Billy_The_Kid
Member
The name of the old thread is: Puting a Top Link Bracket on a WD-45
It was started by Martin Miller on May 13, 2004
I am bumping this old thread to go along with a thread I started last week on YT about top link brackets. I broke a second top link this weekend using a subsoiler. Darn near pushed the top link through the differential cover plate, because the angle was severely steep (too hight) and the compression forces were astronomical. Or maybe my old WD just has too much power!
The remaining portion of this post are the old thread:
[b:87b20f9743]I recently purchased a 3 point hitch for my WD-45. I have no idea how or where to mount a top link bracket to the tractor. I would appreciate any help and I am also looking for a top link bracket that would work. Thanks alot[/b:87b20f9743]!
[b:87b20f9743]I'd stay away from any top link that uses a u-type attachment onto the lift-arm rockshaft. They look like a good idea, but that is TOO HIGH to attach any top link if any adjustment is needed. Top link needs to attach much lower on the tractor.Been there, done that. If necessary, put a laterally flexible link between your 3-pt pull arms & put the u-bolt down there. With the top link attached to the (high) rockshaft, your last plow barely lifts off the ground.[/b:87b20f9743]
I Manufatured my top link bracket. I am an electrician ( Ind Construction). I used a 3/8th stainless steel elect u bolt,apeace of 7/16th flat stainless bar,3/8th ss flat bar,and self locking 3/8th nuts. Drilled the flat bar for the
2 u bolts, drilled the holes in the 2 3/8th flat bars for the top link pin, then alligned the 2 flat bars to the 7/16th and ss welded them together. Then slid the u bolts around the lift arm shaft installed the nuts. I was done. You cantighten it or let it slightly loose. Try it.
My WD-45 has an original top link that clamps onto the rocker shaft; real nice. I made a bracket for my WD. I made a "U" out of a piece of 1/4" X 2-1/2" flat stock. Drilled a hole thru the two ends of the "U" for the top link pin. I used a small tailpipe clamp on each side of the "U" to keep it centered. The top link pin is vertical rather than horizontal but that doesn't matter as the "U" is free to turn on the rocker shaft. Works just fine. Oh, almost forgot, I drilled two 3/8" holes thru the "U" up next to the rocker shaft and installed bolts to keep the "U" from sliding forward.
The 3 Pt Toplink adapter bracket that clamps around the rockshaft work the best, but are real hard to find. I recently saw one go for better than $120 on ebay. Like you, my WD45 had one of these ones on it. I've never been able to find a manufacturor of these.
Most 3 Pt. Conversion kits include some sort of U-shaped bracket that simply wraps around the rockshaft. My WD had one of these, and I really think it is a poor design. Even if you use muffler clamps to keep the bracket from sliding side to side on your rockshaft, there is nothing to keep it from rotating to and fro on the same shaft. I've bent several toplink rod ends when the U-shaped brackets rotate too far. This especially seems to happen when using an implement in reverse operations, such as a back blade or box blade work.
We're currently in the process of manufacturing one of those clamp-style brackets (Dad has a Bridgeport). Bought the materials two days ago, don't have it finished yet. After trying it out on the WD, we're considering manufacturing some more for resale at shows or possibly on Ebay. Anybody out there interested? It seems to me that there could be a sizable market out there for these clamp-style top link brackets, the ones that securely clamp to the rockshaft and won't slide back and forth or rotate around the rockshaft, maintaining correct 3 pt. geometry at all times. I struggled for a long time with the U-shaped style bracket on my WD, until I bought the '45 and found this clamp style bracket.
Would be interested in any thoughts or opinions on the subject.
Good Day!
Smitty, I would be very interested in buying a top link bracket from you. How much would you want for one? Please let me know. E-mail [email protected]
It was started by Martin Miller on May 13, 2004
I am bumping this old thread to go along with a thread I started last week on YT about top link brackets. I broke a second top link this weekend using a subsoiler. Darn near pushed the top link through the differential cover plate, because the angle was severely steep (too hight) and the compression forces were astronomical. Or maybe my old WD just has too much power!
The remaining portion of this post are the old thread:
[b:87b20f9743]I recently purchased a 3 point hitch for my WD-45. I have no idea how or where to mount a top link bracket to the tractor. I would appreciate any help and I am also looking for a top link bracket that would work. Thanks alot[/b:87b20f9743]!
[b:87b20f9743]I'd stay away from any top link that uses a u-type attachment onto the lift-arm rockshaft. They look like a good idea, but that is TOO HIGH to attach any top link if any adjustment is needed. Top link needs to attach much lower on the tractor.Been there, done that. If necessary, put a laterally flexible link between your 3-pt pull arms & put the u-bolt down there. With the top link attached to the (high) rockshaft, your last plow barely lifts off the ground.[/b:87b20f9743]
I Manufatured my top link bracket. I am an electrician ( Ind Construction). I used a 3/8th stainless steel elect u bolt,apeace of 7/16th flat stainless bar,3/8th ss flat bar,and self locking 3/8th nuts. Drilled the flat bar for the
2 u bolts, drilled the holes in the 2 3/8th flat bars for the top link pin, then alligned the 2 flat bars to the 7/16th and ss welded them together. Then slid the u bolts around the lift arm shaft installed the nuts. I was done. You cantighten it or let it slightly loose. Try it.
My WD-45 has an original top link that clamps onto the rocker shaft; real nice. I made a bracket for my WD. I made a "U" out of a piece of 1/4" X 2-1/2" flat stock. Drilled a hole thru the two ends of the "U" for the top link pin. I used a small tailpipe clamp on each side of the "U" to keep it centered. The top link pin is vertical rather than horizontal but that doesn't matter as the "U" is free to turn on the rocker shaft. Works just fine. Oh, almost forgot, I drilled two 3/8" holes thru the "U" up next to the rocker shaft and installed bolts to keep the "U" from sliding forward.
The 3 Pt Toplink adapter bracket that clamps around the rockshaft work the best, but are real hard to find. I recently saw one go for better than $120 on ebay. Like you, my WD45 had one of these ones on it. I've never been able to find a manufacturor of these.
Most 3 Pt. Conversion kits include some sort of U-shaped bracket that simply wraps around the rockshaft. My WD had one of these, and I really think it is a poor design. Even if you use muffler clamps to keep the bracket from sliding side to side on your rockshaft, there is nothing to keep it from rotating to and fro on the same shaft. I've bent several toplink rod ends when the U-shaped brackets rotate too far. This especially seems to happen when using an implement in reverse operations, such as a back blade or box blade work.
We're currently in the process of manufacturing one of those clamp-style brackets (Dad has a Bridgeport). Bought the materials two days ago, don't have it finished yet. After trying it out on the WD, we're considering manufacturing some more for resale at shows or possibly on Ebay. Anybody out there interested? It seems to me that there could be a sizable market out there for these clamp-style top link brackets, the ones that securely clamp to the rockshaft and won't slide back and forth or rotate around the rockshaft, maintaining correct 3 pt. geometry at all times. I struggled for a long time with the U-shaped style bracket on my WD, until I bought the '45 and found this clamp style bracket.
Would be interested in any thoughts or opinions on the subject.
Good Day!
Smitty, I would be very interested in buying a top link bracket from you. How much would you want for one? Please let me know. E-mail [email protected]
