Toplink placement with boxblade

[cag]

I was awarded a contract this past summer, to cut down 40 trees at a retired home,we dump the branches at a near by parking lot with the trailer to be mulch at a later date, the pile was about 12 wide by 100 long, I rented a chipper hook it up to the ATV and move along when I was done I use the boxblade to push the pile in one place, this is when I hit, I suffered damage to the tractor but very little considering how hard I hit.. John were the heck have you been man we haven't seen you around much...cag

 

[Highbeam]

So I'll just guess that you were in reverse backing the tractor into the pile when this happened? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Is the question confusing? Which way were the four round rubber thingys spinning?

I do a lot of the kind of work you describe with the BB and often find hidden treasures so I would like to know about this weakness.

Thanks Cag

 

[cag]

Pushing the pile of mulch with the BB, therefore going in reverse...cag

 

[Highbeam]

Thanks, wanted to be sure. I have always been told that backing into things isn't the way you're supposed to use 3ph implements. At least not the strongest way. It just works so darn good.

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Thanks, wanted to be sure. I have always been told that backing into things isn't the way you're supposed to use 3ph implements. At least not the strongest way. It just works so darn good. )</font>
This is something we've discussed here quite a few times. While, generally, the 3pt is made to pull, boxblades are made to use both ways, but one has to be careful how it's done just because of things like happened to Cag. Leveling dirt with a boxblade often requires pushing a pile of dirt back over a depression to fill it in, and done carefully, usually doesn't cause any problems. As Cag said, he hit hard while pushing back into a large pile of timber, in high range, probably going pretty fast. It's easy to get in a hurry when working a large job like that, and anything can happen when one is in a hurry!
John

 

[Trev]

All I can find in my JD4300 (my2000) about these three holes for the top link is this:

- For light and medium draft loads: install center link in lower hole (B) of mounting bracket.

- For medium and heavy draft loads: install center link in middle hole (C) of mounting bracket.

- For very heavy draft loads: install center link in upper hole (D) of mounting braket.

Which I have never understood.. first, what exactly is a "draft load"? Second, what happened to hole (A)? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I have three.. labeled B through D. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I leave mine in the middle position, figuring I won't be off by too much if I err in the wrong direction! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Why not just always leave it in the position for heavy loads? I don't see much difference in terms of lift height.. although I haven't measured it.

I would like to know the answer to this one also. The tractor place could provide no insight.

Addendum: I just called the JD dealer.. and he says he just always leaves his in the middle hole and has never had a problem. I said, but, why not always leave it in the hole for the strongest position. He said he had no idea.. the manuals tell you what to do but not why. Hey, they're honest. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Addendum 2: The tractor dealer told me that a "draft load" simply means pulling, as opposed to raising.

Bob