[StukaJU87]

I have a bent toplink on my 1025r that needs to be replaced.

I'm new to tractors and have not been able to find any videos showing how to remove or replace a toplink. Is it a straightforward process?

Obviously, I don't want to buy the wrong part or junk, so what/where should I buy?

 

[MTB98]

Go to TSC or RK or HF and buy a Cat 1 Top Link for about $30.

 

[MTB98]

https://www.harborfreight.com/category-1-top-link-60634.html

Country Way Top Link Cat 1 26 Inch - 70480

Product Features:Cat: 1 Forged Pin hole size: 3/4”Thread Dia: 1-1/8” NC (LH)Thread Length: 6”Overall Length: 10”

www.ruralking.com

 

[StukaJU87]

Go to TSC or RK or HF and buy a Cat 1 Top Link for about $30.

So any Cat 1 Top Link should work?

 

[Ritz]

Yep, it's about a 1.5 on the difficulty scale (out of 10). Easy to come by and less than 5 minutes to replace.

Best,

 

[Ritz]

So any Cat 1 Top Link should work?

Yep.

 

[jgayman]

So any Cat 1 Top Link should work?

Yes, sort of, make sure to get one with the same overall length as the original. To replace you just pull the two pins.

 

[StukaJU87]

Dumb question, but what is the overall length of the original top link for a 1025r?

The one at Harbor Freight is in stock near me and, if it is the right length, I could save a trip and pick it up on the way home today.

 

[dixie460]

What they said. Any rural supply store "normally" has top links in stock... nowadays you might have to go to three different ones before you find one that has any on the shelf.

To remove it just pull the pins out.

 

[fdmars]

They are adjustable looks like yours was all the way out hence reason it bent. Can adjust by spinning the “barrel” of link

 

[Ritz]

Dumb question, but what is the overall length of the original top link for a 1025r?

The one at Harbor Freight is in stock near me and, if it is the right length, I could save a trip and pick it up on the way home today.

That one fits. I bought one as a spare for my 1025R.

Best,

 

[ClydeLogan]

Fully compressed (shortened, no threads visible) it measures 20 inches from the centers of the holes end-to-end. Just measured the original one on my 2015 1025R.

 

[Sundancer268]

How did you bend it? I want to avoid the same mistake if possible?

 

[jgayman]

Fully compressed (shortened, no threads visible) it measures 20 inches from the centers of the holes end-to-end. Just measured the original one on my 2015 1025R.
View attachment 840272

The standard Tractor Supply Cat-1 top-link has a 13-inch body and can be adjusted from 18 to 26 inches.

 

[VelvetFoot]

I got one at Tractor Supply. It looks better than the OEM.
As a side note, on mine, I do believe the ROPS was involved in the bending.

 

[StukaJU87]

How did you bend it? I want to avoid the same mistake if possible?

Wish I knew.

I've never "pushed" anything with the 3pt hitch or had the ROPS all the way down.

 

[StukaJU87]

They are adjustable looks like yours was all the way out hence reason it bent. Can adjust by spinning the “barrel” of link

I lengthened it to show the bend better. It was originally all the way down to the bend, (where the dark mark is).

I was trying to adjust it and I couldn't shorten it, so I lengthened it to see why, and that's when I saw the bend.

 

[BOBL]

The only way you could bend that top link like that is by hitting it on the ROPS.

 

[ClydeLogan]

The standard Tractor Supply Cat-1 top-link has a 13-inch body and can be adjusted from 18 to 26 inches.

Did the factory or dealer install the incorrect length top link on my tractor?

Thinking back, there have been times when I wished it was a few inches shorter to give my pine straw rake a little bit more angle.

 

[theduke]

Bend it back.

A press will fix that quick

or a couple of boards and a bfh