4310 in Garage

VTer · Jan 15, 2005

Thanks folks for all the help in making a tractor decision. I looked at blue, orange, and green for some time - kicking the tires, comparing specs, talking to current owners, and getting info from this forum. Quite honestly, I think I would have been happy with any of the tractors and dealers - but in the end I went green.

Specifics - 4310/300CX with heavy duty bucket/eHydro/rear SCV/R4's/telescopic draft links/MX-5/BB2060. Also have it set up for a backhoe (hoping to find a used BH48 once spring trades start).

Unfortunately, I did not get a snowblade yet as I have been debating the best snow setup. Probably will get the 84" hydraulic blade so will need to run a hydraulic line from the rear SCV to the blade.

Sitting pretty in the garage and waiting to put it to use...in the meanwhile spending some time reading the manuals.

Thanks again for the help. I'm sure this rig will serve me well. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Brian C.

p.s. Oh - one question, which should be in the attachments forum, but - any thoughts on the 60" vs. 65"BB? As I said, I got the BB2060 but have been wondering if the 65" would be better. Rear tire total width is about 58"

beenthere · Jan 15, 2005

Sure sounds like fun to me. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Enjoy. I suspect any snow will be pretty easy for you to move with the bucket, while you decide on the blade.

rockyridgefarm · Jan 15, 2005

/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Can I come play?!!

jcmseven · Jan 15, 2005

Brian,
I would definitely go with the 65" box blade if you can. It is not enough better than the 60" if you already have it, but is a better size for blading. It extends just enough beyond the wheels to allow for better coverage, and the tractor will have no problem pulling it. Also with regard to snow removal, I just received the 6' front blade for my 4310. The 7' is fine, but I believe would push the limits of the tractor on hills or in deep snow. My dealer installed the extra hydraulics, which is a major task apparently, but the hydraulic angling is really nice. The boom mounted front blade for the 300cx loader arms is HEAVY and does very well, even for gravel grading. My dealer, interestingly, had NEVER sold one, despite being one of the larger JD dealers in the state (and we do get snow here, but less in frequency recently). While my blade was being fitted, he sold three others to separate customers who saw mine, and would otherwise have gotten a rear mounted blade. They are pricey, but in my mind worth the money in a high snow area like VT. Good luck.

John M.

RalphVa · Jan 16, 2005

If that 300CX is a bucket, you can easily disconnect the to/fro hydraulic lines to it and connect them to the cylinders on a blade. This is what the dealer said I could do if I bought a Curtis blade. I've a 4010 with 410 bucket.

I'd try snow with just the bucket first. Lots of folks on this forum report good success with just the FEL.

I've a 4' blade on my Gravely with backup by my bucket on the 4010. The ultimate backup is an old snow blower for the Gravely. Had to use it a couple years ago on 7" of sleet that the blade wouldn't even touch. The blower just dug into it and blew it about 70' away!

Ralph

Jim_n_Motown · Jan 16, 2005

Congratulations! Thats a great setup.

I think you will regret if you don't at least get the 65in BB. Whay are the telescopic draft links used for?

BenderKC · Jan 16, 2005

Just picked up a 72" King Kutter box blade from Tractor Supple for $416 + tax. JD wanted $1100 for a Frontier model. This size pulls nicely behind my 4310 and extends nicely beyond the wheels. Just a thought.

I love my telescoping draft links, makes it much easier to change implements as a solo operator.

jcmseven · Jan 16, 2005

Brian,
Sorry this front blade question has gotten you slightly off the BB subject (I think we all pretty much think the 65" or larger would be a better option than the 60" there) but I wanted to respond a bit to what Ralph mentioned in his post. I do not have a backhoe with my 4310 tractor, but the rear SCV will be used to power a front blade. On my machine, a line was run from the rear SCV under the tractor and over the right loader attachment pedestal to the right loader arm, where there are two additional fittings that will be needed to hook up hydraulic angling. On the right console, where the rear implement lift sits, a new console will be provided which is in the kit. It includes the hydraulic angling kit for the front blade. Unfortunately, if you desire a front blade and you desire hydraulic angling you will need the two additional fittings and the console kit to do so. It is not as simple as attaching the hydraulics (actually you do not need to with your loader). I know Jim n' Motown has such a blade with manual angling which works well for him. Then, you would not need the kit at all, but the pins for manual angling get quite tight, especially when cold, which will slow you down some if you would need to change blade angle. I think the hydraulic angling is a nice option, but something you COULD add later if you wish. You certainly can use the FEL for snow removal, but it is much slower, especially if you get a lot of snow and have a lot to plow. There is simply no comparision in the speed of the task with the two. The big issue is whether you have enough to grade and plow to justify the cost. As for me, I plow our neighborhood and our office parking lot, which if we get three snows, will nearly pay for the cost of the blade purchase. Hopefully this is helpful.

John M.

Achilles · Jan 16, 2005

Howdie,

Curious as to how much that boom blade ran ya... Seen one mounted on a 4310 at this past years county fair but never inquired about it. Does it have single hydraulic piston angling or double? Who manufactures them and are they "quicktachable"? Thanks for any info you may devulge.

4310man

jcmseven · Jan 16, 2005

4310man

I do not have my receipt with me at the moment, but I believe the front blade was about $1100 with $250 or so for the hydraulic angling kit and labor was free, as it was a new tractor. The blade is a JD manufactured item and is distributed from Welland, Ontario - the same as the loader. The blade has two large angling cylinders and is quick attach. All one does is unclick the bucket, and click on the blade, hook up two hydraulic lines, and go. I have never timed myself doing it, but it is very easy and I estimate would take about three-five minutes from start to finish.

John M.