Top link extension on the tractor.

[Complete Turf Care]

On both my L5740 and my L6060, I have had problems with my top link being too short. I have a hydraulic top link, and it is the same length as the top link that came with the tractor when fully extended.



Today, I took the brackets off of the tractor where the top link connects to the tractor and had a welder add some extensions. This seems to have solved the problem. I put one implement on and it seems to work much better now. The back side of the implement can now rest on the ground as it should.

Does anyone else have trouble with the top link being too short? I never had this issue on my New Holland. Maybe my bottom links are longer???

 

[oosik]

No - I've had two tractors and no problems with the top link. I can see how it would be possible to get a "wrong top link" on one tractor. Something goes wrong when the unit is manufactured. But on two tractors - and you have them both. Sounds like something else is going on there.

 

[rbtjr]

Yes, on both our L3800 and our MX5800 we have had issues with the top link not being long enough after we installed the Pat's quick-connect system, which puts the 3PH about 4 1/2" farther back from the tractor. I finally found and bought from Tractor Parts, Inc. a top link with a 24” body and a 39” total length, their item # HIU10-0004. It works well. In case you want to try to find one and don't see it on the Tractor Parts, Inc. web site, my order was fulfilled by Reliable Aftermarket Parts, Inc. The plastic sheath in which the top link was delivered had “Atlantic Quality Parts” on it. Also on the sheath was “Top Link 3013-1503, then 3013-1503, and the “Reference Number: JSA1024”. I looked Atlantic up and it has the top links on its web site but is only a distributor and doesn’t sell directly to the public. But on the Atlantic web site you can find out vendors from which you can buy whatever is on Atlantic’s web site.

 

[Rustyiron]

I think it's hard to find the sweet spot for t/l length. As many implements as there is, along with their various angle of uses.........
If you find that your extension (for some reason) are not the best solution, you could fab up a longer pivot joint (the tractor end of the t/l) and switch back & forth. The only possible issue I see with your extension is loosing the extra retraction length.:thumbsup:

 

[s219]

Any other changes/adjustments to the lower arms that would put the ends out farther from the tractor? That is the only time I have heard of problems like this.

 

[ovrszd]

I built an extender for my M9540. Easily pins on and off. I'll look for pics.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Yes, on both our L3800 and our MX5800 we have had issues with the top link not being long enough after we installed the Pat's quick-connect system, which puts the 3PH about 4 1/2" farther back from the tractor. I finally found and bought from Tractor Parts, Inc. a top link with a 24” body and a 39” total length, their item # HIU10-0004. It works well. In case you want to try to find one and don't see it on the Tractor Parts, Inc. web site, my order was fulfilled by Reliable Aftermarket Parts, Inc. The plastic sheath in which the top link was delivered had “Atlantic Quality Parts” on it. Also on the sheath was “Top Link 3013-1503, then 3013-1503, and the “Reference Number: JSA1024”. I looked Atlantic up and it has the top links on its web site but is only a distributor and doesn’t sell directly to the public. But on the Atlantic web site you can find out vendors from which you can buy whatever is on Atlantic’s web site.

Thanks for this info. The top link you reference is a Cat 1. Mine is a Cat 2. I'll look on their web site later to see if they have a Cat 2. Also, I use a hydraulic top link. It save me lots of time while on the job. I have not been able to find a longer hydraulic top link that will fit my Kubotas

Any other changes/adjustments to the lower arms that would put the ends out farther from the tractor? That is the only time I have heard of problems like this.

No changes. Everything is standard from the factory.

 

[BufordBoone]

I have a very similar issue. I've got a L5740 that I put Pat's on. Had to order a longer TL. I just got an M7060 and plan to put Pat's on it.

I figured someone must have figured out a good solution and found this thread: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/105421-extended-top-link-pats-ezchange.html

I am learning to weld and this looks like a great project for a beginner. I've a friend that owns a shop and he can cut the steel for me.

I'm surprised that these adapters are not readily available.

OP, the factory TL on both my tractors has one end that is cat 1, the other is cat 2. The pin attaching it to the tractor is cat 1. If using on a cat 1 implement, a bushing is required. The longer TL I ordered (off Amazon) is cat 1 on both ends. It works with almost every implement I have. My disc requires a cat 2 connection but, luckily, the factory TL is long enough for it.

