MX4700 vs MX5100 - Opinions?

[Kyle241]

I know there are a number of members who have the MX5100 and I am currently targeting the MX4700 just because it's near the top I want to spend. I know the differences between the two are:

- 4 extra hp
- turbo
- adjustable 3pt arms

Is there anything else that is different? The cost for the MX5100 is another $20/mth going 0% for 60 months. Not a big difference when spread over that long a period. I see the adjustable 3pt arms being the big win as the extra 4hp is not significant enough for me. One concern I have is what I have read on the fuel consumption differences, are they really accurate? I hear the MX5100 guzzles compared with the MX4700 however I have not heard from any owners of the latter. If they are close, then it doesn't matter and I may just go for the 5100 if it's more available.

What I am going with:

MX4700 or 5100 4WD
HST
R4's
BH92
Toothbar
Block heater
BB (not sure which model yet)
Tiller (not sure which model yet)

Thanks for any input. Edited to add that I saw the recent post on the same comparison except for a 2wd model. So my only concern/question is the fuel consumption and perhaps I am overthinking it as a tractor isn't meant to get 'good' mileage!

 

[bigbull338]

i have the MX5100 HST an to me its a miser on fuel.an i do work it.sure with any tractor right now fuel costs are high.an they prolly will from now own.with only $1200 diff id go with the MX5100 HST no q.

 

[om21braz]

The cost for the MX5100 is another $20/mth going 0% for 60 months.

I cannot picture someone writing their monthly check and thinking "I wish I would have saved that $20 per month and got the smaller machine." Then maybe that's just me too. I would not expect the fuel use to be much different between the two - even at full power as the hp difference is'nt that much.

 

[nybirdman]

You are not going to see hardly any difference in fuel use with these two tractors. I.E. My L3130 ,31hp.@540 pto speeds...1.0gal per hour
My L4240,44hp@540 pto speeds.....1.25 gal per hour
the telescoping end links can be added to the MX 4700 ,I believe
I would prefer the non-turbo myself.

 

[dlmpsy]

I have the MX5100DT, about 1 gal/hour fuel consumption while working seems to be a good estimate in my opinion. There shouldn't be much difference in 4 h.p. as far as fuel goes, and sometimes having more available power reduces fuel consumption because the tractor doesn't have to work as hard. It depends what you're doing and if you are operating in the optimum torque/hp range.

 

[Grandad4]

Kyle, I'm going to take the other point of view from some of the other posters, just for the heck of it. There is probably not very much the 5100 will be able to do that can't be done just as well with the 4700. Both tractors have enough horsepower that they'll run out of traction long before they run out of power. If it were the difference between 30 and 35 hp, yes that would make a big difference, but 48 vs 52 hp is pretty marginal, and it would only be noticed if the tractor were running something really serious off the pto, for example. My older L4610 is very comparable to these tractors, and, honestly, it has never wanted for more horsepower.

I hope that doesn't add too much to your dilemma, but I thought that perspective should be mentioned. I'm sure you'll like whichever one you choose. Please post pics upon arrival! :thumbsup:

 

[crazyal]

As a 4240 owner who got the block heater, all I can say is I have no idea where the plug is. After a cold winter I never used it once. I did keep it in an unheated garage but with the glow plug it started in seconds each time.

If I were you I would ask myself one question, is any future attachment you didn't list that could be in need of the extra HP? Clearly the BH is not going to notice. I doubt the extra HP is needed to drag a BB. Maybe the extra HP could allow you to dig a little deeper on the first pass with a tiller but even that I doubt will make a difference since (from what I read) most people like to make more than one pass.

So maybe a large brush hog? I would think that the MX4700 would handle an 8' one with no problems. So I would say is extra HP is nice. I thought long and hard about a 4740 or even a 5240 but at the end of the day I just didn't have a need for the extra HP. I would have been extra money spent for not much of anything.

 

[beppington]

I cannot picture someone writing their monthly check and thinking "I wish I would have saved that $20 per month and got the smaller machine." Then maybe that's just me too. I would not expect the fuel use to be much different between the two - even at full power as the hp difference is'nt that much.

