Question about hydraulic top link choices

[btulloh]

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]

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]

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]

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

[btulloh]

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 lol).

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]

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 lol).

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]

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]

@btulloh how is your top link holding up?

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

[btulloh]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.