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.

 

[Pederson6]

That's all great folks, but I was hoping for some FEL info. If he put 10,000 hrs on it did he have a FEL if so which one? The more I do learn I think the 420 or 430 have inherent issue involving leak down. Another con I remember is the Cozy cab on a 55 requires the windshield be opened to raise the hood for fuel or just to check the oil. The 420/430 has to be lifted off the mounts to allow this clearance so if the unit dies with the loader mounted your screwed. The 70a clears. I'm just wondering if the 300's would or the H160 (JD recommended but I have found no mounting frames). At the end of the day I think i'll install a quick-tach and get a 60" skid steer bucket for my 70a and live it's shortcomings.

 

[Parkanzky]

I believe he has the 70A loader. I used it over Christmas. I took a bucket full of dirt out into the woods and we ran a 15 kw PTO generator all day and I was really impressed with it.

What shortcomings of the 70A are you concerned with? I'm not very familiar with the 955, but you may be able to increase the lift capacity by shimming the hydraulic pressure relief valve. I've seen several threads on these forums about doing that on various tractors. At a minimum, get a pressure gauge and measure your current pressure. The 955 is spec'd for 2500 psi, but you might be getting less due to a tired spring in your relief valve. You would be able to shim it up and get a significant increase in capacity for a few dollars.

 

[Pederson6]

Good point. This time of year in MN is for research, to **** cold. When the snowblower comes off I will certainly be checking that out.

 

[Green955]

I have a 955 with a Cozy cab and a 420 loader. Haven't had any leak down issues. You're right the windshield has to be opened to raise the hood. Easy solution though, I cut the hood with a fine tooth hacksaw blade just a little ahead of the windshield. Screwed the small rear portion of the hood to the dash console and now I can open the hood anytime I want.