4530 BREAKING EVERYTHING

[cdover73]

I have been using my tractor more and more lately trying to clear out around my pond and other medium duty work. The problem is, everything I hook to is getting bent to heck and back. It started with my boom pole. I was trying move a stump we dug up. It didn't have much dirt on the roots and the tree was only about 12" before we cut it. I figure it weighed around 300 - 400 lbs, but as soon as I lifted it the pole bent like a pretzel.
Next came the box blade. I have posted earlier about it bending at the top of the mast under light work. This time it was beyond bent. I ended up using the jaws-of-life from our rescue unit to open the mast back up, which worked surprisingly well plus I didn't have to heat anything. Once it was straight, I cut a piece of 3/8" plate to fit the front of the mast and used it to box in the framework. It shouldn't bend anymore, at least in that area.
I also bent my drawbar trying to finish the stump pulling (the stumps were already out of the ground, we used a trackhoe for that).
My boom pole was a freebie with my tractor (ie. cheap), and the box is a Bush Hog SBX 720.
I understand the theory that wou want the equipment to be the weak link if anything is to break, not the tractor. I also baby the tractor to an extent. I don't want ya'll to think I am using it for a log skidder (even thoug I am pulling stumps)! In my opinion, I don't use it nearly hard enough to cause damage. However, I can't understand why this keeps happening. Is the tractor too much for the equipment I have? I told the dealer to equip it with the heaviest implements they had, and the 4530 is only 45hp. Also, this isn't my first tractor. I was raised on farm equipment and I know when something is being abused. I don't abuse my stuff, so why can't I keep anything behind the tractor without it tearing up? If I am told one more time to lighten up I will scream! I don't use it hard enough to have to lighten up. If this keeps up, I may as well stay off my tractor or go broke upgrading to heavier impements.
I will try to post some pics of the equipment and repairs later this week.

 

[rback33]

I must say I was concerned about where this thread might go. I am glad you are not tearing up the loader. I would love to see some pics of the carnage before I form a wrong opinion...

 

[cdover73]

I didn't opt for the loader since I have unlimited access to heavy equipment. Good thing because this post may have went the way you were thinking!

Here are the older pics of my box when it bent the first time.

 

[Dargo]

The Bush Hog SBX series is a light duty box blade and is only rated up to a max of 35 hp if the tractor is four wheel drive. See here: Bush Hog SBX Series Box Blades

It shows your box blade at 72" with a weight of 550 pounds. I have a very old 72" box blade that weighs right at 1000 pounds. If your tractor is 4X4, you likely need a medium duty blade.

I don't even have a boom pole anymore because I always bent it. They are generally very light duty. Otherwise, it would take two men to pick it up. The only thing that sounds really odd is bending the drawbar. I've used tractors with several hundred hp and never bent a drawbar. Something sounds wrong there.

 

[knute_m]

Last week I got a pretty good deal on a "two piece" King Kutter TRB-72-Y 6-foot rear blade. The fellow I bought it from had ripped the blade assembly completely off the frame. He broke all three welds and tore the 3/8-inch plate that holds the blade assembly to the frame. The welds are 3/8-inch plate welded to 3/8-inch round and square stock. He was using it with about a 45 hp 4WD John Deere. Welded back together, it should last forever with my 20 hp 4WD tractor.

He replaced it with a really heavy duty John Deere blade.

Laying in his shed was a CAT 1 drawbar that was bent. He was using it with a chain to pull stumps. He also had a pretty hefty dirt scoop that was all twisted out of shape.

He had previously been using these implements with a Ford 8-N.

Since I believe your tractor can use both CAT 1 and CAT 2 implements, I think I'd look hard at only using CAT 2 implements. Also, I think that would qualify as "heavying up" not lightening up -- so please don't scream!

Good luck,
Knute

 

[Egon]

You know, we have the same problem. My Kubota B7100 has broken the rear blade mount where it swivels and my drawbar got all bent up pulling rocks around.

 

[DavesTractor]

When you say drawbar, do you mean the part attached under the back of the tractor, or a bar you have put between the lower three-point arms?

The 4530 is a heavy beast. It weighs what some 70HP tractors weigh, hence the problem. Traction is an awesome thing.

 

[jwcinpk]

Yeah it's the weight thing too. When something weighs what these tractors do it just breaks stuff. I broke the wheel off my IMC 7ft cutter just backing into a small ditch. You need heavy duty stuff with these tractors. I bent a drawbar with a Ford Jubilee so it happens with all tractors.

 

[Keith_B]

I assume you are talking about the drawbard for the 3PH, and not the swinging drawbard (aka bellybar in these parts). Those are easy to bend, especially if your bar is undresized for your tractor. Cat 1 bars can be heavy duty, or medium duty. Sounds like you need a thicker bar.

 

[DavesTractor]

I agree, use a Cat II 3ph drawbar, and don't pull stumps using the 3-point drawbar. This is a recipe for a rear rollover if it is raised above the centerline of the rear axle.