5520 Anybody driving one ...

[sixdogs]

...

AND then Tuesday morning I am going to test my backhoe operating skills !...................

Don't get discouraged. The first time on a backhoe is like the first time on a bicycle. You will be all thumbs until you figure it out. Don't let anyone stand nearby, stay away from buildings and for yourself, never get into a pinch-point after you learn. Grease with moly grease. Watch low buildings and tree lines for clearance and if you follow in my footsteps, just go right ahead now and rip out the satellite dish as well as a couple of her favorite bushes.

 

[blueriver]

just go right ahead now and rip out the satellite dish as well as a couple of her favorite bushes.

Thats just too funny ...

 

[blueriver]

Well I brought her home this afternoon and dug out that tree that's been bothering me.

A little trick to those back hoe levers !!

 

[Martian]

Well I brought her home this afternoon and dug out that tree that's been bothering me.

A little trick to those back hoe levers !!

Nice looking set-up! Definitely makes my 5410 jealous...

First time I used an backhoe was actually on a friends full size, it was a good idea I didn't practice next to the house or there would have been (several) holes in the walls from pushing a lever the wrong way:laughing: It does get easier with time:thumbsup:

 

[sixdogs]

Impressive, isn't it? Wait until you figure out it will dig trees WAY bigger than than. The world is your oyster. In the dormant time of the year you could probably transplant a 15 Ft tree, maybe more, with that backhoe and loader if you do it right. I have a thread on that topic.
You are a fortunate man with that tractor and a lucky man for a wife that told you to keep the backhoe.

 

[blueriver]

Impressive, isn't it? Wait until you figure out it will dig trees WAY bigger than than. The world is your oyster. In the dormant time of the year you could probably transplant a 15 Ft tree, maybe more, with that backhoe and loader if you do it right. I have a thread on that topic.
You are a fortunate man with that tractor and a lucky man for a wife that told you to keep the backhoe.

Yes it is impressive. I am finding jobs for the backhoe in my sleep ... I'm pretty sure I shine that bucket right up !!

 

[bullbreaker]

Thanks sir ... I tell you I am married to a darn good woman ... she never questions me although I always make my intents clear and she is very supportive. I am thinking that it will pop those cedars right out ... of course I'll have to learn to operate it.
When I get the 5520 home I get a group of pictures put up.

I know right now your in love with your 5520 but don't forget the brains of your operation on Valentine's Day !

Boone

 

[sixdogs]

.... I am finding jobs for the backhoe in my sleep ... I'm pretty sure I shine that bucket right up !!

I welded grab clevis hooks to my bucket--one on each side in line with lift arm and I first welded a plate to the bucket. I hook a chain between them and hook my pickup chain to it. It is really strong that way and near zero chance of bending things. There are pics in a previous thread of mine but I could take more if you want.
Also, you have the same Firestone radials on the rear that I do. I feel they are the finest farm tire out there and you would not beoieve the price. I'm not sure exactly so i won't guess. As well, I recall they weigh--hope I'm right--150 lbs more--each--than the bias ply that were on mine. Good tractor.

 

[blueriver]

I know right now your in love with your 5520 but don't forget the brains of your operation on Valentine's Day !

Boone

Boone good point ... I was informed a couple days ago that this year we need to swap homemade gifts ... she says she has mine already done ... so I've got to get busy ... she's a bird watcher so I'm thinking a few bluebird houses.

 

[blueriver]

I welded grab clevis hooks to my bucket--one on each side in line with lift arm and I first welded a plate to the bucket. I hook a chain between them and hook my pickup chain to it. It is really strong that way and near zero chance of bending things. There are pics in a previous thread of mine but I could take more if you want.
Also, you have the same Firestone radials on the rear that I do. I feel they are the finest farm tire out there and you would not beoieve the price. I'm not sure exactly so i won't guess. As well, I recall they weigh--hope I'm right--150 lbs more--each--than the bias ply that were on mine. Good tractor.

Sixdogs ... I have the hooks on my other buckets and do plan to put them on here.

Those are some fine Firestone radials and I do not know the weight difference. It may be my imagination they seem to ride smoother ... but the wheel base is also longer so that would help with the ride ... Not to mention this tractor has the air ride seat!!!

 

[sixdogs]

The rule of thunb with radials, I recall reading, is that three bars should hit the ground if the air pressure is correct. Firestone has a formula for this on their website and mine calculated out to be 5 or 7 PSI. That'a all. So I run 7 psi and they grip unbelievable.

 

[blueriver]

The rule of thunb with radials, I recall reading, is that three bars should hit the ground if the air pressure is correct. Firestone has a formula for this on their website and mine calculated out to be 5 or 7 PSI. That'a all. So I run 7 psi and they grip unbelievable.

Are yours loaded?

 

[sixdogs]

Are yours loaded?

No, they are plenty heavy. Remember, I have cast rear centers and two weights on each side. Since the tires add a total of maybe 300 lbs, it handles very well.
It's hard to see your photo but it looks like you have one weight per side. If you are at all "bouncy" you could add another one or two weights per side. Having loaded tires in the past, I no longer care for it. Weights work, can be adjusted (rarely) and aren't a disaster if you get a flat. I will never load tires again.

