HydrauLink- a self-contained air over hydraulic top link

[HydrauLink]

I think the problem with this is the marketing. With all due respect to the Hydralink guy, the marketing is causing more problems than helping.

Statements like "let me try to explain again" (or something to that effect) are not scoring any points. Trust me, we understand what this thing is and how it works (maybe not trade secret internals, but we understand what the Hydralink is doing in concept -- which is all that matters) and what its capabilities are.

So, it boils down to this:

Hydralink can be "locked" into position -- albiet with an air cusion for minute "give"
Hydralink can be "unlocked" so that an outside force can extend or contract the ram -- Hydralink cannot extend or contract under its own power

If you have a rear remote already on your tractor, I would go with a hydralic ram.
If you don't have a rear remote already installed on your tractor, you should determine if you need a real hydraulic ram.
If you don't want to install a hydraulic ram system (including valves) but struggle with the standard top link, this thing looks like it would be great.

I think it really has some great features, but it must not be pawned off as a replacement for a hydraulic ram. It is a replacement (although a kick-*** one) for a standard top link.

Me, I have rear remotes...so if I ever feel the need, I will get a real ram.

Now, one thing I think would be a cool feature... especially for the Category II one under development. There needs to be a remote control for the valve. Those of us with bigger tractors cannot reach the top link from our seats.

You'll be happy to know that the category 2 version is being outfitted with quick connects for a remote should the user want one.

As for your concerns regarding our marketing HL. Please look at our website and our previous posts. We've tried very hard to make it clear what it does. As you already know, HL is it's own creature... not a screw-jack... not a hydraulic ram... it is HydrauLink. What we contend is that HL can do some things that no competing model does. Since HL uses a cylinder filled with hydraulic fluid that is moved to hold pressure, it is for the lack of a better term, hydraulic. But the first lines on our website say it's not one in the traditional sense. We want that to be clear because we want our customers happy with their purchase... not disappointed.

So, with that said thank you for the kind words regarding HydrauLink. It is a solid, hard-working device with a lot to offer tractor operators and we hope to earn your business.

 

[HydrauLink]

Does HydrauLink improve productivity?
Yes. Due to HydrauLink´s patented design, it takes a lot of the work out of it for the user. Acting more like a partner rather than a tool, HydrauLink makes fine adjustments on the fly allowing the operator to focus his time on other areas. Rather than stopping to make adjustments, he just keeps driving.

 

[sodamo]

....
As for your concerns regarding our marketing HL. Please look at our website and our previous posts. We've tried very hard to make it clear what it does. As you already know, HL is it's own creature... not a screw-jack... not a hydraulic ram... it is HydrauLink......

I'm sorry, but YOU seem to be missing the point.

This is what we are reading and pointing out: No pumps. No hoses. A self contained hydraulic top-link.

If is is NOT a hydraulic top-link, then don't call it one.

The above is your public, in your face statement, It's what's on the product. No purchasers should have to go to your website to learn what it ISN'T. What about the guy who purchases never having been to the website? He's buying based on what he's seeing in front of him. A self contained hydraulic top-link.


I'm beginning to suspect you might not what this pointed out.

Let me give an example and ask your opinion.

You go to the store and buy a new Chocolate cake product. You take it home, kids and wife complain it doesn't taste very chocolatety although it sure looks great. On the back of the wrapper, in fine print you find: " A rich, new, moist and flavorful. Containes no cacao products." I suspect, I'd be ticked, especially if I bought it because it said chocolate. How about you??

I think you potentially have a neat product, but it needs to be marketed honestly and priced accordingly.

Sorry if this comes off less than nice.

 

[J_J]

I really don't see the confusion here. If any part of the unit deals with hydraulics or the hydraulic principles, it would be appropriate to use the word hydraulic. It does not replace the hyd top link, but could replace the screw link for the 3ph.

The cost for the unit for what it does, seems high. I understand marketing, engineering, and testing, and salary's, but if it does more than the screw link, and not as much as the top link, then the price should be about in the middle, or about 1/3.

With all that has been said, a new or rusty screw link is a pain in the b**, and the hyd top link does gives full control to the operator.

Since short arm people will have trouble turning around and trying to adjust the unit.