That's not when you'd regret it! It'll be when you can't retire when you want, have to work an extra year or whatever & say, "Crud, I just had to have that extra 4 HP & telescoping lower links in 2011." :laughing:

That said, I myself tend to opt for the bigger, better item ... so yes I'll be working till my grave :thumbsup:

 

[om21braz]

That said, I myself tend to opt for the bigger, better item ... so yes I'll be working till my grave :thumbsup:

+1 Probably the same here LOL. I tend to think in terms of resale also - I expect you would recover the difference paid with no problem. Couple that with the fact that 50hp seems to be the standard minimum for running some equipment. Most would never notice the 4hp difference, but many would never chance buying something less than 50hp. Just MHO.

 

[bigbull338]

the MX5100 HST will pull a 10ft shredder easy as long as its a pull type.heck itll pull a batwing shredder as well but you just have tobe careful.

 

[TripleR]

+1 Probably the same here LOL. I tend to think in terms of resale also - I expect you would recover the difference paid with no problem. Couple that with the fact that 50hp seems to be the standard minimum for running some equipment. Most would never notice the 4hp difference, but many would never chance buying something less than 50hp. Just MHO.

+1, when my L5030 wears out, it will be replaced with a L52/5740. Anything less than a 50 HP will be a mower.

Nothing wrong with the other tractors, I have just gotten use to the power of the 5030 and 8540.

OK, "maybe" I will buy a smaller one, but in addition to what I have.

 

[bigbull338]

+1, when my L5030 wears out, it will be replaced with a L52/5740. Anything less than a 50 HP will be a mower.

Nothing wrong with the other tractors, I have just gotten use to the power of the 5030 and 8540.

OK, "maybe" I will buy a smaller one, but in addition to what I have.

maybe by the time your 5030 wears out they will be making a bigger hst tractor.i plan on my MX5100 HST lasting 30yrs.but i do hope to buy another tractor 2 in that time.

 

[TripleR]

maybe by the time your 5030 wears out they will be making a bigger hst tractor.i plan on my MX5100 HST lasting 30yrs.but i do hope to buy another tractor 2 in that time.

Well, we just bought the M8540 this summer and like you plan on keeping it thirty years, so since I am 64, I won't be buying another big one. Fortunately I have two grown sons to take over. The 8540 is four miles away and my 5030 is just outside, so I use it more and really like the size for where I live, but do bring it up once in a while.

My sons don't have any trouble with the geared units, but as I get older, I am beginning to tell the difference.

A second tractor is really handy, we tried getting by with one and that didn't last long.

 

[Kyle241]

You guys are killing me talking about two tractors! :laughing: I'm just trying to buy my first brand new one. My B20 has served me very well and I got it at just over 900hrs. Parting with it means a lot of history and good times. Hopefully if I can sell it for a good price, there will be better times on my new tractor.

 

[TripleR]

You guys are killing me talking about two tractors! :laughing: I'm just trying to buy my first brand new one. My B20 has served me very well and I got it at just over 900hrs. Parting with it means a lot of history and good times. Hopefully if I can sell it for a good price, there will be better times on my new tractor.

That B20 will make someone a nice rig, what are you going to get now?

If it is any consolation, for many years my only tractor was a well used Ford NAA.

 

[Kyle241]

That B20 will make someone a nice rig, what are you going to get now?

If it is any consolation, for many years my only tractor was a well used Ford NAA.

I'm looking at the MX4700 or 5100 with the BH92. I looked at the L45 for a long time but I have more chores now that are farm related so didn't think the extra dollars for a commercial made sense.

 

[TripleR]

I'm looking at the MX4700 or 5100 with the BH92. I looked at the L45 for a long time but I have more chores now that are farm related so didn't think the extra dollars for a commercial made sense.

Those are really good units.

 

[wmonroe]

If it were me i would go with the 5100 to get the turbo engine. The only downside is letting it idle for a minute after being worked hard to allow it to cool.

 

[Degolyerent]

I have a MX4700d and I love it but if I were going with HST I believe I would go with the MX5100 because of the power that the HST uses over that of the D
I had a JD1050 that had a turbo and I never had turbo problems, so I would not shy away from a turbo

 

[sixdogs]

My thinking process in these decesions was "which would I buy if money wasn't an issue?"
Helped me think more clearly.
Second thing I learned was to always buy the most cubic inches possible.
Many times I saved a few dollars on the purchase only to spend multiples of that amount later correcting my short vision.
Buy what you really want.