Testing a 300 FEL / 3320

foggy1111 · Oct 19, 2011

If it lifts what you need lifted....then all is good. :thumbsup::thumbsup: I suppose its got similar specs to a 790/3005. I was fairly happy with the performance of my old 790 and loader.

As was said......you could always upgrade the lift cylinders to improve the capacity. But I don't suppose those cylinders would come cheap.

pokerboy57 · Oct 20, 2011

That's an interesting point about changing out the cylinders..... I'll go visit the JD Dealer I used to fix the tach and talk with them. I don't know anything about how hydrolics work. Would you think the the hydrolic pump would need changing out ? Or anything else besides the cylinders ?

foggy1111 · Oct 20, 2011

pokerboy57 said:
That's an interesting point about changing out the cylinders..... I'll go visit the JD Dealer I used to fix the tach and talk with them. I don't know anything about how hydrolics work. Would you think the the hydrolic pump would need changing out ? Or anything else besides the cylinders ?

The pump is part of the tractor.....and no change would be made there. It may take some fittings or hoses......but that should be minor - if any. It wont cost to ask.

pokerboy57 · Oct 20, 2011

You really have me thinking way outside the box on this . I found an aftermarket FEL company
Koyker Manufacturing - Loaders

They have the specs of many FELs for Compact tractors. I noticed a big difference in the lift capacity as a function of cylinder diameter. Could it be as easy as changing out the cylinders to a larger diameter cylinder to get some additional lift ? I'm just concerned that asking the JD dealer about it will result in a resounding "no" it's not meant to do that. On the other hand a company specializing in vehicle hydrolics might have done something like this in the past. I'll ask the dealer but I think there is way to much liability there for him to go outside JD specifications.

First thing , I'm going to have to dig up the specs on the 300 loaders hydrolic cylinders and hydrolic pump GPM. Then it's time to do a little research.

Interesting enough, 2 years ago I didn't even know what a compact tractor was.... Now I own one and am talking about making modifications to the hydrolics.... Go figure "Life Comes At You Fast".

GreatWhitehunter · Oct 20, 2011

Looking at JDparts.com it appears you could add the 300x cylinders to your loader. So that could gain you some capacity.

Matt

mjncad · Oct 21, 2011

pokerboy57 said:
They have the specs of many FELs for Compact tractors. I noticed a big difference in the lift capacity as a function of cylinder diameter. Could it be as easy as changing out the cylinders to a larger diameter cylinder to get some additional lift ? I'm just concerned that asking the JD dealer about it will result in a resounding "no" it's not meant to do that. On the other hand a company specializing in vehicle hydrolics might have done something like this in the past. I'll ask the dealer but I think there is way to much liability there for him to go outside JD specifications.

Yep, it could be just that easy to up-size cylinders. The critical thing is going to be retracted and extended length of the cylinder, and the cylinder pins' diameter mounting it to the loader. It doesn't take much difference in size to get more oomph. I'm guessing the fitting size and locations on the cylinders will be almost identical; so that shouldn't be a big issue either.

There is always a possibility the dealer could say no for liability reasons, or that they do know it will or won't work.

JD has forgotten more about hydraulics than Koyker will ever know. In other words, Deere knows its **** when it comes to hydraulics.

Glen Watkins · Oct 21, 2011

"JD has forgotten more about hydraulics than Koyker will ever know. In other words, Deere knows its **** when it comes to hydraulics."

This brought a thought to mind about a guy who bought a different color bargain tractor said "Well Woods make loaders with the curved booms for JD." Can anyone in the know confirm or deny this?

foggy1111 · Oct 21, 2011

JD may know more about loaders than the other firm's stated.....but that doesn't mean the parts-man or service manager knows his stuff.

This issue isn't rocket science tho.....I'm pretty certain most dealer staff would be able to get you going in the right direction. You may be able to find low-cost cylinders via the Surplus Center or another hydraulics company - IF you KNOW the specs you require. These prices could easily be 1/2 that of the JD prices (my guess).

pokerboy57 · Oct 21, 2011

I'll start the "Loader MAN UP" project over the holidays and report back my findings. Thanks everyone for the advice.

jd3020u · Oct 22, 2011

Unless you find aftermarket cylinders, price is going to be the problem here. One 300x lift cylinder is $500. I would guess that a 300 might be worth a similar amount as a 300X if you have the time to find a used one. I'd also recommend going straight to a CX while your at it. But if the 300 works for you then don't worry about it.

300 lift cyl piston diameter 1.568"
300X 1.770"
300CX 1.962"

pokerboy57 · Oct 24, 2011

thanks for the reply. Were in the world did you get the cylinder specs ? I'm not concerned about the money (they are expensive) as much as I am getting something that will work. I've looked all over for a blue print or spec on the cylinders but no joy.... Please share the site with me.

jd3020u · Oct 26, 2011

From JD Parts online

Rob-D · Oct 28, 2011

I have the 300CX loader on my 3320. Last summer I had a trucker come in with a pallet of solar panels that weighed 1400# plus another 400# for the forks. I couldn't lift the pallet off the 4 foot high truck bed but it was right on the edge. We had to use the lift gate to bring it down to the ground then I could lift it several inches. I'll tell you what, I was sweating all the way up the driveway. My rear tires would slip once and awhile so I had to use 4WD. I had the weight bucket on the back with about 800# in it, the tires weren't loaded. Usually I have the BH on and that weighs in at 1500# which keeps things pretty stable.
$16,000.00 of PV and you drive very slowly up a gravel driveway! I think it took about 15 minutes to go the 1/4 mile.

Rob

Nitro-Fish · Oct 29, 2011

If you do have a regular 300 loader and not a 300X , you may want to try and sell the loader outright; people may be interested in your old loader if they have a 770-790, or the 3005/3xxx economy line), then you can get a new 300CX and install it. The complete loader is priced through whole goods not parts, so depending on your local dealer the price can be lower than what is shown on the Deere website.

pokerboy57 · Oct 31, 2011

I'm going to try a custom hydraulic shop here in Orlando and see if they can change out the lift cylinders with cylinders that will lift more. I don't want to sell the old loader and purchase a new one.... So I'm going to try this route first. I also found a website for coldwater tractor , they sell entire front end loaders starting at 1799.

What is the ballpark price of a new 300cx anyway ?

GreatWhitehunter · Nov 1, 2011

I believe a 300cx is in the ball park of $3500 to $4500. Depending on dealer and local. I'd be careful about using non oem cyclinders. You don't want to damage your tractor or yourself.

Rob-D · Nov 1, 2011

pokerboy57 said:
I'm going to try a custom hydraulic shop here in Orlando and see if they can change out the lift cylinders with cylinders that will lift more. I don't want to sell the old loader and purchase a new one.... So I'm going to try this route first. I also found a website for coldwater tractor , they sell entire front end loaders starting at 1799.

What is the ballpark price of a new 300cx anyway ?

I would be leary of doing that. The loader is not just the cylinders but also the support framework. JD put a specific size cylinder on that loader for a reason.

The Deere 300CX is not cheap, you can do much better with a third party, just make sure the quality is there. The last thing you want is cylinders failing in a year. I'd check Woods, they might have one for that tractor.

Rob

Rob-D · Nov 1, 2011

GreatWhitehunter said:
I believe a 300cx is in the ball park of $3500 to $4500. Depending on dealer and local. I'd be careful about using non oem cyclinders. You don't want to damage your tractor or yourself.

Matt,
I think we both posted at the same time with about the same thinking!

Rob