Hyd. Top Link: This Can't be Right?

[HayDR]

Re: Hyd. Top Link: This Can\'t be Right?

It is hard to have anything that one size fits all. Take loaders for instance, the loader MFG's have at least 20+ different loader frames for all tractor sizes. A true CAT 1 is only CAT 1 on a utility size tractor. Compacts and Sub-compacts all play with the geometry to fit CAT 1 on a smaller frame tractor. Then you see one MFG calls their hitch a limited CAT 1 which really means a CAT 0 with CAT 1 mounts. Also the implement MFG's all have their own view on what CAT 1 really means. So it is like translating from one language into a second language and then using the second language to translate into a third language. Sometimes the parts do not fit. Then throw in Europe, South America, Japan, and Asia don't agree with ASAE CAT 1 specs.

Then we live in the information age and price is king. If we do not have a good price first and good quality next that product will be a dead issue. Our formula is a quality product at a great price and if we can not deliver that, then we do not need to be selling that product. We have to sell satisfaction in all our products. That also means not selling a customer the wrong implement when we know that it is not a good match for his tractor. We personally field test all our products so we can tell a customer where the line of safety and danger is for each product. If our customer gets hurt even for doing something crazy and dangerous, we all lose. The best insurance is to educate the customer.

 

[BobReeves]

Re: Hyd. Top Link: This Can\'t be Right?

Have the CCM top link and the cat 2 end works fine. went to the local farm/home store and bought a package of two bushings for something like $3.00.

My landscape rake is a little tight due to the width of the cat 2 ball end but it fits everything else. Someday I might grind a little off the width just to make it easier to hook up the rake but it isn't a real big issue.

 

[Henro]

Re: Hyd. Top Link: This Can\'t be Right?

Bill,

This thread "from the past" may help...

Welding ends on a cylinder for T&T use is not a big deal from what I can see...

Worked for me anyway...

That never ending T&T path...

 

[Bill_in_MI]

Re: Hyd. Top Link: This Can\'t be Right?

Henro,
Wow thanks for that. One of the amazing things to me about your thread references is that I was one of the contributors and I have almost no recolection of it. Age I guess. Obviously I never got around to doing anything until now. Second observation is that you do good work. I'm going to be in Pgh in about 10 days. I'll pack my parts and look you up for the welding! Thanks for the history lessson. Mine is but another chapter in a very thick book.

 

[dieselmotorhead]

Re: Hyd. Top Link: This Can\'t be Right?

I also got the CCM top link. I have the "quick" hitch from speeco. The frames for the top link would not fit the cylinder end. I had to grind the bushing and the shoulder on the ball end for it to fit. Reasonably the only parts that should fit without any mods problems are the same "color" parts Machines and implements bought from the same manufacturedr in the same year. I was happier with the cylinder than I was with a part from another vendor ( smartfarmer on Ebay)that was CAT2 width with cat 1 pins on the bottom- a 200$ piece of scrap steel until I can cut and re-weld it. A little grind to fit does not bother me on a third party vendor. If it was a John Deere cylinder to a John Deere tractor and implement- I would have been peeved- you would expect that from a chinese tractor but not from a quality "trademark color" manufacturer.
Still waitng for side link.

 

[HayDR]

Re: Hyd. Top Link: This Can\'t be Right?

I've seen some JD tie rod hydraulic cylinders that were sold as surplus but refused by JD for quality reasons. Don't blame JD. Keep in mind that most equipment MFG's out source hydraulic cylinders. Also some MFG's copy colors schemes to fool unsuspecting consumers into thinking an implement is the same quality as known OEM brands.

 

[Bigorange121]

Re: Hyd. Top Link: This Can\'t be Right?

I got a Carter toplink also. I used a cutoff disc on a 4" angle grinder to trim the width of the cat 2 ball socket and cat 1 bushing that Carter supplied and it works great.

 

[Bill_in_MI]

Re: Hyd. Top Link: This Can\'t be Right?

Well, after listening to some your recommendations, and getting up a little courage, I decided to modify the Cat 2 end. I cut it off and welded on a new Cat 1 ball joint I purchased. I think I will be happier with this solution. I am just about done with the entire project. As many others have done, I did a complete photo documentary. I probably will not post as this has been done in very nice fashion by many others. However I will take a finished shot when it's all complete. Here are a few of the cylinder modification. First is cutting off the end...after getting my guts up.

 

[Bill_in_MI]

Re: Hyd. Top Link: This Can\'t be Right?

Here are the parts before welding.

 

[Bill_in_MI]

Re: Hyd. Top Link: This Can\'t be Right?

Here is what I ended up with...after welding and with a coat of primer. Not the prettiest thing, but you can see the difference in size. I hope it works. More later.