John Deere 5300 4.30 star(s) (4)

Great Tractor, Transmission Issue
Model Year: 1996

This tractor has the shuttle shift which great for the work we do with it. However, we have had an issue with the shuttle occasionally not taking the transmission out of gear when it looks like its in neutral. If the tractor is put in park when it does not go out of gear and the clutch is released you can have a serious issue with snapping the parking brake which is very expensive to fix. The transmission has had two issues like this (once before I bought it and one since). Deere is said to be working on fixing this issue, but I have not received a solution yet. Otherwise great tractor.

Pros: Great power for its size and great for the loader work we do.
Cons: Transmission issue stated above.

Review of John Deere 5300 MFWD Tractor
Model Year: 1995

Bought this tractor in 1997 and it has done everything I have asked of it. Starts good in Cold weather. The price was less than new and it only had 80 hours on it when I purchased it. Haven't had to do much other than change the oil and filters. It does have a cheap plastic cylinder in the joy stick control, but replacements are now steel so I expect no more problems. MFWD works great and gets you where you need to go. Handles 4x5 round bales just fine.

Pros: Great tractor that does everything I ask of it.
Cons: Does have a plastic hood and side fenders.

JD 5300
Model Year: 1995

This is a 4X4 with loader and rear remotes. It has had in the past many mechanical recalls. Mostly transmission, 5 times. One main cause is the parking pawl. Locks up the tranny to the point of not being able to release. In all the tractors I have owned, Ferguson, Kubota, Kioti, Yanmar, this has had the most tear downs of them all.

Pros: Power.
Cons: Cheaply made. Too much plastic. Broke the plastic connections on the loader controls to the push pull cable the first week. Float on the fuel sensor fell off and plugged the fuel lines. Rear wheels kept coming loose, dealer gave me a plate that JD came up with to correct the problem, of course had to pay for something that should have been a recall. Could go on and on.

JD5300 2WD with Full Cab
Model Year: 1995

We needed a small tractor for slashing and other light duties such as towing a drag or grading tracks around our farm. Our larger machines (especially with duals) are too big to maneuver round tight tracks or close to fence lines and around buildings/sheds. Our 5300 had been sitting for around 2 years out in the weather. After checking the machine over, first turn of the key it started up! Servicing is quite easy and no special tools are required to work on the machine. The 5300 fires up first turn of the key and seems quite a comfortable tractor to operate. It has ample pulling and PTO power. The synchro gears make shifting on the fly easy. The turning circle and brakes are also good as you would expect from one of the market leaders in Ag tractors. Fuel consumption seems very reasonable.

Pros: Reliable tractor, synchro gear box, tight turning circle and very nimble. Good torque and smooth power from 50hp NA engine.
Cons: 3 cyl Deere engine is quite noisy, even with full cab. Plastic bonnet (hood) and roof sections become very brittle in Australian sun and break easily. Genuine parts are expensive. The dry clutch will wear quickly if used with a FEL and sitting outside in the damp will definitely end up with a rusty/siezed clutch plate.