Can I use a larger front blade for my x304?

@ggsteve, NJ.
what I am seeing are blades from the lightweight bigbox store JDs in 46" and 48", vs the 44 offered for the x304.
I have to presume my tractor which is built substantially stiffer & sturdier that the 105s & 110s that these blades came from, can handle a few extra pounds, **** I can mount on a 280# snowblower, the blades should be substantially lighter.
@rhenning
Dealers near me are concerned with selling new components.
Example - I asked about a ball hitch adapter to use to park my trailer as opposed to trying to use my subaru on limited tarmac or sinking it into the clay yard, and the only answer I got was, "you shouldn't do that, john deere doesnt offer one, it would damage the tractor".
I have some other instances, but no sense hammering the point.

The 44 blade is standard for the X300 series.
The 48 blade for the X500 series.
The 54 blade for the X700 series.

They are sized for what size the tractor you have.
I wouldn't do it.
But another alternative is blade extensions kit.
There are some good ones on Ebay for all three blade sizes.
I bought one for my 48 blade from a seller in Ohio who custom makes them and good quality.

GL with it.

The OEM Deere 48inch Blade that is Marketed for the X500 series will fit On the X304. If You don't have the On Board spring assist You will need to Buy that as well I Know some X300 & X304 Models May not Have come from the Factory with the On Board spring assist Kit Because the 42inch deck does not require the spring assist to be used. But You will need it for the OEM 48inch Front Blade. The 46inch Blade with separate lift handle is for the Deere 100 L, LA, D & E series tractors. The nice thing about the 48inch Blade is You do Get a spring trip that You don't get On the 44inch Blade. As Steve said Just be careful with Utilizing a 48inch Blade when Plowing snow:thThumbsU

minionsweb said:

NJ.
what I am seeing are blades from the lightweight bigbox store JDs in 46" and 48", vs the 44 offered for the x304.
I have to presume my tractor which is built substantially stiffer & sturdier that the 105s & 110s that these blades came from, can handle a few extra pounds, **** I can mount on a 280# snowblower, the blades should be substantially lighter.

Click to expand...

Weight of the implement is not the issue. Unlike a snow blower, plowing is usually done at speed to make use if the momentum of the tractor/operator. When impacting an immovable object at speed, the force is transmitted up to the frame from the cutting edge. Yes, spring loaded tilt mechanisms help, but they need space for the blade to actually tilt. With a wall of heavy snow buiit up in front of the blade while plowing, that space is somewhat restricted.

Also, it takes axle torque to push a blade, considerably more so than mowing a lawn. To achieve higher torque numbers requires weight on the rear wheels of the tractor, usually in the form of liquid ballast, wheel weights, tire chains, and weight added to the rear of the frame.

Once weight has improved traction to approach the maximum torque capability of something like a K46 with its 171 lb-ft axle torque rating, thoughts must go to where on the tractor that torque is being applied, to wit, the axle mounts to the frame. ANY flex in the frame or looseness of the bolts will result in damage in the long term. Just as the higher pressure generated in the hydro will contribute to excessive wear in the hydro.

minionsweb said:

Dealers near me are concerned with selling new components.
Example - I asked about a ball hitch adapter to use to park my trailer as opposed to trying to use my subaru on limited tarmac or sinking it into the clay yard, and the only answer I got was, "you shouldn't do that, john deere doesnt offer one, it would damage the tractor".
I have some other instances, but no sense hammering the point.

Click to expand...

While you obviously disagree with the dealer, the reality is that he is bang on correct. As with anything applying a load, damage doesn't (usually) happen with the first application. Repetative applications are another matter entirely. See the comments above regarding axle torque.

When I was 10 years old, my dad bought me a 30" magnesium scraper to shovel the 3 driveways that I had contracted to keep clear. I used that scaper for 9 years and the first pass through 8" of snow was always a killer. In my off hours, I skated on the school rink where it was the job of all the guys on the rink at 7 and 10 o'clock to use the 48" steel scrapers to clear the snow built up from all the blades carving the ice. Skates on ice have great traction. Pushing a full load of snow with a 48" blade will wear out legs that have been toughened by 2 months of several hours of skating every week and 12 - 20 (X3) driveway clearings.

When dealing with loads on an LT hydro, if you can't do it for a short time by hand, it's going to have a negative effect on the hydro in the long term.