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A Closer Look at a Flexible Top Link

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In this video I try and show how the flexi-top link is hooked up for the landscape rake.
I have had a few questions regarding this set up, so I thought I should make a video to try and explain it a bit better. I'll let you all be the judge to see if I succeeded!!!
I got some very good ideas about this flexi-link from a couple of great You Tubers. One is daveknowshow and here's a link: / daveknowshow
And another great channel is Joe LeSage and his channel is From Steel to Wood. Here's a link to his channel: / @fromsteeltowood
Both of these guys have great channels and if you visit them, tell them Grampie sent you!!!
Thanks for all the comments and questions on the last video about the landscape rake. I sure appreciated them. Please 'like' and 'subscribe' if you haven't done so already and I hope you all have a great week!! Take 'er easy!!!

Опубликовано:

22 авг 2024

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Комментарии : 100

@EdOfTheNorth 3 года назад

And that is why I find that a harrow works better at leveling ground than a rake. Good video.

@GrampiesWorkshop 3 года назад

How's she goin'? Yes sir, a harrow is excellent for leveling ground. But in my case I was trying to level an already established lane and landing. I didn't want to cut it up too much. Before the flexi top link all I could do was make little berms up and down the lane. When I was finished I needed a harrow for sure!!! LOL But when I used the flexi top link, I was able to cut the berms down a lot and it gets better each time I do it. Thanks a lot for commenting Ed and I sure am happy to see you here on my channel!! Come back often OK!!! Take care!!!

@FromSteelToWood 4 года назад

Good explanation Mike! If the 3pt lift was put in float mode and it would be very quick to lower, it could work. But the hydraulic being what it is, then adding the rake is quite light, it does not work as quickly as we would wish to follow the ground. Now the chain provides this fast change in level you got. Thanks for the shout out Mike!

@GrampiesWorkshop 4 года назад

How's she goin'? I can adjust the hyd to lower fast but then the system on my tractor seems to bump back to a hold position on the 3 point and so the rake wouldn't follow the grade. The chain on the top link does away with all the resetting of lowering speeds. I just drop it to where I want it and it follows the contours and makes everything flatter quicker!!! Thanks for tuning in Joe and take 'er easy!!

@peacefieldfarm_mn 4 года назад

Good job, Mike. People like you who share different ways to do things are the best. It doesn't matter if someone else has already done a video on the topic, you gave them credit. If you would not have taken the time to do this I would not have known this trick. So Thanks! Cheers!

@GrampiesWorkshop 4 года назад

How's she goin'? Your comments are so kind. I appreciate that. Giving credit where it is due is one thing I see a lot of on You Tube!!! Lots of great people and community here!!! Thanks for tuning in and take 'er easy!!!

@tractortalkwithgary1271 4 года назад

My brush hog has a chain top link to the tractor. Works great and I love it. Great explanation Mike.

@GrampiesWorkshop 4 года назад

Hello Gary!!! Great to hear!!! I know my landing is a lot flatter since using the chain top link!!! I like an idea that actually works!!! Thanks for dropping by and take care!!

@saltysteel3996 2 года назад

When using PTO powered equipment without a rigid top link connection you are putting yourself at risk. Bush hogs have kicked up and over onto operators before from not having a rigid top link connection so be careful.

@BruceLyeg 4 года назад

Well clearly that worked out great, good job Mike. The difference is easy for anyone to see.

@GrampiesWorkshop 4 года назад

How's she goin'? Thanks Bruce. After I did the drawing I was thinking, this is not clear at all, I better show come video clips!!! LOL Thanks for watching and take 'er easy!!

@tiredofit1429 3 месяца назад

Thanks Mike. I'm going to try this on my land plane. Our driveway is mostly down hill. It changes pitch frequently and this should help stop it from digging in or lifting up.

@GrampiesWorkshop 3 месяца назад

How's she goin'? I'm so glad you found the video helpful and glad too that you found my channel!! Before Is started using the flexi top link my lane would be like speed bumps in parking lot. LOL The flexi link sure helped reduce that. It took a lot of trips back and forth to get rid of some of the bigger ones though. Good luck with your land plane. That is an attachment I would like to get some day!! I hope you can come back again and let me know how you made out!! Take 'er easy!!

@CountryFamily 4 года назад

Great explanation Mike. That's a handy tip for future reference. It may also be useful for a back blade.

@GrampiesWorkshop 4 года назад

How's she goin'? I think it would work with a back blade, but it would be dependent on how aggressive you ran the blade. I think if it were too aggressive the blade would tip and empty the load. Thanks for tuning in Corey!! Take care!!

