John Deere 520 Front Weights Question

[simpsonc9]

I have a 1957 John Deere 520 that I want to put front weights on. The tractor already has one weight directly on the front and I also have the two side weights that go on it but are off the tractor. This might be a dumb question but I am wondering how these side weights bolt on?

I have tried to search for the answer and have heard something about mounting hardware for them but can't find what it is or looks like. I tried to bolt one on with Grade 8 bolts but the hole that it would go in towards the front is too large because it has a keyhole style to it. I can add pictures if necessary.

Any help would be appreciated as I run a 3 bottom plow on it that is very heavy and even though it works for now I would feel a little better with an extra #200 or so on the front.

 

[Anonymous-0]

The keyhole bolt hole is for a carriage bolt which you need for the weight, but can't help you with length. chris

 

[Ferd]

Put the front bolt in the weight, place the weight against the tractor pushing the bolt through the large round hole of the keyhole, then pull the weight and bolt back so the bolt is now in the "slot" of the keyhole. The rear bolt hole in the weight will align with the hole in the tractor frame and you can tighten both bolts.

 

[jd2cylman]

Front carriage bolts are 5/8"x4" and the back bolts are 5/8"x2 1/2"
My JD720, 730 pdf parts manual had a typo and listed the back bolts as 3/8"x10 1/2"!

 

[simpsonc9]

Thank you very much for all of the information, this will help me out for sure as I thought regular hex head bolts would've worked.

Does anyone know if they make hardened carriage bolts or will the regular Grade 5 carriage bolts work with these heavy weights?

 

[jd2cylman]

Grade 5 is hard enough. On the new NH TV6070 bi-directional, the engine end wheels each have one 1500lb weight. It is held on by only THREE 5/8"x9" grade 5 bolts. So I think two 5/8" grade 5 bolts will hold 125lbs. I forgot to say that the 2 1/2" bolts are standard hex head machine bolts. I'm sure grade 2 would work fine also, but grade 5 would be best. As far as the lower center bolt for the front weight, the parts book just lists it as screw, special cap. The special part is that that bolt is a grade 8. All the hardware is available from Deere if you feel wealthy. Otherwise the only things I got from Deere are the longer coupler nuts for the front weight (in case I ever put on a second front weight) and the screw, special cap. However I can tell you that the screw, special cap is a 3/4"x6" grade 8 hex head cap screw. Not too special these days.