5083e, 5093e, 101, or an "M"

[dstacy]

Well I've been looking around and researching for a while now and after comparing models and features I've come to the decision that I just can't buy a Japanese tractor (Kubota). I just can't do it.

I have a 3032 now and am not going to bake in the Texas sun, or breathe the dust and pollen, any longer so a new cab tractor is heading my way.

In addition to our home in Houston we have a nice place in the country where we live about 50% of the time. We have horses there so we're moving round bales around. We mow and clear brush all the time. We might look into baling some hay in the future. I'm not going to earn a living with this tractor. While I'm not rich, considering this will likely be the last tractor I buy, I have the ability to pretty much buy what I want, within reason, from a financial standpoint.

I have a quote in hand for a 5083E with an H260 loader. Options include a right hand door kit, air seat, and a radio. That quote is $47,500. I'll have them get me a grapple and a third valve/joystick on a cash ticket.

3 dealers have told me that with the new cabs the E series is so close to the M that they aren't even stocking M's any longer. So here is my question. Knowing what I'll be using it for do you think I'll wish I'd spent the extra $5,000 for the 5093 or the extra (who knows how much) for the 5101? The dealers tell me that since it really is a "toy" and I'm not trying to make a living with it I might find myself needing a bit more horsepower every once in a while but if I do I can just slow down, take it a little easier, and just enjoy the fact that I get to hang out on my ranch at all.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

Dave

 

[AKfish]

Go crawl around on 'em. Look 'em over and see how they look and feel - fit, finish, materials. Fire 'em up and use the loader, 3pt and transmission, steering. Figure out what you'll be doing with the tractor while you own it and work it (more or less).

Then buy it...

AKfish

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Well I've been looking around and researching for a while now and after comparing models and features I've come to the decision that I just can't buy a Japanese tractor (Kubota). I just can't do it.

I have a 3032 now and am not going to bake in the Texas sun, or breathe the dust and pollen, any longer so a new cab tractor is heading my way.

In addition to our home in Houston we have a nice place in the country where we live about 50% of the time. We have horses there so we're moving round bales around. We mow and clear brush all the time. We might look into baling some hay in the future. I'm not going to earn a living with this tractor. While I'm not rich, considering this will likely be the last tractor I buy, I have the ability to pretty much buy what I want, within reason, from a financial standpoint.

I have a quote in hand for a 5083E with an H260 loader. Options include a right hand door kit, air seat, and a radio. That quote is $47,500. I'll have them get me a grapple and a third valve/joystick on a cash ticket.

3 dealers have told me that with the new cabs the E series is so close to the M that they aren't even stocking M's any longer. So here is my question. Knowing what I'll be using it for do you think I'll wish I'd spent the extra $5,000 for the 5093 or the extra (who knows how much) for the 5101? The dealers tell me that since it really is a "toy" and I'm not trying to make a living with it I might find myself needing a bit more horsepower every once in a while but if I do I can just slow down, take it a little easier, and just enjoy the fact that I get to hang out on my ranch at all.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

Dave

Dave,

I have a 5083E and I don稚 make my living with it per say, but Make sure you size your tractor for the work you will be doing. If you already have implements it痴 much easier to fit the tractor to them. I handle A LOT of round bales and square bales with my E and it痴 no sweat. I do have the 563NSL though and it will easily pick the rear end of the tractor off the ground with loaded tires if I don稚 put my counterweight on(and sometimes that doesn't completely stop it). I can do everything that needs done with it, but a few extra ponies would sure be handy brush hogging on my mountainside pasture. I def. recommend the air ride seat though! The third function for the laoder is one of the things I would def have gotten the first time around If I would have known.

I have also heard that the 55 series was split into the M and the E series. The M is supposedly built a lil heavier and is speced out a little nicer than the E.

 

[hoffmtim]

Well I've been looking around and researching for a while now and after comparing models and features I've come to the decision that I just can't buy a Japanese tractor (Kubota). I just can't do it.

I have a 3032 now and am not going to bake in the Texas sun, or breathe the dust and pollen, any longer so a new cab tractor is heading my way.

In addition to our home in Houston we have a nice place in the country where we live about 50% of the time. We have horses there so we're moving round bales around. We mow and clear brush all the time. We might look into baling some hay in the future. I'm not going to earn a living with this tractor. While I'm not rich, considering this will likely be the last tractor I buy, I have the ability to pretty much buy what I want, within reason, from a financial standpoint.

