Ground Engagement with JD 820 2wd.?

cartod · Feb 19, 2014

I am fortunate enough to have 2 tractors to work. I have a 2wd and a 4wd. My plan this year is to remove some stumps and put a yard in (about 2 acres). I usually use my 4wd 3320 tractor for grading and box blade work, but I decided to bite the bullet and put a 485 back hoe on it. So, now I am going to try to rely on the 2wd to do the ground engagement. Will I need tire weights or loaded tires to work a 5' box blade on the back of an older deere 820? the tractor is about 35hp and weighs about 4,000 lbs with no extra weights on it. The box blade weighs about 650#'s and has 5 ripper teeth. Will I be satisfied with its ability to pull a full box of dirt and grade a driveway?????

I have not loaded the tires because I mainly just used it for brush hogging, but I will if recommended. Here is tractor doing some snow work this year. It does ok with 6' back blade but in deeper snow the tractor got thrown around because it lost rear traction. thanks....!

jenkinsph · Feb 19, 2014

I used a 5' box blade behind my 820 and had some wheel slip. If it were me I would fill the tires with Rim Guard.

cartod · Feb 19, 2014

jenkinsph said:
I used a 5' box blade behind my 820 and had some wheel slop. If it were me I would fill the tires with Rim Guard.

Ok, I will. What about 24/7 chains on the rears?

jenkinsph · Feb 20, 2014

cartod said:
Ok, I will. What about 24/7 chains on the rears?

Chains would help in the snow but filled R1 tires would work well most of the year. I used a Deere 45 7' rear blade, Howard 5' HR4 tiller, 8' harrow and a MX6 brush cutter with mine. The MX 6 was kind of heavy and made the front end bounce up if you weren't careful. Also last spring while working a job I used my 673 Deere tiller with the 820 and it worked okay but was a maximum load. From my use I would buy a 5' box blade, rotary cutter and tiller for a good fit while some of the other lower draft implements such as a spike tooth harrow can be wider.

Zebrafive · Feb 20, 2014

I agree, load the rear tires, you will see a big difference.

Verticaltrx · Feb 21, 2014

Properly ballasted it should pull a 5' box blade with ease. I have a 454 International which is about the same size (40hp, 4700lbs operating weight) and it pulls a heavy-duty 6' box blade well. I do have the tires filled though, so it's probably closer to 5700lbs.