using chain for a top link ?

[Rmart30]

I was reading back thru the archives and in one post someone mentioned removing the stiff top link and using a chain instead when using a box blade or disk to allow it to follow the land contour better ..

How many of you use a chain top link and for which implements?

 

[grainger12002]

I have done it, also works with finish mowers, it allows all 4 wheels to ride on the ground

 

[eddie48]

I use a chain with my brush hog. Works great!

 

[gwdixon]

Mowers are OK. Their rear is heavy enough to hold them on the ground.

3PH discs tend to pitch forward on flat ground without a solid top link to hold them level. A box blade, blade, landscape rake, plow, or other land engaging equipment would have the same problem. That is why "draft control" was developed. A chain would be so much simpler but a solid top link was invented for a good reason.

 

[ovrszd]

I agree with GW. Don't think you'd like a chain on a land engagement attachment. I used to have a picture of a JD CUT with 3pt brush cutter and chain top link but I can't find it. He backed it up a 45 degree bank with tractor on flat ground. Very few flexible hitch assemblies on cutters will let them float that far. If you try a chain with PTO driven equipment, try it out with the PTO OFF first to make sure your chain can't get tangled up in the PTO shaft. That would not be pretty.

 

[Gordon Gould]

I used to use a chain with my LandPlane Grading Scraper so it would follow the contour. But I ONLY USED IT AFTER I was sure there were no places in the road that would catch a blade and cause it to roll up violently. I didn't know it at the time but it would have been safer if I put the chain thru a length of pipe a little shorter than the chain. The pipe would act as a safty stop and prevent the grader from coming all the way up and hitting the tractor. I have a hydraulic top link now so I don't use the chain.
I can't see how a chain on a box blade would work. Wouldn't it just roll forward and ride on the front corners of the box with no cutting force on the blade ?? At least a grader is back heavy and made to run flat on the surface. For that the chain worked pretty well allowing it to follow the contour. But again if I hit something it would jump up and roll forward very violently. It never hit the tractor but it was scary.

Edit: I wasn't thinking on the BB comment. I guess you could hold the front corners up with the 3ph control and just drag it along on the blade. But if the front blade caught it would roll forward in a hurry as the other have said.

 

[jeff9366]

I use a Hydraulink top link for 'hogging and box blading. If you search Hydraulink there is a ton of info here on T-B-N.

Hydraulink is at its best with these two implements.

I received a Ford 101 2-12 Turning Plow from Sweet Tractors today. I am looking forward to adjusting it tomorrow and testing the Hydralink with the plow.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Just another reason why one wants to have the float function available for their hydraulic top link. My understanding is that using a chain instead of a rigid link of some sort can be VERY dangerous. Obviously many people have done this without incident, but I believe it to be a bad idea.


Just my :2cents:

 

[94BULLITT]

Just another reason why one wants to have the float function available for their hydraulic top link. My understanding is that using a chain instead of a rigid link of some sort can be VERY dangerous. Obviously many people have done this without incident, but I believe it to be a bad idea.


Just my :2cents:

I'll second that. There is no way to keep the implement from coming over on the operator.

 

[Tig]

I have a pallet fork type attachment with a chain attachment for the top link. Probably not safe for a tall load which could tip back on the operator, but fine for loads only a few feet tall.