5520 Anybody driving one ...

   / 5520 Anybody driving one ... #31  
The rule of thunb with radials, I recall reading, is that three bars should hit the ground if the air pressure is correct. Firestone has a formula for this on their website and mine calculated out to be 5 or 7 PSI. That'a all. So I run 7 psi and they grip unbelievable.
 
   / 5520 Anybody driving one ...
  • Thread Starter
#32  
The rule of thunb with radials, I recall reading, is that three bars should hit the ground if the air pressure is correct. Firestone has a formula for this on their website and mine calculated out to be 5 or 7 PSI. That'a all. So I run 7 psi and they grip unbelievable.

Are yours loaded?
 
   / 5520 Anybody driving one ... #33  
Are yours loaded?

No, they are plenty heavy. Remember, I have cast rear centers and two weights on each side. Since the tires add a total of maybe 300 lbs, it handles very well.
It's hard to see your photo but it looks like you have one weight per side. If you are at all "bouncy" you could add another one or two weights per side. Having loaded tires in the past, I no longer care for it. Weights work, can be adjusted (rarely) and aren't a disaster if you get a flat. I will never load tires again.

On my front end I have a "starter weight" that is 275 lbs and I add up to 8 front end weights of 110 lbs each if I need them. Any of the old Deere weights fit the front and aren't that expensive at auction. I bought the back ones when I bought the tractor but the shape and pattern looks like many I have see.
Here's my math on weight from my notes. Added in my head so check if it matters.

tractor--no cab--5825 lbs
rear weights 440 lbs
loader brackets 500
radials all around 300
front weight bkt 275
me 200
cast rear centers 240
=======================
total of 7780 plus front weights @ 110 lbs each. Plus, this is without the loader. This dog will hunt.
 
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   / 5520 Anybody driving one ...
  • Thread Starter
#34  
What air pressure are you running in the radials? The manual states the weight with the cab to be 7264 ... when I add the rear weights, the radials thats about 500 lbs so I'am at almost 7764 with out the FEL. About the same as you are.
 
   / 5520 Anybody driving one ... #35  
What air pressure are you running in the radials? The manual states the weight with the cab to be 7264 ... when I add the rear weights, the radials thats about 500 lbs so I'am at almost 7764 with out the FEL. About the same as you are.

There is a formula--I think on the Firestone site--that works out to around 7 psi for my rear radials with my weight. Remember I use mine in some tillage applications and on soft clay ground where compaction is an issue. I run 7 psi to 9 psi depending. At 7 psi I can drive on my lawn in the dry part of spring and not screw it up.
The practical application rule of thumb for air pressure in rear radials is that three lugs should contact the ground. Since I have a loader on and lift heavy stuff, I run 28 or so psi in the front radials. If in tillage I drop it then raise if weighted.

Do you have any idea what the loader weighs as a whole or maybe just the loader brackets? It must be a secret since I can't find the info. Is your loader self-leveling or non self leveleing?

Here's a hint---I'm not sure what transmission you have but I have the synchro standard that has a gear shift "detent" to put into park since there is no parking brake. If I am in a hurry and try to put into the park application too fast, you can hear a gear clunk of resistance. Doing this is something you never want to do since I have been told the repair is very expensive because the tractor must be split and gears gears taken apart.
 
   / 5520 Anybody driving one ...
  • Thread Starter
#36  
I do not know the weight of the loader and I just looked in the manual ... no metion of it. This is not self leveling.

That is the same transmission so I will take note of that. My tires are at 7 lbs ... they seem to squat a little so I'm going to try a little more air.

After I asked the question I went back and seen you had already talked about air pressure ...
 
   / 5520 Anybody driving one ... #37  
I do not know the weight of the loader and I just looked in the manual ... no metion of it. This is not self leveling.

That is the same transmission so I will take note of that. My tires are at 7 lbs ... they seem to squat a little so I'm going to try a little more air.

After I asked the question I went back and seen you had already talked about air pressure ...

You want them to squat. Mine look like they need air but that's what you want.
 
   / 5520 Anybody driving one ...
  • Thread Starter
#38  
Anyone got one of these for your JD's? It looks pretty slick and you can use both JD and SSQA.
 

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  • QA-JD3.jpg
    QA-JD3.jpg
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   / 5520 Anybody driving one ... #39  
Anyone got one of these for your JD's? It looks pretty slick and you can use both JD and SSQA.

I debated it last year and learned there were a number of sellers but only a couple of actual makers and I got confused. I wanted to use a "tree shovel" type transplanter that only comes in skid steer configuration. The price of the Deere loader frame adapter varied widely. As well, there are two types; the one you show that hooks to the QA brackets (seems the easiest?) and one that you remove the loader pins and OEM bracket and replace (seems the strongest but least practical?).

I learned Deere made an adapter but never got that far to learn more. Deere also makes QA brackets that you can weld to an implement and allow it to QA to your current existing OEM brackets. They call them "bucket brackets" in the "bullet attach" style and are whole goods #BT13919 ($255 last year). There is a picture of this bracket--plus some other great loader info--in the attached PDF.

Also, did you know you can put a 3 PT hitch on the front of the JD5520 that I think(?) is compatable with the loader? These are remarkably versatile tractors.
 

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  • JD 541 Loader.pdf
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   / 5520 Anybody driving one ...
  • Thread Starter
#40  
I debated it last year and learned there were a number of sellers but only a couple of actual makers and I got confused. I wanted to use a "tree shovel" type transplanter that only comes in skid steer configuration. The price of the Deere loader frame adapter varied widely. As well, there are two types; the one you show that hooks to the QA brackets (seems the easiest?) and one that you remove the loader pins and OEM bracket and replace (seems the strongest but least practical?).

I learned Deere made an adapter but never got that far to learn more. Deere also makes QA brackets that you can weld to an implement and allow it to QA to your current existing OEM brackets. They call them "bucket brackets" in the "bullet attach" style and are whole goods #BT13919 ($255 last year). There is a picture of this bracket--plus some other great loader info--in the attached PDF.

Also, did you know you can put a 3 PT hitch on the front of the JD5520 that I think(?) is compatable with the loader? These are remarkably versatile tractors.

I like the design of this one and the fact it goes both ways. Kinda spendy .... Everything I have is SSQA ... with this I would not have to modifiy the JD Bucket or the JD hay spike.

One of my other neighbors just took delivery of a 5083E and says JD ordered him a SSQA for his front loader ... when it comes in I want to look at it.

Thanks for the PDF ... and I did not know about the front 3 point.
 

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