Some measurements I recently took:

L5740 factory TL = 21.25 - 33
Replacement claims 29 - 39 (I didn't take it off to measure)

M7060 TL = 19.5 - 28.5

I've recently ordered hydraulics from Fit Right. Looking forward to the convenience that will offer.

 

[bdhsfz6]

When I ordered a T&T kit from Fit Rite for my L3430, I purposely ordered a top cylinder 4" longer than recommended. I did this to compensate for the Pats quick hitch system on the tractor. It turned out to be a good decision since the top link cylinder length works fine on both my L6060 and MX5800. the tractors have Kubota's telescoping drag link ends so the Pats system isn't that useful.

I have never had an issue with the top link being too long with any of my implements on either tractor. Within reason, longer is better IMO.

In any case, it looks like you solved your problem with the extension.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

On both my L5740 and my L6060, I have had problems with my top link being too short. I have a hydraulic top link, and it is the same length as the top link that came with the tractor when fully extended.

View attachment 554857View attachment 554858

Today, I took the brackets off of the tractor where the top link connects to the tractor and had a welder add some extensions. This seems to have solved the problem. I put one implement on and it seems to work much better now. The back side of the implement can now rest on the ground as it should.

Does anyone else have trouble with the top link being too short? I never had this issue on my New Holland. Maybe my bottom links are longer???

View attachment 554859View attachment 554860View attachment 554861View attachment 554862

It looks like you have a top link with an 8" stroke. There are many different stroke top links available as well as overall working lengths. It is not a one size fits all type of thing.

For your models of tractor I typically supply a 12" stroke unit having a working length of 23 1/4"- 35 1/4". This seems to work well for the cat 1-2 L series tractors as well as the MX series machines.

 

[BufordBoone]

This is the one I plan to copy:

It was mentioned that he chose not to have the 3rd hole as he thought it might interfere with his PTO cover.

I suspect that, were one to need the lower hole, this could simply be moved down, leaving the top hole uncovered.

I hope this works as well as I expect.

 

[skipperbrown]

Spray some paint on the new welds or they will quickly start rusting.

 

[bdhsfz6]

This is the one I plan to copy: View attachment 554898

The advantage in using this method is you can remove it if you need a shorter top link.

If it were me, I'd cut the bottom corners off the bracket to give more clearance for the PTO cover. I'd also paint it Kubota gray instead of orange.

 

[JWR]

No - I've had two tractors and no problems with the top link. I can see how it would be possible to get a "wrong top link" on one tractor. Something goes wrong when the unit is manufactured. But on two tractors - and you have them both. Sounds like something else is going on there.

I have to agree with oosik --- there is something else going on we don't know about. There are standards for 3pt hitch geometry and heaven knows ALL the manufacturers know those standards and it is really hard to imagine they do not comply. Maybe the tractor(s) did not come with lift arm extensions for ease of hook-up and you added some ? Maybe the tractors had been custom ordered for some particular application ? Maybe your implements are oddball or have links missing or modified? Just something missing in all this. Maybe you got both tractors from the same source and that dealer has a habit of supplying short top links -- seems far fetched.

As others mentioned you can definitely order hydraulic top links with a wide variety of stroke lengths, over all lengths, etc. I have not tried, but very little question you can buy top links with either more adjustment latitude or longer over all to start with, etc. And the homebrew adapters obviously will/do work to move the top link attachment point outward. So in that sense your problem is solved.

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However, for my 2 cents worth, I'd first find out what is not meeting the industry standards for 3pt hitch geometry.

The ISO standards are at https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:std:iso:730:ed-1:v1:en but somehow they think they can charge money for a full set oif stds. The Wiki at Three-point hitch - Wikipedia is informative. So is TractorData commentary at TractorData.com - Three-Point Hitch .

There are rather extensive dimensions and parts listings for a variety of 3pt systems at http://www.ricksagparts.com/3-Point_Linkage.pdf

Strangely with 10-15 min spent on the web I cannot find the standard for the top link LENGTH. That might be because of assumptions that they will be both variable and available in a wide range lf lengths (?) Puzzling.

