New hydraulic top link won't clear the lift arms on my B-series

tallguy104 · Feb 28, 2022

I recently purchased a hydraulic top link for my Kubota B2301 and when I connect it all up the hydraulic hose fittings won't clear the lift arms of the 3-point hitch. I.e. when you raise the lift arms they collide with the outer edge of the 90 degree elbow:

Any suggestions? Is there a way to make this top link fit? It seems like the top link and fittings were designed with a larger tractor in mind...

DonRybak · Feb 28, 2022

Can you get a 90 degree elbow that's male threads on both ends that would screw directly into the cylinder and then attach the hose to it? It looks like eliminating the adapter/coupling would provide the clearance.

Cycledude · Mar 1, 2022

Where did you buy the hydraulic top link from ?
Were the hoses hooked up like that when you bought it ?

LouNY · Mar 1, 2022

It appears to have an o-ring to npt adapter in the cylinder then a pipe swivel elbow to the hose;
as has been mentioned an elbow o-ring to npt fitting should fit better.

this type of fitting.

oosik · Mar 1, 2022

Interesting - my top link is from FitRite. The connectors on both ends are like LouNY suggests. I would still have clearance if they were like the OP's. I think Lou has the answer.

workinonit · Mar 1, 2022

My hose connections are on top. Yours will work. Just get the right fittings per Lou.

LD1 · Mar 1, 2022

Yep. Get the right fittings.

You have an adapter, then a 90° fitting then the hose. Either consolidate to one fitting that is both the 90° and adapter all at once. Or 90° first then adapt to the hose. Easy as pie.

tallguy104 · Mar 1, 2022

Ok, cool. Thanks guys. I'll see if I can figure out what I need to buy and then order it.
My dealer supplied it to me, along with the hoses and fittings, but I don't think they've ever sold one to a B-series owner. They sent a bucket load of fittings with it, few of which fit as they were all too large.
It's not easy to chase the dealer about it, as they are nearly a 1000 miles from here (I live out in the boonies)

ptsg · Mar 1, 2022

A banjo fitting is also a good alternative if you feel that the 90 degree fitting that Lou suggested doesn't provide enough clearance on the arm.

Sportsman762 · Mar 1, 2022

ptsg said:
A banjo fitting is also a good alternative if you feel that the 90 degree fitting that Lou suggested doesn't provide enough clearance on the arm.

Not Sure about AU, but finding banjo fittings in the US is terrible. We normally replace them with O-Ring Boss (ORB) due to rarity.