Top Link Pin Question (newbie tractor owner)

[benha]

Hello!

I have a new to me - but not very new - Iseki TS3110F tractor. This is my first tractor. Consider me a total novice.

When I bought it, the "pin" attaching the top link to the tractor was an 8" bolt loosely put through a mount that's much larger in diameter than the bolt was, which creates lots of slop and play, and generally seems like it's a bad idea. Upon looking at it more closely, I'm confused and could use advice before proceeding.

Photo attached.

The top set of holes, the ones with the zerk fittings, are what the bolt was put through. Those holes are of different diameters. One is about 1-9/16" diameter. The other is 1.25". Below are several sets of 3/4" holes.

Given that 3/4" seems to be the standard diameter of a Cat1 pin, I'm wondering if the top link is actually supposed to be pinned through one of the lower sets of pins. If so, what are those larger, top mounts for?

And if the larger ones are for the top link, are there standard bushings available for these or do I need to fire up the lathe and turn some?

Thanks,
-Ben

 

[3Lfarms]

The three lower holes are for the top link. The large mount on the top looks like some proprietary attachment setup. Someone that knows Isekis can probably shed some light on what it is for.

 

[bcp]

I suspect that's a rototiller mount. Way too wide to be intended for a normal top link. Someone probably makes a top link adapter bracket.

Maybe one of these.
iseki top link bracket - Google Search

Bruce

 

[WranglerX]

The one on left looks like it has a bushing or a sleeve and its wallered out....

MY thinking it should be one of the standard pin diameters like 7/8 or whatever standard sizes available at any implement dealer for whatever the category your hitch is (Cat 1-2-3).... Also what us diameter of eye in end of upper link?

There is very good chance the commnet about it being a specialized mount for specific implimes may be valid.... As other commented says it doesn't look "standard" to tractor..

This look more like top link bracket should be...

Tractor Brackets – Brohawk Exports

Dale

 

[countrybumpkin]

Does your tractor have draft control? Looks like the part that the top link hooks to is actually missing if so. The big holes with bushings would have been were the top of the bracket mounted and pivoted.

 

[benha]

Interesting. I don't have draft control but that's a good guess as I research what it is. That's definitely at big top bearing surface that could be the pivot.

The more I look at this the more I'm thinking it's a SPOT (Stupid Previous Owner Trick). Whatever that mounting system is, it looks like it's both bolted and welded onto the tractor, which is clearly not the way a factory would do things.

The 3/4" holes are plausible as a top-link mounting system but they're far enough apart that I'm worried about bending a 3/4" pin. I think we're in "Fab a better solution" territory here.

(Clearly there's a lot of prior owner "engineering" going on here. That weird lower bar mounted via the bolts on either side of the PTO is a poorly engineered Class III hitch type thing.)

 

[Texasmark]

TSC has adapters for CAT 1-2-3-4. You can use a CAT 1, 3rd member/top link and CAT 1 Pin with a CAT 4 mount (looks like the size you have) by just putting in as many adapters as is required to get a tight fit 1-2 + 2-3+ 3-4......if the hole is CAT certified.

Otherwise fill it best you can and let it slop. 95% of hookups are sloppy since the implements are all from different suppliers and older equipment gets modified one way or another by the current or previous owner, or modified by wear and tear on aged equipment. Don't be surprised what kind of "field fix the problem with what you have available" so you can finish the job....you will find over the years....Lots of Duct Tape and baling wire repairs. Grin.

I've never seen that brand tractor and have no idea as to the purpose of that mounting station for the 3rd member.

 

[benha]

I'm gonna try to do it a bit better than duct tape.

I'm thinking I'll CNC some new side plates out of 1/2" 1018 plate with 3/4" holes at appropriate spacings and bolt them through the the existing too-wide spaced 3/4" holes as they stand. That'll narrow the distance between the pin holes by an inch which should reduce the flex loading on the pin to a reasonable amount. Then I'll turn some spacers for either side of the top link eye to center it in whatever the space turns out to be.

Then when that fails miserably in some unpredictable way I'll duct tape it all together.

 

[countrybumpkin]

Are you sure it’s welded to the tractor case? I would try removing the bolts and check for sure, if it’s not welded then building a replacement top link bracket would be much simpler.

 

[mbu]

benha,

Don't know if this will lead to anything or will help but bem1965 says he has manuals for some of the Iseki tractors. Maybe the manuals he has will have similar hitch links. It might be worth your while to contact him by PM.

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/iseki/314779-i-can-send-you-om.html?highlight=#post3802813