Top Link Arm

[TheMan419]

Ok so I bent the top link arm on my Boomer 24. Not lifting anything close to the rated lift capacity of the 3 point. Lift capacity at ball ends is 1400 lbs. The tiller is 600 lbs and the bush hog is 500 lbs. Nothing heavier than those two items.

I went to TSC and Rural King for a new Cat 1 top link. They both have the exact same item with their own label on it. I am sure made in the same factory in China or India or where ever.

The after market top link is clearly beefier. Larger diameter.

However down under the tractor where it connects, it simply will not fit between the tabs. Might be 1/8 inch too wide. So out comes the grinder. Since it was only a $20 part I ground down the top link to fit. So I got it in there.

How bad of an idea was that? Did I destroy the integrity of the part? If so it was only a $20 part so I do not care that I wasted $20. However where would I find one that would fit without having to be modified?

I also thought of grinding down the tab on the tractor, but of course that is an irreversible decision.

Any advice from the hive mind here? Or is grinding down what I did just the answer and do not worry about it any more?

 

[Citydude]

It should be fine. 1/8" off the sides isn't going to reduce the capacity for lift.

 

[TheMadOne]

I did the same with the hydraulic top link I bought for the L3301. Never had a bit of problem.

 

[ovrszd]

I'm curious how you bent the original?

 

[TheMan419]

I'm curious how you bent the original?

I was using the tiller as a counter weight. Something I have done a dozen times or more in the last couple months. Went to take it off and top link was bent. I hate it when I do something I have done before and get different results!

 

[ericm979]

Just hanging an implement off the 3pt should not bent the top link. Check to make sure that the top link does not contact the tractor or implement over the 3pt's travel.

 

[oosik]

Did you back into something that forced the tiller to rise up? An implement attached to the 3-point system should not bend the top link.

You should not have hurt the new top link one bit by grinding off a little.

NO, don't grind on the tab. That will weaken it.

2X - what ericm979 recommends.

 

[ovrszd]

Way more to this story.

 

[oosik]

ovrszd - I do believe so.

 

[TheMan419]

Just hanging an implement off the 3pt should not bent the top link. Check to make sure that the top link does not contact the tractor or implement over the 3pt's travel.

I did note that the portion of the top link that connects to the tiller was canted off to the passenger side. It may have gotten bound up in the frame of the tiller. I will look at that next time I connect.

It seems to me that the whole implement was canted further to the side than usual. So some adjustment of the lower arms appears to be in order.