Should limited hyd. top link range be biased to longer or shorter?

[WinterDeere]

Also trying to 'future proof' my spending. What about all of the toys, er tools, I haven't purchased yet?

The good news is that cylinders are relatively cheap, and relatively easily re-sold on ebay. Don't sweat it.

 

[gckshea]

That's my issue, I don't have implements yet, only the flail mower. I'm asking for advice from the more experienced folks here

Does a box blade generally need more "forward" tilt than "rearward" tilt? I've tried, but cannot seem to find head-on images of box blades mounted and angled at the appropriate limits.

In my case, with a box blade, a landscape rake, and even my brush hog, I use longer length of the top link more often. With a box blade, it doesn't take much shortening of the top link beyond level to get good engagement of the front facing blade. Any further inward tilt and the front blade comes off the ground a lot. This means the only engaging part of the box blade is the skid shoes of the sides...neither the front nor the rear blade engage, and most dirt and rocks will have been dumped by then.
I'd go with a bias to a bit longer, but 3" is a lot of grey area. Consider a simple welded plate mount on the implements needing the middle ground...a second pin hole to give options.
Also, my choice of hydraulic top link was calculated with my Pat's Easy Change quick attach hooks in place, which puts every implement rearward 4".

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

My tractor measures the same as these. After watching some videos on how to choose, and one I think was TTWT... I chose the 21-32" option. With my tiller it has more than enough movement in either direction. One resource asked, how often does anyone use the fully retracted position? The answer was almost never. That 11" of movement equates to A LOT of variation in pitch of the implement

Edit. TTWT had a great tutorial on finding the correct length of top link. One thing he didn't mention, and many of us have had to use, is hydraulic flow restrictors to eliminate chatter and the quick/abrupt movement of the cylinder. My flow is just too high for it to operate smoothly without the restrictors in place. With them, it's butter smooth and precise

 

[BruceS_55]

Just wanted to follow up and let folks know how it went, including future Google searchers

Got my box blade and hooked it up. Seems like the 18-26 cylinder is just about the perfect range. Attaching shots at each extreme at ground level. Think I’ll get good range out of the box blade.

I am having a slight issue with the cylinder stuttering a little, maybe my RPMs just need to be a little higher.

That looks like a pretty good range of motion. I am looking for one for my 2515H TYM. The oem link is 14 3/4 to 25 1/8 and I have Pat’s quick hitch on the lift bars. The one at TSC is 18 1/8 to 26 3/8. I’m not sure if that would be enough extension. The retracted length seems about right.

 

[Dman1981]

Rule of thumb on most cylinders level is half way for rear hydraulics
Always set up my equipment that way.
Then you have same tilt forward as back. same with side tilt if you use double tilt well you get the whole stroke
I am coming from an operator point of view and have set up hundreds of hydralics on equipment
For customers

 

[Williy]

Did you compare it with your older one or use the older
one that you have for a guide???

willy