I just ordered out a 2nd VEVOR hydraulic top link

[CalG]

The first one is fitted to the Hurlimann 435 Prince with a 7 ft scrape blade as the "usual" adornement.
I was impressed by the "suitability to purpose", and apparent build quality.
The unit was installed over a week ago and the blade has not dropped an inch!

This second unit will require some modifications to fit the hose couplers to the smaller size required by the Kubota B2601.

I'm sure the standard banjo fittings are going to be an obstacle for fabbing new hoses, but I will work through it as required.

Having the top link adjustment just a lever nudge away just seems so right!

Plus! 8% discount for "black friday" sale... going on NOW ;-)

 

[Tinhack]

I bought one of the Vevor top links to use on my back blade. I haven't installed it yet though. I'll need to make some brackets and new hoses to reach but that's not a problem. I have the banjo fittings, hose and machine to do it. They're 3/8" BSP bolts. You can get the fittings in 1/4" or 3/8" hose. My fittings came with the bolt and two copper washers so I'm set when that project works it way to the top of the list.

Forgot to mention: You can also get BSP to JIC fittings and use 90 degree JIC fittings. My Ford uses those so one hose runs over the other.

 

[Torvy]

I just started really looking into these. Primary use would be with my box blade. I like to compare all of the options in the market before I spend my money. Vevor is definitely on the cheaper end. The Long links use a bigger cylinder.

I'm no hydraulics expert. What are the pros/cons of 1/4" vs 3/8" hoses?

Also, the terminology around fittings seems to vary. I've got 1/2" Pioneer Ag fittings. Different sellers seem to use different terms. How do I know what I'm getting?

 

[Cycledude]

Does VEVOR make any category two hydraulic top links ? Tried looking for them on the website but didn’t find any. Just curious what they might cost, already have a different brand that came with the tractor when I bought it new, receipt says I paid $275 it came with all the hoses and fittings ready to use.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I just started really looking into these. Primary use would be with my box blade. I like to compare all of the options in the market before I spend my money. Vevor is definitely on the cheaper end. The Long links use a bigger cylinder.

I'm no hydraulics expert. What are the pros/cons of 1/4" vs 3/8" hoses?

Also, the terminology around fittings seems to vary. I've got 1/2" Pioneer Ag fittings. Different sellers seem to use different terms. How do I know what I'm getting?

It is a common fallacy that 1/4" hose restricts the hydraulic flow enough to slow the rod movement down, it does not. Depending on cylinder dia and hyd GPM of the tractor, but an .030, .045, & .060 are good orifice sizes to use.

Please note that if you are good at feathering your hydraulic control, you don't really need any restrictors, but they sure do make adjustments easier, slower, and smoother.

A 3/8" hose is quite a bit tougher than a 1/4" hose.
A 1/4" hose routes easier, depending on tractor size, might make a difference if there is a benefit or not.

For the most part, pretty much all the suppliers provide 3/8" hose.

1/2" quick coupler fittings on pretty much every set of rear remotes these days are poppet type ISO 5675 or ISO 7241-1 series A. Both of these are exactly the same.

If you don't know what working length top link to get, look at this link, get the asked for dimension and find a unit that has the asked-for dimension for the mid stroke distance plus or minus a fraction of an inch.

 

[Torvy]

Does VEVOR make any category two hydraulic top links ? Tried looking for them on the website but didn’t find any. Just curious what they might cost, already have a different brand that came with the tractor when I bought it new, receipt says I paid $275 it came with all the hoses and fittings ready to use.

Yes.

VEVOR Hydraulic Top Link Cat. 2-2（8-5/16 in, 19-11/16~28 in), Hydraulic Cylinder with 2 Hoses & G3/8" Check Valve | VEVOR US

VEVOR Hydraulic Top Link offers 4 tons of pushing force, high-sealing check valve, and durable 45# steel construction for efficient heavy-duty tractor tasks.

www.vevor.com

 

[CalG]

Mine came with 1/2 inch AG on one end, and "BIG" hoses. I would have liked to have 1/4" hoses, for the flexibility and bend radius. Flow/speed doesn't really matter for this application.

I'm going to need to change out the 1/2 coupler for 3/8" to suit the B2601. As I mentioned, it's going to be a pain, as the way the rear remotes are positioned, there is no room for a daisy chain of pipe fittings and reducers.

I'll cross that bridge when I'm standing at the hydraulic shop counter talking to the technician. ;-)

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Mine came with 1/2 inch AG on one end, and "BIG" hoses. I would have liked to have 1/4" hoses, for the flexibility and bend radius. Flow/speed doesn't really matter for this application.

I'm going to need to change out the 1/2 coupler for 3/8" to suit the B2601. As I mentioned, it's going to be a pain, as the way the rear remotes are positioned, there is no room for a daisy chain of pipe fittings and reducers.

I'll cross that bridge when I'm standing at the hydraulic shop counter talking to the technician. ;-)

3/8" aren't going to work either, you need 1/4" ISO 7241-1 series B.

 

[CalG]

3/8" aren't going to work either, you need 1/4" ISO 7241-1 series B.

Oh, Thanks! I didn't really look, just noted that the hoses that came with the top link were sized right for the Hurlimann, and too large for the Kubota.

I will need to check. I fitted the dual remotes last year about this time, and I don't recall which coupler sizes I fitted. I do recall the couplers were distinct and a separate item from the modular control valves and associated mounting hardware.

My plan was to bring the desired coupler set along to the hydraulic shop ;-)

 

[CalG]

Follow up.

After ice skating this morning I stopped in at the local NAPA car parts. They make hydraulic hoses etc there.

I brought along the two VEVOR hoses and the Kubota required quick couple ends (1/4") I get on well with the counterman there, and he said he could swap ends as long as everything looked good after cutting off the original hose end. BUT.. no gaurantee! Mixed fittings etc. I told him I trusted his judgement.

It took him all of ten minutes to redo the two 3/8" hoses to terminate in 1/4" male pipe thread to go along with the Kubota male ends. $40 bucks!

Of course, the Kubota B series three point top link mounting is NARROWER than "standard" Cat 1 top link swivels. I'ld run into that before on both this B2601 and my B7200. PIA when I needed a longer top link to go along with the PATS quick change on the lower links.

The original swivel eye is about 1.75" wide (fits right for the Hurlimman) The Kubota only allows 1.62".

A made a lathe setup to turn off equal amounts from each end of the eye, but soon realized the metal was hard as hard can be. Lots of squealing when the carbide touched the work and not much material coming off. With only .06 removal from each end I gave it a go, but NO!

I ended up taking the width down by careful application of the side of the wheel on the bench grinder. ;-) Abrasive machining is always so sparkley!

The unit is on the tractor, the control is smooth and not to fast. The lay of the hoses is fine, with out a lot of pressure bearing on the control valve fittings.

I used a bolt into the folded ROPS to act as a stud providing a place for the store bail.

I should have gone out back and mounted up the carry all, just to try it out for real, but I was getting cold.

I could NOT move the piston rod manually while the control valve was in float position. It might be the "check valve" fitted to the VEVOR cylinder assembly.

I'll need to check that function when there is an implement mounted.

So far I'm happy with the units, we will see how they hold up,

cheers