Hyd top link CK-35

[sodamo]

Can't speak to "best", but I can speak to responsiveness and availability. I just ordered mine from AG_3-Point ? AGRISTORE USA. I tried to call CCM but couldn't get anybody to answer the phone, and they also ignored my email. Finally gave up and bought from Agristore. A few dollars more, but not only was what I wanted in stock (I wanted one with DPOCV), they emailed me a UPS tracking number for my shipment within one hour after I ordered it Friday. It's supposed to be delivered Wednesday. They also sell a slick 18" top link hose kit, which I also bought. There have two lengths available in Cat 1, I got the longer one. So I don't know about CCM, but Agristore's responsiveness and customer service so far has been outstanding. An extra ten bucks or so, but zero aggravation. Zero aggravation wins every time with me!

Anyone know which one to get for CK30?

 

[picker77]

Anyone know which one to get for CK30?

Just measure your factory top link from ball center to ball center in both retracted and extended conditions. Their choices are approximately 18-26" or 21-32" Pick the one that's closest. I got the longer one of the two they sell, because I wanted the extra length in case I want to use an EZ-hitch clone I have lying around--which adds around 4" to the lower arms. The extra 2-3/4" retracted length will still work ok with my existing implements and hitch, and I gain almost 6" extended, where I might need it. I also happen to believe the less rod there is sticking out of the cylinder under normal use, the stiffer the top link will be (less chance of bending the rod), but that's a personal opinion.

BTW, Agristore's hose kit is 36", not 18" as I mistakenly said earlier. Sorry.

 

[VictorW]

Thanks for posting the agristore link. A few extra bucks is worth fast service, 4 year warranty, and shipping is included over $50. The cyl looks very similar to ccm and includes npt adapters. To bad they don't have tilt cylinders. I only suggested ccm as a place to start. I didn't know people were having problems.

 

[sodamo]

Just measure your factory top link from ball center to ball center in both retracted and extended conditions. Their choices are approximately 18-26" or 21-32" Pick the one that's closest. I got the longer one of the two they sell, because I wanted the extra length in case I want to use an EZ-hitch clone I have lying around--which adds around 4" to the lower arms. The extra 2-3/4" retracted length will still work ok with my existing implements and hitch, and I gain almost 6" extended, where I might need it. I also happen to believe the less rod there is sticking out of the cylinder under normal use, the stiffer the top link will be (less chance of bending the rod), but that's a personal opinion.

BTW, Agristore's hose kit is 36", not 18" as I mistakenly said earlier. Sorry.

Thanks, I decided to go for the longer one as it was a closer match to my factory toplink, also the hoses.
Very interesting and much appreciated, they only charged me $15 for shipping. Shopping online is always a challenge due to shipping. Rarely does FREE SHIPPING include Hawaii and I don't recalled ever getting any reduction.
I normally cringe when UPS is the carrier of choice, as it usually means $$$.
My son works for UPS, but I don't think I should be a major contributor to his pay

Now, need a good source for a tilt cylinder....

 

[picker77]

Very interesting and much appreciated, they only charged me $15 for shipping. Shopping online is always a challenge due to shipping. Rarely does FREE SHIPPING include Hawaii and I don't recalled ever getting any reduction.
I normally cringe when UPS is the carrier of choice, as it usually means $$$.
My son works for UPS, but I don't think I should be a major contributor to his pay

Now, need a good source for a tilt cylinder....

I feel your pain, we moved here from Hawaii in '94. Lived in Hawaii for 8 years total (Pearl City, Ewa Beach, and Kailua) during and after my Navy career, visited the big island many times. Beautiful place, especially up in the highlands where all the ranching goes on. Shipping costs were a big factor in ANY purchase.

FWIW, I ordered this one from Surplus Center to use for tilt: https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=9-7258-6&catname=hydraulic
Just received it yesterday, so can't say yet how it's going to work, 'cause I still have some mods to do on it--I intend to cut the clevis off the lower end of the OEM non-adjustable link and weld it on this one. Hope to get that done in the next few days, will post photos if it all comes together. Wanted a 1.5" cyl for tilt instead of a 2" because of tight clearances at the upper ball end when my lift arms are all the way up. I think this one will fit, will know soon.
Shaka, Brah!

 

[sodamo]

I feel your pain, we moved here from Hawaii in '94. Lived in Hawaii for 8 years total (Pearl City, Ewa Beach, and Kailua) during and after my Navy career, visited the big island many times. Beautiful place, especially up in the highlands where all the ranching goes on. Shipping costs were a big factor in ANY purchase.

FWIW, I ordered this one from Surplus Center to use for tilt: https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=9-7258-6&catname=hydraulic
Just received it yesterday, so can't say yet how it's going to work, 'cause I still have some mods to do on it--I intend to cut the clevis off the lower end of the OEM non-adjustable link and weld it on this one. Hope to get that done in the next few days, will post photos if it all comes together. Wanted a 1.5" cyl for tilt instead of a 2" because of tight clearances at the upper ball end when my lift arms are all the way up. I think this one will fit, will know soon.
Shaka, Brah!

I was stationed at Schofield late 77-81. Lived Ewa Beach the last 2 years. If you ever revisit BI, give a shout. We are on the Hilo side, up in Ninole.

Let us know how the tilt works.

 

[picker77]

Sodamo, finished installing the Top and Tilt yesterday. Here's a link to the finished product and photos.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/hydraulics/184076-alternate-source-hydraulic-top-links.html
Aloha, Jerry

 

[dourobob]

Can't speak to "best", but I can speak to responsiveness and availability. I just ordered mine from AG_3-Point ? AGRISTORE USA. . . . . . . Agristore's responsiveness and customer service so far has been outstanding. An extra ten bucks or so, but zero aggravation. Zero aggravation wins every time with me!

I ordered one last week - shipping to Canada was $40 - I arrived on the day scheduled and I got a follow-up calll fromBrigit at AgiStore yesterday just to make sure it had arrived and everything was satisfactory.

Great customer service - no aggravation.

I would recommend them.

Bob

 

[picker77]

Great, Durobob.. Glad to hear it, they seem to be really good folks at Agristore. Mine has been working perfectly since they sold me one. Wish they sold sidelink cylinders too, but it looks like CCM has the market monopoly on those unless you want to build your own like I ended up doing. My sidelink cylinder works great, but it does leak down slightly over time so I'm scheming how to get a double pilot operated check valve put on it like my toplink from AgriStore has. Not all that easy to do.