3ph top link

[BradCNY]

Has any one used a linear actuator for an adjustable top link. Would be a lot easier to wire up, especially if tractor didn't have external hyd remotes. Using it on my rear forks on my 8n.

 

[DanielW]

It would need to be a pretty hefty and expensive one. Most of the ones you see for less than $1000 only have a few hundred pound rating. You'd probably need a few thousand pound rating, and the ballscrew mechanisms inside them don't take kindly to jarring, abrupt, or abusive action. But no reason it wouldn't work in theory. They are typically pretty slow too. And (though not 100% true), higher capacity actuators are typically those with the slowest speeds - 1/4" per second or so.

 

[BradCNY]

Surplus center has some 1000 lbs rated ones for around $500. Don't need it to move fast, just want to be able to level forks at different heights. Has anyone ever measured the pull on the top link with a load on? Is most of the weight on the bottom 2 arms?

 

[Jim.ME]

Has any one used a linear actuator for an adjustable top link. Would be a lot easier to wire up, especially if tractor didn't have external hyd remotes. Using it on my rear forks on my 8n.View attachment 87657

In theory an electric actuator will work. From the practical side it will be costly for one with a several thousand-pound capacity and having a reasonable stroke. Mounting might be an issue as being sure push and pull power is the same. The speed on most is slow. A 12-volt hydraulic pack and a regular top link cylinder might be more practical for the money.

 

[DanielW]

Further to my last post: Just doing some really quick and approximated math. Let's say you had 500# with the CG (center of gravity) about 3' from the lower link attachment point. That's 1500 ft-lbs of moment about the lower links which the top link has to counteract. Let's say the top ink attachment point is 2' above the lower link pivot point, so it needs to pull 750# to counteract the moment IF it were pulling directly orthogonal to an imaginary line between the lower and upper attachment points. But it's not; it's pulling at an angle. For ease of approximation, let's assume a 45 degree angle. So that's 750/.707 (. 707 = cosine of 45 deg). So it needs 1060# force. And for an ag application you'll want at least a 2:1service factor, so you need about 2000# capacity. And that's only handling a 500# load. Put more load on, or accidentally snag something right at the end of the forks where it'll apply a larger moment, and your actuator capacity needs to go up significantly. No reason it couldn't work, but it needs to be large enough, and you'd have to be uber-careful not to accidentally overload. The only ones I've seen with breakaway or internal protection mechanisms are some of the really fancy (and really expensive) Parker ones.

 

[Jethrow]

Not cheap, but another option is the Top Wheel sold by Good Works Tractor. Lets you adjust the top link from your seat.

 

[old-9]

Has any one used a linear actuator for an adjustable top link. Would be a lot easier to wire up, especially if tractor didn't have external hyd remotes. Using it on my rear forks on my 8n.View attachment 87657

I have almost the same set up on my Jubilee . I went to a hyd top link,works great but wasn't cheep. I am selling that tractor but keeping the toplink set up. joe

 

[M. Doud]

Has any one used a linear actuator for an adjustable top link. Would be a lot easier to wire up, especially if tractor didn't have external hyd remotes. Using it on my rear forks on my 8n.View attachment 87657

I think there's going to be a lot twisting torque and hard jerking back and forth on any ground engaging attachment, which actuators, no matter there lift rating, aren't going to appreciate. For 500 you could darn near add a hydraulic remote to that ford and use a hydraulic cylinder. It really isn't that hard.

quick google:

Amazon.com

 

[BradCNY]

I guess if it could have been done, someone would have by now.
I do like the wheel attached to the top link, I might look into that. I don't need to adjust it often, mostly moveing bins of firewood around but want to set them on a trailer.

 

[Ray,IN]

Check up on how 12V electric leveling jacks work under a motorhome. They have a limited length of travel,(14") but they are designed to lift and support a motorhome weighing 22,000#(for 4). MH junk yards have plenty of them, the largest MH junk yard is Colaw in KY., 2nd largest is in MO but nearly every state has a MH junk yard.

 

[BradCNY]

Good idea, never thought of that

 

[cjunrau]

Has any one used a linear actuator for an adjustable top link. Would be a lot easier to wire up, especially if tractor didn't have external hyd remotes. Using it on my rear forks on my 8n.View attachment 87657

Just a thought. A hydraulic cylinder with a hand pump like some floor jacks have mounted on your fender.