Blade Clearance from Ground

[stuart]

I purchased a Frontier RB 1172 for my 4300 JD. With the 3 point hitch in highest position I have about 6 1/2 inches of clearance between the blade bottom and the ground.
I played with the adjustments to raise the blade as high as possible.
I have a quick hitch attachment on the tractor.
How's my clearance?? Is 6 1/2 inches high enough? Do I need to do something else to raise it higher. Any thoughts or suggestions appreciated.

 

[Wombat125]

I agree that seems a little low for maximum height. I would have trouble crossing little troughs or approaching hills.

Can you shorten the top link on your 3 point just a bit? Making it a bit shorter, should yield a lot of height out back without goofing up your blade angle too much.

Or you could just let all the air out of your front tires.

 

[RalphVa]

My 4010 doesn't raise the LX4 very high in the back when the top link is adjusted to get 1" higher cut in the rear. Only way to get it higher is to take up on the top link all the way. It'll go up high enough then for traversing uneven ground or for lowering onto shrubs to chop them up.

One thing that I found when my 4010/LX4 were delivered was they had put the LX4 lift pins in the wrong holes (think it was the higher holes). This made the top link longer than the bottom lift arms. So, by geometry, raising the 3ph drove the LX4 trail wheel into the ground. I moved the lift pins, and it works fine as noted above.

Ralph

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Can you shorten the top link on your 3 point just a bit? Making it a bit shorter, should yield a lot of height out back without goofing up your blade angle too much.

Hydraulic Top Link....shorten it when you are transporting, put it back "level" when your using it...

 

[TripleR]

Hydraulic Top Link....shorten it when you are transporting, put it back "level" when your using it...

Yep that's the way to go if possible.

 

[stuart]

Thanks for your replies. I tried shortening the 3 Point lift arms and gained an inch or so. I do not have hydraulic top link (I wish I did of course). If I had understood the importance of hydraulics at the back of the tractor I would have had it installed when I bought it.
You are basically saying that by shortening the top link I would have the best chance of raising it higher. I will give it a shot.
Anybody have any idea what the proper clearance between ground and bottom of blade should be????

 

[kennyd]

It does not sound correct...can you post a picture please? Do you use any other 3PH implements?

 

[stuart]

Kenny: It did not feel right to me. I can post pictures but it will be a week or two before I return to the farm. I will resurrect this thread at that time. Thanks

 

[thatguy]

Does the 4300 have adjustable 3pt arms? On my 2320 the part actually does the lifting has 3 holes were it connects to the actual 3pt arms.. Mine came in the middle position and I moved it to the top hole and that gave me some additional lift. BUT you do loose some weight capacity

Brian

 

[kennyd]

Does the 4300 have adjustable 3pt arms? On my 2320 the part actually does the lifting has 3 holes were it connects to the actual 3pt arms.. Mine came in the middle position and I moved it to the top hole and that gave me some additional lift. BUT you do loose some weight capacity

Brian

Bingo, I think you nailed it.:thumbsup: Good call.

There are two holes in the draft arms (Part # 26)

 

[stuart]

Please explain; If the answer to my problem has been given I need help in understanding it. Kenny D's picture should be enough but I still do not grasp it.

 

[kennyd]

Please explain; If the answer to my problem has been given I need help in understanding it. Kenny D's picture should be enough but I still do not grasp it.

If the side links are attached to the holes closer to the tractor, then the arms will lift higher.

 

[Gizmo2]

Out of the JD 2320 Operators Manual

Adjusting Lift Capacity and Height



Draft links (A) and lift links (B) each have three different positions that can be used to change lift capacity and height capacity. Tractor is shipped from factory with both links in mid position.

Adjusting to inner hole (C) on draft link and upper hole (D) on lift link will provide maximum lift height. Adjusting to outer hole (E) on draft link and lower hole (F) on lift link will provide maximum lift capacity. Adjust links as necessary for your implement.

 

[stuart]

Gizmo; Thanks for the explanation and picture. The picture sure helped.
I think you have solved my problem. I just did not get much additional clearance tinkering on the top. I will let you know how it works out.

 

[stuart]

Gizmo; My JD 4300 has a different set up than the one you posted.
When I shortened the LIFT LINKS as far as they would go and then shortened the center link most of the way I was able to get the rear of the rear blade 10" off the ground. If possible I would like to get another 4" of lift height at the rear of the blade. Is the extra height necessary or unreasonable?
I do not have a Hydraulic center link but I might be able to change to lift links I can shorten a little more than the ones on the tractor.
OR new Draft Links with holes in different locations OR Different Sway Links because when I tried swapping position of the sway link and the Lift Link, the sway links would not reach (were too short) the rear position hole on the Draft Link. The new position of the Lift Link (in the hole for the Sway Link) was a couple of inches higher as shown in photo # 2.
Hopefully I have attached a picture from the Operator's Manual that shows my setup.

 

[Compact1]

Gizmo; My JD 4300 has a different set up than the one you posted.
When I shortened the LIFT LINKS as far as they would go and then shortened the center link most of the way I was able to get the rear of the rear blade 10" off the ground. If possible I would like to get another 4" of lift height at the rear of the blade. Is the extra height necessary or unreasonable?

Stuart,

The extra height is only necessary if you need the extra height. In other words, it is different from one application to the next. If you need to drive up and down steep banks, through ditches or other unlevel ground the extra height may be necessary - otherwise you will unintentionally dig a ditch. If you primarily run on level ground I would think 10" is pleanty of travel. Again, it's subjective and individual.

Just my opinion

 

[Gizmo2]

We need pictures of the Frontier RB 1172 attached to your tractor in the total up, midway point and total down, with a couple different angles with the camera. Could it be the Frontier RB 1172 is too big for your tractor? As a standard post hole digger is almost too big for the 2305.

 

[stuart]

Compact1; I have had the same thought and most of my property is flat with slight slope except for the ditches I want to be able to clean using the blade in a tilted fashion. In order to use the tilt function I need the extra height on the blade.

Gizmo; I have some photos I can post after I go thru them. The 4300 is rated for the RB1172 blade. My Bushog Squealer weighs more and the 4300 has no problem raising it high enough to go over ditches so I do not think that is the problem.
If you look at the picture of the lift arms I posted above the closer arm is raised higher than the other because I moved the Lift Link closer to the tractor. The other arm is in the original position. I would need longer anti-sway links to make this configuration work. When I did get my sway link attached it was too short and hit the inside of the tire.

 

[jimmysisson]

I don't get it. Those lower arms look 2' off the floor. If your blade sits level, it should be plenty high. No?
Jim

 

[Gizmo2]

I don't get it. Those lower arms look 2' off the floor. If your blade sits level, it should be plenty high. No?
Jim

Yeah, like pointing to the moon.