Need more detail on benefits of TNT & remote Hydro

[denali]

Several posts mention that getting a TNT is a must, would trade many things off to get the TNT. My deal (name withheld to protect the guilty) says TNT is lazy man's gimick attachment.

Can someone provide a list of implements that would benefit from having this. I am considering a 5030 with a cab. I have to close the deal this week, so quick responses are apreciated.

Thanks,

Les

 

[Rolando]

I hate to show my ignorance, but I often do anyway. What's a TNT? I assume we don't put dynamite on these tractors. I have figured out most of the other acronyms, but this one escapes me.
Thanks,
PS Is there a glossary somewhere on the site? Could be helpful for the newbies...

 

[denali]

I am very ignorant to all of this myself /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif. I think it stands for top-N-tilt. I think it essentially adds hydrolics to the top link of a 3-point hitch.

 

[_RaT_]

As you mention, TnT is short for top and tilt. It essentially takes the mechanical screw links the typical tractor comes with and replaces them with a hydraulic cylinder controlled from the driver area via a set of valves commonly called spools. The hydraulicly adjustable top link is extremely effective, more then I even want to start describing. Suffice to say if your dealer calls it a "lazy mans gimmick" he's either an idiot or simply has little or no experience with tractors having TnT. The tilt cylinder(s) allow you to tilt attachments on the 3 pt hitch like box scrapers or blades etc. It can be very useful for cutting a ditch or getting a slope back to level. I have a 3 spool valve. The third is there to allow me to hook in things like the hydraulicly activated rippers on my box scraper or the numerous hydraulics on my Harley rake.

By far though, having a hydraulic top link is one of the most useful devices you can put on a tractor to enhance it's productivity whether your doing earth type work or even mowing especially over banks like you might have if you have a pond or driveway areas where you need to back up to the, to cut. My opinion is that not only is it an extremely valuable addition but it will be money very well spent if you do much of any work with your 3 pt hitch. The factory setup is not cheap. Mine is not factory and still cost me about $1200 for 2 Gannon cylinders, 8 quick disconnects and all the many associated hoses, 3 spool valve, power beyond tap, and supporting bracket for the valve. I like it.... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Attached is a lousy picture in which you can barely see my TnT spool setup. I had a good picture of it but seem to have misplaced among billions and billions of other bits, bytes and nibbles.

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( TNT is lazy man's gimick )</font>

Absolutely right; and that's the reason I wouldn't want to be without it. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif As a matter of fact, a front end loader is also a lazy man's gimick; you can do the same thing with shovels and wheelbarrows; just talks longer and harder work. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Can someone provide a list of implements that would benefit from having this )</font>

It can be a help in hooking up any implement to the 3-point since it's quicker and easier to adjust the length ot the top link. It's also a help when you want to clean the bottom side of tillers and mowers because you can raise the 3-point, then pull the top link to its shortest position and tilt the implement's rear end higher for better access (don't get under it, of course, unless you block it up). And when loading the tractor onto a trailer, sometimes the ramps are steep enough that an implement on the 3-point will drag on the ground unless the top link is shortened. But the time it's used most is with box blades because you can tilt the blade forward or backwards or sideways on the fly.

 

[_RaT_]

"It can be a help in hooking up any implement to the 3-point since it's quicker and easier to adjust the length ot the top link"

Actually Bird, I can't use the top link with my post hole digger as it gets removed, I do however use the tilt cylinder when using the post hole digger. One time when I must also admit having both tilt links hydraulic.

Bird is absoulutely correct with his analogies and explanations relating to it's usefulness. I could not agree more

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Actually Bird, I can't use the top link with my post hole digger as it gets removed )</font>

Oops, I used that word "any" a little too freely; should have said "most", huh? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Looks like we were typing at the same time this morning; you just got through before I did. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[MadReferee]

Here are a few things I use my hydraulic top link for:

adjusting the angle of attack for the box blade while moving. This helps in the ground leveling process.

same as above for the landscape rake.

adjusting the the front lip depth of cut for the snowblower. By raising the front slightly I can eliminate rock throwing and digging into soft ground before it freezes.

really makes it easier to hookup implements.

A side link helps with cutting the banks of drainage ditches.

You can add your own OEM TNT setup with a 3-spool valve and just the top link for less than $700. There are several threads explaining how to do it. Here is a link explaining on how I added one on my tractor.

 

[SkyPup]

Right On!! I love the TNT on our L3031, makes using attachements much much easier.

500 hours of heavy duty operation since new with no hassles whatsoever. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[denali]

Thanks to everyone for responding so quickly. Found another deal more familiar with a TNT. This one is willing to review various options with me (TNT or controls on the attachment itself) and see which makes the most sense.

I had a JD 970 and remember adjusting the top link was a royal pain. Thanks again everyone!!!