I have a quote in hand for a 5083E with an H260 loader. Options include a right hand door kit, air seat, and a radio. That quote is $47,500. I'll have them get me a grapple and a third valve/joystick on a cash ticket.

3 dealers have told me that with the new cabs the E series is so close to the M that they aren't even stocking M's any longer. So here is my question. Knowing what I'll be using it for do you think I'll wish I'd spent the extra $5,000 for the 5093 or the extra (who knows how much) for the 5101? The dealers tell me that since it really is a "toy" and I'm not trying to make a living with it I might find myself needing a bit more horsepower every once in a while but if I do I can just slow down, take it a little easier, and just enjoy the fact that I get to hang out on my ranch at all.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

Dave

I just went through your exact dilema. I opted to bump up 3k and get the 5093e. I wanted to make sure I had enough PTO power for a 5x6 baler, and most call for 80 hp. The 5093e has 79 pto HP. The cab is very close to the M series, but make mo mistake as AKfish will tell you the M's are the Cadillac to the E's Chevy. They also come with a price difference. I opted for a Chevy with extra HP! It should arrive in about 2 weeks, and I am salivating.

BTW, my deal was just short of 20% off configurator list price (both tractor and FEL) so something to keep in mind if buying new.

 

[MWRR]

I was in your shoes almost two years ago. I was having trouble shelling out the extra money for the "M". It wasn't until I found both "M' and the "E Limited" sitting side by side that I was able to "SEE" the difference in the two tractors. There is quite a bit of difference!!
In my case, I figured that this would probably be the only "new" tractor that I woud ever own so I spoiled myself and went with the 5105 M with all the bells and whistles. When you price it out over the life of the tractor and figure the resale value it makes it affordable.
My advice woud be to get both tractors side by side and take both for a test drive. Then you can make an informed decision.

 

[cheoah]

We just ordered a 5085 M, but not a cab tractor. I opted for the M series because of certain features that matter to me as a full time operator - and after 14 years of running very basic JD 5000 series tractors. The E will likely do everything you want, it is a very practical line. From someone who just forked out the extra bucks for an M, I still think the E will have solid resale value.

The other posters are right, you should try them both out. It is a big purchase and you want to dial it in just right if you're going to spend some time in it and enjoy it.

 

[charleyfarmall]

The 5083e will do everything you have outlined just fine. The cab is really nice and you will be very happy with it.

 

[Karl2]

I was in your shoes almost two years ago. I was having trouble shelling out the extra money for the "M". It wasn't until I found both "M' and the "E Limited" sitting side by side that I was able to "SEE" the difference in the two tractors. There is quite a bit of difference!!
In my case, I figured that this would probably be the only "new" tractor that I woud ever own so I spoiled myself and went with the 5105 M with all the bells and whistles. When you price it out over the life of the tractor and figure the resale value it makes it affordable.
My advice woud be to get both tractors side by side and take both for a test drive. Then you can make an informed decision.

I have a cabbed 5105M that I bought used. I never did any comparison with other JD's and only compared it with other makes before making a decision so I would be curious to know what it has that the E doesn't?

 

[AKfish]

I have a cabbed 5105M that I bought used. I never did any comparison with other JD's and only compared it with other makes before making a decision so I would be curious to know what it has that the E doesn't?

Well.. just to get the ball rolling - the engines are different. The available transmissions are different. The tractor's frame assembly is different. The hydraulic systems are different. The 3-point system is different. The available attachments (loader's, etc.) are different. Optional tire/rim configurations are different.

There are some fairly significant differences...

AKfish

 

[MattLynch]

I would recommend the E for you. I would recommend the M to people who would put 500+ hours on their tractor per year and want a slightly more productive tractor in that size. I think the main difference between the m and the e is productivity. The E will do everything that the M can, but the M will do it a little bit faster.

 

[dstacy]

I would recommend the E for you. I would recommend the M to people who would put 500+ hours on their tractor per year and want a slightly more productive tractor in that size. I think the main difference between the m and the e is productivity. The E will do everything that the M can, but the M will do it a little bit faster.

Thanks Matt, that is what I was thinking also. If I was going to earn a living on it I think it would be a different story, but this is just a really expensive toy that will get stuff done for me up on my ranch. The only question now is going to be which horsepower. I have a quote of $47k on a 5083E with and air seat, right hand door kit, radio, and an H260 loader. I'm waiting on quotes for the 93E and the 101E.

