Rear Blade Rear Blade for JD 5303

deere5105 · Oct 12, 2012

Made call after no response to email offer. Was stated someone coming to look at it. Repeated offer if interested. Several hours later received call other person going to be next week looking. Made trip and purchased for $200. I think I could get my money back easily if not satisfied. Seems like most of the original stickers are on it except the model number. Blade shows some wear but otherwise appears straight. Will check it close in daylight this weekend.

jenkinsph · Oct 12, 2012

deere5105 said:
I have submitted an offer of $200 if is in condition as stated. Out of curiousity, twice now there has been mention of strengthening or beefing this unit up. I have never worked with a straight blade before. What is the consensus on what is the "weak link" and what is the recommended work to strengthen? I have noticed it seems the main frame just before the pivot point has been boxed in. I assume this was a previous damaged or weak area?

The king pin is about 3" diameter iirc, pretty decent sized. I am reminded each time this is discussed that I need to brace up my own blade. Maybe I can brace it up and take some pics for you to copy. LD1 makes some good suggestion above and let me say again that it is alot easier to brace it up BEFORE it gets bent. I should practice what I preach.:ashamed:

jenkinsph · Oct 12, 2012

Looks pretty good, I am concerned about the blade being tweaked in the second picture though. Guess we will find out tomorrow.

LD1 · Oct 13, 2012

Yea, I dont know if its an illusion, but in the second pic, the side that is still up in the truck looks tweaked pretty good. But other pics it looks straight???

If it is straight, and in otherwise good condition, you could slap a new cutting edge on it (~$100), and a fresh coat of paint (~$30) and have a total of $330 in it, And I think you could easily double that if you wanted to sell it.

deere5105 · Oct 13, 2012

Here are a few more pictures.

LD1 · Oct 13, 2012

Still kinda hard to tell. So I'll ask...Is it bent or straight?

In the second pic, it looks straight

In the third, it looks a little bowed.

I also see that part of the horizontal peice is bowed wehre the pins are. Easy fix. Straighten it, box the underside in, (also helps prevent wasps from making a home), and add triangle gussets from it up to the toplink "tower"

Furu · Oct 13, 2012

As others have pointed out. I would be concerned that your tractor is too large for that blade. I think you will either destroy it quickly or you will be spending more time trying to ensure that you take it easy on it that it will slow your projects too much. I have an RBT 4096 that is very robust that is used on a JD 4720 which is smaller than your JD and I watch that I don't over do it and it is a blade rated for 60-100HP tractors and I run it on a 58 HP tractor.

deere5105 · Oct 13, 2012

LD1 said:
Still kinda hard to tell. So I'll ask...Is it bent or straight?

In the second pic, it looks straight

In the third, it looks a little bowed.

I also see that part of the horizontal peice is bowed wehre the pins are. Easy fix. Straighten it, box the underside in, (also helps prevent wasps from making a home), and add triangle gussets from it up to the toplink "tower"

In the woods working today. I think it is a little bowed. May try to put a string on it to be certain and how much.

deere5105 · Oct 13, 2012

Furu said:
As others have pointed out. I would be concerned that your tractor is too large for that blade. I think you will either destroy it quickly or you will be spending more time trying to ensure that you take it easy on it that it will slow your projects too much. I have an RBT 4096 that is very robust that is used on a JD 4720 which is smaller than your JD and I watch that I don't over do it and it is a blade rated for 60-100HP tractors and I run it on a 58 HP tractor.

Seems to be the consensus. Guy indicated he had been using it on an old JD 4010 and JD 2030 to keep up driveway. Previous place he said had about a mile of drive. I figure for no more than I paid and no more than I will likely use it, it would be ok. I also think I can get my money back out of it if I see it is not working out.