Top link s shaped clip.

[Moondoggy]

I've seen tractors with an "S" shaped pin that clips around the top link and secures it to a metal spring behind the tractor seat to hold it out of the way when not in use. I have not been able to find them. Does anyone know where to find these?

 

[oosik]

This "S" clip came as standard equipment on my tractor. I installed an after market hydraulic top link. It has a bigger cylinder than the OEM. I use a chunk of nylon rope to tie the cylinder up to the "S" clip. I suggest, check with your local JD dealer.

 

[Ford850]

My tractor came with the hook as standard equipment too. It looks like a giant fish hook, attached to the bottom of the small tool tray behind the seat with a single bolt through the eye of the hook. It is centered so it can be swiveled to the left or right to stow under the box when not in use. Like oosik above, I later installed a hydraulic top link and the original hook didn't fit it. I made a replacement hook from a steel rod (1/8" or 3/16") bent like the original but with a bigger hook to hold the hydraulic cylinder. It works great.

 

[Adiredneck]

Mine was broken on my L5240. I made a new one from some non-threaded rod. Came out great. Super cheap too.

 

[RjCorazza]

This part had been on my mind recently. If I were adding a hook for a standard toplink, I would probably get an OEM clip. I need something to keep the manual toplink and a hydraulic toplink secured (not at the same time... I switch out frequently). The OEM clip swings out of the way, and I have been using a thick rubber bungee strap for the hydraulic link. Unfortunately on the road the rubber strap allows the heavy toplink to bounce around and eventually I am going to break something.

 

[Ford850]

This part had been on my mind recently. If I were adding a hook for a standard toplink, I would probably get an OEM clip. I need something to keep the manual toplink and a hydraulic toplink secured (not at the same time... I switch out frequently). The OEM clip swings out of the way, and I have been using a thick rubber bungee strap for the hydraulic link. Unfortunately on the road the rubber strap allows the heavy toplink to bounce around and eventually I am going to break something.

I tried the rubber bungee strap for my hydraulic link too. I thought it was a perfect solution until I drove across a few bumps and saw that thing catapult back up towards the seat. Tthe larger hook I made for mine works great for the hydraulic link, and 'ok' for the manual link when I use it. I probably could stack the 2 hooks (small and large) on the same bolt, allowing me to swing out whichever one I wanted to use. It would be like having a Swiss Army Hook.