3-Point Hitch Quick adjust top link

[RalphVa]

I just switched to my bush hog yesterday. Since I have some fairly tall autumn olives, I was looking at getting the deck to raise higher than when I normally had it set for. The JD 2025R has a number of different holes for this.

So, I positioned the pins so that the lower lift arms would lift the highest. I then actuated the lift control. Well, all it did was flatten out the deck when lifted, because the top link was too long.

I tried Googling various top links and didn't come up with anything. I know there is a hydraulic top link, but this requires Power Beyond plus, of course, the hydraulic link. Also, I'm wondering how it really works. Can you set it for a set min and other setting? For instance, I'd want a min length to get the most lift or tilt to the deck when lifted. Then, I'd want a fixed other setting that would give me the proper top link length for the bush hog normal running. Can a hydraulic link be had to do this that would work without one having to look back and trial and error to get the right length for normal running?

Alternatively, is there a top link to buy that has like 2 settings: min and normal?

I got out of having to look back at the deck every time I lowered it by going from the JD 4010 to JD 2025R. On the 2025R, I can just set a stop and lower the control arm to that stop for normal running. No looking back to check and keep blipping it like I had to do on the 4010.

Ralph

 

[bcp]

Some ideas:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...raulink-top-link-post4108443.html#post4108443

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/375787-top-link-ratchet-adjustment.html

http://www.mytractorforum.com/77-cu...wing-around-my-new-pin-adjusted-top-link.html

Bruce

 

[XSKIER]

I've always kinda like the idea of the HydrauLink, but I have never tried one. View attachment 26692.pdf

 

[kthompson]

Ralph sure you have the correct 3rd arm? Just because it came with the tractor does not 100% certainty.

 

[TheMadOne]

I have a hydraulic top link. At least on the L3301, there's no setting it. You work the valve and it extends and retracts. The valve is a forward-reverse, not a slider. It's like one of the bucket controls. You can observe it and set it by eye.

 

[ericm979]

I have a hydraulic top link too. It is so useful. My brush hog's top link pivots so I just have to lengthen the hydraulic top link long enough so the brush hog's wheel is on the ground in dips. If I make it longer than needed that's fine, the brush hog's top link just pivots more. There's a wide range of top link length that works correctly.

 

[RalphVa]

Ralph sure you have the correct 3rd arm? Just because it came with the tractor does not 100% certainty.

It's just barely short enough for normal operation and allows a decent lift, as all 3 arms seem the exact same length.

However, it will not go shorter to raise the rear height much. Plus, the top of the bush hog arm mechanism that makes the top link attachment comes pretty close to the tractor. Still there's maybe 4 to 6 inches more the top part could be reared back if the top link was shorter.

Ralph

 

[RalphVa]

I have a hydraulic top link. At least on the L3301, there's no setting it. You work the valve and it extends and retracts. The valve is a forward-reverse, not a slider. It's like one of the bucket controls. You can observe it and set it by eye.

Wonder if they make a slider control. It would make sense that it's possible. All you need is to have 2 lines filled with fluid and a slider valve to push fluid the right amount in either direction. It would work like a hydraulic clutch or brake.

None. Thinking about it. Has to be pump and release. Hydraulic won't be much better than a ratchet.

Ralph

 

[bigtiller]

Most farm stores sell top-links in varying lengths of each category pretty cheap. Measure yours and shop for a shorter one.