Hydraulic Top Link with Quick Attach Hook

[stump54]

This was certainly worth the research effort… Besides the hydraulics, I wanted something that would compensate for the Pat’s quick hitch extension, and add a quick-attach to the top. Also, found I can use the inexpensive, locally available, top-link balls by doing a little grinding…

 

[oosik]

Hmmm......it's great that this works for you. All my 3-point implements are HEAVY. Meaning they can not be "josstled" around to make the top hitch attachment. No matter what I would have there for the top link - mechanical or hydraulic - it DOES require exact alignment.

OR.... am I missing something.

 

[workinonit]

No real advantage there that I can see. You still have to get off the tractor to hook it up only now you may have to get off twice. Certainly not an option using a QH.

 

[LouNY]

This was certainly worth the research effort… Besides the hydraulics, I wanted something that would compensate for the Pat’s quick hitch extension, and add a quick-attach to the top. Also, found I can use the inexpensive, locally available, top-link balls by doing a little grinding…

They do work nicely, I have a rope attached to mine so I can pull and disconnect while adjusting the top link to release it, then I hold it with the rope and adjust to drop it in place while connecting.

Hmmm......it's great that this works for you. All my 3-point implements are HEAVY. Meaning they can not be "josstled" around to make the top hitch attachment. No matter what I would have there for the top link - mechanical or hydraulic - it DOES require exact alignment.

OR.... am I missing something.

I can extend or retract my top link till it drops right on the ball that is left on the implement from when last used. With the Euro style hooks and the top link with a hook it works much nicer for me than a quick hitch even thinks to be.

 

[workinonit]

This is a debate that I guess will always be well....a debate. I just don't understand how having to interact with an implement while connecting is "much nicer than a QH thinks to be". Reaching back to pull a rope or string or align something is not an option for me with a cab. Also, with a QH you back into the implement and raise the lift. Maybe adjust the hydraulic toplink. No other interaction or dismounting required unless it's PTO or hydro lines to connect.

 

[ptsg]

I really don't get this unrealistic thought that you never have to leave the tractor to hook or unhook an implement that gets spread all over on the internet. Heck, part of owning and operating a tractor is exactly get off the tractor multiple times a day. There is always something to do back there.

You still have to get off the tractor with the QH too. Either to hook up the PTO shaft, hydraulic lines, adjust something on the implement, raise the jackstand of the implement or even move the top hook. All of that while fighting a big frame that just gets in the way and pushes implements further back for no reason.

 

[D&D]

This was certainly worth the research effort… Besides the hydraulics, I wanted something that would compensate for the Pat’s quick hitch extension, and add a quick-attach to the top. Also, found I can use the inexpensive, locally available, top-link balls by doing a little grinding…

Where did you get the toplink?

 

[LouNY]

This is a debate that I guess will always be well....a debate. I just don't understand how having to interact with an implement while connecting is "much nicer than a QH thinks to be". Reaching back to pull a rope or string or align something is not an option for me with a cab. Also, with a QH you back into the implement and raise the lift. Maybe adjust the hydraulic toplink. No other interaction or dismounting required unless it's PTO or hydro lines to connect.

Those that prefer a "quick" hitch are welcome to use them. Myself I dislike them with a passion and find them very difficult to work around. They are always in the way when trying to connect pto shafts and hydraulics, what a head knocker they are connecting drawbar pulled implements.
My tractors are cabbed and I find it quite easy to "pull" on a rope to catch a toplink.

Then on top of that most of my implements have hydraulics to connect and or a pto shaft. Heck I've even been known to connect the pto before I have backed all the way in to connect the lift arms.
If you haven't been around the hook type couplers and all you have used are fixed lift arms or a quick hitch you don't know what you are missing, it's about like a 10 year old boy telling an 18 year old boy that girls are worthless. You don't know what your missing till you have used it.

 

[Cycledude]

I have euro hooks on the 2 lower points they were very expensive but also very helpful. The top link is hydraulic so it’s fairly easy to hook and unhook. I usually have to get on and off the tractor a couple times in order to get hooked up.
Quick hitch doesn’t work worth crap for my PTO equipment.
Pats quick hitch seems to work good for many folks, I never had any interest in trying one myself.

 

[workinonit]

You are a hoot.

