Hydraulic top links

[FarmerFrank88]

I was thinking of buying a hydraulic top link or 2 and was just wondering how long they last as our manual ones tend to last 6 or 7 years before the threads get lose and become dangerous. So I thought if a hydraulic one lasted longer it would be worth it and as far as I can see the only part that would wear is the oil seals and pipes which are relatively cheap to replace. Just wondering if anyone has had one for a few years and how they hold up over time. Thanks
Frank

 

[Phil P]

I’ve got 3, oldest will probably be about 5 years old now and is as tight as the day it landed. I know a neighbour has worn the hook end out on one but they have some heavy kit on the back (7280R), think they’ve gone to a ball end now.
Personally I wouldn’t be without a hydraulic top link on any of my tractors now, you do have to get a bit of a technique for hitching up though if you don’t have fender switches!
I usually just make sure the top link is long enough then I can raise the arms till the top link drops in, easier than messing trying to get the right length.

Not sure if @Dave still does good deals on hydraulic top links?

 

[Richard98]

Interested in this also, we've got a cat 3 top link to replace (has done 19 years mainly heavy cultivation to be fair to it) and thinking about hydraulic top link but never had one before.

 

[massey765]

got one in 2006 , its been on 2 massey 6480 , and its still ok

 

[Dave]

I’ve got 3, oldest will probably be about 5 years old now and is as tight as the day it landed. I know a neighbour has worn the hook end out on one but they have some heavy kit on the back (7280R), think they’ve gone to a ball end now.
Personally I wouldn’t be without a hydraulic top link on any of my tractors now, you do have to get a bit of a technique for hitching up though if you don’t have fender switches!
I usually just make sure the top link is long enough then I can raise the arms till the top link drops in, easier than messing trying to get the right length.

Not sure if @Dave still does good deals on hydraulic top links?

Thanks for the heads up, still sell loads of them, and to my knowledge not had a problem with any of the ones we've sold.

 

[daveydiesel1]

Got a fendt 9 series hydralic toplink here. Just make sure you get 1 with chack valves as if you had a burst pipe the implement wouldnt just drop onto the road. Mabe they all have check valves not sure?

 

[john432]

So many different sizes, and specs of hydraulic top links out there. Quality? I guess that a Walterschied or CBM ,should be very good, but pricey. I Have a Vapromatic one , seems good, All the aftermarket part suppliers sell them...difficult choice...

 

[legin]

Thanks for the heads up, still sell loads of them, and to my knowledge not had a problem with any of the ones we've sold.

@Dave, have you got a website and prices please. might be looking for one to go on a JD 6155R

 

[Dave]

@Dave, have you got a website and prices please. might be looking for one to go on a JD 6155R

Yes we have a website, but like all good intentions it does not get the attention from me it deserves, so its out of date, but nevertheless have a look, prices are changing due to the current crisis and top links coming from Italy, as for sizing let me know what working length you need, pin size and lift capacity needed, all the ones we supply have check valves fitted.

Agricultural Parts & Tractor Parts | D W Whitson Ltd

D W Whitson Ltd are suppliers of agricultural parts, motor vehicle & tractor parts and consumables as well as fertilizer, across Cumbria and beyond.

www.davidwhitson.co.uk

 

[Galcam]

Legin, I have a JD Hyd top link on my 6155r and a std one one a 6145r. I always order my tractors like that as the hyd top link will not fit on some of my older machinery. Two things you may not realise about JD r series is that the brackets to anchor the std top link and hyd top link (when not in use) are totally different so you can only use one or the other and it might be a PIA not able to anchor a top link! Secondly but perhaps not a major issue is the Hyd top link is heavy and I mean heavy in that it must be 20kg guessing so it’s important to have the external remote spool function to allow you to put on an implement. I personally would not be without the Hyd top link as it makes life easy, no more in and out of the cab making adjustments which take you too close (in my opinion) to the PTO danger zone. That’s my experience.

 

[legin]

Yes we have a website, but like all good intentions it does not get the attention from me it deserves, so its out of date, but nevertheless have a look, prices are changing due to the current crisis and top links coming from Italy, as for sizing let me know what working length you need, pin size and lift capacity needed, all the ones we supply have check valves fitted.

Agricultural Parts & Tractor Parts | D W Whitson Ltd

D W Whitson Ltd are suppliers of agricultural parts, motor vehicle & tractor parts and consumables as well as fertilizer, across Cumbria and beyond.

www.davidwhitson.co.uk

Thanks @Dave. With everything that is going on at the moment I think I might leave until things get better.

 

[legin]

Legin, I have a JD Hyd top link on my 6155r and a std one one a 6145r. I always order my tractors like that as the hyd top link will not fit on some of my older machinery. Two things you may not realise about JD r series is that the brackets to anchor the std top link and hyd top link (when not in use) are totally different so you can only use one or the other and it might be a PIA not able to anchor a top link! Secondly but perhaps not a major issue is the Hyd top link is heavy and I mean heavy in that it must be 20kg guessing so it’s important to have the external remote spool function to allow you to put on an implement. I personally would not be without the Hyd top link as it makes life easy, no more in and out of the cab making adjustments which take you too close (in my opinion) to the PTO danger zone. That’s my experience.

Thanks, never gave the bracket a thought. We do have external buttons.

 

[Lofty1984]

Thanks, never gave the bracket a thought. We do have external buttons.

Dave sells the correct brackets also

 

[Scribus]

Go for one slightly longer that you you think you need, it'll make life a lot easier.

 

[Ducati899]

Put the yellow cords on them like Deere do and you can attach them without even leaving the seat ???

 

[keredg]

On my old JD 2035 the toplink hole has a smaller diameter pin and also is narrower than a normal toplink, you can use a bushing and grind down a normal one to fit but you take off the galvanising protection. Its also a pain to put on and off, When i bought my hydraulic one i didn't realise and had to get it modified as the guy would not exchange it. The original JD toplink has a quick attatch ball in it and will not fit my plough or carrybox as its too big, anything they can think of to make you spend more, I didn't realise there were adapters till it was mentioned above on @DaveS site, it looks like the end on a original JD toplink handy as it can move sideways much better than the ball end on a normal toplink.

 

[Finn farmer]

We've had hydraulic top links from year 2000 onwards and will never go back to mechanical. We always spec one with new tractor and the tractors leave way before the links break. Dad gave our first hydraulic top link (from Mf 390T) to his friend for use with his 200 series Massey and it still works well. We always spec tractor with atleast 4 sets of spools, hydr.top link and hydr.side link height adjustment.

When you buy the one meant for your tractor, you'll always get the right one.

 

[legin]

Thanks everyone, Definitely going to buy one. Just letting all this virus thing to settle.

 

[Gerbert]

Well, if I may add the unpopular opinion, I don't have one and don't really want one.
But I am only a dairyfarmer and do little cultivating. When I worked for an arable farmer it was very handy when using ground engaging equipment but now I only use the toplink for adjusting the mower height and the tedder depth, both are done perfectly adequate by a regular toplink. Also it's a huge pain if you don't have enough spools.
Just sayin'.

 

[nick...]

I bought one mainly for adjusting angle on my fertiliser spreader.im 58 and not very agile and it’s impossible to climb between spreader and tractor wheel so hydraulic top link makes it easy to adjust from seat.was just about impossible to adjust manual link with anything in the spreader.now use it on other things but allways short of scv but manage ok
Nick...