Poor Man's Top-'N-Tilt?

Bob_Trevithick · Feb 4, 2002

Poor Man\'s Top-\'N-Tilt?

I was just wondering.. I'd love a TnT setup someday, but I have a lot of learning to do first, not to mention saving some more pennies.

In the meantime, is it important to keep the jam nut on the top link tight? If I left it loose, I could fairly easily just reach down or hop off and twist that top link handle a bit. If it's important that the jam nut be kept tight, then it means a wrench, bashed knuckles, etc.

For simply dirt scoop use, I wouldn't think the top link would unscrew on its own quickly enough to cause a problem. Of course I'd tighten up that jam nut when mowing or tilling, etc.

Thanks,
Bob

forestcreature · Feb 4, 2002

Re: Poor Man\'s Top-\'N-Tilt?

i keep mine loose so i can reach back and adjust my cut angle on the blade or middle buster. [this is on a 4100].
i use the jam nut with the rear mower since that could be a real safety issue if something moved.

Bird · Feb 4, 2002

Re: Poor Man\'s Top-\'N-Tilt?

Bob, as to whether you need that jam nut tight, just experience will teach you when you do and when you don't, I guess./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif For some jobs, it's nice to leave it loose so you can easily adjust it from the seat, as you said. However, you'll probably find that if the jam nut is not tight, it will "adjust" itself too easily, so if you don't intend to make frequent changes in the adjustment, you'll probably want it tight.

markcg2000 · Feb 4, 2002

Re: Poor Man\'s Top-\'N-Tilt?

Exactly what I do. I tighten it up for the mower, but leave it loose for the box-scraper and the scoop. Well, I did. I just added a hydraulic top-link <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=custom&Number=106013&page=&view=&sb=&o=&vc=1>see this message</A> and the main reason I wanted it was the scoop.

cowboydoc · Feb 4, 2002

Re: Poor Man\'s Top-\'N-Tilt?

I don't have tnt either Bob and that's how I do it. I don't think I've ever tightened that nut.

djradz · Feb 4, 2002

Re: Poor Man\'s Top-\'N-Tilt?

Is that what that nut is for??? /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif
Thought it was there just to get stuck in my mower top flex link. Nope, never use it ... except maybe once back in 1993 when I had days of back-blade leveling to do.

gator · Feb 4, 2002

Re: Poor Man\'s Top-\'N-Tilt?

Bob,
Never tighten mine either, usually adjust while in use from seat then snug it by hand to hold for a while.I also wear tight fitting leather gloves whenever I'm on my tractor as it helps avoid skinned knuckles.

Bill_in_MI · Feb 4, 2002

Re: Poor Man\'s Top-\'N-Tilt?

Bob,
Like the other guys have said, I do not always tighten mine either. But, I keep the screw threads lubed well and I do find that the link will "move" quite a bit depending what implement I have on and what I am doing with it. Has not got me trouble yet, but I do get out the wrenches when I have an adjustment that I want to have stay put.

ewoss3 · Feb 12, 2002

Re: Poor Man\'s Top-\'N-Tilt?

Bob, if you are not welder challenged you could weld a small rod to the jam nut for instant snugging by hand, just keep it well lubed.

duanet · Feb 13, 2002

Re: Poor Man\'s Top-\'N-Tilt?

Remember the leveling link on the Fords? My 2N had one that had a crank on it and it could be easily operated from the seat. See <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/forumfiles/33-40600-treegetter2.jpg>http://www.tractorbynet.com/forumfiles/33-40600-treegetter2.jpg</A> for a picture of one. If something like that is available, maybe it could be adapted to a compact tractor leveling link and top link. It should be a lot less expensive than hydraulics.
Duane