On my front end I have a "starter weight" that is 275 lbs and I add up to 8 front end weights of 110 lbs each if I need them. Any of the old Deere weights fit the front and aren't that expensive at auction. I bought the back ones when I bought the tractor but the shape and pattern looks like many I have see.
Here's my math on weight from my notes. Added in my head so check if it matters.

tractor--no cab--5825 lbs
rear weights 440 lbs
loader brackets 500
radials all around 300
front weight bkt 275
me 200
cast rear centers 240
=======================
total of 7780 plus front weights @ 110 lbs each. Plus, this is without the loader. This dog will hunt.

 

[blueriver]

What air pressure are you running in the radials? The manual states the weight with the cab to be 7264 ... when I add the rear weights, the radials thats about 500 lbs so I'am at almost 7764 with out the FEL. About the same as you are.

 

[sixdogs]

What air pressure are you running in the radials? The manual states the weight with the cab to be 7264 ... when I add the rear weights, the radials thats about 500 lbs so I'am at almost 7764 with out the FEL. About the same as you are.

There is a formula--I think on the Firestone site--that works out to around 7 psi for my rear radials with my weight. Remember I use mine in some tillage applications and on soft clay ground where compaction is an issue. I run 7 psi to 9 psi depending. At 7 psi I can drive on my lawn in the dry part of spring and not screw it up.
The practical application rule of thumb for air pressure in rear radials is that three lugs should contact the ground. Since I have a loader on and lift heavy stuff, I run 28 or so psi in the front radials. If in tillage I drop it then raise if weighted.

Do you have any idea what the loader weighs as a whole or maybe just the loader brackets? It must be a secret since I can't find the info. Is your loader self-leveling or non self leveleing?

Here's a hint---I'm not sure what transmission you have but I have the synchro standard that has a gear shift "detent" to put into park since there is no parking brake. If I am in a hurry and try to put into the park application too fast, you can hear a gear clunk of resistance. Doing this is something you never want to do since I have been told the repair is very expensive because the tractor must be split and gears gears taken apart.

 

[blueriver]

I do not know the weight of the loader and I just looked in the manual ... no metion of it. This is not self leveling.

That is the same transmission so I will take note of that. My tires are at 7 lbs ... they seem to squat a little so I'm going to try a little more air.

After I asked the question I went back and seen you had already talked about air pressure ...

 

[sixdogs]

I do not know the weight of the loader and I just looked in the manual ... no metion of it. This is not self leveling.

That is the same transmission so I will take note of that. My tires are at 7 lbs ... they seem to squat a little so I'm going to try a little more air.

After I asked the question I went back and seen you had already talked about air pressure ...

You want them to squat. Mine look like they need air but that's what you want.

 

[blueriver]

Anyone got one of these for your JD's? It looks pretty slick and you can use both JD and SSQA.

 

[sixdogs]

Anyone got one of these for your JD's? It looks pretty slick and you can use both JD and SSQA.

I debated it last year and learned there were a number of sellers but only a couple of actual makers and I got confused. I wanted to use a "tree shovel" type transplanter that only comes in skid steer configuration. The price of the Deere loader frame adapter varied widely. As well, there are two types; the one you show that hooks to the QA brackets (seems the easiest?) and one that you remove the loader pins and OEM bracket and replace (seems the strongest but least practical?).

I learned Deere made an adapter but never got that far to learn more. Deere also makes QA brackets that you can weld to an implement and allow it to QA to your current existing OEM brackets. They call them "bucket brackets" in the "bullet attach" style and are whole goods #BT13919 ($255 last year). There is a picture of this bracket--plus some other great loader info--in the attached PDF.

Also, did you know you can put a 3 PT hitch on the front of the JD5520 that I think(?) is compatable with the loader? These are remarkably versatile tractors.

 

[blueriver]

I debated it last year and learned there were a number of sellers but only a couple of actual makers and I got confused. I wanted to use a "tree shovel" type transplanter that only comes in skid steer configuration. The price of the Deere loader frame adapter varied widely. As well, there are two types; the one you show that hooks to the QA brackets (seems the easiest?) and one that you remove the loader pins and OEM bracket and replace (seems the strongest but least practical?).

I learned Deere made an adapter but never got that far to learn more. Deere also makes QA brackets that you can weld to an implement and allow it to QA to your current existing OEM brackets. They call them "bucket brackets" in the "bullet attach" style and are whole goods #BT13919 ($255 last year). There is a picture of this bracket--plus some other great loader info--in the attached PDF.

Also, did you know you can put a 3 PT hitch on the front of the JD5520 that I think(?) is compatable with the loader? These are remarkably versatile tractors.

I like the design of this one and the fact it goes both ways. Kinda spendy .... Everything I have is SSQA ... with this I would not have to modifiy the JD Bucket or the JD hay spike.

One of my other neighbors just took delivery of a 5083E and says JD ordered him a SSQA for his front loader ... when it comes in I want to look at it.

Thanks for the PDF ... and I did not know about the front 3 point.