Hydraulic top link

[eternalwolf777]

I think I would still prefer fully hydraulic top link. Wonder what it costs. Kinda like everything else, marketing will tell us it is a must have.

I watched the video online... a bit long but does sum up what I saw. The price on the sales page is $249. What I did like was the description on how it worked from the FAQ page.

"How does HydrauLink work?
HydrauLink uses a combination of air pressure and hydraulic fluid to hold the cylinder in place. The pressure can be adjusted with a hand-adjustable valve allowing larger adjustments to be made. It痴 patented design causes the air to create a cushion on which the implement rides, giving it the ability to make small adjustments automatically. The design gives the added bonus of acting like a shock absorber for the implement as well."

I've never heard of air and hydraulics being used together like that. I know what you mean though about the marketing. If I hadn't seen it first, I probably wouldn't believe it... probably why their were doing demos... lol.

 

[Redneck in training]

3000 psi max. operating ? kinda sounds like it works like a dampening control ie: shock absorber with the dial setting for stiffness or more of a luxury ride. Why not just hook a $20 trailer sway control to the blade off ebay that would dampen the shocks one would feel from the implement.
Still do not understand how do you lock it at a certain angle/tilt. Cannot wait for download of the demo (dialup) will do it tommorow.
It looks like someone found a way to almost mimick what a set of remotes and the Hyd.cylinder do. Now wonder if it gonna cost more than a hydaulic cylinder but less than the set maybe somewhere around $2-300.

You can make one by yourself. You need a cylinder, few fitings and a ball valve.
The air cushion is "virtue out of necessity". The volume of oil inside of the cylinder varies depending on rod extension so there has to be an air bubble to compensate. The air is also most likely presurized to high pressure. You can mount the valve on hoses long enough to reach the top of the tractor to easy reach. Needles to say that some adjsutments will require to get of the tractor and place something under the implement to angle it.

 

[eternalwolf777]

You can make one by yourself. You need a cylinder, few fitings and a ball valve.
The air cushion is "virtue out of necessity". The volume of oil inside of the cylinder varies depending on rod extension so there has to be an air bubble to compensate. The air is also most likely presurized to high pressure. You can mount the valve on hoses long enough to reach the top of the tractor to easy reach. Needles to say that some adjsutments will require to get of the tractor and place something under the implement to angle it.

Sounds like something beyond my skill-set. I am well inside the realm of novice here. Besides the top-link they were showing didn't have any hoses, which is nice since I don't have hydraulic hookups on my tractor. It'll save me some money.

 

[MESSMAKER]

Found it! HydrauLink - a self-contained air over hydraulic top link And it was as I thought.Pressurized shock absorber with selector valve. Looks pretty neat.

It sounds pretty simple and I want to say it would'nt work but I bet it does. The only problem I see is that it should sell for about $150. $249 seems a bit much for something so basic.

 

[Boeing]

AGRI Supply has them on special for $229. It's an "accumulator" which is pressurized with air and has a small hydraulic reservoir. Much like an "air shock absorber" or....well, an accumulator used on planes for reserve brakes. The air dampens the bumps and the "lock valve" prevents the hyd fluid from changing. I'm surprised that there is no tire valve to pressurize it to a higher pressure (or lower) to compensate for the weight of the device. I've never done any road grading but wouldn't something that "rides" up and down 1 or 2 inches give you a "lumpy" road?

 

[Boeing]

Just did some searching.....There is a seller on E-Bay selling "more than 10" Hydraulinks for $209 (plus $25 shipping) I am interested in the idea of not having to twist a screw link but.....I just thought of another issue. I plan on tilting my box scraper forward to really DIG with the rippers. With this hydraulic gizmo you could never tilt it forward at all. If you open it's valve the weight of the unit will drop it rearward until it touches the ground. I'm trying to think here.....:ashamed:If you OPEN the valve and lift the lower arms.....would it tilt the item forward? (like screwing the upper link IN?)DUH....will have to play with my stuff before I figure this out and order one.....

 

[Redneck in training]

Just did some searching.....There is a seller on E-Bay selling "more than 10" Hydraulinks for $209 (plus $25 shipping) I am interested in the idea of not having to twist a screw link but.....I just thought of another issue. I plan on tilting my box scraper forward to really DIG with the rippers. With this hydraulic gizmo you could never tilt it forward at all. If you open it's valve the weight of the unit will drop it rearward until it touches the ground. I'm trying to think here.....:ashamed:If you OPEN the valve and lift the lower arms.....would it tilt the item forward? (like screwing the upper link IN?)DUH....will have to play with my stuff before I figure this out and order one.....

I think it si possible to tilt forward. Drop the BB down so the rippers engage the ground and move slowly forward. If you lift it it will tilt back by its own weight.
I am thinking that the gas precharge is in range of thousands psi. It is required because the rod side versus the other side of the cylinder have different volumes dependent on rod extension.

 

[HydrauLink]

Just so you know, if you go to Demonstration video and scroll down to the video called 'Adjusting HydrauLink'. That should help you see how to pitch HydrauLink to the front or the rear. It'll also let you see how well it can work.. If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email. We'll be glad to help.

 

[Canada_CT230]

Neat idea, but I fail to see the on-the-fly adjustment capability unlike what I have with my hydraulic top link.

 

[HydrauLink]

Neat idea, but I fail to see the on-the-fly adjustment capability unlike what I have with my hydraulic top link.

Thanks. Unlike a standard HTL, Hydraulink makes minor adjustments as the implement moves along the ground. I like the way one tractorbynet customer posted his description on another thread...

"...In using the hydraulink for about 45 minutes I found it was easier for me to smooth out a rough area. When the front of the tractor would drop into a low spot, the extension of the link would help keep the box from pitching up and dumping the contents. I do feel it was easier and quicker to smooth out a rough area with the link..." -- tsteahr