Hydraulic Top link

Vdog · Oct 14, 2018

I would like the get a hydraulic top link for my box blade. Any recommendations where to get one and any brands to stay away from?

Xfaxman · Oct 15, 2018

This is good if you can wait 18 weeks, if it wasn't good the lead time wouldn't be that long: Fit Rite Hydraulics - fitritehydraulics.com

It is owned by a TBN member, MtnViewRanch.

TMGT · Oct 16, 2018

I've been very happy with the Cat.1 from Surpluscenter, also comes with a lock valve.
I've had mine for 8years, very happy with the quality.

Can't comment on the cat 2 versions.

dragoneggs · Oct 16, 2018

Xfaxman said:
This is good if you can wait 18 weeks, if it wasn't good the lead time wouldn't be that long: Fit Rite Hydraulics - fitritehydraulics.com

It is owned by a TBN member, MtnViewRanch.

Thanks... just shot him an email.

petegoud · Oct 16, 2018

I attached a skidsteer mount to my 3-point. It extended it a couple inches, so I purchased a cat 2 toplink on ebay. Very pleased with the results, mostly when I can now change implements with only getting off the tractor to throw the locking pins down. To swap between my box blade and landscape rake takes all of a couple minutes. The hydraulic toplink makes this possible.

RalphVa · Oct 16, 2018

Do they make electric top links now? We have a 12v powered gate on our driveway. The way it's made, you'd think it was be very easy to do a top link in electric using that type of design.

Be so much simpler than hydraulic.

Ralph

oosik · Oct 16, 2018

I've had my FitRite hydraulic top link for five years. A simple and fantastic piece of equipment. NEVER a moments problem.

BTW - - VDOG, welcome to TBN and this forum.

ovrszd · Oct 16, 2018

TMGT said:
I've been very happy with the Cat.1 from Surpluscenter, also comes with a lock valve.
I've had mine for 8years, very happy with the quality.

Can't comment on the cat 2 versions.

I've got the CAT II. No problems.

dragoneggs · Oct 16, 2018

Xfaxman said:
This is good if you can wait 18 weeks, if it wasn't good the lead time wouldn't be that long: Fit Rite Hydraulics - fitritehydraulics.com

It is owned by a TBN member, MtnViewRanch.

dragoneggs said:
Thanks... just shot him an email.

Got a auto gen reply from Brian saying he will get back to me shortly. Indeed he seems busy. Now wondering if I should invest in a top and tilt or just a top link for my Box blade?

I am carving tractor trails across my steep sloped property and having a tilt feature I think could be a huge time saver. I have found it very hard to change the 'roll' (downhill pitch) when cutting across the hillside.

BTDT2 · Oct 16, 2018

I'm happy with my Fit Rite Top&Tilt. Been using it five years now. Just like my enclosed cab, it's one of those things I wished I had done sooner

BufordBoone · Oct 16, 2018

I just got my Top and Tilt in from Fit Rite. Hooked it up and attached an implement today. Played with it a little but didn't have time to do anything.

The limited time I had with it told me it was a good decision.

dragoneggs · Oct 16, 2018

BufordBoone said:
I just got my Top and Tilt in from Fit Rite. Hooked it up and attached an implement today. Played with it a little but didn't have time to do anything.

The limited time I had with it told me it was a good decision.

Good to know... hope it makes sense on a SCUT.

TMGT · Oct 17, 2018

dragoneggs said:
Good to know... hope it makes sense on a SCUT.

It will if you do a lot of blade work, I love mine and wouldn't be without hyd. side link again.

I do need to add a lock valve as mine does leak down a little quicker then I'd like with a heavy load.

ovrszd · Oct 17, 2018

dragoneggs said:
Got a auto gen reply from Brian saying he will get back to me shortly. Indeed he seems busy. Now wondering if I should invest in a top and tilt or just a top link for my Box blade?

I am carving tractor trails across my steep sloped property and having a tilt feature I think could be a huge time saver. I have found it very hard to change the 'roll' (downhill pitch) when cutting across the hillside.

Money drives most decisions for me. I built my TnT. I use a QH which I never remove. For BB work I value the tilt much more than the top link.

Vdog · Oct 26, 2018

Thanks for all the answers. Sorry for no response from me, been helping a high school buddy with harvest. How much throw should i get?

Xfaxman · Oct 27, 2018

At least equal to the toplink on it now.

With the box blade flat on the ground, is your toplink centered in the throw?

tcreeley · Oct 27, 2018

RalphVa said:
Do they make electric top links now? We have a 12v powered gate on our driveway. The way it's made, you'd think it was be very easy to do a top link in electric using that type of design.

Be so much simpler than hydraulic.

Ralph

Linear actuator like they use on electric snowplows, or an electric snowplow cylinder using hydraulics?

tcreeley · Oct 27, 2018

Interesting -

Hydraulic Top Link lengths

ovrszd · Oct 28, 2018

I've never saw an electric actuator on a snowplow. All I've saw are hydraulic cylinders powered by self contained electrical pump units.

I don't think the linear actuator in your pic will stand the loads applied to a top link.

Fallon · Oct 28, 2018

ovrszd said:
I've never saw an electric actuator on a snowplow. All I've saw are hydraulic cylinders powered by self contained electrical pump units.

I don't think the linear actuator in your pic will stand the loads applied to a top link.

Same. I've used linear actuators for a few projects. The cheap $50-70 ones rated for 100-200lbs & the $200+ ones rated for 1,000lbs. They work fine for actuating SSQA levers or rotating snowblower chutes. But they aren't beefy enough for most tractor use you'd use hydraulics for. Especially if shock loads are involved. Vibration tends to wear linear actuators out faster than other components as they have a decent number of small parts.