L3400 CCM hydraulic top link length

[StrangeRanger]

Yup, I talked to Mark @ CCM and I'm going to take some pictures for him and then I'll have to send my side link back to be modified.

If you look at your side link you'll notice the bottom fork on the stock one is angled to line up w/ the lift arm. My side link from CCM does not have this angle so it binds up when connected to the lift arm. Plus, the hole size is not right. It's got like a 3/4" hole instead of 1/2". I'm gonna measure the hole, I think it's actually 13mm so I'll ream it out when I get it back if that is the case. But w/out the fork having the proper angle the geometry is all wrong.

Attached is a napkin drawing of where I'm gonna put my valve. Once I flipped the handle to face towards the back of the tractor I actually liked it up there. Well, I liked it out of the possible places I could think to try it. Flip your handles and place it up there and see what you think. Since I've got to send my side link back nothing is written in stone or welded in place That view is from behind the tractor, looking at the SMV sign. Don't laugh at my drawing. Simple to make. It's 3 flat plates welded together and 5 screw holes. KISS method.

 

[canoetrpr]

StrangeRanger - sounds like a nice setup. I already had a welder over who measured the straight portion of the ROPS to build a bracket for so guess I'll have to stick to that

I'm pretty dissapointed to hear about the sidelink. I'm hoping now that they haven't shipped mine yet! I talked to someone at CCM today who had absoutely no record of my order. She said to call back and talk to Mark. I'll talk to him today and mention this issue.

I noticed the kink before and just assumed that they would be accounting for this since they knew this was a side link. This is the only tractor I've had so I figured that this kink is pretty standard.

Anyway, will call Mark today. If they haven't sent out the order and haven't built the side link maybe I'll ask them to just send out the top link.

 

[StrangeRanger]

Ya, I liked the straight area section mounting idea too, but when I held the valve there to see what it was like, it obstructed some of my view. Either place will work great though, just personal pref

Now I gotta think up an excuse to get out of work on Friday so I can screw off w/ my tractor

 

[canoetrpr]

Talked to Mark today. He's definately a good guy to work with. Luckily for me, my order never got put in.

I asked him to ship me the same top link that he shipped you - 18-26.5. He asked me for the hole size on the top link. I said it was 3/4". Don't believe their question/answer sheet asked that. Quite sure it is 3/4" - will check today.

On the side link, I reminded him about your issue with the angle. He's waiting for pictures. I said that I would take some as well so that he can judge the angle. He was aware that the B series has a 15 degree angle but did not know that the L series did. Maybe the Grand L did not ?

I've asked for a 16.5" side link with a two inch stroke. Can you double check the length of the side link they sent you as well.

 

[canoetrpr]

I remember when I measured out the size of the holes on the side link, they were 3/4 of an inch. Will do that again tonight when I send in my pictures.

 

[StrangeRanger]

Hey Canoe,
I just sent Mark some pictures so hopefully I'll hear back from him soon and be returning my side link for modification.
My side link is the 16.5" but I believe you're remembering incorrectly, it has a 4" stroke.
The top hole is 3/4" and I just measured the bottom pins w/ a caliper and they are actually 13.85mm, so just a hair over 1/2". I told Mark I'd like a half inch hole and I'll ream it out the rest of the way. Plus, I've got to source a longer pin or bolt as the fork on the new side link is about 1,000 times beefier than the stock one. See pic below. I just hate waiting, but I'd rather wait and get it done right eh.

 

[StrangeRanger]

Holy cow! I sent Mark the pics not half hour ago and he already got back to me. Sweet service!! Thank you CCM!

 

[canoetrpr]

Hi StrangeRanger:

You are right - that was a typo. It is 16.5" with a 4" stroke. You are right - I will need a longer pin too. 1/2" pin should be quite easy to find I would hope.

I've posted a picture of my sidelink that I sent Mark with measurements.

I don't have calipers so I measured with a goodly tape mesure - figure I came pretty close to the real size with 14 mm

Got my port plug and oring today. Can't wait to get my mount!

BTW. Thats a really nice location you picked out to mount. If I hadn't placed my order to the welder for a plate, I probably would change it to there too.

 

[StrangeRanger]

Hey, where's your PTO shaft cover? LOL

My valve is at the hose shop, hopefully I'll get it back soon so I can send it back. Even while the side link is sent back I'll still be able to use the new top link. Sweet!!

Still have to wonder about bleeding the air out though. Guess I'll show my noob-ness at the hose shop and get that guys advice

 

[StrangeRanger]

Hey Canoe,

Got my top link installed this w/end!

I measured my hoses a little longer than needed which makes the fit need a little tweaking, but it's so sweet. I hooked up my box blade and must have stood there for 5 min tipping it back and forth LOL! I'm actually stoked to start driveway work again.

My side link is on the UPS truck back to CCM so hopefully that gets turned around quick. But once that is back it's simply a matter of popping it on. The valves are all hooked up, hoses are run and I'm stoked.

If it ever stops f*&*king snowing here I'll take some pics. The only other thing I'm thinking about doing is flipping the check valve on the top link. Simply because my hoses are a little longer than needed I think I'd get more clearance if it's ok to flip that check valve.