Those that prefer a "quick" hitch are welcome to use them. Myself I dislike them with a passion and find them very difficult to work around. They are always in the way when trying to connect pto shafts and hydraulics, what a head knocker they are connecting drawbar pulled implements.
My tractors are cabbed and I find it quite easy to "pull" on a rope to catch a toplink.

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Then on top of that most of my implements have hydraulics to connect and or a pto shaft. Heck I've even been known to connect the pto before I have backed all the way in to connect the lift arms.
If you haven't been around the hook type couplers and all you have used are fixed lift arms or a quick hitch you don't know what you are missing, it's about like a 10 year old boy telling an 18 year old boy that girls are worthless. You don't know what your missing till you have used it.

 

[ptsg]

I have euro hooks on the 2 lower points they were very expensive but also very helpful. The top link is hydraulic so it’s fairly easy to hook and unhook. I usually have to get on and off the tractor a couple times in order to get hooked up.
Quick hitch doesn’t work worth crap for my PTO equipment.
Pats quick hitch works good for many folks, I never had any interest in trying one myself.

How much did you paid for those, if you don't mind me asking?

I can get Cat 1 hooks for about $95 each or Cat 2s for about $80. Still way cheaper than the PATs and work 100 times better.

 

[LouNY]

They are available here;
Hydraulic Top Links | Agristore USA
or E-Bay this outfit has cat 1 and cat 2 or cat ,
Hydraulic Top Link Cat. 1 + 1 Catch Hook 17 15/16" - 24 7/32" Locking Block Hose | eBay

 

[workinonit]

What's the weight limit on those Pats or euro hooks? They do look to be not very robust. Heck if I were going to use those I would just use my extendable draft links. They are just as easy as either of the two and much, much more robust. Kinda funny about the PTO links. I have no issues hooking up any of my dozen or so PTO implements. It actually makes it a bit easier in some cases because it pushes the implement back 4 to 5 inches giving more room to get between the tractor and implement. I personally think the main reason people don't use QHs is because their implements don't fit and they don't have the means or time or energy or knowhow to modify all of them. Pat's is just easier.

 

[ptsg]

Weight limit on the Euro Hooks? About everything that the tractor can do and some more, a lot more. Those things are super tough and durable.

There is a reason those are pretty much standard on those big tractors that spends thousands and thousands of hours doing tillage work.

I have never read or heard about a single failure with these.

PATs is a different thing. Honestly, not really comparable, even thought the principle might look the same.

For reference, this is what we're talking about.

 

[Cycledude]

How much did you paid for those, if you don't mind me asking?

I can get Cat 1 hooks for about $95 each or Cat 2s for about $80. Still way cheaper than the PATs and work 100 times better.

I removed the factory slide out ball hooks and shipped them to a board member out in California to have the Euro hooks welded on, Fit Rite Hydraulics is the name of the outfit. The welding and shipping plus the Euro hooks with one set of category 2 balls and 2 sets of category 1 balls wound up costing me close to $500 , yes seems very expensive but I am very happy with the results.
LS sells tractors in other countries equipped with Euro hooks but not here, I even had my dealer attempt to order a set directly from LS but they won’t ship them to the USA .
i believe the euro hooks are just as strong and durable as the factory hooks, but much easier to use especially with heavy equipment.

 

[ptsg]

I removed the factory slide out ball hooks and shipped them to a board member out in California to have the Euro hooks welded on, Fit Rite Hydraulics is the name of the outfit. The welding and shipping plus the Euro hooks with one set of category 2 balls and 2 sets of category 1 balls wound up costing me close to $500 , yes seems very expensive but I am very happy with the results.
LS sells tractors in other countries equipped with Euro hooks but not here, I even had my dealer attempt to order a set directly from LS but they won’t ship them to the USA .

That makes sense. Thanks for the info!

Yes, LS does indeed sell their tractors equipped with the hooks here in Europe on the MT3 series and up.

 

[stump54]

Where did you get the toplink?

Hydraulic Top Link Cat. 2-2 with... Amazon.com

 

[D&D]

Hydraulic Top Link Cat. 2-2 with... Amazon.com

Thanks

 

[oosik]

I DO use a rope on my hydraulic top link. With the rope I can guide the top link right into proper alignment. I still must get off the tractor to push the pin thru and complete lock up.

The reason for the rope. When I'm behind the tractor - holding the top link up - I can not reach the hydraulic top link activation lever. It's simply too far away.