Top 'n Tilt for BX23

seapea · May 11, 2005

Top \'n Tilt for BX23

I'm likely buying a BX23 shortly and would like to get a Top 'n Tilt. It would be dealer installed. One dealer quoted $1400 for the Rankin TT225-3K installed with hoses:

http://www.rankineqco.com/products/rankin/topandtiltkitsu10A.html

I'd appreciate comments on the following:

1. Any experience with this particular Top 'n Tilt?
2. Does the price sound right?
3. Any experience with a Top 'n Tilt on a BX. I want to make sure I'm not getting something I wish I didn't have because either it doesn't work well, or worse yet it makes the box scraper even harder to use. Also want to make sure I'm not introducing a maintenance headache.
4. Anything I should be asking the dealer about what is included?

thanks.

Nik · May 11, 2005

Re: Top \'n Tilt for BX23

I would not spend even half that amount for top and tilt for a BX. I have a BX 23. The 3 point hitch is somewhat limited especially in its lifting range. I do not like the position of the hitch adjustment lever and its inprecise control compared to a position control lever as on my former B2410. It is hard enough to finely adjust and change the lift on the 3 point hitch and I do not like the low location of the lever compared to the higher fender mounted lever on the B2410. I think the top and tilt feature will not be as effective or enjoyable on a BX tractor compared to one with position control. I really miss this feature on my B2410.

You may want to try the BX first without the top and tilt and can always add it later.

MadReferee · May 11, 2005

Re: Top \'n Tilt for BX23

Several BX owners have added rear remotes and top and tilt cylinders to their tractors. The $1400 Rankin kits are, in my opinion, way way over priced. The CCM kits are less half that and the cylinders have the check valves. Even a kit using the Kubota valve and CCM cylinders is still way less than the Rankin kit. Many TBNers have used the CCM kits and the Kubota/CCM combination.

Having a hydraulic top link will make box blading much more productive.

Additional hydraulic valves and cylinders with check valves are virtually maintenance free.

CCM TNT kits

seapea · May 11, 2005

Re: Top \'n Tilt for BX23

( I would not spend even half that amount for top and tilt for a BX. I have a BX 23. The 3 point hitch is somewhat limited especially in its lifting range. I do not like the position of the hitch adjustment lever and its inprecise control compared to a position control lever as on my former B2410. It is hard enough to finely adjust and change the lift on the 3 point hitch and I do not like the low location of the lever compared to the higher fender mounted lever on the B2410. I think the top and tilt feature will not be as effective or enjoyable on a BX tractor compared to one with position control. I really miss this feature on my B2410. )

I'm glad you brought up position control. Draft control, position control, and float have always had me confused. I've seen a number of explanations and still am not sure what they all mean, except I think I understand float (no downward pressure on the attachment). I take it the BX does not have position control. What exactly does this mean?

( You may want to try the BX first without the top and tilt and can always add it later. )

Yes, except as long as I'm getting the 3 spool valve, that opens the option of getting a scraper with hydraulic rippers, which is $1000 for the scraper and another $100 to hook up the hydraulics. I need to know in advance whether I want to go this route, or just stick with the $550 scraper. However, when I start looking at the $2500 price tag for this trick scraper, I start walking the other way. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Henro · May 11, 2005

Re: Top \'n Tilt for BX23

 I think the top and tilt feature will not be as effective or enjoyable on a BX tractor compared to one with position control. 

Nik,

No one will likely come out to argue that position control is not superior to the BX 3PH control. I'm sure I wouldn't anyway! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

However, I don't think postion control and T&T are linked really.

I know in my case I generally use the top/tilt function on my B2910 pretty much independent of the position control.

Generally I find myself setting the angle of the implement and then just putting the position control in the full lower postion. I may make adjustments as the implement is working. Sometimes I may use the postion control after the angle/tilt is set...but the same could be done without postition control, just have to use the eyeballs a bit more.

After getting some experience with T&T on my B2910 I feel I would like to have it someday on my BX too. I don't see the lack of position control on the BX as a major liability with respect to T&T.

Just the way I see it...at least in my case... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Henro · May 11, 2005

Re: Top \'n Tilt for BX23

 I take it the BX does not have position control. What exactly does this mean? 

Seapea,

Working from the back to the front....

With position control, the 3PH control lever can be moved from one end of the slot to the other. As it is moved, the 3PH raises and lowers, depending on where the lever is in the slot, and which direction the lever is being moved. The slot has numbers, and most of the time when the lever is pushed forward, the hitch is lowered, and when the lever is fully to the rear of the slot, the hitch is full up.

By putting the lever in the same position in the slot each time, you know the 3PH is at the same height each time.

The BX 3PH control lever has a mid position which locks the hitch in whatever position it happens to be in when the lever is centered. IF you push the lever forward, the hitch lowers. If you pull the lever back, the hitch raises. When you center the lever it stops. You have to watch and stop the hitch where you want it. If you do not watch you will never know where the hitch is position wise.

So with the position control you can look at the lever postion and know where the hitch is elevated to without looking. With the BX type control you MUST look.

Hope this makes sense... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Edit: I said the BX "locks" in position, but this is not exactly true. It is held in postion and kept from lowering further. The 3PH actually floats at the position it is held in. It will not lower further, but it can raise if something pushes up on it.

If you have a bare 3PH and lift it a bit, then center the BX control lever so the 3PH holds position, then go back and lift the arms with you hands, the arms will go up. When you let them go, they will fall back down to the position they started at when you lifted them...

seapea · May 12, 2005

Re: Top \'n Tilt for BX23

Henro,

Thank you so much! I finally understand. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

HomeBrew2 · May 12, 2005

Re: Top \'n Tilt for BX23

Nik, don't know if you've seen these mods ... if not they have completely fixed the lift and precise control probs for me ...
BX 3PH mod
BX 3PH lever mod

Nik · May 12, 2005

Re: Top \'n Tilt for BX23

HomeBrew'

Thanks for the links. Very clever mods. I will consider doing the same. Henro I appreciate your input. I am still slightly frustrated using my BX23 3 point hitch lever compared to the ease of my B2410. I only have about 15 hours on the BX and still need to more comfortable operating a smaller tractor.