@LouisianaTractorworks 4 года назад

Very well done video Mike! I like the footage of the top link so you can actually see what it's doing!! Have a good week my friend!!

@GrampiesWorkshop 4 года назад

How's she goin'? That footage of the chain top link was pretty neat alright!! Thanks for the comment and the watch. Take care eh!!!

@GPOutdoors 4 года назад

Good evening Grampie. Thanks for the great step by step. The old Whiteboard of Wisdom espoused more knowledge upon an eager and thirsty crowd once again. LOL. Gotta go wash my hands now. Cheers my friend!

@GrampiesWorkshop 4 года назад

How''s she goin'? Thanks GP!! I'm not too sure how much wisdom was espoused, but the chain top link works!!! LOL Thanks for tuning in and take care!!!

@stanleyshults6427 18 дней назад

3/8,s chains links on each end,4 links,remander of it 1 inch square tube welded together,think safety,could hit pto if back should happen to get raised up through ditch

@GrampiesWorkshop 18 дней назад

How's she goin'? I appreciate you watching and commenting. Not too sure what you mean by 'could hit PTO'. I don't use the PTO when I have an implement that needs a flexi top link. But I agree, safety is always something we should think about!! Take care!!

@DIYMyWay 4 года назад

Hi Mike! Thanks for that very good explanation and illustration of the flexible top link! I think the combination the flexible top link with a set of gauge wheels on the rake would allow the rake to follow the grade and give control of how much the tines engage the ground. Thanks for sharing!

@GrampiesWorkshop 4 года назад

Hi there Martin!!! For sure the wheels would help. I was thinking of adding wheels to my box blade. Never did yet, but it's on my 'one day' list!!! LOL Thanks for tuning in and for the nice comment!! Take care!!

@RCAFpolarexpress 4 года назад

Bonjour Monsieur le Professeur 😉👍 Great explanation of your flexible suspension systems on your board mon ami 👍 Great video demonstration 👍 Merci pour cette excellent video mon ami 😉👍

@GrampiesWorkshop 4 года назад

Salut Dave!!! Merci pour les commentaires mon ami!!! The chain top link works good. Joe had a great video about the chain top link. He knows what he's talking about eh!! Merci d'avoir regarde Dave et bonne soiree!!!

@RCAFpolarexpress 4 года назад

@@GrampiesWorkshop Bonne soirée Oui Joe know very well in deed !!! Can't wait to do some more project with him !!! Bonne soirée mon ami 👍

@joeo1352 4 года назад

That was a good explanation of a flexible link. Don’t drive through a ditch with it, that can be too much flex. Always look for the white board, it’s funny most times Be good stay safe Mike 👍

@GrampiesWorkshop 4 года назад

How's she goin'? The rake, or whatever is back there, with a chain top link can pivot a lot on the lift arm pins. But you're right driving through a ditch may be an issue!!! LOL Thanks for tuning in and take 'er easy!!!

@SteveRobReviews 4 года назад

Now I get the idea. Ok I'm trying it too . Thanks Mike 👍👍

@GrampiesWorkshop 4 года назад

How's she goin'? I hope this makes it more clear. The drawings were not great, but hopefully the video made it more clear!!! Thanks for the question and for watching. Take 'er easy!!

@janetdickson4451 4 года назад

Good explanation. Anything that gets rid of those bumps and ridges is a good thing!

@GrampiesWorkshop 4 года назад

I thought the drawing would be a good idea, but I think I should stick to putting sayings on the white board!!! LOL

@janetdickson4451 4 года назад

@@GrampiesWorkshop the drawing was good in connection to the video!

@janetdickson4451 4 года назад

@@GrampiesWorkshop The drawing was a good idea and probably made sense to anyone who hooks up attachments. Once I saw the closeup of the chain in operation your drawing made perfect sense! I like your says on the whiteboard too though! Multipurpose!

@VickyGeagan 4 года назад

Thank-you Mike. That really clears it up. Your video really explains it well.

@GrampiesWorkshop 4 года назад

How's she goin'? Not a bad sketch eh!! When I was finished and looked at it, it looked more like the underground sewer lines of Paris than a tractor and rake!!! LOL Thanks for watching and for the comments. Take 'er easy!!

@gatorsworld 4 года назад

You explained it very well Mike....Now I have to check if it would work on the box blade....I think I have a flote position but I have to check all that.....CHEERS

@GrampiesWorkshop 4 года назад

How's she goin'? Most 3 points have no down pressure. The speed of dropping is usually adjustable too. So you could set the draft for 'fast down' and it would probably work to some extent. I just found it worked better for me with the chain top link. The box blade would probably work too as long as you weren't too aggressive with the box set up. Thanks for tuning in and take care!!

