JD vs I.T. shop manual

Ken Cunningham · Mar 12, 2008

Called the dealer about a service manual for my 1070, allmost fell out of the chair we i heard the price! Are the IT manuals good quality and cover most everything, especially the hydraulics?

I am interested in putting cyclinders on the 3pt. He gave me a price of 800.oo for a top and tilt, but said it would be more later due to the installation cost. I think he was meaning that there would be no installation charge before I take posessiong of the tractor, but there would be charges after. Is this a good price? Im kinda strapped for cash, but could swing it barely. Anybody think I should wait and just intall it myself later? They are delivering the tractor friday so I gotta make a decision quick.

thanks,

yankeerider · Mar 12, 2008

Keep an eye on Ebay. I was able to snag a JD manual for my 755 there for a bargain price. (less than $25 IIRC)

dgl24087 · Mar 12, 2008

The I & T manuals are extremely basic, in most cases poorly illustrated, and somewhat vague in many respects. I purchased the I & T manual for my tractor, and I was highly disappointed. I agree with the previous poster, watch eBay, you will find the JD manuals at a good price there. It may take awhile, but they will eventually turn up. I bought 2 complete sets for my JD 1530, one for myself and one for my brother, as he is the one who does all of the maintenance on the tractor. 1 set was in virtually brand new condition. As for T & T, shop around, I'd think you can do better than $800, but I've never researched that particular item as I have no interest or need for it.

JerryG · Mar 12, 2008

Hello Ken,
You will be better off getting the factory manuals. They are much better than after market versions. Like has been said, try to get them on e-bay or you can check on Manuals.us . Manuals.us usually has good prices.

As far as the T&T goes, the cylinders are always more expensive from the dealer. Get them from Carter and Carter. Mark Carter is a member here and his cylinders have valves to keep them from going down which the factory ones don't. I have a top cylinder from him and a lot of other members have also bought from him. The control valves can be purchased from your dealer and will have more of a finished look or you can roll your own. There are several pictorials and write ups about how members have set up valves through out TBN. It is a lot less expensive to roll your own. Good luck.

Deere Hunter · Mar 12, 2008

Bought an IT for my new tractor - wish I hadn't. It has been added to "the drawer" in the shop. I have a JD manual "in the mail" - its been there a while...

Ken Cunningham · Mar 12, 2008

Dealer called and said tractor parts are in and its ready, so ima take tomorrow off and go ahead a get it in the morning. I guess ill try using it like it is and see if the top and tilt is gonna wind up being a want or need. I dont really have to have the manual, but thought it would help with adding the hydraulics myself. When i get the tractor Ill measure the lift cylinder from the front mount blade and see it that will work for the top link.

Ill probably never put the blade back on cause it would be to much hassle to take off the loader mounts to put the mounts back on for the front blade. After all , would i even have a use for it with the new scrape blade I bought? If any body is interested in the 390 blade I would let it go for a good price. It fits 870, 970, and 1070 tractors according to the manual. If not it will probably end up being a yard fixture.

AKfish · Mar 13, 2008

Ken;

I really believe that you'd be further ahead to work with CCM (frequent poster on TBN) for a "roll yer own" top n tilt arrangement if you decide to go that extra step.

He offers hyd cylinders with internal check-valves that won't sag or loose their position once you set it. And they will custom make all the hoses to your needs as well.

That 390 blade is the cat's pajamas for snow removal!! I'd guess that you aren't likely to use it for that purpose more than a couple of times over the next 5 year's... but if priced right --- they'll be somebody who'll jump on it! So, I'd leave the cylinder right where it is and give 'ol CCM a look-see on the web.

Don't know for positive --- (I've got the owner's manual for the 390) --- but it looks like you might be able to use the 390 with the FEL. 'Course you can't use 'em both at the same time but the mounts appear to bolt into the same location as the FEL mounts (sandwich 'em) on the tractor frame but drop down below the FEL post mounts.

So, you could drop the FEL on the ground and drive over the blade and hook up and go...!

AKfish

Ken Cunningham · Mar 14, 2008

AKfish

The dealer said the mounts werent compatable, Ill take a look, but I dont really see how the would work together since it would space out the loader mounts. Sure would be nice if i could get both on there at the same time though. Im just gonna wait and see if he can unload it for me. Told him we would just split whatever he could get for it.

dfkrug · Mar 14, 2008

KEN:

I have both the I&T and JD factory manuals for my JD955. I got the
I&T on Overstock.com for $20 and found the factory manual (CD format)
on Ebay for $30, as I recall. Although the I&T had some usefull info on
rebuilding the engine, it was woefully incomplete in other areas. Factory
is still best by far.

AKfish · Mar 14, 2008

Ken; I was kinda kiddin' on the blade and FEL mounts. I can't see you gettin' a whole lotta use with the 390 blade in South Carolina...

It could very well be that the post mounts on the FEL would be spaced out too far if the blade mounts were "sandwiched" between them and the tractor frame. But, it's only a 1/2" on each side...

Nonetheless, you'd be money ahead (and it'll help against the cost of that dynamite lookin' 300CX) to sell the blade.

And, as everyone here has more or less said, the OEM JD manual is the way to go or get the CD if there's one for the 670-1070 series. I bought both the IT and the JD Technical manuals on eBay and the IT book was very useful to sit my coffee cup on..

AKfish