Toplink New Top and Tilt came in and installed!

[Smallplot]

First Thank You to Brian at Fit Rite Hydraulics. I know I have heard many good things about his products and I can now praise his quality products.

For those who are thinking about installing a Top and Tilt but not sure if they have the mechanical ability let me take you through the process after getting your shipment in the mail.

Here are all the components of the kit laid out.

And these are all the tools I used to install the kit on my TYM T603.

First let me say my tractor has three remotes already which makes the addition of this top and tilt very simple. I added the hoses as a last step for photo clarity. As you will see through the pictures you basically change out a few simple items then plug and play! Here is what I started out with for OE. Cat 2 with Cat one top pins.

First we need to remove the OM side link (most of the time this will be the right side as looking at the rear of the tractor.

Start by removing the pins connecting the sway bar to the lower link then remove the bottom lower link pin. Watch your toes, Once the bottom pin is removed the lower link will have to be lowered by hand to the ground.

After removing the two pins and safely lowering the bottom arm, you will need to remove the pin holding the top of the side link allowing the side link to be removed.

Here is a photo showing the OM and new hydraulic side link together.

Follow the steps in reverse order to reinstall the new side link. The cylinder end will go down.

Now it is time to remove the top link. You will have to remove one pin to remove the top link.

Here is a photo showing the OM top link remove and placed next to the new hydraulic top link. (The two to links are on the left.

We choose to get the restricter valves which came already installed. Hoses are clearly marked as to which hose gets added to the cylinder side, rams side of the cylinder.

Here is the new Top Link installed.

Couple of quick tips. Make sure you have adequate clearance when raising or lowering your 3 point after install. Make sure any attachments you will be hooking up to also have adequate clearance. Pay close attention to PTO shafts making sure the shaft will not come apart due to any geometry changes.

When hooking up hydraulic levers in or on your tractor, keep movement consistent. 3 Point is forward for down so set up your side link the same. Pushing forward on the hydraulic control lever should make the side link extend, or that side of your 3 point to go down. When hooking up the lever for the top link. Pushing forward should make the top link go forward (or shorter) while pushing rearward will extend (make the cylinder longer) the top link.

Dan.

 

[sodamo]

You're gonna love it

 

[sparc]

Thanks for that nice write-up with all the pics. :thumbsup:

Should prove helpful to someone looking to install TnT on their tractor.

 

[nickel plate]

I wish I had known about Brian's TnT sets before I bought mine as I had to go through two different suppliers as I bought the top cylinder first as it was fairly easy for me to estimate the stroke but the tilt cylinder was way out of my league and the company that I bought the top cylinder from wanted me to spec out the tilt cylinder. I then found another company that had one on the shelf built specifically for my tractor. As it is, the TnT works great but the only knowledge I had at the time of purchase was through research here on TBN. Brian has a sterling reputation from what I've read since my installation and I have no doubt that he would have walked me through the whole process.
Dan, you're going to really like the hydraulic ease of attachment angle adjustment from your tractor's seat! One thing I did when I removed the right side link (it was the adjustable link), I moved it over to the left side to still keep the mechanical crank adjustment option available.

 

[creekbend]

Thanks for posting. Good job. :thumbsup:

 

[remington270]

Ok dumb question, but how do you control the top link/ side links?

 

[Smallplot]

Ok dumb question, but how do you control the top link/ side links?

Since I have three rear remotes I am using one for the Hydraulic top link and one for the side. The remotes are controlled by levers in my cab, one for each of my rear remotes. The Hydraulic lines on each have the Ag tips which plug into the remotes. Hope this answers your question. If not I can take some more pictures. Guess I should have anyway.

 

[gwdixon]

Ok dumb question, but how do you control the top link/ side links?

The cylinders have to have a lever inline to control the hydraulic fluid flow. They are not terribly expensive but do add to the cost. Most levers mount next to the seat. Kubota levers usually fit in special slots designed for their use.

Aftermarket kits usually are mounted on the fender or on the ROPS for non-cab models.

The OP already has the levers on his tractor. They are optional if you buy new. So he actually only bought a "partial kit".

Fit-Rite likely sells the full kit that includes the levers and mounts.

 

[remington270]

Well, that makes sense. I guess everything on a tractor is either controlled by a lever or pedal of se sort. Thanks for the info.

 

[Smallplot]

One thing I did when I removed the right side link (it was the adjustable link), I moved it over to the left side to still keep the mechanical crank adjustment option available.

You made a good point that I did not cover. Because my tractor came with both lower adjustable links it did not matter a whole bunch. But for someone who only had one it would be good to keep the adjustable side on the tractor.