L3400 CCM hydraulic top link length

[StrangeRanger]

My concern w/ the fender was the fact you'd have about 35-40lbs of valve bouncing there. Look under the fender at how it's attached to the tractor, it's not that impressive. I'll look at mine tonight, maybe together we'll come up w/ a neat idea.

 

[canoetrpr]

StrangeRanger, you are right on the money. Thanks for pointing it out to me.

I inspected it today and it's just not sturdy enough. The bracket is got to be off the ROPS. The best spots that I can think of are on the right hand side but on the inside of the ROPS.

One spot I am thinking of of is just above the steel brace that the SMV sign is attached to, attached to the fender. An L shaped bracket will probably work here.

The other is a bit higher, where the ROPS is angles out at about 45 degrees. I imagine that would be harder to build a bracket to fit and be supported at the right angle.

A local guy who has a welding shop is dropping by tomorrow to take a look at what he can do. Looking forward to plumbing the hydraulics once the mount is made.

 

[canoetrpr]

StrangeRanger, these are wushaw's photos of his Kubota mount that comes with the Kubota kit.

Note that the flasher seems to have been moved to a new location to get it out of the way.

I had the guy who is going to weld me a mount up here and decided to have him use the Kubota mount as a reference. The valve can be bolted up vertically like the Kubota one. I'll have to take the handles off and put them on the other side just like the Kubota.

The end result should look pretty much like what wushaw's mount looks like and I won't need 90 degree fittings on the valve ports - as the valve will be vertical rather than horizontal.

He said he's going to charge me 100 bucks to up a bracket - sounds like a great deal to me.

I'm going to have to bite the bullet and muck around with moving my toolbox which is bolted on that size and would not open if I moved the flasher up as in wushaw's photo.... argh! Thats going to leave a few holes in the fender that I'll probably just paint and smooth out.

 

[StrangeRanger]

Thanks for the pics!

That is along the lines of what I was thinking of doing. I'm toying between something like that and a simple L bracket w/ the valve assy sitting horizontal. The L bracket would sit just above the flasher light so I wouldn't have to worry about moving it. But as you pointed out I'd have to buy risers and 90 deg fittings if I keep the valve assy horizontal.

I don't want the assy sticking out too far, but I also have no idea how "flexible" the lines will be so I don't know about having the hoses go around the ROPS bar. Or will the hoses all have to be on one side or the other of the ROPS?

Noob question, what's involved w/ flipping the handles? I'm not at home so I can't look at them.

Noob question #2, once this is all hooked up, is there a bleeder valve on the valve assy? I'm assuming we have to get the air out and I'm wondering the best way to do that.

I wonder if CCM will send out a tracking number when the ship?

 

[canoetrpr]

I don't believe that there is much involved in flipping the handles at all. Take out the cotter pins and the metal pins that hold the handle in place, flip them and install new cotter pins.

Don't believe that there is a bleeder valve in the hydraulic system at all. Makes me wonder how air gets out of there.

 

[StrangeRanger]

Dang it Canoe, I knew there was a reason I didn't want to listen to your logic of buying the extra remotes. I'm already drawing up plans to drive the angle of my rear blade and I don't even have this project finished yet! LOL

 

[StrangeRanger]

Got my port plug & o-ring yesterday. C'mon CCM!!

If anyone considering this project wanted some pics, here are some pics of the valve assy.

 

[StrangeRanger]

And more pics of assy.

 

[StrangeRanger]

Hey Canoe,

I got my cylinders yesterday, good news & not so good. The top link is sweet. But I'm disappointed w/ the side link. Honestly, I'm feeling a little rooked. The side link was by no means inexpensive and it's supposed to be a "custom" build, but it sure doesn't fit like a custom build. Guess I've got to call Mark and see if anything can be done. Pisser.

After lots of fiddling around I've also decided where I'm gonna mount my valve too. Once I flipped the handle around, it actually fits nicely on the angled section of the ROPS. It might look a little odd there, but of all the places I've tried it that spot offered the best visability, I won't knock the handles by accident, the mounting plate is very easy to make and the hoses will be very easy to route. So I'm gonna try to get some time off from work tomorrow and get my hoses made and weld up the mounting plate. Hopefully I can make the side link work, but that might have to wait. At least the top link will work. I'm stoked!

 

[canoetrpr]

StrangeRanger:

Good to hear you got your stuff. Too bad about the side link. I didn't quite follow what was wrong with the side link. Do you think you will have to modify it to get it to fit? will it fit?

Bit odd - I haven't heard back from CCM. They took my order over the phone. They said their welding line was not up last week - but I never got a total or a confirmation and they never took my Visa number! I better call them to see whats going on.

So were you thinking of doing the bracket about 6 to 8 inches above the fender where the ROPS angles out about 45 degrees?. Hmm that sounds like a good location.