@FromSteelToWood 4 года назад

Gator, if the box blade is quite heavy, it might drop quick enough to continue following the ground. With the rake, it is so light, even in float mode, it is not lowering quick enough to follow the ground.

@BrucesShop 4 года назад

Professor Grampie. Loved it.

@GrampiesWorkshop 4 года назад

How's she goin'? Thanks!!! LOL The Nutty Professor!!! That's me!!! When I was finished the drawing, with all the scratching and scribbles, it looked like the underground sewer lines of Paris!!! Thanks for watching and take care!!!

@twinbrookacres 4 года назад

Good explanation. But I got a second idea from your video. You had the wooden stand under your rake when you attached the chain. I think I will build something like that for my attachments. I don't know why I never thought of it! Should be good for safer storage and for maintaining the proper height for re-attachment to the tractor. At my age, the less struggling, the better!

@GrampiesWorkshop 4 года назад

How's she goin'? You are so right about the less struggle the better. I am planning on making some proper stands for the implements. When that happens, and I'm not sure when it will, I'll be posting videos about that!!! Thanks for tuning in and take 'er easy!!

@houndsmanone4563 4 года назад

Thanks Mike. This definitely makes sense and enjoyed the great explanation; cleared up a few things for me. I'm definitely washing my hands 🤝✋🖐🙏.

@GrampiesWorkshop 4 года назад

How's she goin'? Thanks a lot Don!!! Glad to hear you are washing you're hands!!! The covid 19 restrictions seem to be being relaxed. I hope it's not too early for that!! Take care and have a great week!!

@loggerjohn01 4 года назад

Hello Mike.The only thing missing in your picture was some dust! A very good explanation Mike, Take care

@GrampiesWorkshop 4 года назад

Hello there John!!! There was lots of dust the day I used the rake and drag!! Thanks for the watch and take care!!!

@adventurerhoades 4 года назад

Great job showing what you did. Full play great job teacher. nice stuff cheers friend. Now i need a flexible top link. Real nice demonstration. Like the cant hear the phone ring lol good stuff

@GrampiesWorkshop 4 года назад

How's she goin'? You'll be pleased with the results you get from a chain top link!!! Dave and Joe know what they're talking about. There is lots good about driving the tractor, one of which is you can't hear the phone!!! LOL I appreciate the watch and take 'er easy!!

@bdogjr7779 4 года назад

Awesome Grampie《☆》Simple & effective🤓👍🏾:*: Greetings from⛾Florida🤳my friend🤓🗣🔊☮✌👍🏾

@GrampiesWorkshop 4 года назад

How's she goin'? It sure is a simple mod to make. A hunk of chain and you're done!!! Thanks for watching and take 'er easy!!!

@MJADoingStuff 2 года назад

Sweet setup Mike 👍 I am going to try it out on my box blade and see how it goes. That white board is very useful😂 have a great Sunday☀️😁👍🚜💨🍻

@GrampiesWorkshop 2 года назад

How's she goin'? I have used this flexi-link set up on the back blade and rake but not my box blade. It should do OK though. It sure does make for a smoother result as the 'working' edge of the attachment is free to float with the surface you're working on. Thanks for watching and take care!!!

@wallaceviviansadventures2095 4 года назад

great explanation Mike it sure works. take care

@GrampiesWorkshop 4 года назад

How's she goin'? Yes, it makes a big difference having the top link flexible!!! Appreciate the watch my friend!!! Take 'er easy!!

@OpenAirOutdoors 4 года назад

Thanks for the show and tell👍

@GrampiesWorkshop 4 года назад

How's she goin'? Thanks a lot for watching!!! Take care!!!

@PinetreeLine 4 года назад

More RU-vid videos need a whiteboard so we what the hell is going on 😂. Awesome job Mike! Thanks!

@GrampiesWorkshop 4 года назад

How's she goin'? I have reached a new 'high' in 'low' when it comes to white board demos!!! LOL Thanks for tuning in Doug and take 'er easy!!

@MRnounoursSQ 4 года назад

I Mike great idea .I need to try this whit mi back blade .

@GrampiesWorkshop 4 года назад

Salut Serge!!! I bet it will work with a back blade. Probably need to watch how aggressive you made the angle though. Thanks for tuning in and take 'er easy!!!

@donmacdonald7758 4 года назад

That s a good tip Mike, I ve never seen that B4. Shout out to the boys that gave you the tip. Now, where did I put that chain? LOL

@GrampiesWorkshop 4 года назад

How's she goin'? Some of the guys on You Tube are pretty smart. I'm a good copier!!! Thanks for tuning in and the chain is probable in the last place you'll look!!! LOL Take care!

