Top link on 5205

[HillbillyFarmer]

I got into a fight with a mowing machine and bent the screw part closest to the tractor. My dealer says it will cost ~$90 to replace just the screw part with original equipment. He also has some third party "Cat. 2" top links for $40, but says they are not nearly a good as the original that came with the tractor or the replacement part he wants to sell me for $90.
Anyone with any experience in this? Is he telling me the truth?

 

[deerhunterf350]

Something like a Toplink , as long as it is a CAT 2 and the same length. I would not pay the Dealer the extra $50.00 just to get a OEM TopLink with some Green paint , or a JD stamp on it.
I would only buy a Dealer(OEM) part , when something breaks that was engineered by the MFG. and there is no Aftermarket options.

My 2 cents.

Dan

 

[joe_ferrari]

I got into a fight with a mowing machine and bent the screw part closest to the tractor. My dealer says it will cost ~$90 to replace just the screw part with original equipment. He also has some third party "Cat. 2" top links for $40, but says they are not nearly a good as the original that came with the tractor or the replacement part he wants to sell me for $90.
Anyone with any experience in this? Is he telling me the truth?

The "original" was not that good since it bent, so I would try out the $40 version.

Joe

 

[bobbyjak]

I bent the top link on my 5205 also..Mine bent at implement end..I use my log splitter hydraulics and straighten it out..They must be weak in design..My 5205 is just a year old..Had a 1390 Case for 23 years & never bent it's top link..Probably was made from US steel & not some foreign junk..