Hydraulic toplink on ct235?

[jcims]

Hi Folks,

I'm thinking of coming out of the gate with a hydraulic toplink on my (hopefully soon to be ordered) CT235, primarily so my rear remote doesn't go unused for too long . Does anyone else here have one installed? Mark at Carter and Carter said he needs to know what the collapsed length of the OEM toplink is before helping me pick the right part.

Thanks!

 

[Gittyup]

I have one. It's not CCM but I like it. Works great. Makes equipment adjustment much more convenience and is therefore more effective. The CCM is a good choice from what I've read. Go for it!

 

[Aaron_D]

I bought the longer one from surplus center and its actually waiting for me on my porch right now. Off the top of my head, the OEM top link is approx 20"-30" (retracted-extended). Ill probably be installing it tomorrow so ill let you know how it went. Ive heard good things about CCM, i just went with Surplus center because i had some other things to order at the same time.

 

[deputy11]

You will never regret having HTL. Most folks on here comment that they don't know how they got along without it. If you plan on any BB work they make it fun to use.

 

[jcims]

You will never regret having HTL. Most folks on here comment that they don't know how they got along without it. If you plan on any BB work they make it fun to use.

1/3rd mile gravel driveway...plenty of BB use in my future.

 

[NOTV8]

That is also my next to do lists... I just finished installing the 2nd rear remote yesterday. My choice is either CCM and Dalton. Been reading a lot on them. And I will also visit TSC and see what they have. Anyone use a TSC cylinder?

 

[jcims]

That is also my next to do lists... I just finished installing the 2nd rear remote yesterday. My choice is either CCM and Dalton. Been reading a lot on them. And I will also visit TSC and see what they have. Anyone use a TSC cylinder?

How difficult was the install for the second remote? Was it a standard Bobcat part? I think i've finalized my order on my CT235 with a single rear remote, for some reason they keep jacking the price way up for the second one ($350 for the first, $600 more for the second remote).

I think i'll be fine with one at first, but I imagine I'll be wanting two before long.

 

[Aaron_D]

How difficult was the install for the second remote? Was it a standard Bobcat part? I think i've finalized my order on my CT235 with a single rear remote, for some reason they keep jacking the price way up for the second one ($350 for the first, $600 more for the second remote).

I think i'll be fine with one at first, but I imagine I'll be wanting two before long.

I cant speak for difficulty of installing a second remote but the first remote was fairly easy. Also sounds odd that your second remote is that much more. I purchased the first set of remotes for my tractor less than a month ago. I asked if there was any savings to get both sets at the same time as that's my ultimate plan. There was no savings at all and the second set was even a few dollars less. So i just purchased 1 set and plan to get the second set when i have some extra cash and time. I think the prices were around $230-$250 or so per set.

 

[jlsmith]

I think you will verry happy with the htl. As far as the cost of your remotes it depends on with valves they use. The extra cost for the second valve is usely about the same as the first if ur getting the same valves. Just remember the dealer needs to know what ur going to b doing with the tractor in order to put the right remotes on ur tractor. Diff remotes for diff jobs.

 

[rjkobbeman]

I bought an installed a CCM HTL a month or so ago on my Kubota. I use it all of the time and will never be without it. The CCM unit I bought is the only one I have ever used, but I can say it is a high quality HTL.

The HTL has made my life easier in a lot a cases, however one task that it is absolutely mandatory on is the mowing of a big ditch that goes through my pasture. The only way I can mow this ditch is to back into it perpendicular to the ditch... mowing a 300' long ditch, 6' at a time! I use the HTL to raise and lower the tail of the cutter to get a nice cut. Could not do that without the HTL.

I also have to raise the tail of my cutter to cross said ditch. Without raising the tail, the cutter and 3ph will bind. (I did this once already. The floating mechanism built in to the cutter isn't quite enough for this ditch.) Using the standard screw-jack TL was a real pain.

Adding a HTL to my machine has been a life saver!

 

[Gittyup]

I think I was quote something like $400 for a second remote, I install on my Kioti. Steep yes, but worth it.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

1/3rd mile gravel driveway...plenty of BB use in my future.

Your going to need the side link to make things easier. With that much drivway, you need one of these.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

How difficult was the install for the second remote? Was it a standard Bobcat part? I think i've finalized my order on my CT235 with a single rear remote, for some reason they keep jacking the price way up for the second one ($350 for the first, $600 more for the second remote).

I think i'll be fine with one at first, but I imagine I'll be wanting two before long.

How good of an overall price are you getting? Maybe your dealer has given you a rock bottom price and has no room to give you a smoking deal on the 2nd remote. In other words he needs to charge you to install it,(sounds high though) although I would think that since your tractor has been ordered, that there really would be minimal additional labor to install the second remote along with the 1st one. :confused3: Anyway, it is a few $$$ more to just go ahead and get it. I think that you will regret not spending the extra $$$ now and having the 2 remotes from the get go. Maybe see if he will split the difference with you, can't hurt to ask.

 

[jcims]

Your going to need the side link to make things easier. With that much drivway, you need one of these.

Don't remind me.

I've been pricing 4x8 sheets of 3/8's inch mild steel, i might actually try to build one of those grader/levelers after i get a feel for the box blade. Seems like i can buy cutting edges for $100 each, and the rest looks pretty straightforward...certainly simpler than trying to build a grapple!

 

[jcims]

I think that you will regret not spending the extra $$$ now and having the 2 remotes from the get go. Maybe see if he will split the difference with you, can't hurt to ask.

You convinced me to go back to the well to see if he can do the second for the same price as the first. I think i got a decent deal, not spectacular, but everybody has to make a living.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

You convinced me to go back to the well to see if he can do the second for the same price as the first. I think i got a decent deal, not spectacular, but everybody has to make a living.

Something that I think some of us forget sometimes.

 

[aaroncmh]

Sorry to ask the question, what does the HTL do exactly?

 

[jcims]

Sorry to ask the question, what does the HTL do exactly?

The toplink is the top attachment point of your three point hitch. Typical factory toplink is a large turnbuckle that allows you to adjust length manually. So if you want to level/tilt your implement front to back, you need to hop off the tractor and manually twist the turnbuckle until you get the adjustment you want.

A hydraulic toplink is simply a hydraulic cylinder that allows you to do the same, hydraulically, from your seat. A big advantage if you need to do frequent adjustments or are lazy like me.

You'll also see references to 'top-n-tilt', which is a hydraulic toplink plus a cylinder for one of the side links allowing you to tilt your attachment without leaving your seat. eepete put up some excellent pics in this thread that demonstrate the function: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...tricted-orifice-my-hydraulic.html#post2054008

If you do a forum 'title' search for hydraulic toplink, you will find hours of reading material.

To add this to your CT230, you'll need at least one hydraulic remote in the rear, two if you want to do the 'top-n-tilt' or have a spare for another function.

 

[aaroncmh]

Thanks for the explanation makes perfect sense. I'll have to look into the HTL sounds like it might be handy.

 

[NOTV8]

How difficult was the install for the second remote? Was it a standard Bobcat part? I think i've finalized my order on my CT235 with a single rear remote, for some reason they keep jacking the price way up for the second one ($350 for the first, $600 more for the second remote).

I think i'll be fine with one at first, but I imagine I'll be wanting two before long.

It is very easy to do. Well the hard part is lifting the seat by yourself . Once the seat is removed everything is easy. You will need to order it from your Bobcat dealer. I used my coupon before it expires :thumbsup:. It is really nice to have. Now... on to my next list...