Hydraulic top link?

City Farmer · Jan 17, 2013

I'm going to take my SCV off my Ford 4400 and put it on my Ford 3000 and would like to get a hydraulic top link. I'm going to be using it mostly for my tiller & scraper blades but I'm sure I'll find more uses for it as time goes by. Is there anything special I should look for in a hydraulic top link and is there anything I should look out for when using one?

Thanks in advance.

GaryM · Jan 17, 2013

Make sure you get one with enough travel to get the movement you want. Mine has a pilot valve, I think that's the correct term, meaning it won't move if a hose breaks or becomes disconnected.

Cigar Face · Jan 17, 2013

GaryM said:
Make sure you get one with enough travel to get the movement you want. Mine has a pilot valve, I think that's the correct term, meaning it won't move if a hose breaks or becomes disconnected.

i dont thinkk i check valve is really necessary. How often do you have a top link hose or break let alone come disconnected. If it does, its time to park the tractor and get a new hose

TomSeller · Jan 17, 2013

This is a good question. Sometimes I want a shorter retracted length on my top link and sometimes a longer extended length. If there were a telescoping top link it would be perfect. The reason I want a short retracted length at times is so I can lean my attachment towards the tractor more. And the reason I want more extended length is so I can dump the bucket with it when I have it on the 3 pt. I guess I can't have my cake and eat it too.

mjncad · Jan 18, 2013

There are a couple of companies offering Top-n-Tilt (T-n-T) kits. I believe one is Fit-Rite, and the other is CCM; but they have a new name that I don't recall what it is.

I have a hydraulic top-link from Surplus Center. They offer two CAT 1 cylinders depending on the length you need. These cylinders are/were identical to what CCM offered.

Surplus Center

A DPOCV (Double Pilot Operated Check Valve) is probably unnecessary; but one came with my top-link, and I left it in place. Also, 1/4" hoses will be plenty big to operate any T-n-T you get.

Zebrafive · Jan 18, 2013

I recommend Fite-Rite. No check valves and 1/4" hoses. I went with a 3" x10" CAT II

El Wood · Jan 18, 2013

I would go with Fit-Rite too. I got my top link from Brian and enjoy it.

City Farmer · Jan 18, 2013

Thanks for all the help. I'll be placing an order with Surplus Center for top link in the next week or so. I'll get the Cat II.

HayDR · Jan 29, 2013

mjncad said:
There are a couple of companies offering Top-n-Tilt (T-n-T) kits. I believe one is Fit-Rite, and the other is CCM; but they have a new name that I don't recall what it is.

I have a hydraulic top-link from Surplus Center. They offer two CAT 1 cylinders depending on the length you need. These cylinders are/were identical to what CCM offered.

Surplus Center

A DPOCV (Double Pilot Operated Check Valve) is probably unnecessary; but one came with my top-link, and I left it in place. Also, 1/4" hoses will be plenty big to operate any T-n-T you get.