Replacement Top Link Bx2200???

NY_Yankees_Fan · May 20, 2003

Does anyone have a source for a top link for a BX2200? It should be about 13 inches when closed. Kubota dealer wants $100 for a new one. I bent one side when it hit the wood deck backing into the shed. I did not notice it was down and fully extended. Anyone have a source for just for the rod and eye opening?

Thanks

gobbler · May 20, 2003

Ouch... $100 !!!! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I've seen parts at TSC, no idea if they would fit. I wonder what Carver's would ask for it.

Jim

JerryG · May 20, 2003

Can you not order just the part that you bent? I can get just the screw ends for my MF dealer.

JohnMiller3 · May 20, 2003

I agree with Jerry... buy just the damaged end... but not from Kubota... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

You can buy the entire Cat 1 Top-link assembly for ~~ $15. and use those parts on your assembly...

JohnMiller3 · May 20, 2003

Ebay Cat 1 short Top-link -$16.

Kelvin · May 20, 2003

For What It's Worth:

I too had to replace my Kubota top link because the threads went bad. I purchased a short top link from a 3rd party that looked just like the one pictured.

Some potential problems:

(1) In my case, the Kubota's top link used "fine" threads while the 3rd party top link used "course" threads such that they would not be interchangable. As a side note, now that I have used both, I really like the course thread design much better.

(2) The top link end on the 3rd party top link was too wide to fit into the Kubota top link holder bracket. This problem was quickly fixed with a grinder.

(3) Once the grinding was complete, the 3rd party top link worked just fine on my B2150. However, there were problems using it on my B7100 because the rod that is used to help adjust the top link length would jam right into the ROPS when the 3-point lift was raised. On the Kubota top link, the "assist mechanism" (or whatever you call it) was off-set from the middle of the top link such that it didn't cause a conflict.

(4) The LENGTH of the 3rd party top link was adequate for both my B2150 and B7100. However, my experience has shown that top-links for Kubota BXs need to be shorter than the one for my B7100.

Hope this helps,
Kelvin

NY_Yankees_Fan · May 21, 2003

Kelvin,

Thanks for the info. I have visited several color dealers all not having the part I need, either too long or the threads are not the correct size. I will visit one more Kubota dealer today and see if they have a better price for a top link.

The e-bay item looks like it maybe too long, but maybe an option it all other avenues fail.

Thanks for the help, keep the ideas coming.

pcmem · May 21, 2003

NY_Yankees_Fan,

What about a piece of all-thread or large metric bolt and cut off the old eye and weld it on the rod?

Just a thought,
Michael

Anonymous Poster · May 21, 2003

I had the same problem. All the top links I found would not work and my dealer wanted $114 for a replacement. So I thought...heat the bad part up and straighten it out! Didn't work too good. Was going to use a piece of threaded rod but the part that bent was reverse thread. Ended up cutting the bad threads (about 2 inches) off and reweld the good thread part to the "eye" part. There is 2 inches of total length but I never even came close to using or needing that much length in the top link. Picture shows what it looks like when I finished.

NY_Yankees_Fan · May 21, 2003

I ended up going to a local machine shop since I could not find a cat 1 as short as you need for a BX. They put it in a press and bent it back so I can use it. It is a little tight and I will need a wrench to move it, but for $10 it was worth it.

Can you believe $100 for a top link, can you say RIP OFF! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Word to the wise, do not back up with the top link when it is not connected to a 3 pt attachment. I will disconnect the top link from the tractor and leave the entire top link in the shed. Now we know why Monday morning quarterbacks have all the answers. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Regards

Kelvin · May 21, 2003

NY_Yankees_Fan,

The BX has a hook that holds the top link nearly upright and out of the way when not in use.

I'm curious...

When your incident occured, was the top link stored in the hook, or was it hanging down?

I prefer to leave my top link on the tractor as long as I can keep it stowed and out of the way.

Kelvin

NY_Yankees_Fan · May 21, 2003

It was down /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

theboman · May 22, 2003

If I ain't mistaken, you can buy just the threaded shaft.

agcomike · May 22, 2003

do you have any pics of this stow rod?

gobbler · May 22, 2003

First off, I'm guilty too of just letting it hang there on occasion. The problem is that many of us have mounted toolboxes on the back support and this may make using the toplink clip difficult.

Here's a link to a thread that shows the toplink clip as well as a work around for those of us who may have mounted a toolbox on the back. Scan the thread for a toolbox pic. Thanks to Huskerfan for this idea.

Jim

NY_Yankees_Fan · May 22, 2003

Nope dealer said you need to buy the entire unit. He was surprised too when he called Kubota, he initially said no problem we can just order a new rod.

I was happy I got it working for $10 instead of paying $100! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

jrlichina · May 22, 2003

Try looking here Union Farm Equipment

milkman · May 25, 2003

I bent the top link on my BX2200, and almost choked when i priced a new one. Went to TSC and bought a CAT 1 toplink. when i got home, i took it apart and cut five and a half inches out of the middle tube, and welded it back together, spray painted it with gray frame paint. while i had the ends removed, i cut 3/4 in. off the threaded ends, works and i like the course threads. When i cut the center tube, i offset the cut so i could still keep the rod to adjust it with.

Anonymous Poster · May 25, 2003

jrlichina,
Thanks for the link!
DaveL

Dooze · May 25, 2003

I also had a mishap and bent the toplink on my bx1800. I found an 11 inch replacement at Sooner Sales in Meeker, OK. I found them on the internet but don't remember the link. I paid $23.99 including shipping for the toplink and it works well. The only problem is that it is larger in diameter than the original and doesn't fit in the hook but it is easily removed.