hydroulic top link

[Leland James]

I have an old JD 83 or so and would like to use a hydroulic top link with it. It has only (1) hose conection.
My question is can I use a cylinder that has a hose conection on both ends if I cap one conection. I have been told that you use gravity and weight to lower and the (1) hydroulic hose to raise it?? I cain't seam to be able to find a top link with only one conection. Will this work??????
Thanks Leland James

 

[Bus Driver]

A single-acting cylinder will not work well for a top link.

 

[Greg_Ky]

You need a standard hydraulic ram and you just vent the end that you are not using. You can purchase a vent to install in the unused fitting to keep dirt, etc. from entering the ram and scoring the cylinder. HTH

 

[Greg_Ky]

Should have added that the unused end must be vented or it will not work.

 

[Anonymous-0]

You really need a cylinder made for top link service, because the top link needs to be able to move side to side as well as up and down. Hence the ball or u-joint connection.

Baum Hydraulics and other places carry a cylinder made for that service.

I think you want it more rigid than a single acting cylinder will be.

Gerald J.

 

[Leland James]

Are you saying that a factory top link made with two ports will work if I vent one and use the other??

 

[paul]

Top links get stressed in both directions - lift up an implement & it pulls on it, put an implement on/in the grouynd & it pushes on it. Many implement rely upon the vertical rigidity of the 3pt. Sure the 3pt floats, but it could be real bad for a pto shaft etc if the top link flexes. (I know, brush hog & other things it should flex - but in general there could be unexpected or bad results.)

So, unless some specific use that only pulls & push won't harm, a single acting hyd cylinder would not work very well at all for a top link. You really need a double acting valve added to your tractor to make it all work out.

--->Paul

 

[Leland James]

I am a chainsaw carver. I will be lifting up heavey logs with forks on my 3 point hitch. I was told the weight would bring it down. I just wanted to tilt the forks as I was using the lift to raise the log. my main question is can I use a factory top link with only one outlit on my tractor. Thanks for all the help
Leland

 

[John (MO)]

Yes, a factory hydraulic top link will work with one end vented. I`m not sure that anyone thinks it will work really well for what you want, but it will for sure work with one hose and one vent.

 

[Leland James]

Thanks for everyones help
Leland James

 

[Lee in Iowa]

There are double swivel ends made to use on standard hydraulic cylinders for third links. I can't remember where I've seen them right now. If you could find those you could use a standard cylinder plumbed with a breather so it only retracted. This might be cheaper than a regular hydraulic third link. Lee