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Ford 9N, 2N & 8N Discussion Forum

Top Link Length

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Former Jackman

04-06-2005 09:39:47

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I just got a finish mower for my 1950 8N and find that the top link for my three point hitch, when fully extended, is about 10-inches too short to reach back to the mower. Does this mean the mower is wrong for the tractor, or can i get a longer (36-inch) top link?

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Roughstock

04-06-2005 17:05:32

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Re: Top Link Length in reply to Former Jackman, 04-06-2005 09:39:47

I seen a top link on a N the other day about 36 inches long So I don't see why you cant find one.
If you can't I would make an extension for the mower top link out of square tubing or pipe. You could also use two top links with a connector in the middle. Just trying to help.

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Paul Leske

04-06-2005 15:50:56

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Re: Top Link Length in reply to Former Jackman, 04-06-2005 09:39:47

You should take a picture of that setup for us. I have the King Kutter on my 8N (see link). If your has 4 wheels then it is designed to float and doesnt need the solid toplink exsept to lift the deck. Since it is a finish mower and not a brush cutter you should not be catching it on anything that could make the tractor pop a wheelie anyway.

Finish Mower (King Kutter)

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Erik Graham

04-06-2005 15:27:40

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Re: Top Link Length in reply to Former Jackman, 04-06-2005 09:39:47

I'm wondering if you could remove the lift pins, drill 2 new holes further back and possibly shorten your PTO shaft.

Cheers, Erik

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Dell (WA)

04-06-2005 14:42:04

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Re: Top Link Length in reply to Former Jackman, 04-06-2005 09:39:47

Jackman..... ...you really do want a SOLID toplink. And I'll just bettcha a real clever welder could split a standard round Cat-1 turnbuckle 3-point toplink and splice an overlapping roundtube/pipe and make you a NEW LONGER turnbuckle for your new-to-you finishing mower. Thats what I'd do..... ...Dell

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jiminoystercreek

04-06-2005 14:17:48

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Re: Top Link Length in reply to Former Jackman, 04-06-2005 09:39:47

That top link is really serving two puposes- One, it gives you the ability to lift the rear of most implements clear of the ground to clear obstacles or loading/unloading on a trailer, etc. Second, and most important, it is a critical system component in keeping the tractor from flipping over backwards, should your implement get hung on something or your operation of the tractor is unsafe. You say that you have a ROPS, but why test it? Some ROPS on N's have been improperly installed, under-engineered or simply fail when needed. I'd opt to not take the chance. Just my two cents.

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OH Boy

04-06-2005 12:42:48

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Re: Top Link Length in reply to Former Jackman, 04-06-2005 09:39:47

I am thinking a chain that is 36 inches long, inside a pipe that is maybe 32 inches, is in order here. That would allow your mower to 'float' up and down as you move along, you could still lift it when necessary, yet would also prevent it from flipping over on top of driver if it ever caught on something solid in the ground.

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souNdguy

04-06-2005 12:52:57

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Re: Top Link Length in reply to OH Boy, 04-06-2005 12:42:48

I'm guessing.. that unless this thing is made of aluminum and balsa wood.. that his lift ain't gonna lift it.. thereby making the need to lift it kinda moot.

A chain/pipe would make a useable toplink for this special scenereo.. however.. he could also come up with a solid or semi-solid one with a swivel connection at the mower and accomplish the same thing.. just depends on what level of mcgyvering he wants to do.

Soundguy

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Former Jackman

04-06-2005 12:50:08

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Re: Top Link Length in reply to OH Boy, 04-06-2005 12:42:48

Thanks...i like the chain and pipe idea. Will try it tonight.

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Former Jackman

04-06-2005 12:22:25

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Re: Top Link Length in reply to Former Jackman, 04-06-2005 09:39:47

Here is a test post of a photo since i have never tried before
i took this pic of my 1950 8N last year. It looks a bit funny, but runs great!

