Hydraulic Top Link

wantodig · Jan 28, 2002

I was just curious what uses a hydraulic top link provides other than easier adjustment of attachments. I have never used one, but noticed QFF had many currently in stock and thought that if I would ever need one, this may be a good time to buy. Also impariently waiting for Kubota to import some new L4610s to fill my order and thought if that I may want to add a rear hydraulic remote now, instead of after delivery. Also, if I do decide to buy a hydraulic top link, how do I determine the correct one to buy. I noted there were many sizes. Thanks for the help.

MikeGross · Jan 28, 2002

Search for "top link" or "box blade" in the Attachments forum. There are many discussions on adding hydraulics for the 3PH. The most popular use is probably the ability to change the angle of attack a rear blade (standard balde or box blade) has on soil.

-Mike

shade2u2 · Jan 28, 2002

I am planning to use one with a box blade & regular blade. I suppose that there are other uses also. The size should probably be close to the same contracted & extended lenghts of your standard top link @ 2-3" around.

Which QualityFarmNFleet carries these? I have been looking for one, but have never seen them carried at FarmNFleet. I know that they have carried several hydraulic cylinders, but not toplinks. Most other hyd. toplinks seemed priced high. I was leaning toward having one made with a discounted cylinder bought from QFF, but these cylinders seem very heavy duty (& heavy to lift). If it were close, I may travel a little to pick up one.

wantodig · Jan 28, 2002

I was at the one in Lancaster, Ohio and the cylinders did seem pretty large (and to tell you the truth, I didn't even look at them very closely, but they were with the standard top links). I'm planning to go back later in the week after I take some measurements and see what they have left as they are suppose to take another reduction. What surprises me about the whole deal is that they have not had a good selection of anything for at least 2 years until they go out of business and then their shelves are full, but that's a whole different topic.

shade2u2 · Jan 30, 2002

If you could, please let me know if these are all set up as a toplink with the "pin eyeball" on the ends. If it is with the other toplinks, then it may be a real hyd. toplink. If I remember right, I need one that measures about 17" when contricted.

The Cambridge, Hebron, & Newark stores don't carry them. If they do have one, I would make the trip from Cambridge. I go to Newark regularily anyway. I really appreciate the info.

ronjhall · Jan 30, 2002

John
Check out this <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board=owning&Number=53434&Search=true&Forum=All_Forums&Words=tip%20%26%20tilt&Match=Entire%20Phrase&Searchpage=0&Limit=50&Old=allposts&Main=52842>LINK</A>. I purchased my top link cylinder from TSC. It will have to be ordered.

wantodig · Jan 30, 2002

I'll see what they have left tomorrow. Stopped by tonight but was unable to get in as they closed at 8:00 and it was 7:55. I guess that means everyone must be gone by 8:00.

John_Mc · Jan 31, 2002

If you can't find a hydraulic top link that matches the min an max range of adjustment of your manual link (you're luckier than I if you do), you can often modify one. On my NH TC33D, I had to buy a hyd link and shorten it. Fortunately, I was able to get into the range I needed by just shortening the bracket that comes off of the cylinder housing end (I basically had all of the bracket cut off and had the ball with just a little stump of bracket welded right on to the cylinder base). Others have also had to shorten the rod end of the assembly. Even when fully retracted, some of the shaft still sticks out of the cylinder... this can be cut off if needed. (I still may take an inch or so off this end, but haven't needed to so far). Take precautions when cutting or welding to avoid overheating the seals.

I had to go the modification route, since the next size smaller cylinder did not have as much range of motion, and would just barely have gotten into a usefull range when fully extended.

John_Mc

shade2u2 · Jan 31, 2002

Ron, Thank you for the details again. A while back, I tried TSC by phone, but they didn't have a clue what I was talking about. I even gave them the Tisco number. I lost patience /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif figured that I would just go into a their store in person to try to help them find it in their system. The closest is 50 miles away until they re-open the QFF store here in our town.

Maybe I'll get lucky & the QFF in Lancaster will actually have them & for 50% off or something. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

wantodig · Jan 31, 2002

Stopped by QFF tonight and almost all the top links were gone (both hydraulic and fixed). They had several bins full Sunday but all that were left were 2-3 extemely large hydraulic ones and just a few fixed. I wanted a set of tires they also had on Sunday but they were gone also. Something about shipping stuff to their Wooster store.