Hydraulic Top Links

[sahara]

On various previous threads other people have mentioned having / using hydraulic top links, its something that I have previously considered, but regarded as a "nice to have" but not necessary.

However, its something that I have been giving a bit more thought to just recently, at the moment it would be particularly useful for quickly, and hopefully easily, setting up the fert spreader to spread at the correct angle.

So my query is really, genuinely how good / useful / safe are they?

Would the weight of the fertiliser spreader and 3000Kg of fert hitting a bump pull the end out of the ram?
What safety / locking devices are there in the event of say a pipe burst or split?
What end have people found to be the most useful, a claw type of a solid ring type?

Any advise, thoughts or experiences gratefully received.

Thank you

 

[daveydiesel1]

Got a fendt 9 series 1 here. Top job. Has a check valve so even if pipe bursts it wont move. Real handy for cultivation jobs and for a buckrake. Id def reccommend gettin 1

 

[HarryB97]

They can be handy but they are heavy awkward lumps. If you don't need it for a particular job leave it in the shed as most toplink holders wont stand the weight.

 

[Boysground]

Have both Fendt and JD hydraulic top links. Never had any problems, 2.5t fert spreader, 6 furrow plough and a cultivator weighing 3t. Not going back, external control buttons make all the difference.

Bg

 

[Chae1]

Bought one off Dave on here. It's been great, use it for everything.

Fert spreader holds 3t and not had any problems. Spread some pretty rough hill ground.

I don't have buttons for operating it externally. Just put it out a bit and use up and down buttons to line up pin.

 

[An Gof]

Bought two last autumn, thought it was an extravagant luxury, and have been wondering ever since why I was so stupid and waited so long before I had them.
Just do it, you will not regret it. Only downside is that I now wish I had 4 services on all tractors.

 

[Bury the Trash]

but make sure its big enough, they can bend as well..

 

[john432]

Probably a lot safer than the threads of a normal top link,after a few years of work.

 

[fermerboy]

Just had a NH top.link give up on the threads and it didnt really seem that worn. Luckily no harm done but it could have been expensive.
Might try a hyd one to replace it.

 

[john432]

Probably the top spec of top links, Walterschied with a built in damper system

 

[nick...]

I bought one for the reason you mentioned namely fertiliser spreader levelling. Bought it from @Dave on here and it’s been great.only downside is not enough scv’s on my tractors.i swap it between 2 tractors depending what I’m doing.buy one.you won’t regret it
Nick...

 

[Phil P]

As has been said already, get one bought you won’t regret it. I’ve got 3, one for each main tractor, no way would I go back to standard top links now! Having 4 scv’s is a bonus but my fert spreading tractor only has 2 usable scv’s (3rd is for the puh) and it’s still no big issue. You can still set a hydraulic top link then unplug the pipes to use the scv’s, the check valve will hold the top link in the same position.

 

[Magnificent Earwig]

Got one here, it came with a tractor we bought, I thought it was just a gimmick at first but once I had used it I realised how much easier it made life

 

[Fendtbro]

Every tractor should have a Hyd top link. Just like a digger q/h, you’d never go back. Far safer and easier. The granit ones seem good quality and about £300 are as cheap as chips.. the trick is keep the rod size down, 40mm is good, don’t go mad with the bore size. 80/90mm will do most applications. Forget the hook, too heavy and reduces travel. Go closed end. do whatever it takes to get a service to work the ram so that you can operate it from the rear. Electric diverter valve and a linkage to work spool if required.
Make a h/d bracket to hold the top link up out of the way, then accept that the whole setup is part of that tractor and don’t take it off for another one!

 

[Fendtbro]

Every tractor should have a Hyd top link. Just like a digger q/h, you’d never go back. Far safer and easier. The granit ones seem good quality and about £300 are as cheap as chips.. the trick is keep the rod size down, 40mm is good, don’t go mad with the bore size. 80/90mm will do most applications. Forget the hook, too heavy and reduces travel. Go closed end. do whatever it takes to get a service to work the ram so that you can operate it from the rear. Electric diverter valve and a linkage to work spool if required.
Make a h/d bracket to hold the top link up out of the way, then accept that the whole setup is part of that tractor and don’t take it off for another one!

Make the pin a 180 degree turn then slide out then it’s a one handed job to remove and no r-pin to lose..

 

[Phil P]

One thing I like about the one on my 6215 is there’s a spring attached to the base of the ram to help take the weight, it probably makes it actually easier to handle than a standard top link. Holding it up with one hand is no problem at all.

 

[Dave]

hydraulic-top-link

 

[Lofty1984]

Another fan here of them wouldn’t be without mine now also had mine off @Dave top bloke to deal with ?

 

[D14]

It’s like when you first moved from a masted rough terrain forklift to a telescopic loader. You sit there thinking why have I waited so long to do this.

 

[seedman stains]

And in the great scheme of things not expensive,it could be bought with all the beer money thats been saved!!!!!!!!!!!!