 

[3gunr]

I also put a pats quick hitch on my 2538 and found the top link needing to be all the way out. I didnt like that, went to rural king and picked up a longer one for 25 bucks.They had cat 1 and 2 in all different lenghts.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I have to agree with oosik --- there is something else going on we don't know about. There are standards for 3pt hitch geometry and heaven knows ALL the manufacturers know those standards and it is really hard to imagine they do not comply. Maybe the tractor(s) did not come with lift arm extensions for ease of hook-up and you added some ? Maybe the tractors had been custom ordered for some particular application ? Maybe your implements are oddball or have links missing or modified? Just something missing in all this. Maybe you got both tractors from the same source and that dealer has a habit of supplying short top links -- seems far fetched.

As others mentioned you can definitely order hydraulic top links with a wide variety of stroke lengths, over all lengths, etc. I have not tried, but very little question you can buy top links with either more adjustment latitude or longer over all to start with, etc. And the homebrew adapters obviously will/do work to move the top link attachment point outward. So in that sense your problem is solved.

=============================================
However, for my 2 cents worth, I'd first find out what is not meeting the industry standards for 3pt hitch geometry.

The ISO standards are at https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:std:iso:730:ed-1:v1:en but somehow they think they can charge money for a full set oif stds. The Wiki at Three-point hitch - Wikipedia is informative. So is TractorData commentary at TractorData.com - Three-Point Hitch .

There are rather extensive dimensions and parts listings for a variety of 3pt systems at http://www.ricksagparts.com/3-Point_Linkage.pdf

Strangely with 10-15 min spent on the web I cannot find the standard for the top link LENGTH. That might be because of assumptions that they will be both variable and available in a wide range lf lengths (?) Puzzling.

He has the std 3pt hitch Kubota uses for the cat 1-2 grand L models. His hydraulic top link is short simply because he has one that has a shorter working length than he should have purchased for that tractor.

THERE is no std geometry measurements used on any of the tractors so that the top links will all be the same working length. Kubota itself has 7 different working lengths that I can think of, maybe 8. Even the cat 1 Grand Ls are different than the cat 1-2 Grand Ls

There are other tractors of the same HP range made by others that only use a 6" stroke and have an overall working length of 17 1/4"- 23 1/4". That's a FAR distance from the 23 1/4"- 35 1/4" that we are talking about for the OP's tractors.

So again, there is no set std working length for all the different tractors that are made by all the different manufacturers. Right or wrong, that's just how it is.

 

[JWR]

As I said , strangely there is no standard I could find for the top link length, probably because of assumptions that they are not only variable but available in many lengths. Everything else about 3pt hitch geometry is standardized under ASME and ISO standards.

I agree as you said, He has the std 3pt hitch kubota uses for the cat 1-2 grand L models. His hydraulic top link is short simply because he has one that has a shorter working length than he should have purchased for that tractor.

 

[Oldoak]

I also put a pats quick hitch on my 2538 and found the top link needing to be all the way out. I didnt like that, went to rural king and picked up a longer one for 25 bucks.They had cat 1 and 2 in all different lenghts.

I don't have a quick hitch, but I didn't like extending my O.E.M. top link on my Kubota L4200 to it's maximum length when using my Land Pride Rototiller. I simply went to my Tractor Supply store and purchased a longer top link for about the same price. Done.

 

[YLee Kioti]

Yes OEM is too short......with pat's hitch.....tried 16" it was so-so.....went to local NH dealer and got a 20".....yipper..nice ....

catI is a heavy duty unit. won't fit into the lil piggie curl hook so have to use a bungee cord to hold it down.

at least this one should not snap off the top joint like the oem unit did. heh...

 

[MtnViewRanch]

As I said , strangely there is no standard I could find for the top link length, probably because of assumptions that they are not only variable but available in many lengths. Everything else about 3pt hitch geometry is standardized under ASME and ISO standards.

I agree as you said, He has the std 3pt hitch kubota uses for the cat 1-2 grand L models. His hydraulic top link is short simply because he has one that has a shorter working length than he should have purchased for that tractor.

Yes the dimensions of the actual hitch ends are standardized for pin sizes as well as spacing and attachment point widths, but the actual draft arm lengths as well as top link lengths are all up to the manufacturers.

All I'm getting at is that NONE of this stuff is a one size fits all application as it had seemed that some were thinking in earlier posts. (Maybe I simply mis understood what was being said??) It can vary from model size to model size and from manufacturer to manufacturer as to what the working length requirements may be.