Top 'n Tilt kits

[datop]

Has anybody used Michigan Iron & Equipment's Hound Dog Top 'n Tilt kit? How does it compare to Fitrite?

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Looks like it is a good set. It also looks like the top link is like so many of the other top links out there with the check valve and most likely is brought in from another source. It looks like they build the side link similar to what John Deere has. All the tilt is to one side, not an equal amount of tilt to each side and has no check valve.

Just a different way of doing things is all.

If you get a set from me, it will have no check valves.
The top link will have the ports on the side.
The side link will have an equal amount of tilt to each side.
It will have 2 1/2" dia cylinders with 1 1/2" dia rods.
Both units are built in my shop from parts that are sourced all around the world.
And the most important thing, it will cost more. $635

I have no doubt that you would be happy with either set.

 

[The Bog Man]

I just received & installed the set from Michigan Iron & Equipment yesterday. As I'm a "noobie" here, I didn't know about other options (such as the Fit Rite). That being said, everything Brian posted above is right on the money. It does only tilt one way, but on my Kioti, I can adjust the "starting" point of the left side. That allows me to have the side link a little more in the center to be level, giving you at least some adjustment both ways on a box blade.

 

[TripleR]

I just received & installed the set from Michigan Iron & Equipment yesterday. As I'm a "noobie" here, I didn't know about other options (such as the Fit Rite). That being said, everything Brian posted above is right on the money. It does only tilt one way, but on my Kioti, I can adjust the "starting" point of the left side. That allows me to have the side link a little more in the center to be level, giving you at least some adjustment both ways on a box blade.

Do you have any pictures?

 

[The Bog Man]

Do you have any pictures?

I will try and take some tonight and post them.

 

[TripleR]

I will try and take some tonight and post them.

Thanks

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Here is a picture from MI's website.

 

[Bird]

I just received & installed the set from Michigan Iron & Equipment yesterday. As I'm a "noobie" here, I didn't know about other options (such as the Fit Rite). That being said, everything Brian posted above is right on the money. It does only tilt one way, but on my Kioti, I can adjust the "starting" point of the left side. That allows me to have the side link a little more in the center to be level, giving you at least some adjustment both ways on a box blade.

That's exactly what I did on my B2710 years ago.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

While putting the adjustable unit on the left (highly recommended by the way) to dial the exact lengths in, to do that with a hydraulic link that is designed to only have tilt to one side greatly reduces the height that the implement is lifted. For some implements it may not really make all that much difference, but with a rear blade or a landscape rake it makes that implement just about worthless simply because you can not raise the implement up enough to be able to make full use of it in most cases.

Just my :2cents:

 

[The Bog Man]

Yep, I thought of that same thing as I was moving my left link last night. It does affect how high implements can be lifted now. I am still in the "trial and error" stages of my set up, and likely won't get much more time to play with it until next spring. But I can see where your set up has some benefits!

 

[Fallon]

Has anybody used Michigan Iron & Equipment's Hound Dog Top 'n Tilt kit? How does it compare to Fitrite?

I can't comment on quality or functionality on FitRite... Yet, hopefully in a couple of weeks. But I can comment on support. Just look who is a paying sponsor helping to keep TBN running, posting all sorts of good info & assistance here, including in this thread.

I find quality & support to often have more value than the lowest price.

TNT kits with pilot valves do sound like they will compensate for poor quality or leaky valves better though.

 

[The Bog Man]

Ok, I got home & moved the right hand 3 point arm to the left side, so now I have adjustments for both sides. I installed the box blade & lowered the left hand side (manual crank) a few turns. I now have some drop for the left side, a ton of drop for the right side, and 21" of clearance when level and raised all the way up. You can get a bit more clearance just by cranking the left side all the way up, but then you have no adjustment to drop the left side. You can also get a lot more left side drop but sacrifice some overall clearance, as Brian pointed out earlier. All in all, I'm pretty happy with what I see.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Thanks for posting the pictures. :thumbsup:

 

[oldtoyboyd]

I will add that price is one thing, but Brian has the best customer service of any company I have dealt with my whole life.

 

[Coyote machine]

I have Brian's T-N-T kit on my DK-40se/hst and have used it so far with my BB and will use it eventually with my Woods BrushBullXtreme 72" brush mower. I've also used them with my 3PH winch, which does have a blade for minor grading/backblading.
I like the kit, and the only thing I would change is the top link hyd line fittings to the right side from the left side. Here's why: I have two sets of remotes in the factory bracket and what I found, by chance is the top link, when raised high enough will allow the elbow of the 90 degree fitting at the back of the cylinder, closest to the tractor seat, to disengage the lower QD on the second set of remotes. The solution, IMHO is to flip the top link 180 degrees so the hydraulic lines are on the right, instead of on the left. I haven't done it yet, but when I remove my backhoe I will try it with the lines on the right and see if that cures the fluke interaction between the QD and the 90 degree elbow on the top link.
I have Brian's diverter valve installed too, since I run a pair of lines to the front crossbar of my FEL to allow me to use my log grapple and my HLA snowplow. The whole system works slick! And makes my tractor an unstoppable beast.

Thanks Brian!

Please note I have a lot of MIE's equipment too and have been equally satisfied with their products and excellent service.

Refer to my signature for more details.

CM out.

 

[TripleR]

Thanks for posting the pictures. :thumbsup:

Same here.:thumbsup:

 

[newbury]

Thanks for posting the pictures. :thumbsup:

Pictures are nice videos would have more impact.
Does anyone have more video clips? I only found one on the FitRite site.
I could envision a a TnT would be great grading trails. But I've found a lot of times my dreams don't mesh with reality and nature.

 

[TripleR]

Here is what I found, we use an HR3584 on ours.

Kubota Top-n-Tilt Kit with Land Pride HR2572 Box Scraper - YouTube

Land Pride RBT40108 9' Hydraulic Blade How to make a ditch using my Kubota M7040 - YouTube

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Pictures are nice videos would have more impact.
Does anyone have more video clips? I only found one on the FitRite site.
I could envision a a TnT would be great grading trails. But I've found a lot of times my dreams don't mesh with reality and nature.

I have full intentions of having videos showing all the different grading techniques using the manual adjustments vs the hydraulic adjustments. I even bought a std type box blade vs the roll-overs that I regularly use to make the videos with. I bought that BB 2 years ago. When you are a one man show and are very busy,:thumbsup: it is VERY difficult to find the time required to make those videos.