@christopherwicks9664 2 года назад

This was really helpful!

@GrampiesWorkshop 2 года назад

How's she goin'? Thanks for the nice comment. I'm glad you found this video helpful. I was fighting the 'waves' I was creating in the gravel on my lane when I was trying to grade with the solid top link. With this flexible one, the 'waves' have flattened out a lot!!! Do you have a tractor? I hope you come back to the channel again and leave me a comment. Take care!!!

@christopherwicks9664 2 года назад

I just purchased my first tractor, a new Massey 1840e. I’d read about using a chain but pictured it way more slack and couldn’t figure out how it would be useful. This video was great. I’ll follow the channel :)

@GrampiesWorkshop 2 года назад

@@christopherwicks9664 Thanks a lot!!! An 1840e, that's a nice machine. You'll have to get some videos made and post them. There are a lot of videos about sub-compact tractors but I bet there is a niche for compacts too!! Take care!!!

@AliMackMechanical 4 года назад

Really looks good. Well explained buddy even I can understand it lol.😂 Thanks more even with the flexy. You can see it.👍 tc catch you on the next one

@GrampiesWorkshop 4 года назад

How' she goin'? Thanks a lot buddy!!! The explanation was sketchy but hopefully the video clips made it clear!!! Appreciate the watch and take care!!

@daveknowshow 4 года назад

Nice work around!

@GrampiesWorkshop 4 года назад

How's she goin'? Thanks to you and Joe LeSage I used this chain top link and the rake works a whole lot better!!! Thanks for watching and take care!!!

@daveknowshow 4 года назад

@@GrampiesWorkshop I'm glad it worked out but honestly there has to be a better way to achieve a floating three point. I feel confident that if you hold down the three point control lever for an extended period of time the three point will go into float mode. this will make it so you do not need to flexible top link. what model is your tractor?

@GrampiesWorkshop 4 года назад

@@daveknowshow Dave I saw a comment from you regarding the float on the 3 point, but I wasn't able to get on it to respond. So I'll respond here. I do have a float position on my 3 point. I'm not sure if this is an issue with my tractor, a Massey Ferguson GC2300 sub-compact, but when I push the 3 point level all the way forward, the 3 point floats, but then the lever will bump back to the hold position. I always thought it was due to back pressure in the system sort of like a controller on a log splitter. I looked at the tractor hydraulic circuit and couldn't really determine if this should or should not happen. Anyways buddy, I sure appreciate your interest and comments. The chain top link is working great!!! Take care!!

@daveknowshow 4 года назад

@@GrampiesWorkshop I went today and test drove a X series kubota because it has the same style three point control as yours. I could not get it to NOT float. I held down the lever for a few minutes and once all the fluid was out it seemed to work fine. the guy at the dealer said use a bungee cord to hold the lever down. surely it is a better way.

@Don1atUTube 2 года назад

I think the chain would better be located on the two lifting arms. Then the implement would flex in a parallelogram. I'm thinking about doing this to my flail mower so it can float over the ground.

@GrampiesWorkshop 2 года назад

How's she goin'? I didn't think it would work with chain on the lifting arms as these are the points where all the pulling takes place. I wanted the rake, or whatever, to following the grade and have it pivot from the lift arms. It would be interesting to see what would happen though if you had chains on the lift arms too. If you try it, let me know how you make out!!! Thanks and this would be a neat thing to try. Have a great week!!

@Don1atUTube 2 года назад

@@GrampiesWorkshop I meant to say chains on the side links, my terminology is still in the tractor learning stage. I can't seem to find any other person doing what you have done!

@GrampiesWorkshop 2 года назад

@@Don1atUTube Check out From Steel to Wood Channel. Joe has a video on how to eliminate the waves when using a back blade. In this video he talks about the flexi top link. I'm not too sure which video it is, so you may have to do some searching. Also you'll see a lot of rear mount mowers that have a flexi link. It isn't chain, it's just a flexible connection on the top link. Hope this helps!!!

@Don1atUTube 2 года назад

@@GrampiesWorkshop couldn't find it. but i found this elaborate contraption. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-99P_dZZ2ilk.html

@GrampiesWorkshop 2 года назад

@@Don1atUTube This 'attachment' is quite the piece of gear eh!! Sorry your couldn't find the video I was talking about. Another channel that talks about flexi top link is Daveknowshow. Maybe check him out too. Take care!!!

