Top link ratchet adjustment

[Xfaxman]

Musdalen, can you post a picture of your John Deere lift link?

 

[Musdalen]

I can't now, but I will later tonight with luck. Things get tight back there. I'm not sure there is room for much in the way of a leveling gear box, but I want one for certain.

 

[fried1765]

Indeed, I also found exactly the same binder at Northern Tool I had search for ratchet Jack and found nothing useful, but ratchet Binder was the ticket. NT is a bit pricier but localish (40 miles). Cut the end, weld on two replacement link ends, and good to go. That's my thought at the moment anyway. Get the foldable handle in the deal too.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200576800_200576800

The "Ratchet Jack" is over on the Agri-Supply website.
I think YOU bought a better idea, with the "Ratchet Binder" from NH.
Think I'll get one of those myself!

 

[Musdalen]

Musdalen, can you post a picture of your John Deere lift link?

Here you go. The photo doesn't make it clear but with the arms set for a level hold, the lift link is about 19" from center to center.

View attachment 501260

 

[Xfaxman]

Here you go. The photo doesn't make it clear but with the arms set for a level hold, the lift link is about 19" from center to center.

Looks like it could be a little shorter. when adjusted to mid travel, it should be the same length as the right side link

Check with the local tractor salvage yards to see if you can find one the right length.

 

[Musdalen]

If you go to ebay and search for Leveling box or link arm leveling you will find all sorts of options. whether they will fit and with how much modification I'm not sure, but I'm looking into it.

Northern tool has several ratchet chain binders that might work for the top link. They are different sizes and getting the necessary info from the online NT chat service doesn't seem likely. So, I think I'll measure stuff out carefully and make a run down to Des Moines this weekend.

The leveling box will come after that, but I'm definitely game to do somehting there. I need that more than a ratchet toplink.

 

[John Dear]

Hello All,

Thank you for a great conversation and research on ratcheting top links. I realize this thread is a few years old, but wanted to provide my experience as of April 1, 2019. The ratchet jack at Agri-Supply has "Acme threads" and will not work with the threads on the Cat 1 or Cat 2 ball replacement ends Agri-Supply currently has, (mentioned by fried1765). In fact, I don't believe they will work with any current top link threads. I confirmed this with the company today. Looks like fried1765 got the last matching thread parts a few years back. The only ratcheting top link with ball ends I could find online, (without having to mix, match and weld parts and pieces) is available from Yesterdays Tractor. It runs $125 and has Cat 2 balls. Even though I am the worlds cheapest guy, (I am highly bummed I could not go the way fried1765 did) I ordered one today. It will initially be used on a JD-5525 hitching to a 84" wide DeepTine aerator. If interested, I will post a review on it once received and put to work.

 

[Musdalen]

John Dear, I found a ratcheting chain tensioner with short lengths of chain and hooks on the end. I use it on the mower now by simply running the pins through the links. This gives me some forgiveness in the link that is needed for mowing rough ground and the convenience of the ratchet. I use it on my 3039R that was the subject of the original post.