Looking to replace lower links with longer.

[Andy in Gap]

Pete, I have a 187D and in order for me to get the middle buster to dig, I purchased a CAT 0 top link that I can make very, very short. You can then angle the point of the blade to dig very aggressively. You'll have to use cat 0 pins in the top link and there will be a bit of slop in the holes of the middle buster, but I haven't had any issues. I suppose you could get bushings for the implement holes if you wanted, but you'll stop the tractor before you tear anything up. I'd hate for you to have to buy new arms when a $20 top link might fix it. :thumbsup:

 

[Andy in Gap]

What about a shorter top link? Yanmar Tractor Parts: Top link - 9 tube - Cat. 1[/QUOTE]

This looks like a good solution, looks like it would be short enough.

 

[Pete Judd]

Decided to take a old top link that I don't use anymore, and I will try to cut and weld, to make a real short one. Winston, I did not have my readers on when I read the post, thought that the 27 inch centers, where 27 centimeters. Opps.

 

[deepNdirt]

Today I test my home built buster/trencher and right away it would dig to 8" depth, I tried a 2nd and 3rd pass over the same rut but it would not go down any deeper, I think now I understand why must have a shorter top link as the cutting spade drops lower it levels out therefor not having the ability to dig any deeper, I turned in on the top link to about 2 inches shorter and was able to make another pass that dug another 4" deeper giving a total of 12" depth, Not quite what I wished for but on the right track:thumbsup: I had hope to have built it to dig a trench of approx 24" deep, x 10" wide...
Although I do think you are on the right track with using a shorter top link, the top link I have will only go as short as 15" and is not enough to let my trencher go any deeper, I think I'm going to have to make up a slip tube from 2 pc's of pipe, one just small enough to fit inside the other and can be shrink down to 10" and stretch out to about 18", will need to drill a series of holes through both pipes at about 3" increments so it could be as easy as to just pull a pin slip it to the next shorter length re-insert the pin and make the next pass over the trench, I might be realistically looking at only a -20" depth but this will be below the frost line here in our area,.....
but anyhow! I think the key is to using a shorter top length , Yes extending the lower arms would prove to work the same way, but more of an expense,

 

[Pete Judd]

Deep, I agree with the cost. I will be hitting the toplink with the cutoff saw and see if I can get it to adjust down to 8-9 inches. I picked up a 14 1/2 inch compressed, and I am only getting down around 10 inches. My 3plh still has a couple of inches of down left at that point.