Why not add a solenoid to replace the needle valve, and run a wire to the operator dash panel, but of course the price goes up.

 

[BlacknTan]

Closed circuit hydraulic top links are nothing new..

This product is a little different because of the addition of air to provide a cushion. I like the product, and if I had not gopne to the trouble and expense of adding rear remotes to run a hydro link, I'd probably buy one.

This product seems to have taken alot of heat... Unwarranted in my opinion. I don't make a living with my tractor, so I may look at things a bit differently from someone who does, but personally, I welcome innovation and innovative products such as this. All they can do is make our lives a bit easier, and I'm all for that!

It looks like a nice product!

 

[Cooldmax]

J_J hit the nail on the head. It uses hydraulic fluid so therefore it can be called a self-contained hydraulic top link. A desk chair uses an air cylinder. Is it not a pneumatic cylinder that raises it just because it doesn't have an air compressor hooked up to it. I don't like paying a lot of money for things just like anyone else, but it is good to know that my money won't be going overseas.

 

[lilranch2001]

I don't understand why everyone is getting so defensive about their hydraulic top links. If they work for you then great. If you like keeping your hand on the hydraulic lever and constantly adjusting then good for you. It works, no need to defend it. If you tried this product out I'm sure you would see the benefits. Also if your used to a HTL then your probably going to see nothing but faults with this. I do not have a hydraulink yet but I see the benefits of it and I am pinching my pennies to get one. I can see where it will adjust and allow the front wheels to go over small objects without affecting the 3ph where you would need to adjust a HTL to compensate. Also, isn't the weight of the implement doing most of the work? Your not lifting the tractor off the ground with a HTL, really all you want to do is keep the implement at a certain angle. I can see this will do that and require very little input from the operator. Sorry if I come off as rude or offend anyone. I just don't see why everyone needs to tear this product apart.

I completely concur with this post.
I do not have rear hydros, would like them, but this seems like a reason alternative to them.

One other thing I would like to say, I prefer to not post a lot of negativism, until I try something. A lot of good ideas have been poopooed, and still survive. I think a good American idea should at least have a fair chance until the market place proves it was not such a good idea.

I do not see the Hydraulink company posting anything unreasonable, but I see a lot of people trying to nit pick their product, give them a chance, ask a lot of questions, and then let people who actually try their product say whether it was good or bad

 

[turbo36]

Isn't social media great? A guy has a good idea that fits the needs of some people and he gets his a## chewed because it isn't perfect in the eyes of all these Monday morning quarterbacks. I say to all the naysayers, try doing what this guy has done and then come back and criticize.

 

[Jaylegger]

The product is what it is of which many would find beneficial. My only issue was the marketing which was deceiving regarding retracting the cylinder which in reality, from what I could gather so far, would not be the simple affair as depicted in the video. One would need a method of lifting the trailing edge of the implement to retract the toplink whether by hand or some mechanically advantages device. Using a boxblade to grade a road I'll adjust the scarifying and smoothing angles many times in both directions, while the screw toplink maybe a little cumbersome at least it can be used to angle the attachment forward with minimal effort. The Hydraulink from what I can can gather has no inherent mechanical means of obtaining this goal. I sure would like to try it out though to determine if I'm full of crap or not.

 

[BlacknTan]

The product is what it is of which many would find beneficial. My only issue was the marketing which was deceiving regarding retracting the cylinder which in reality, from what I could gather so far, would not be the simple affair as depicted in the video. One would need a method of lifting the trailing edge of the implement to retract the toplink whether by hand or some mechanically advantages device. Using a boxblade to grade a road I'll adjust the scarifying and smoothing angles many times in both directions, while the screw toplink maybe a little cumbersome at least it can be used to angle the attachment forward with minimal effort. The Hydraulink from what I can can gather has no inherent mechanical means of obtaining this goal. I sure would like to try it out though to determine if I'm full of crap or not.

Now, I'm not going to go and say you're full of crap...LOL!

But, I believe that most any implement if dropped to the ground with the 3PH, then drive forward a foot or so, will compress the cylinder with the valve open.
There's a video on this site somewhere of an old closed loop style hydraulic top link with a valve to lock it, and it shows exactly this process... I just wish I could find it!