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greywynd

04-06-2005 10:51:07

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Re: Top Link Length in reply to Former Jackman, 04-06-2005 09:39:47

Sounds like a strange configuration on your mower, maybe someone modified it? I have seen a longer than normal top link somewhere, maybe TSC? Don't recall the length of it, I would guess it was 6-8 inches longer than a standard one.

Mark

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Steve(OR)

04-06-2005 10:39:25

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Re: Top Link Length in reply to Former Jackman, 04-06-2005 09:39:47

Toplinks normally work in tension rather than compression. It would be reasonable to substitute a length of chain being mindful of obstacles, bumps and holes as you mow so that the mower doesn't jump up too quickly.

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souNdguy

04-06-2005 10:35:10

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Re: Top Link Length in reply to Former Jackman, 04-06-2005 09:39:47

Wow.. 36" huh.. that's way back there. most of the stuff I see for regular toplinks is inthe neighborhood of 24" with their being some smaller cat0 sized, 1 pinned.. ones in the 18" range.

Post a pic of what you have for a mower hookup.. Do the bottom pins fit snug?

Soundguy

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Former Jackman

04-06-2005 10:46:08

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Re: Top Link Length in reply to souNdguy, 04-06-2005 10:35:10

The mower is 7ft wide and travels on it's own four 13-inch tires, so my three point is not really lifting it, just pulling. It seems like pulling should be no problem without the top link. I do have a ROPS.
I will post a pic tonight.

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souNdguy

04-06-2005 11:03:31

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Re: Top Link Length in reply to Former Jackman, 04-06-2005 10:46:08

wow.. 84" mower on a N.. let us know how well it runs.

My guess is that that mower was made for something a tad bigger than your N. Perhaps something more int he naa/hundred series HP range..

Soundguy

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Former Jackman

04-06-2005 11:09:38

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Re: Top Link Length in reply to souNdguy, 04-06-2005 11:03:31

It is a big mower, but it was free!
The previous owner pulled it with a 32hp JD (not sure of the model). I am trying to get hold of the previous owner to ask about the top link, but so far no luck.

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Rob

04-06-2005 13:19:51

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Re: Top Link Length in reply to Former Jackman, 04-06-2005 11:09:38

You don"t need a top link unless you want to lift the mower clear off the ground. I never lift my mower off the ground so I removed the top link rigging altogether. I can still lift with the arms to free an obstical or mow higher though. I just can"t lift the tail wheel off the ground but I don"t care to do that. I have room to hook up the drive shaft without crowding and twisting and a top link less to round up and mess with. The mower follows the ground contour and I don"t hardly ever or never scalp. I like it, a lot.
I never did give truck to the top link being a safety device and my mower is heavy enough it"s not going airborne any time soon, or ever.
That mower might well have had a pivoting yoke to make up that 10". You can see those yokes if you look at new mowers rigged for three-point (which is just option on many or most mowers), especially 4-wheel mowers.

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George Willer

04-06-2005 14:23:40

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Re: Top Link Length in reply to Rob, 04-06-2005 13:19:51

Rob,

Would you put your grandson on a tractor pulling a mower without a solid top link? I didn't think so. Me neither!

Soundguy's alternative of a chain inside a pipe would be second best to a solid link. Back in the olden days we towed a lot of cars using the chain/pipe trick.

George Willer

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Rob

04-06-2005 15:33:10

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Re: Top Link Length in reply to George Willer, 04-06-2005 14:23:40

I can"t imagine it"s any more a safety issue than towing a trailer. Maybe there"s a big difference with towing because of the 11-hole drawbar but I doubt it.

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souNdguy

04-06-2005 11:50:04

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Re: Top Link Length in reply to Former Jackman, 04-06-2005 11:09:38

My guess is that mower may have been customized.. perhaps it was a drag type finish mower, and had a 3pt hitc added to it.

I've seen lots of older JD's .. like letter series.. etc.. that did not have factory lift.. and heavy lift kits were added.. etc. This may be what you are seeing.. something somebody modified

Even the toplink on my category 2 hitch 90hp Nh 7610s isn't 3' long.. etc.

We await those pics!

Soundguy

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