Top link ratchet adjustment

[ovrszd]

Excellent examples Dennis.

See them a lot on older Batwing cutters. Used to level hitch as your pictures shows and to level rear wheel assemblies.

 

[fried1765]

It can now be used instead of a hydraulic cylinder. Ratchet jacks came first and were replaced by hydraulic cylinders.

View attachment 500661

View attachment 500662

Thanks for these photos!
I am the OP for modifying a ratchet jack for a top link, but you have now given me another idea!
I have an 84" back blade that can be manually offset, but it is an absolute bugger to do so manually.
At 76 years old, I must pull up to a pole, and use a come-a-long to shift the blade sideways.
Several times each year I like to reach way outside the driveway traveled surface, and bring all the loose material back in.

Using a ratchet jack, as in your photo, would allow me to offset my blade much more easily.
Off I go now to the Agri-Supply site now, to order another ratchet jack, and some other stuff.
They are great people to buy stuff from!

 

[Xfaxman]

You're welcome, post some pictures. :thumbsup:

Here is a close up of a ratchet jack to change the angle on a landscape rake:

 

[Catman8]

Thanks for posting those pics and answering my question, I sure learn a lot from you members.

 

[fried1765]

the ratchet jacks sold at Theissens for ~$40 look like they would work as fried1765 suggests. The handles come off with a simple pin. In fact there would be no reason to actually install the pin at all. The handle could be stored in a toolbox on the tractor and just inserted in the ratchet when needed pulled out and stored in the tool box when not needed. Not as fancy as the folder, but it would be out of the way, easy and cheap. I don't know if the threads will work with ball ends, but I think I'll check it out.
Double HH Ratchet Jack With Pins (Double HH 39392), Tractor Hydraulic Repair | Farm | Ranch | Theisens.com

Same thing ......$29.99 from Agri-Supply

 

[petegoud]

Catman8 inspired me to build a similar ratcheting toplink.
In mine I used a $23 toplink and a $31 Harbor Freight binder. A little cutting and welding. Total time to build from start to finish (including painting), 2 1/2 hours.

 

[Catman8]

Catman8 inspired me to build a similar ratcheting toplink.View attachment 501107
In mine I used a $23 toplink and a $31 Harbor Freight binder. A little cutting and welding. Total time to build from start to finish (including painting), 2 1/2 hours.

:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[YotaBota]

I thought that this already existed! I have been thinking about doing the same thing for 6 years. You gotta market that man!

 

[Musdalen]

I agree - market it!

That said, I'm wondering if anyone has attempted the same thing for a lift arm adjustment? My new JD's one major negative is the lack of a reasonable leveling mechanism for the 3 pt. It has leveling but I have to get off the tractor and use a very awkward adjustment that is just ridiculous in my opinion. On my old For 8n, I could crank the leveling mechanism from the seat, and I did. A lot. I use a grading blade a lot and not having a simple leveling mechanism is a real PITA. The JD system is designed to be set once and forgotten, and that doesn't work for me.

So, why wouldn't this work as a leveler? Would it be strong enough? (2200 lb lift capacity). It would have to avoid interference with the tires.

 

[farm boy00]

I agree - market it!

That said, I'm wondering if anyone has attempted the same thing for a lift arm adjustment? My new JD's one major negative is the lack of a reasonable leveling mechanism for the 3 pt. It has leveling but I have to get off the tractor and use a very awkward adjustment that is just ridiculous in my opinion. On my old For 8n, I could crank the leveling mechanism from the seat, and I did. A lot. I use a grading blade a lot and not having a simple leveling mechanism is a real PITA. The JD system is designed to be set once and forgotten, and that doesn't work for me.

So, why wouldn't this work as a leveler? Would it be strong enough? (2200 lb lift capacity). It would have to avoid interference with the tires.

I don't see why you couldn't try. See what their ratings are to strap something

 

[pmsmechanic]

I already have a hydraulic top link but would really like to do something like this for the side link. Now you have me thinking.

 

[Musdalen]

Well, think out loud. I'm listening.

 

[fried1765]

I agree - market it!

That said, I'm wondering if anyone has attempted the same thing for a lift arm adjustment? My new JD's one major negative is the lack of a reasonable leveling mechanism for the 3 pt. It has leveling but I have to get off the tractor and use a very awkward adjustment that is just ridiculous in my opinion. On my old For 8n, I could crank the leveling mechanism from the seat, and I did. A lot. I use a grading blade a lot and not having a simple leveling mechanism is a real PITA. The JD system is designed to be set once and forgotten, and that doesn't work for me.

So, why wouldn't this work as a leveler? Would it be strong enough? (2200 lb lift capacity). It would have to avoid interference with the tires.

Get the type ratchet with the folding handle.
It should work perfectly.

You might also check the Agri-Supply website item number 38124.
That is a "ratchet jack". You can convert it from clevis ends, to long thread 3pt. ball ends.
That handle is not foldable, but is removable.

 

[Musdalen]

AgriSuply seems to be a Southeastern chain mostly. I'm looking at comparable places here.

I'm also thinking about repurposing a lift arm crank off of an old Ford 8N or early 100 series tractor. Not sure why it wouldn't work.

 

[Catman8]

AgriSuply seems to be a Southeastern chain mostly. I'm looking at comparable places here.

I'm also thinking about repurposing a lift arm crank off of an old Ford 8N or early 100 series tractor. Not sure why it wouldn't work.

I was looking at the side link also, but on my tractor it's so close to the tire I was afraid the nobi of the tire would catch the handle and tear something up. I'm like you, I'm looking for a small crank style adjuster but I don't think they make them small enough for my tractor, but like you said, prefab something to work.

 

[petegoud]

If you look at the picture I just posted in this link you'll see a hydraulic side link I made by simply cutting the ends off a cheap cylinder and welding on new ends. I use my tractor in the woods and on hilly land a lot, so having the means to instantly adjust the angles with a fingertip works much better for me than a hand crank. If you lived on level land that wouldn't be much of a problem. By installing a needle valve in line I was able to restrict the flow of oil thus giving me finer control.

 

[Ford850]

There are a lot of side link leveling boxes out there. leveling box side link - Google Search

 

[Musdalen]

A noon trip to Theisens (local farm supply chain) produced a quite heavy duty ratchet jack. However, it uses square threads, completely different than the threads of the toplink or any top link they had on sale there. So, for now, I passed. A simple solution would be to buy weldable link ends, which they have, and simply cut off the crosspin yokes on the jack and weld on the ball-end links. But I'll have to pay someone for that. I'll poke around in a few other places first. Meanwhile, think I"ll go home and eyeball my tractor for potential to fit with an 8N side link leveling device.

 

[fried1765]

A noon trip to Theisens (local farm supply chain) produced a quite heavy duty ratchet jack. However, it uses square threads, completely different than the threads of the toplink or any top link they had on sale there. So, for now, I passed. A simple solution would be to buy weldable link ends, which they have, and simply cut off the crosspin yokes on the jack and weld on the ball-end links. But I'll have to pay someone for that. I'll poke around in a few other places first. Meanwhile, think I"ll go home and eyeball my tractor for potential to fit with an 8N side link leveling device.

Same item (ratchet jack) is sold at Agri-Supply for $29.99 + shipping.

 

[Musdalen]

Indeed, I also found exactly the same binder at Northern Tool I had search for ratchet Jack and found nothing useful, but ratchet Binder was the ticket. NT is a bit pricier but localish (40 miles). Cut the end, weld on two replacement link ends, and good to go. That's my thought at the moment anyway. Get the foldable handle in the deal too.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200576800_200576800