Buy FEL 430 or 300 CX for JD 4310

[John_Hiemstra]

I am about to buy a FEL for a JD 4310. The salesman touts the 300 CX as the new, improved replacement to the 430. The 300 CX has a curved arm for better visibility and a better attachment clamp to the front of the tractor. However, the 300 CX main mounting post is formed of cast iron. I called a welder about doing a repair to the cast iron (if it were to crack in the future). Cast iron is not nearly as easy to weld as the rolled steel used on the 430. Does any body have any experience with welding cast iron? Is the 300 CX really a suitable substitue to the rolled steel used in the 430 or is it a economy measure to be more competitive?

 

[GaryBDavis]

If it is grey cast iron, you can weld it all day long. You can't tell grey cast iron just by looking at it, but if it has something already been welded to it, you know it's weldable grey cast iron.

For example, John Deere uses grey cast on the upper retainer brackets on the 500 series attachments. The castings are welded to the bucket which is plain old hot rolled steel.

 

[John_Hiemstra]

Thanks for the information. That makes me more comfortable with buying the 300 CX which is what I have decided to do based on other postings on this net that promote the 300 CX loader.

John