manual link to the left side (replacing the solid rod)..I don't recall if the bottom clevis is angled or not allowing me to reverse it...( wish I would have taken more pictures before I left the tractor for the Winter)