hydraulic top link for a JD 4310

[Mosey]

Does anyone have a hydraulic top link on their JD 4310? If so, where did you get it and what did it cost?

 

[jeffinsgf]

I've got one on my 4410. Got it from TBN sponsor Carter & Carter. If I remember correctly, it was a couple hundred dollars for the cylinder and hoses.

I love it. Wouldn't be without it.

 

[rmonio]

Jeff - can you share a picture of what this looks like? Also - how do you use it?

Thanks!

-Bob

 

[jeffinsgf]

I'll be happy to take some pics tomorrow, Bob.

How do I use it? The hydraulics are connected to the 3rd SCV -- which in my case is in a handle next to my rock shaft control. On any relatively recent Deere CUT, it is either going to be there or you'll have a diverter on your joystick. Since the hydro top link is what I use my third circuit for about 95% of the time, I am glad I did not go to the extra expense of the diverter. It is nice for it to be right next to the rock shaft control, since most adjustments are a "feathering" of the two.

Where I decided that it was worth every penny I paid for it was doing yard grading with my box blade. It is amazing what changing the angle of the box blade does to how it cuts. If you angle it front down - back up, it bites in and takes a heavy cut. If you angle it front up - back down, it takes a very light skimming cut or deposits your scrapings. I was leveling off my yard, and got to the point where I could feather the top link to shave off the high spots and drop the soil in the low spots at a pretty fast pace.

I also have a set of 3 point pallet forks. They would be next to useless without the hydro top link. And when I stack wood on my carry-all, I can dump it by extending the top link all the way.

 

[rmonio]

Jeff -

I'd be very interested in seeing the pictures - as the actions you describe would be quite useful for me on my 4600.

I'm wondering how I would have it done for the 4600 - does anyone who read this thread know?

Thanks and I look forward to seeing the pictures.

-Bob

 

[Jrrcorp]

I have one on my 4410 and absolutly love it. But tonite it broke. The casting around the ball where it attaches to the rear of the tractor split in two. I had just hooked up the snow blower and was headed for the house when it crashed. I got it as part of my original equipment when I bought the tractor so I can't tell you what it cost but it is well worth the money with a wide array of attachments. Mine is hooked up same as Jeff's.

 

[rmonio]

Jeff -

Have you been able to take the pictures? Thanks!

-Bob

 

[BleedGreen]

I dont know how much this will help...

The first pic is the set of Rear Hydraulic Outlets.

The second pic is a view of the Operators Station (3320 - very similar to your 4310) from above. The lever to control the rear set of valves would be on the right side of the seat, next to (and similar looking) your 3 point hitch lever.

 

[rmonio]

Hmm. That might be a bit different than my 4600's placement, but it looks pretty spiffy. I've been thinking about having a 3rd SCV added to accomodate the top/tilt capability. I will have to look into costs.

Did you have the 3rd SCV included originally in your tractor purchase (Jeff or BleedGreen) - or did you do it afterwards?

-Bob

 

[jeffinsgf]

Sorry it took me so long to get these pics. Holidays just seem to be a blur.

First answer: My 3rd SCV was added to the tractor shortly after I took delivery. That's because my salesman took pity on me and let me take it home and use it while some of the accessory parts were on order. It went back to the shop to get the 3rd SCV, power beyond, and the backhoe. They did a fairly good job of cutting the slot for the control.

Here's how the contol looks in relation to the rockshaft control

I have a 3 pt hitch forklift on. Here's with the cylinder fully retracted

Here's with the cylinder almost fully extended. Notice that the rear wheels are off the ground.

Here's the cylinder

Here's the connection to the hydraulics on the tractor

Just a little pitch for CCM. The tube on top of the cylinder that has to do with the check valve got smacked and bent all to thunder. The cylinders (and therefore all the fittings) are British. The check valve started leaking pretty regularly. I took it all apart pounded everything back in line and started putting it back together, fully expecting to be on the phone ordering new parts. As it turned out, the seals all held, even with the tube a little tweaked. Good stuff that is built to live in the real world.

 

[rmonio]

Thanks, Jeff. I know how the holiday's can be a blur - for sure.

Based on the pictures, I should be able to have something like this retrofitted on my 4600. Question - do you use it for any other options rather than just the "in/out" tilt on the forks? Is it usuable for running a log splitter, for example, etc.?

Also - do you use an i-Match with it? and lastly, do you have any idea on price the dealer charged for it to be put on?

Thanks for your help. I know it's alot of questions - but I'm curious on other uses. Thanks!

-Bob

 

[jeffinsgf]

The 3rd SCV can be used with any hydraulic implement that needs a control. Most log splitters have their own control, so you would use the Power Beyond connection (has no control -- just ties the implement into the hydraulic system) instead of a controlled connection (SCV). I have used it to run a grapple (ran flex hoses to the front). As I said in an earlier post, I really like it for box blade and landscape rake use.

I don't see why you couldn't use an iMatch with a hydraulic top link. My personal experience with iMatch was less than wonderful, so I don't.

I don't remember what I paid for it. I do remember that the splitter -- which gives you two more circuits, controlled by the joystick (with a selector switch) was A LOT more. I can't imagine a tractor without at least one rear hydro hook up and power beyond. That's what I would do in your shoes to get good flexibility on what you do and how you do it. Get the 3rd SCV and power beyond.

 

[B8FISH]

Jeff--can you tell me which length top link you have. I am looking for one to fit a 3320, and CCM has an 18 1/2" to 26 1/2" model. The JD spec looks like it is 19.2" with a 5.9" stoke. Any other 3320 owners that have put a hydraulic top link on that care to share open/closed lengths?
Thanks

 

[rmonio]

Jeff -

I'm sorry to hear you had a bad experience with your i-Match. It's been wonderful for me - so I guess your mileage may vary.

Two other items - first, echoing B8FISH's question... do you find the length of the hydraulic top-link to be an issue at all? and second, did the "Power Beyond" connection come with your third SCV and do you disable the control for the SCV that was installed (when the PB connection is in use)?

Thanks!

-Bob

 

[jeffinsgf]

Jeff -

I'm sorry to hear you had a bad experience with your i-Match. It's been wonderful for me - so I guess your mileage may vary.

As long as you don't mind buying just JD or Frontier implements, its fine. If you buy anything else you have the choice of taking the iMatch off or modifying the implement.

Two other items - first, echoing B8FISH's question... do you find the length of the hydraulic top-link to be an issue at all? and second, did the "Power Beyond" connection come with your third SCV and do you disable the control for the SCV that was installed (when the PB connection is in use)?

As seen in my photos, since I am lifting the rear end off the ground, obviously the cylinder has more stroke than you'll ever need. It also contracts a little shorter than the manual top link that came with the tractor, so the overall range is greater in both directions.
The Power Beyond is separate from the third SCV. It has no effect on the 3rd SCV. When you connect an implement, you have the option of locking out the rockshaft (as in hooking up a backhoe) or keeping the rockshaft functional (splitter).

 

[rmonio]

Jeff -

Thanks for the feedback. I'm going to look into it on my 4600.

Final note on the i-Match. I agree on the caveats concerning non-JD (or Frontier) equipment. For me the benefits of modifying my 3rd party Buhler FM was worth the investment (very minimal). For others, certainly that might be different and as they say... your mileage may vary.

Thanks again for the information.

-Bob