Hydraulic Top Link Question

[elginfarm]

Hi all,
I have a JD 4400. I saw a tractor like mine today with a hydraulic top link.
Not wanting to sound stupid in person, its easier here.
What would the benefit of a hydraulic top link be?
What is involved with installing one?
Thanks.

 

[Neophyte]

Hydraulic Top Links are simply used for tilting implements back to forward.

One of the more common reasons for this would be a box blade. With a box blade, when you extend the top link, the rear blade is the first to contact (dragging) and when you retract the top link, the shanks are the first to contact (ripping). Somewhere in between these two extremes, you get a combination of the shanks and the box blade. This is a very basic explanation. I can tell you that after using my box blade for several hours with a mechanical top link, I have decided that I need (want) a hydraulic top link.

It is also useful for disc harrows to change the way the discs engage with the ground.

It is VERY useful if you have an iMatch or other type of 3PH quick hitch. You usually need to extend or retract the top link slightly to change the iMatch angle, depending upon the implement.

It is useful for mowing up bankings with a rotary cutter or finish mower. Simply retract the top link and then back up to the incline. You could also extend the top link and back up to the decline.

I'm sure there are several other reasons why you might want one. I will let some of the other folks chime in.

Assuming you have a free SCV (usually a 3rd SCV), they are very easy to install. You simply replace your mechanical top link with the hydraulic top link. You then connect the hydraulic hoses to your 3rd SCV ports and you are good to go.

 

[rswyan]

I'm sure there are several other reasons why you might want one. I will let some of the other folks chime in..

3PH pallet forks, I have a Jinma wood chipper that that pretty heavy that I like to have sitting level on the ground when I use it, could be handy for the 3PH logsplitter.

 

[Westonium]

What does SCV stand for? S? Control Valve?

I don't have one of those - how hard is it to install one on a 4310?

I too have been lusting after one, except I want top AND tilt - it would really make using the box scraper require a lot less adjusting. I could really cut down the time wasted jumping on and off the tractor to adjust things when scraping and crowning our road.

 

[KEG]

Anyone know if you can put the toplink cylinder on the right sway bar of the three point unit? I am looking at a tractor with the top link cylinder, but would prefer to have the angle adjustment I could get if it was on the sway bar. So .. can the top link cylinder just be moved to the sway bar?

KEG

 

[Neophyte]

What does SCV stand for? S? Control Valve?

I don't have one of those - how hard is it to install one on a 4310?

I too have been lusting after one, except I want top AND tilt - it would really make using the box scraper require a lot less adjusting. I could really cut down the time wasted jumping on and off the tractor to adjust things when scraping and crowning our road.

I believe SCV stands for Selective Control Valve.

I believe the 3rd SCV kit has a dealer install time of about 4 to 5 hours.

If you want Top-n-Tilt, then you will need a dual SCV electric diverter kit. This gives you either a 3rd/4th or 4th/5th SCV, depending if you already have the 3rd. This has a dealer install time of about 8 hours and will cost much more.

 

[Neophyte]

Anyone know if you can put the toplink cylinder on the right sway bar of the three point unit? I am looking at a tractor with the top link cylinder, but would prefer to have the angle adjustment I could get if it was on the sway bar. So .. can the top link cylinder just be moved to the sway bar?

Chances are, the top cylinder may have a different stroke than the tilt cylinder. You would need to check the stroke of your mechanical top link and compare it to the stroke of your mechanical tilt link.

I think the typical tilt stroke is about 5" where the typical top stroke is between 6.5" to 11".

 

[kennyd]

What does SCV stand for? S? Control Valve?

I don't have one of those - how hard is it to install one on a 4310?

Selective Control Valve

Your 4310 already has a third remote valve, you just do not have the handle or the plumbing. This has been discussed many times before. The price should be about $200.00 or so, and the install is not that bad if you are so inclined.

Check your dealer for pricing of the kit...