DIY top and tilt

moparrob · Jun 16, 2016

DIY top and tilt
I've been looking for a top and tilt kit for my Mahindra 3616, and so far the only one I can find is by Fit right. It looks top quality, but they are 12 weeks out and the price is pretty steep. Is there any reason I cant buy a set of valves and cylinders on ebay or tractor supply company and have hoses made locally? I guess I dont understand where the value in an expensive kit is. Is there something unusual or exotic about my tractor that makes it more difficult?

CCWKen · Jun 16, 2016

There's a little more to it than just mounting stock cylinders. The top link needs ball ends and the tilt (lift arm) needs a swivel or U-joint end. Without those you could break parts. A locking valve on the cylinders MAY not be necessary but it takes the bounce and pull stresses away from the hoses and confines them to the cylinder. Without the lock, an accidental hard bound on say a rotary mower or other heavy load could burst a hose...theoretically. Most hoses have a 4-1 safety margin on pressure but you never can tell if your hoses or fittings are marginal. (Read: Know their origin.)

The top link cylinders are pretty universal. It's the lift arm cylinder that may vary between tractor manufacturers. That may be why you can't find a kit for your specific tractor.

aircommuter · Jun 19, 2016

If you can find one like yours on another tractor you could measure the cylinder lengths and stroke and note the ends and attatchment. Then you could find the majority of the parts including hoses at Surplus Center or other suppliers.

comancheflight · Jun 19, 2016

Try agristoreusa.com/ - they are a lot cheaper and high quality. They sell top links with check valves plus a hose kit that are much more reasonable in price.

pmsmechanic · Jun 19, 2016

I made my own top cylinder. It really isn't hard to do. I took a regular bolt together style cylinder and cut it down with a chop saw to the stroke I needed. I welded a three point hitch top linl end onto each end and I was in business. It's not a fancy as a bought one but it works and I didn't spend a lot of money.

The cylinder is operated by my auxiliary outlet at the rear. I had a spliter so I tied that in and can operate the top link or an auxiliary outlet when I need to.