@stanleyshults6427 18 дней назад

Was that a grade 8 bolt ,or better,what happens when bolt breaks or falls out Duh!!!!

@GrampiesWorkshop 18 дней назад

Good day eh. I am sensing from your comments that you aren't a fan of my flexi top link set up. In my case if the bolt breaks, and it's not a grade 8 bolt BTW, then that means the implement will really be able to follow the lay of the land. The idea of the flexi link is to have the implement stay on the ground and not be forced down when the front of the tractor is raised up because of a swale or rock and it not be lifted up off the grade if the front of the tractor enters into a low spot. The implement is meant to stay on the ground as the tractor meanders over uneven terrain so that the results are a nice flat and level surface, not a wavey one. I hope you understand. Thanks for tuning in. Take 'er easy!!

@Redneck_Ed 3 года назад

Do you think the chain might need more slack in order to follow grade more closely? I noticed at 7:!4 and 8:04 the humps remained in the gravel after a few passes. Seems like if the chain is too tight, the chain will still loosen when the front tires hit a hump and allow the rake to not dig in excessively but when the rear tires hit a hump, the rake still raises up enough to create a hump.

@GrampiesWorkshop 3 года назад

How's she goin'? Pretty sharp of you to catch that. In fact that is exactly what was happening. One thing about having a length of chain for the top link though, you can make it longer if needed. Some parts of my lane to really bumpy and wavy. I think this is from raking the yard before I had the flexible top link. The chain sure helps. I do need to make it longer though. The goal would be to have the rake always on grade eh!! Thanks so much for your comment. It was great. It sounds like you might have done some grading/raking before!! I hope you come back to the channel often. I could learn form you I think!!! Take care!!!

@Redneck_Ed 3 года назад

@@GrampiesWorkshop Thank you for the reply. I don't really have experience with this, but I ran across your chain idea in my search for a better way to make a box blade track with grade. It would be a little more difficult to implement this idea on a box blade, but I might give it a try to see how it goes. Thanks for posting the video!

@davessmallenginerevival2847 4 года назад

I bet that works a whole lot better eh Mike

@GrampiesWorkshop 4 года назад

How's she goin'? Yes Dave it sure makes for a flatter finish. Thanks for watching and take care!!!

@DuaneT64 4 года назад

I wonder if this would work the same with a scrape blade?

@GrampiesWorkshop 4 года назад

How's she goin'? I going to say yes. But you would have to watch how aggressive you were running the blade. As the blade digs in it tends to tip and make the upright part of the blade hitch, the part that connects to the flexi-link, move towards the tractor. The chain wouldn't stop that, so the blade would probably dump it's load often. Thanks for tuning in and take care!!!

@TomokosEnterprize 4 года назад

I was wondering about that. I suppose you can put the hard link in to road the rake. It all makes sense now my friend. Curious though has your hyd system not have a float setting as both our 65 and 165 has that setting at all the way forward setting.Thanks bud.

@GrampiesWorkshop 4 года назад

How's she goin'? Yes Dean, the 3 point has float. In fact it has no down pressure at all. When you set the draft rate at fast lower, it will work a bit, but I found with the chain top link it reacts a lot quicker and it's also easier to adjust the height of the rake, since at fast lower, the rake will drop really quick and it makes it hard to set it to the level you want. This is especially the case on sub-compact tractors as they have no repeating 'draft set point'. Thanks for tuning in and take care!!!

@TomokosEnterprize 4 года назад

@@GrampiesWorkshop Same as it's big brothers.

@HaroldShouse-zj4tu 3 месяца назад

1:27

@GrampiesWorkshop 3 месяца назад

How's she goin'? With a short wheel base tractor any undulations in the lane are amplified by the rack as it travels up and down a whole lot more then the tractor! Thanks for watching. Take 'er easy!!

@africadreamin 2 года назад

Instead of removing the top link why not replace the angled strut with a chain and two D shackles.

@GrampiesWorkshop 2 года назад

Hello there Roger!!! Thanks a lot for the comment. To make sure I understand, are you talking about the angled strut that is on the implement? If so, that would work just as well I think. Maybe even provide more movement which would allow for a smoother job!!! Good idea. I didn't do that, or experiment with that, because I didn't think of it!!! Once again, thanks for the comment. It's food for thought!!! Take care and thanks for watching.

@MrApostleLee 3 года назад

Buy a Massey Ferguson tractor problem solved.

@GrampiesWorkshop 3 года назад

How's she goin'? I like the way you think!!! LOL But even with my Massey GC2300, using the flexi top link results in a much smoother job!!! Thanks a lot for tuning in and commenting. I sure hope you come back often!! Take care!!!