Front-End Loader John Deere 955 loader upgrade????Expert Please

[Pederson6]

I certainly hope I came to the right place. I wish to upgrade from the 70a loader on my 955 and thought the 430 was the perfect choice until I spoke with several Deere dealers that claim the 430 is not compatible, the 420, 300x and the H160 are my choices. In the past I had a 855 with a 420 loader and it was great, so I'm thinking bigger tractor bigger loader. I got really confused with the JD parts page, mounting frames say only (420) for the 855/955 but if you look at the 4400 it uses the same mounting frame for both loaders. What am I missing? Can I ignore JD's "recommended tractor" and mount the 430 on my 955?

 

[pmsmechanic]

I had a 430 on my 955. Maybe John Deere has changed their recommendations since I purchased mine.

 

[Pederson6]

Thanks. Any issues? What size bucket did you have and what ballast? The one thing that stood out about the "recommended" tractors was the weight, they averaged a 1000lbs heavier.

 

[pmsmechanic]

I did not have any issues. The bucket was a 5 foot heavy duty. For ballast I have a set of front tractor weights that hang about a foot behind the three point hitch links. There are 6 weight's at 100 lbs each plus the weight bracket. I had ten weight's on at one point in time but took 4 weight's off because I couldn't get the bucket to dig into anything. The front end was just to light.

 

[buickanddeere]

As much as the JD955 is a time tested classic. It can't hurt to ask what it would cost to trade for something comparable in a new JD ? The stripped down plain jane JD E models iirc are reasonable.

 

[paulfun9]

As much as the JD955 is a time tested classic. It can't hurt to ask what it would cost to trade for something comparable in a new JD ? The stripped down plain jane JD E models iirc are reasonable.

Personally after comparing the 55 series machines with the newer JD units in their respective size and power equivalents I chose to keep my old machine!

 

[Parkanzky]

Personally after comparing the 55 series machines with the newer JD units in their respective size and power equivalents I chose to keep my old machine!

My father-in-law has a 955 with over 10,000 hours on it. I'd hold onto it as long as it does what you want it to do!

 

[Parkanzky]

Personally after comparing the 55 series machines with the newer JD units in their respective size and power equivalents I chose to keep my old machine!

My father-in-law has a 955 with over 10,000 hours on it. I'd hold onto it as long as it does what you want it to do!

 

[paulfun9]

My father-in-law has a 955 with over 10,000 hours on it. I'd hold onto it as long as it does what you want it to do!

When you look past the eye candy appeal of the new machines and get to the heart of the mechanicals you soon realize how strong those old 55 series machines were built. Try to find a planetary gear in any of the new stuff JD is selling and instead you will find a spur gear with an aluminum housing????

 

[pmsmechanic]

I traded mine for my 4410 and I'm not sorry I did, but if I found one without a fel and the price was right....it would come home with me.