John Deere 3255 Loader Plumbing

[BCMac]

Hey gang - I have a 1992 3255 that I am looking to put a loader on. I have found a 260 with frame mounts for the 2950 which I beleive are the same with the supports to the rear axle. It comes with the loader, bucket, grabble and joystick.

Next step is I need to figure out what else I am going to need to get it all hooked up. Then figure out how to hook it all up. I believe that I would still need the valve for the 3255. Is that correct? Is there anything else that I am overlooking?

 

[BCMac]

Also if anyone can point me to any posts, articles or Youtube videos of the process, that would be super cool. My GoogleFu is failing me.

 

[beenthere]

Hey gang - I have a 1992 3255 that I am looking to put a loader on. I have found a 260 with frame mounts for the 2950 which I beleive are the same with the supports to the rear axle. It comes with the loader, bucket, grabble and joystick.

Next step is I need to figure out what else I am going to need to get it all hooked up. Then figure out how to hook it all up. I believe that I would still need the valve for the 3255. Is that correct? Is there anything else that I am overlooking?

Might help you finding the "alike" supports by going to jd parts site.

https://partscatalog.deere.com/jdrc/navigation/equipment/78609

Browse through there and see if you can match up the parts you have found with the parts that fit both the 2950 and the 3255.

 

[Tx Jim]

Ditto what beenthere stated about researching parts catalog #1814. IMHO hyd components for 2950 & 3255 should be identical including valve

 

[Zebrafive]

If anything like my JD 245 loader, the valve for the joystick, mounts inside a box on the right loader frame. Mine uses the bracket highlighted in yellow. To mount the box on the top of the loader frame. LMK if you need pictures from my JD 2030 with JD 245 loader.

Pressure hose to the valve will "TEE" into the line from the PCV (Pressure Control valve), coming out of, or to the rear of the PCV. The return to sump hose will connect to the transmission oil filter cover. It must have a "ported" filter cover/housing.

 

[BCMac]

Might help you finding the "alike" supports by going to jd parts site.

https://partscatalog.deere.com/jdrc/navigation/equipment/78609

Browse through there and see if you can match up the parts you have found with the parts that fit both the 2950 and the 3255.

Perfect, thanks! That will help a lot.

 

[BCMac]

Ditto what beenthere stated about researching parts catalog #1814. IMHO hyd components for 2950 & 3255 should be identical including valve

Thanks Jim that would be amazing if they do as the package has the valve for the 2950 as well. I think I actually saw another post of yours elsewhere that made me aware of all the compatible mounts. Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge.

 

[BCMac]

If anything like my JD 245 loader, the valve for the joystick, mounts inside a box on the right loader frame. Mine uses the bracket highlighted in yellow. To mount the box on the top of the loader frame. LMK if you need pictures from my JD 2030 with JD 245 loader.

From everything I have seen, the 3255 is the same. Hoses feed from the loader into that box and joystick out and up into the cab.

This is the first time I've actually had to fit a loader to a tractor and not just come with it and I am finding these Mannheim machines to be a challenge.

 

[Tx Jim]

Thanks Jim that would be amazing if they do as the package has the valve for the 2950 as well. I think I actually saw another post of yours elsewhere that made me aware of all the compatible mounts. Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge.

You're very welcome. I don't have any personal experience with a 3255 but have experience with mounting FEL on 2950/2955's. Closed center hyd system's on most JD Mannheim built tractors are very similar. Does your 3255 have a ported hyd filter cover?

 

[BCMac]

Does your 3255 have a ported hyd filter cover?

That I don't know yet. The tractor isn't where I am at right now, so I will have to check when it is.

If it doesn't are they difficult to come by? I just did a quick Google search that didn't bring up much of anything.

 

[Zebrafive]

Here's from JD parts. Key 8 is non ported cover, key 10 is ported cover. $95.36

 

[BCMac]

Here's from JD parts. Key 8 is non ported cover, key 10 is ported cover. $95.36

Perfect. Thanks! I am going to need to get a whole lot better searching these parts books.

 

[Tx Jim]

I've been looking for JD parts since the mid 1960's when I was 1st employed by a JD dealer & sometimes I have difficulty locating a part in JD parts system. IMHO the last JD parts system change made it more difficult for this "old codger" to locate part #s !!!

 

[Zebrafive]

I agree JD has made parts look up much harder. No longer an alphabetical search, no longer parts specs, no longer a search by specs.
My guess is JD no longer wants to pay employees to support the online parts website. Or paid an outside company to take over it's parts website?

 

[BCMac]

So I ended up missing out on that 260 unfortunately. There are a few other options around, but not with the right mounts yet. So my question is this:

Would other mounts, say for a 7000 series (or any others) fit the frame if I were able to have the arms to the rear axle fabricated and welded on to them? Or are they a completely different size and bolt pattern that just won't work?

 

[Tx Jim]

With the aid of an acetylene torch & welder anyone with minimal fabricating skills can create/repurpose mounting brackets. I agree brackets should extend so they can be bolted to rear axle housings for added support for tractor

 

[Zebrafive]

John Deere sold several loaders that used mounts that attached to the rear axle.
245,260, 265, 640, & 740 all have mounts that attach to the rear axle. I would not want to fabricate mounts when they exist.
I would seek out a 640 loader
I have a pair of these mounts if you need measurements, they are for a 640 loader

 

[BCMac]

I would not want to fabricate mounts when they exist.

Totally. Definitely not my preference, but I am finding these mounts quite hard to come by up in Canada. I do see them more often down there, but with borders closed until who knows when, it gets harder to get them home. Basically looking to see if there are other feasible alternatives.

I will add the 640 to my search list and see what I come up with. Thanks!

 

[Tx Jim]

JD offered 146 & 148 loader with mounting frames with axle mounting brackets but I think those FEL's weren't MFWD compatible.

 

[Zebrafive]

JD offered 146 & 148 loader with mounting frames with axle mounting brackets but I think those FEL's weren't MFWD compatible.

You are correct, these were not used on MFWD tractors. For that era it was the 260 or 265 for his size tractor.
3255 has 6cyl engine. Verses a 4cyl in my 6415. So a 640 loader (which my 6415 has) MAY be too short?
I think the 740 was what was recommended. I am not sure if this was for fitment or capacity?