Author Topic: Question about hydraulic top link choices (Read 3370 times)

Crusarius · « **Reply #20 on:** August 31, 2021, 09:38:18 AM »

btulloh, I have been toying with the same hydraulic toplink setup for my box blade. When you figure it out can you post what you end up with?

btulloh · « **Reply #21 on:** August 31, 2021, 10:15:51 AM »

Will do. If you do a lot of box blade work, the hydro would be a game changer.

I’ll post the details when they’re worked out, but you’ll need to check the geometry on your rig and make choices accordingly. It’s simply(? Ha!) a matter of matching the stroke and length to your current top link. And the correct category hitch. And the correct couplers for your rear remotes.

Most tractors use pioneer type couplers on the rear remotes (unless you have a green tractor.

The tricky part with the Kubota M series is that they have cat 2 3pt hitch but the tractor end of the top link uses a 3/4 pin, which is the cat 1 spec.

mike_belben · « **Reply #22 on:** August 31, 2021, 10:17:23 AM »

hydraulics is a big world and im just a little belben so its very possible that there are locking cylinders that also have overload relief incoorporated into the load check block, it wouldnt be hard to do. just a cartridge relief inserted into a common passage between the A and B ports in the block should do it. i have only experience putting the relief in the pumping side of the circuit.

Crusarius · « **Reply #23 on:** August 31, 2021, 10:43:59 AM »

I was just going to buy any old ram cause I had no idea there was such a thing so thanks for the info.

I definitely do alot of box blade work. biggest reason I want the hydraulic top link. I have a Kubota L2800. so its a cute little guy but work good for what I use it for.

btulloh · « **Reply #24 on:** August 31, 2021, 11:02:10 AM »

Here’s the one that I think will work for me. https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/ama-usa-category-2-hydraulic-top-link-22-3-8-in-to-33-1-2-in-6012-6012

Available in many sizes from many sources. Cylinder is made in italy.

btulloh · « **Reply #25 on:** August 31, 2021, 11:05:16 AM »

If you’re real adventurous you could just buy a ram and weld some ends on it and and so forth. More fun than I want right now.

Crusarius · « **Reply #26 on:** August 31, 2021, 12:51:45 PM »

this is quite interesting

Check Valve /Tubing Kit For 8" and 11" AMA Top-Link Cylinders 05165 | Repair Kits | Hydraulic Parts & Accessories | Hydraulics | www.surpluscenter.com

Southside · « **Reply #27 on:** August 31, 2021, 02:09:31 PM »

My green tractor has Pioneer and JD couplers on the remotes, my IH has "old style" IH connectors on the remotes - I have a 5 gallon bucket full of adapters.

Corley5 · « **Reply #28 on:** August 31, 2021, 05:39:20 PM »

Tractor Top Link Hydraulic Cylinders | Hydraulic Cylinders | Hydraulics | [url=http://www.surpluscenter.com]Surplus Center[/url]

btulloh · « **Reply #29 on:** January 20, 2022, 09:59:30 PM »

A final update to close the book on this . . .

I got the AMA top link through TSC that I referenced a few posts back. Ship to store for free. Actually arrived in 2 or 3 days (a lot of other sources for the same cylinder were out of stock). Also got their hose kit, 36”, pioneer couplers, proper thread at cylinder end with right angle, nesting ends. Included copper crush washers. All in all a very complete combo, nothing else needed (except a few navy words that always help installation

).

Been using it for a few months. Works great, very beneficial, very happy with the cylinder and hoses all at a decent price. Made in Italy - at least it’s not Chinese.

stavebuyer · « **Reply #30 on:** January 21, 2022, 03:41:56 AM »

Quote from: btulloh on January 20, 2022, 09:59:30 PM

A final update to close the book on this . . .

I got the AMA top link through TSC that I referenced a few posts back. Ship to store for free. Actually arrived in 2 or 3 days (a lot of other sources for the same cylinder were out of stock). Also got their hose kit, 36”, pioneer couplers, proper thread at cylinder end with right angle, nesting ends. Included copper crush washers. All in all a very complete combo, nothing else needed (except a few navy words that always help installation ).

Been using it for a few months. Works great, very beneficial, very happy with the cylinder and hoses all at a decent price. Made in Italy - at least it’s not Chinese.

This thread motivated me to get the TSC toplink. Same experience as you except mine arrived at the store the day after I ordered. Appears well made. The initial trial was with the pto winch and it is rock solid. Great convenience for not much spending.

Wlmedley · « **Reply #31 on:** February 02, 2022, 04:03:58 PM »

Being you have a new tractor with new valves check valves should not be needed but unless valves on tractor have circuit reliefs there will be no hose or cylinder protection if overloaded.Check valves wouldn’t protect against overload either,if cylinder drifts when spool is in neutral either cylinder is bypassing or control valve is worn.You should be fine.

Dan_Shade · « **Reply #32 on:** September 07, 2023, 10:52:38 PM »

@btulloh how is your top link holding up?

Did you have to modify it to fit on your tractor?

btulloh · « **Reply #33 on:** September 08, 2023, 12:03:49 AM »

No issues. Really couldn’t be happier with the way it’s holding up. Love the ability to adjust on the fly. I did have to grind a little off the ball end for clearance at the tractor end. The bushing at that same end needed to be ground down from 2” to 1 7/8”. Both of those are because the mx5400 is a bit non-standard at the tractor end of the top link. No big deal though. Really pleased with top link and hose kit from TSC.

I want change the lift link to hydraulic now.

customsawyer · « **Reply #34 on:** September 08, 2023, 05:13:38 AM »

I have been using hydraulic top links on my tractors for over 25 years. Maybe it's just my tractors, but I've never put a check valve on any of them. I've hung the planters up in tree stumps and broken the pin end off the end of the ram a few times but have never had one bleed in or out. I'm also not a hydraulic guru so I tend to get by with things that aren't supposed to work.

John Mc · « **Reply #35 on:** September 08, 2023, 07:19:09 AM »

I've had my current tractor for 22 years, and had a hydraulic toplink (as well as a hydraulic side link) on it for about 20 of those years. It's just a plain cylinder, no check valves. I get by without them, but if I ever do this again, I'll definitely get one with the double piloted check valves.

beenthere · « **Reply #36 on:** September 08, 2023, 11:22:35 AM »

Mine came with the check valve. For sure, couldn't (wouldn't) do without the hyd. top link. No use for the side link, with the tools and attachments I use. Roots and rocks on my woods trails keep me from using a back blade to ditch them.

Before painting.

Magicman · « **Reply #37 on:** September 08, 2023, 11:45:58 AM »

I suspect that a top link check valve is now a (safety) requirement such as the "fuse" on the sawmill loader hydraulic cylinder. It would prevent unexpected movement if a hose burst.

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Author Topic: Question about hydraulic top link choices (Read 3370 times)

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