NEW 4300 owner

[jorswift]

Hello all,

I am new to the forum and somewhat to the tractor world. I have a Ford Jubilee for a couple of years that I am trying to sell. But I picked up a used 4300 with loader, scaper blade and box blade with trailer for a reasonable price (I believe).

I have never owned a diesel machine. I have never had a tractor with 4x4, loader, etc. Anything I need to watch out for? Any mods or anything to do to the tractor to help it out or me?!

I used it for the first time this weekend, temps were -5* F, to cut and move some wood. I have a carryall with pallet box on. Well after loading the carryall with some wood, the left lift control arm snapped. Is this something they are prone to do? I didn't even have that much weight. The tractor lifted it pretty easy.

Thanks in advance for all the much needed advice and help!

 

[larboc]

Never heard of that, I've lifted fronts of vehicles with a carryall on mine and had it at or over the hydraulic load limit (guessing around 3500lbs) with no issues. Check ebay, they get parted out. go to JDparts.com to find the part number and search that on ebay.

 

[rekees4300]

Nor have I ever heard of a 4300 lift arm snapping. Perhaps it was previous damaged and/or the cold weaken it? The 3 point lift should be able to lift 2200 lbs according to my owner's manual.

One thing you do need to watch out for with 4300's is the failure of a part called the thermistor which would prevent it from starting. There are several good threads on TBN about that.

 

[beenthere]

Have a 4300 and never heard of a lift arm snapping either.

Have had many trials testing it with huge loads..

A picture of the broken part and close-up of the break would be of interest to see just what that break looks like. I'd suspect a pin had partially fallen out causing an unbalanced load.. but without a pic, cannot surmise that to be the case.

And after 20 years, have yet to have a problem with that "thermister", but know where to look for the problem if it happens.

Congrats on the 4300.. best of the best in that size tractor IMO

:welcome: to TBN

 

[jorswift]

Have a 4300 and never heard of a lift arm snapping either.

Have had many trials testing it with huge loads..

A picture of the broken part and close-up of the break would be of interest to see just what that break looks like. I'd suspect a pin had partially fallen out causing an unbalanced load.. but without a pic, cannot surmise that to be the case.

And after 20 years, have yet to have a problem with that "thermister", but know where to look for the problem if it happens.

Congrats on the 4300.. best of the best in that size tractor IMO

:welcome: to TBN

Yeah, no idea on the break. It broke on the left side, so the one that isn't easily adjusted. It snapped right where the top thread meets the solid part. Its crazy, but I googled it and read a few others having similar issues. I already took it in to get welded, so I cant take a pic of the broken.

 

[mike48130]

Not sure if it's the same as a 4310, but Worthington AG has a 4310, and maybe others in their salvage yard. I know you got it welded, but if you feel like replacing it, they might have one.

 

[Phillip w]

"Sure you didn't buy a massey, lol" I kind of think the cold played a big role in break. When it is really cold everything tends to break easier. That includes plastic, glass, cast iron and other type of materials.

 

[larboc]

"Sure you didn't buy a massey, lol" I kind of think the cold played a big role in break. When it is really cold everything tends to break easier. That includes plastic, glass, cast iron and other type of materials.

I don't buy that it should matter for that arm. I routinely use mine in pretty cold temperatures with a ~1500 weight box on the back bouncing around while moving snow. Coldest I've used it in is -30f but its commonly below zero.

Any pictures? Even post weld?

 

[jorswift]

I don't buy that it should matter for that arm. I routinely use mine in pretty cold temperatures with a ~1500 weight box on the back bouncing around while moving snow. Coldest I've used it in is -30f but its commonly below zero.

Any pictures? Even post weld?

Yeah, I can post a pic later of the weld. I just got it back this morning.

 

[beenthere]

jorswift
I think you mean the "lift link", and not the lift arm, as you mentioned it is "without the easy adjustment. Welding it should work, as seldom need to adjust that side from my experience.
Here is pic of the left lift arm. and of the left lift link.