new top link for B2601

[awesome]

I just bent my top link on by brand new B2601. it hasn't been 24h yet . I had no idea that operating the 3PH with the ROPS down could do this. But now I know.

So I'm looking at buying a replacement. This is the top-link I have:
https://www.messicks.com/ku/90284/p...agramname=k12000 3-point linkage 1 (top link)

The part that is bent is the bolt (not the cylinder). So I'm looking at this: https://www.tscstores.com/TOP-LINK-REPAIR-END-CAT1-RH-P2180.aspx

But on the TSC website, they have a few variations of this and I'm not sure what exactly I need to order. Can anyone give me a hand with this?
Thank you

 

[Henro]

I would consider just buying a replacement CAT1 top link from TSC. Not much more expensive than the repair part you pointed to.

If the same length was available that is...Which is probably the case.

 

[awesome]

That's a possibility. But there seems to be many variants of these too. Apparently, I might need to grind the eyes because they'd be too wide. Is that really an issue? Any chance someone could point to something that would be the best replacement on TSC (or anywhere in canada) ?

 

[B737]

do you have Kubota insurance? just have them replace it.

Mine came bent because they bent it during assembly and swapped it out a few weeks later. They were so packed full of grease i could barely turn them. It was nice to get one that wasnt overfilled.

 

[RCW]

I didn't really care for the TL that came with my BX.

I bought an aftermarket at Mahindra dealership with the similar 13" (?) barrel length of the stock one. I think it was $25 about 6 years ago. TSC had the same, but just a little longer.

Much easier to adjust in my opinion.

For the eyes - just a couple minutes with a bench grinder takes care of it, if it needs doing at all. Probably just the tractor side would need attention.

 

[85Hokie]

I didn't really care for the TL that came with my BX.

I bought an aftermarket at Mahindra dealership with the similar 13" (?) barrel length of the stock one. I think it was $25 about 6 years ago. TSC had the same, but just a little longer.

Much easier to adjust in my opinion.

For the eyes - just a couple minutes with a bench grinder takes care of it, if it needs doing at all. Probably just the tractor side would need attention.

I had to buy one several years back - TSC and I too had to grind a smidge off both sides of the eye at the tractor

If you ever take it off - you have a 50-50 shot getting it correct if not paying attention!

 

[marklbota]

I bent mine and was able to use a combination of heat, vise, bench grinder and thread file to get it back in usable shape. Your other option is to take this opportunity to add a hydraulic top link. It will cost a good bit more money because you'll need to buy a valve too, but once you have one you'll never go back.

I can't picture how having the ROPS down could cause the top link to get bent. What happened?

 

[awesome]

I can't picture how having the ROPS down could cause the top link to get bent. What happened?

It's because of the way the B2601 is built I guess. It wasn't an issue on my BX. On the B, the rops folds down completely. and it goes so low that the top link will bump into it if you raise the 3PH at it max height. So that bent the top link.

 

[marklbota]

On the B, the rops folds down completely. and it goes so low that the top link will bump into it if you raise the 3PH at it max height. So that bent the top link.

Wow, sounds like a bad design. Why would anyone expect that could happen.

 

[awesome]

well I felt like an idiot at first because I didn't know that. But your comment shows that at least I'm not the only one.
They have stickers on the backhoe stabilizer to say that they could get hit by the boom (not sure how ...), so you'd expect they'd say something about this too.

 

[85Hokie]

well I felt like an idiot at first because I didn't know that. But your comment shows that at least I'm not the only one.
They have stickers on the backhoe stabilizer to say that they could get hit by the boom (not sure how ...), so you'd expect they'd say something about this too.

I HAVE always thought ..... HOW in the hell can my bucket hit the outriggers?
On a BX it is almost impossible to get 180 swing..... and the outriggers are past that.
But then again ......

 

[Henro]

I HAVE always thought ..... HOW in the hell can my bucket hit the outriggers?
On a BX it is almost impossible to get 180 swing..... and the outriggers are past that.
But then again ......

On my Backhoe, BL4690A on a B2910 it is possible to hit the outrigger cylinders with the backhoe bucket. Never did it since I am aware of the possibility...Not a position you would normally have the bucket, but it CAN be done...

 

[19thSF]

I just bent my top link on by brand new B2601. it hasn't been 24h yet . I had no idea that operating the 3PH with the ROPS down could do this. But now I know.

So I'm looking at buying a replacement. This is the top-link I have:
https://www.messicks.com/ku/90284/pdf?sectionid=229509&diagramid=457305&sectionname=top link/top link bracket/pto protector&diagramname=k12000 3-point linkage 1 (top link)

The part that is bent is the bolt (not the cylinder). So I'm looking at this: https://www.tscstores.com/TOP-LINK-REPAIR-END-CAT1-RH-P2180.aspx

But on the TSC website, they have a few variations of this and I'm not sure what exactly I need to order. Can anyone give me a hand with this?
Thank you

I had to replace a top link a while ago. Found one at eparts.com for $74.00. It was an EXACT match to the OEM part and much less costly. There is rather a lengthy thread on this subject. Do a search.

Top Link Assembly for Kubota

Package Quantity: 1Replaces Kubota no(s): 6C200-65400, 6C040-65400, 6C200-64500, 6C040-65420, 6C040-65430, 6C040-65410, 6C070-65400Compatible With Kubota Tractor(s): B1700D (4wd), B1700E (2wd), B1700HSD (Hydrostatic Transmission, 4wd), B1700HSE (Hydrostat

www.eparts.shop

Good luck with it!

 

[RCW]

This is my aftermarket. 12” barrel. I think I have one a little longer somewhere. Yours may need to be a little longer.

Betting for <$50 CDN you could replace it off the shelf at a farm/garden place if you have one nearby.

I really prefer these. Work better in my opinion.

 

[awesome]

I was able to get one at PrincessAuto. Definitely not the same quality as OEM but it was 40$. Considering that I adjust it once a year, when putting the blade on for winter, I figured I didn't need anything fancy.

 

[jnschnit]

Take the top link off, lay it on a flat surface like garage floor, Back the nut down to where the bend is and smack the nut with a 5lb hammer. I have straightened several this way. You looking to replace it anyway so what have you got to lose.

 

[awesome]

Take the top link off, lay it on a flat surface like garage floor, Back the nut down to where the bend is and smack the nut with a 5lb hammer. I have straightened several this way. You looking to replace it anyway so what have you got to lose.

Yeah, I could try that. I also tought about turning it over so the bend would be facing the opposite way and give it another squeeze on the ROPS to kink it the other way. Haha. But I've already installed my ROPS lights so that's a no-go.

 

[GeoHorn]

Take it to your local auto-body shop and ask them to straighten it on their hydraulic press (If you don’t have one) and buy them a six-pack for thanks.