Ratchet jack for top link?

PBinWA · May 27, 2005

Anyone ever tried using a ratchet jack for their top link?

AgriSupply Ratchet Jack

I'm thinking it would be an easier way to adjust the top link on implements (especially heavy implements) with out going the top'n'tilt route (too expensive for now).

I've never used a ratchet jack so I'm not sure they would be easier than the standard top link arm.

DMF · May 27, 2005

I haven't used one but I've thought about it as you have. Certainly cheaper than hydraulic. I have a crank-style adjustable leveling link and I've always thought "Now why don't they make the top link that way too!"

RalphVa · May 30, 2005

I've seen those and wondered about them. Think the best top link for a brush hog would be like an automotive shock absorber. It would have the to/fro flexibility like a chain but would keep the hog from bouncing too high up if it actually hit something to cause it to do this.

Zee best would be a shock absorber that would be lockable or unlockable, depending on the type of implement on the 3 pt, sorta like the ratchet type with a shock absorber.

Ralph

PBinWA · May 30, 2005

Interesting point on the shock absorber and it would be worth trying. I'd assume it might need a coil over spring though in order to maintain the distance and appropriate tension in both directions.

I was thinking of the ratchet jack as an easier way to adjust the top link with really heavy implements. I saw one for $20 in the AgriSupply catalog and was curious if anyone had used them for this.

bdog · May 30, 2005

I have seen rachet jacks used to replace hydrualic cylinders on drag type implements such as grain drills, discs, chisel plows, etc. They work ok, but are not nearly as convient as hydraulic. The ones I have seen all have fixed U shaped ends. I don't think they would take the place of a top ling without modification. Also you would lose the ball socket flexibility.

HomeBrew2 · May 31, 2005

I've had the same idea for a while but haven't implemented it yet. So far drilling my top link and inserting a long bolt as a handle and brazing a short bolt to the side of the lock nut has been working well. I bought a ratchet style load binder at Harbor Freight on sale to use, whenever I get to it, on my top link. The ratchet itself is pinned onto the tube of the binder so I thought to just pin it to my top link. The tube diameters seem close but haven't measured. The prob may be still having to use a lock nut though.

Larryk · Jun 1, 2005

Made one out of a ratchet chain binder by welding ball ends and short extension to the ends. Works good.

LarryK

Slamfire · Jun 2, 2005

I don't think you have to give up the ball ends, you can buy ends that are made to weld onto a bar. Just drill the proper size hole and pin them into the fork end of the ratchet jack. I was thinking about a worm gear type of adjuster, but haven't worked it out in my head yet. One thing you can do is buy a hydraulic top link and put piping and a cock valve between the inlets at either end. You'd need a small reservoir to make up for the fact that one side of the cylinder uses more oil than the other. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

HomeBrew2 · Jun 15, 2005

Found a use for it last night so I quickly threw it together to test ... works good so far.

PBinWA · Jun 15, 2005

Cool idea on the Ratchet Binder.

I'll check out Harbor Freight next time I'm there.

Something like that would be great for the heavy BB days.

TnT is cool but I just can't justify it for the few times I'd really need it. It would be nice to have something that is easier to adjust the top link with.