Top link on L1500DT

[bucktail]

I hooked up my King Kutter dirt scoop yesterday. When I went to level it, I found that my 20" (set to it's shortest) top link was way too long. Additionally, when I lifted the scoop, the top link was nearly vertical. Even all the way down, it had way too much slope. The bracket that the top link mounts to is quite long. I didn't think to measure it, but it appears to be ~10". It is mounted as low as it can go.

I think I need a shorter bracket mounted higher and a shorter top link. I'd appreciate any of the following: reasons that I am full of it, source for shorter bracket and top link, reasons that I might need the long bracket (and therefore shouldn't cut it down), ways to refine a search so that every thread mentioning a top links doesn't show up, alternative approaches, and anything that might be helpful.

 

[bucktail]

I just realized that the Speeco category 0 top link has the same threads as the category 1. They're only $20 apiece, so buying 2 to make 1 isn't a big deal. I'm thinking that the long top link bracket is there for the Japanese tillers that have their own linkage instead of the top link.

So, pending any better ideas, I'm going to get the cat 0 top link and cut down the ends for the cat 1 that I already have. I'll move the factory bracket to a higher set of holes, and see how things work. I'll probably end up shorting up the factory bracket.

 

[bucktail]

A 99511-22140 from an L175 should fit, right? I think I'm cooking with gas here.

 

[bucktail]

The store's website was wrong. The category 0 and 1 threads are not the same; category 1 and 2 are. Probably should have verified it at the Speeco website. If I get the bracket sorted out the top link's I have should work anyway.

 

[Tooljunkie]

If you havent noticed, you are talking to yourself. Sorry, i couldnt resist. When you get it sorted,post up a few pictures. I dont have a dirt scoop,but want one for doing some yard work. Just curious to know how well they work.

 

[bucktail]

Yeah, I've noticed. Mainly trying to correct myself so I don't mislead others. If I don't get it sorted out this weekend, it might be a little while. Deer opener is the weekend after next. I'm guessing that my tractor is a little light for the scoop, but I got it for $150 US, so it was worth a try. It's like new; the guy I got it from had a JD subcompact, and he couldn't keep the front down.

 

[clay45]

This one gets down to 13":

http://www.agristoreusa.com/collections/mechanical-top-links/products/cat-1-13-20-1-4

 

[bucktail]

Thanks, Clay. I'm trying to decide if I need the shorter top link or not. I didn't take all of the measurements that I should have when I was out there last night. Guessing at the measurements that I didn't take and doing some geometry, it looks like when I shorten the bracket and move it to the top position, the top link needs to shorten to 15".

 

[bucktail]

If you havent noticed, you are talking to yourself. Sorry, i couldnt resist. When you get it sorted,post up a few pictures. I dont have a dirt scoop,but want one for doing some yard work. Just curious to know how well they work.

I played hooky from work yesterday to run the dirt scoop. I've got a future build site that was heavily wooded. The road in front of it cut into it peaking at about 4'. I was trying to take the edge down so that I can drive into it without getting high centered. I didn't take much for pictures, but here are my impressions:

It wasn't really the right tool for the job. Some of the tree roots were 3" thick, and although they were Poplar, they would still pull the scoop out of the ground. Since it mounts to the 3 point, the only down force is it's weight. My soil is sandy loam, so it dug in just fine where the ground was level and there were no large roots.

Due to the size of my tractor, I couldn't dig very deep, and it relies on the dirt that you're digging to push the dirt into the scoop and fill it, so I could only get it less than half full on the flat rootless ground. That made the front pretty light as it was, so a half scoop is probably a good max anyway on tractors my size if you don't have the front weighed down.

The hitch is wider than my other 3 point implements. I had to set the turnbuckles out to as short as they would go (mine pull outward) in order to keep the scoop from hitting the rear wheels. The scoop goes between the wheels on my tractor, so I would take some measurements prior to buying one if running a sub compact. The 3ph would need to reach out far enough to the rear so that it won't interfere with the tires if running a narrower track width.

 

[Redlands]

Does your tractor have a front in loader ? I am getting the impression it does not. If it does a bit of dirt scooped into the loader helps on balance.

You could also rig up some weights on the front.

Do you have a Box blade? With only a couple of teeth dropped it might help on the root problem.

Box blade using your teeth to loosen things up. Then use the scoop.

 

[bucktail]

Nope, no FEL. I'd have been using that if I had it. I've been looking, but most of them run about what I paid for the tractor. No box blade either. I was thinking about just getting a subsoiler for the roots.