Added a hydraulic top link today

[Tiptoo]

Added a hydraulic top link.....not sure how I feel about it yet. Implements level has the top link at 18 inches eye to eye. I bought a 16-21 from haytools.com. I had to grind the back slightly to fit. My old top link is 1 1/2" wide the new is 1 5/8". Initially I had the hose connections facing up. Upon raising the 3 pt, I almost punctured my fuel tank. Sonia put the hose connections facing down. My horses may be a bit too long....or I have to be more creative to keep them out of the way. I might pick up a quick attach tomorrow.

 

[kf4uda]

I can’t imagine going back to standard toplink after using hydraulic for a few years.

 

[joeyd]

Why no tilt to go with the top link?

 

[Tiptoo]

Why no tilt to go with the top link?

The frequency that I currently adjust the side link is very low compared to top link adjustments. Plus added benefit of clearing areas with my implements on my hilly property that I couldn't before. This was only $250 total. I only have 1 set of rear remotes, so the cost to have a hydraulic side link would be more than I'm willing to pay at the moment.

 

[Xfaxman]

Added a hydraulic top link.....not sure how I feel about it yet. -----------------------

I think you will find that it is fantastic. :thumbsup:

----------------- I might pick up a quick attach tomorrow.

That goes on the front:

Quick hitch goes on the back:

.

 

[Tiptoo]

I think you will find that it is fantastic.



That goes on the front:

View attachment 590740


Quick hitch goes on the back:

View attachment 590741
.

Lol...but you knew what I meant^

Rural King has that exact quick hitch for $89.99 right now. I just have to make the 30 min drive down there.

 

[Fallon]

Lol...but you knew what I meant^

Rural King has that exact quick hitch for $89.99 right now. I just have to make the 30 min drive down there.

Not always...


I need to build another SSAA to 3pt QH adapter. My first was the mount for my snow plow. That got sold with the old L3200. Worked good for that & moving/loading other 3pt impliments.

 

[Xfaxman]

Lol...but you knew what I meant^

-------------------------------------------

No, I only knew what you said. But I thought you didn't need what you said .

 

[oosik]

I've had my top link for five years( Fit Rite ). I would never go back. I looked into a quick hitch. It's not "universal" for any of my implement. I would have to modify every one of my implements. That's OK. I don't swap implements that often and have always done it manually anyhow.

 

[rbtjr]

I've had my top link for five years( Fit Rite ). I would never go back. I looked into a quick hitch. It's not "universal" for any of my implement. I would have to modify every one of my implements. That's OK. I don't swap implements that often and have always done it manually anyhow.

I just got the Fit Rite hydraulic top link and side as well. Haven't installed them yet. Since you don't have a quick hitch, I take it that when you hook up an attachment to the 3PH, you have to stand between the back of the tractor and the attachment and adjust the length of the top link? That's the only thing I don't like about the idea because you have to do it with the tractor running. I use Pat's quick hitch system because not all of my attachments would work with a quick hitch.

 

[bironacad]

I can't imagine not having the hydraulic top link, use it all the time when blowing snow. I access my from the cab though. Think you will wonder why you waited.

 

[oosik]

RBTJR - not in a million years will I stand between my running tractor and an implement when hooking up. I have developed a finarky way that is safe. I have a rope tied around the top link. Up in the seat on my knees, looking out over the back - hold on the rope and guide the top link home while tapping on the hydraulic lever. Looks unusual but it works great and is safe. Of course, I've got my lower arms attached at this point. My Kubota M6040 is open station.

When I had the smaller tractor and all my implements were Class 1 - hooking up wasn't such a bad thing. Now with the Kubota M6040 all implements have been upgrade to Class 2. You don't move a Class 2 rear blade weighing 1100# with a simple hip thrust. Placement is all critical when you swap implements.

Drop an 1100# rear blade at a slight angle - you will pay the price when trying to reconnect. So far, after 38 years - no pinched finger nor squashed hands.

It might take me a tad longer but I really enjoy having and being able to use all my fingers and both hands.

 

[Michael In Tennessee]

I picked up the rural king QH last fall. Works fine. The kubota MX is Cat1/2, so getting it on the lower link arms is a bit of a struggle. Its tight. Way better than struggling with a 1000 lbs box blade. I just installed a hydro top link yesterday. Really nice. I cheeped out and got one from Agrisupply. Another inch of downtravel might be nice, but worked well today. Time will tell. Today I was tilting the box blade full forward to break up ground with the tines. So the slightly short cylinder was beneficial. Now I need to budget for a tilt setup.

 

[Xfaxman]

------------------------------------------
Another inch of downtravel might be nice, but worked well today. -------------------------------

Would this type of extender work on your tractor?

 

[Michael In Tennessee]

Yes, but I don't know if I need it yet.

 

[lennyzx11]

Not always...


I need to build another SSAA to 3pt QH adapter. My first was the mount for my snow plow. That got sold with the old L3200. Worked good for that & moving/loading other 3pt impliments.View attachment 590776View attachment 590777View attachment 590778

I KNEW I DID IT BACKWARDS!
As usual....

 

[rbtjr]

RBTJR - not in a million years will I stand between my running tractor and an implement when hooking up. I have developed a finarky way that is safe. I have a rope tied around the top link. Up in the seat on my knees, looking out over the back - hold on the rope and guide the top link home while tapping on the hydraulic lever. Looks unusual but it works great and is safe. Of course, I've got my lower arms attached at this point. My Kubota M6040 is open station.

When I had the smaller tractor and all my implements were Class 1 - hooking up wasn't such a bad thing. Now with the Kubota M6040 all implements have been upgrade to Class 2. You don't move a Class 2 rear blade weighing 1100# with a simple hip thrust. Placement is all critical when you swap implements.

Drop an 1100# rear blade at a slight angle - you will pay the price when trying to reconnect. So far, after 38 years - no pinched finger nor squashed hands.

It might take me a tad longer but I really enjoy having and being able to use all my fingers and both hands.

Very interesting method of getting the top link length right. I'll try it. Thanks.

 

[LD1]

I KNEW I DID IT BACKWARDS!
As usual....
View attachment 590910View attachment 590911

Just curious how you use that setup? I don't see much good having a bucket on the back, especially without a hydraulic toplink. Are you simply using the bucket to carry the forks? Cause you would do so much better with a actual forks. That bucket takes away from capacity, and pushes the load out pretty far

 

[Michael In Tennessee]

I think that is just ballast.

 

[Fallon]

Just curious how you use that setup? I don't see much good having a bucket on the back, especially without a hydraulic toplink. Are you simply using the bucket to carry the forks? Cause you would do so much better with a actual forks. That bucket takes away from capacity, and pushes the load out pretty far

I've thought about doing that as well for bucket & forks. A 3pt can lift more than a loader, so putting forks on your 3pt may let you move pallets your loader cant. I'd also use the bucket as a carryall. I have a pallet of fencing tools surrounded by $5 truck boxes. Would be handy to cart around on the back when I have the hydraulic SSQA post hole digger on the front.