Hydraulic Top link

[TNhobbyfarmer]

It's just a double pilot operated lock valve that goes between the cylinder and directional valve, it stays in the closed position until a certain pressure is applied to one of the ports on the valve (usually a couple hundred psi, that is the pilot pressure) which allows the valve to open and operate. It's very simple, 2 ports in and 2 ports out.

It's the little square looking block that's barely visible on my top link.
View attachment 577135

Does it solve the leak down problem?
Are they fairly easy to install?
Where do you get one?

 

[TMGT]

Does it solve the leak down problem?
Are they fairly easy to install?
Where do you get one?

If the leak down is in the control valve then yes it will prevent the cylinder from moving.

They can be easy to install, just needs to be inline with the hoses so the 2 hoses from control valve go to lock valve, then 2 hoses from lock valve go to the cylinder.

My top link came with the lock valve installed, but you can buy them from Surplus Center, this one uses npt ports but is rather large https://www.surpluscenter.com/Hydra...k-Valve-1-2-NPT-25-GPM-3000-PSI-9-5606-50.axd

This is the same valve that comes with the surplus center cat. 1 top links
https://www.surpluscenter.com/Hydra...Kit-For-AMA-Top-Link-Cylinders-9-7682-KIT.axd

Just requires some creativity to adapt it to other cylinders as it uses some metric fittings and tubing sizes on the outlets.