Hydraulic Top Link Drawbacks

[Furu]

I have a similar cylinder from Surplus Center. It is worth it. I have not had the check valves and cannot see the need for them on a top link.

I did have a clearance issue where the cylinder hooked up to the tractor. I cut off the original ball end and added a weld on ball swivel and problem is solved.

Which one did you get?
What was the clearance issue?
Did it not have a ball swivel on it?

 

[chevy]

I also will never go back to a standard top link after using hydraulic one.

Aside from keeping the cylinder from settling, the check valve is also a safety device.
If a hose ruptures while an implement is raised off of the ground, the implement will not drop.

 

[Wnc3]

True.
But many/most remotes valves do not have float feature anyway.
I know mine does not have the float feature, so its a non issue.

Is the check valve internal or an add on to the cylinder? I know they use these on cranes and man hoist, but did not think of it for my T&T.

 

[bumperm]

Is the check valve internal or an add on to the cylinder? I know they use these on cranes and man hoist, but did not think of it for my T&T.

The POCV (pilot operated check valve) is external, but is sometimes included with the cylinder - this one has dual (DPOCV) for both extend and retract: 2X8.25X1.18 CAT I HYD DA TOP LINK CYL

However, for the tilt cylinder, one is normally only concerned with having a check valve on the extend function. I added one of these to my tilt cylinder, it was the smallest one I could find: 3/8 NPT 8 GPM BRAND PC37C PILOT-OP CHECK VALVE

Note that I added restrictor ports, 1/32", to both top and tilt to slow them down. I made the restrictors on my lathe, and first pressed them, then TIG welded them into one fitting for each cylinder. I've also made restrictors by center drilling a 1/4-20 set screw, then drilling and tapping a fitting for it.

bumper

 

[Threepoint]

Boria, suggest you check with a dealer to see if the remote hydraulic valves on your Massey 1643 have a float function. Or maybe someone here knows the answer. As has been said above, many OEM remote hydraulic valves do not float at all. If yours don't, then you won't have float in a hydraulic toplink, regardless of whether it has or doesn't have a check valve. NB: This is different from the float of your 3pt lower link arms, which will still be there whether you have a manual or hydraulic toplink.

Many folks feel a check valve on the toplink cylinder is not necessary, others prefer to have it. I struggled with that issue recently, and as much as I wanted to use FitRite as my vendor, I ultimately concluded that I wanted a check valve, at least on the toplink. FitRite doesn't offer it at this time. It's not really a matter of safety for me, despite some claims, but rather to make sure that when I parked the tractor for a few days, the pitch on my box blade or other implements would be as I last adjusted it. I.e., no leak down, so long as the hydraulic valve itself didn't leak. If the hydraulic valve leaks, of course, then all bets are off, check valve or not.

 

[Fallon]

It's not really a matter of safety for me, despite some claims, but rather to make sure that when I parked the tractor for a few days, the pitch on my box blade or other implements would be as I last adjusted it. I.e., no leak down, so long as the hydraulic valve itself didn't leak. If the hydraulic valve leaks, of course, then all bets are off, check valve or not.

Actually that is wrong. A the pilot valve will prevent movement due to a leaky control valve. That & the safety aspect are the main reason they are used. They won't help for a leaky cylinder, but then not much will short or rebuilding or replacing the cylinder.

 

[Threepoint]

Actually that is wrong. A the pilot valve will prevent movement due to a leaky control valve. That & the safety aspect are the main reason they are used. They won't help for a leaky cylinder, but then not much will short or rebuilding or replacing the cylinder.

Yes, you're right. I thought more about it and just sat down to delete my last sentence and saw that you'd straightened it out. :thumbsup:

 

[jenkinsph]

but rather to make sure that when I parked the tractor for a few days, the pitch on my box blade or other implements would be as I last adjusted it.

This is the most unusual reason for having the check valves I have heard. I can't relate to the idea that the top link adjustment should remain fixed, in that case why have a hydraulic top link? I do a lot of grading work and use the top and side link adjustment all the time to get the right results. At least for me their is no fixed position, I can glance at the rod length showing and know if it is right for what I am doing, it becomes intuitive.

 

[Loadstar]

Only drawback is when it is off for maintenance and you have the old top link on.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

This is the most unusual reason for having the check valves I have heard. I can't relate to the idea that the top link adjustment should remain fixed, in that case why have a hydraulic top link? I do a lot of grading work and use the top and side link adjustment all the time to get the right results. At least for me their is no fixed position, I can glance at the rod length showing and know if it is right for what I am doing, it becomes intuitive.

Steve, I had a customer that had purchased a complete T&T set from me. After a few months he contacted me and wanted the check valves. I told him that I could not help him out at this time. I asked why? His answer was that after a week, sometimes 2 that when he went to get back on his tractor, the side link had moved. I asked him if the leak down affected his use at all and the answer was not at all, it was not even noticeable during use. He simply did not like getting on his tractor in the morning and having to readjust the link before he could go to work. So for him any movement over any period of time was unacceptable.