New hydraulic top link won't clear the lift arms on my B-series

[FERLING]

I recently purchased a hydraulic top link for my Kubota B2301 and when I connect it all up the hydraulic hose fittings won't clear the lift arms of the 3-point hitch. I.e. when you raise the lift arms they collide with the outer edge of the 90 degree elbow:

View attachment 735499


Any suggestions? Is there a way to make this top link fit? It seems like the top link and fittings were designed with a larger tractor in mind...

Flip it! New Holland Workmaster 50 is same way. Also your connectors extend away from link too far. They make right angle connections that put hoses closer to link. Will attach pic if you need my set up.

 

[FERLING]

I recently purchased a hydraulic top link for my Kubota B2301 and when I connect it all up the hydraulic hose fittings won't clear the lift arms of the 3-point hitch. I.e. when you raise the lift arms they collide with the outer edge of the 90 degree elbow:

View attachment 735499


Any suggestions? Is there a way to make this top link fit? It seems like the top link and fittings were designed with a larger tractor in mind...

 

[Tony H]

I recently purchased a hydraulic top link for my Kubota B2301 and when I connect it all up the hydraulic hose fittings won't clear the lift arms of the 3-point hitch. I.e. when you raise the lift arms they collide with the outer edge of the 90 degree elbow:

View attachment 735499


Any suggestions? Is there a way to make this top link fit? It seems like the top link and fittings were designed with a larger tractor in mind...

Looks like you need a male to make right angle fittings instead of the multiple fittings coming off the cylinder

 

[LD1]

Yeah, but if you're 25 miles from town and just want something to work... A lot of what You said has to do with the efficiency of engineering. Seen it both ways. Done it both ways. Them are the small unmentioned hiccups in my world. If I have a problem, it's a big one.

Nothing wrong with doing what ya gotta do in a pinch. But I wouldnt advocate anyone use black pipe fittings in hydraulics. And if I have to use something in a pinch....next time Im in town I will get what I need to make it right, or order what I need and fix whenever it gets delivered.

Far too many people dont have an understanding of just how dangerous hydraulics can be, or failures that can occur. I cringe everytime I see someones cobbled home-made something or another (like logsplitters) and they used either galvanized or black pipe water fittings from their local hardware

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

LD1

I understand. I could be promoting danger with some people. Point taken.

 

[LD1]

LD1

I understand. I could be promoting danger with some people. Point taken.

Yes. That's my point. Some people don't know any better and they read people that do it and think it's ok in general.

Like pvc for air lines on their shop.
Or bypassing seat safety switches.
Or leaving the rops down all the time.
Or countless other examples of things that aren't wise to do or promote....yet we all know people who do it and get lucky and never has any issues.

Me on the otherhand.....I'd rather not take the chance because I am always the unlucky one

 

[FERLING]

Yes. That's my point. Some people don't know any better and they read people that do it and think it's ok in general.

Like pvc for air lines on their shop.
Or bypassing seat safety switches.
Or leaving the rops down all the time.
Or countless other examples of things that aren't wise to do or promote....yet we all know people who do it and get lucky and never has any issues.

Me on the otherhand.....I'd rather not take the chance because I am always the unlucky one

"bypassing seat safety switches"
So basically any tractor, old or new, that doesn't have a safety seat switch or that has a switch that no longer works isn't safe to be operated?

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

"bypassing seat safety switches"
So basically any tractor, old or new, that doesn't have a safety seat switch or that has a switch that no longer works isn't safe to be operated?

Probably if it came with one, it should work. Im meaning if you are a shop. I worked at a dealer. If the customer messed up and left his Bush Hog on, he got a new pto safety shield. And those safety switches worked when the machine left. We live in the days of lawyers now, my friend.

 

[LD1]

"bypassing seat safety switches"
So basically any tractor, old or new, that doesn't have a safety seat switch or that has a switch that no longer works isn't safe to be operated?

According to some city yuppies and money hungry lawyers, yes. It is isn't safe if it "can" hurt you.

But you completely missed the point of my post. So kudos to you

 

[Outinstickssnafu]

I'll leave the safety issue side of things alone.

Using an unmodified common water pipe fitting for a bodge works to a point, good to limp home or just finish off for the day if pressure in the circuit isn't great ... and it also depends on the quality / strength of the pipe fitting used. I'm sure some of what hits the shelves as water fittings here is reject stuff that wouldn't sell so well in China.

Putting it into perspective, hardware stores for general hardware are probably less common around our parts than a rural store that keeps a lot of rural living type supplies, and along with water fittings are also likely to stock a small range of hydraulic fittings, though with the times so many don't want to have their shelves full. Keeping stock has become a problem in my parts, where they also charge the freight component - which is a pity as they have failed to realise phone and mail ordering still exists to an extent.

Given how things are here though, it's probable there's a mobile hydraulic fitter offering pipe fittings and such who is closer than the nearest shop half to an hour away.