 

[jdtractor]

Well I for 1 wish John Deere just made the M series. I personally own a 5093e cab,air seat ,553 FEL...Im not overely impressed with this tractor. Ive set my *****$$ in quite a few tractors over the years most recently JD. I realize the M series cost more $$$$$ but you get what you pay for. I will tell you it will do the work you talk about ok but it will defenitely be slower. The whole tractor as a rule is lighter , the Hydraulics are slow and IMO weak.Ive added extra wheel weights 2 per side with fluid all 4 tires. The machine is also to narrow for steep hillside work (sideways). In short I wish I would have bought the M.I would defenitely recommend the M its well worth the extra $$$$ all the way around. Im considering tradeing My E for the M series. Good luck to You which ever way YOU GO. This is just my 0.02cts.

 

[bigblock]

You might want to consider a used M. I recently purchased a 2011 5105M with 1700 hours for $46,000, including a brand new H260 loader installed. It has cab, AM/FM/CD, air seat, triple rear remotes, looks good and runs great. You can find them with much lower hours, some with desirable options, for about the same money as you are looking to spend for a new economy model.

 

[MattLynch]

The M isn't much heavier, wider, and the hydraulics aren't much better. I agree that for the hp the tractor is a little dissapointing. My old 65hp tractor would lift twice the weight on the 3pt hitch that the E will and it weighed 9000lbs unballasted without a loader. Things sure have changed.

 

[AKfish]

Thanks Matt, that is what I was thinking also. If I was going to earn a living on it I think it would be a different story, but this is just a really expensive toy that will get stuff done for me up on my ranch. The only question now is going to be which horsepower. I have a quote of $47k on a 5083E with and air seat, right hand door kit, radio, and an H260 loader. I'm waiting on quotes for the 93E and the 101E.

That is one of the most fundamental judgement's that should be made before investing in a new tractor. The scope of the work that you foresee using the tractor to accomplish. What, where, how much, how long.

AKfish

 

[dstacy]

That is one of the most fundamental judgement's that should be made before investing in a new tractor. The scope of the work that you foresee using the tractor to accomplish. What, where, how much, how long.

AKfish

Just to give you an idea; my 3032 will be 3 years old in April and it has 250 hours on it. So even if I doubled the amount of time I work my new tractor it would still only be 160 hours or so a year.
While it looks like the "E" series will be the choice I'm leaning towards one of the higher horsepower models. If I go with the higher horsepower it isn't likely that I won't be able to do something, like bale hay or something else, in the future. It might take me a little while longer but with a 93 or 101 horsepower tractor I should be able to do it.

 

[MWRR]

I have a cabbed 5105M that I bought used. I never did any comparison with other JD's and only compared it with other makes before making a decision so I would be curious to know what it has that the E doesn't?

The "M" has a frame where the "E Limited" doesn't. The controls are better placed on the "M", the three point on the "E" is the old rock shaft style while the "M" is operated by two external hydraulic cylinders and has more lift capacity, the "M" has an optional remote fender switch which I find myself using ALL the time when hooking 3pt implements (not available on the "E"), I think there is almost 800lbs difference in the "E" and "M", The components of the interior of the cab of the "M" are much nicer than the "E".
That's a short list. I didn't notice all the differences until I had both tractors side by side. There are more differences than most think.

 

[MWRR]

One other option the "M" has that the "E" doesn't is the "PowerReverser Plus" 32/16 transmission. Great for mowing and baling hay.

 

[cheoah]

The "M" has a frame where the "E Limited" doesn't. The controls are better placed on the "M", the three point on the "E" is the old rock shaft style while the "M" is operated by two external hydraulic cylinders and has more lift capacity, the "M" has an optional remote fender switch which I find myself using ALL the time when hooking 3pt implements (not available on the "E"), I think there is almost 800lbs difference in the "E" and "M", The components of the interior of the cab of the "M" are much nicer than the "E".
That's a short list. I didn't notice all the differences until I had both tractors side by side. There are more differences than most think.

OK get me excited. mines a few weeks out from Augusta.

I went with the M because I wanted features found on my 6000 series Mannheims in my smaller utility tractor. But I'm particular about all the features, and know some little things that make a big difference over many hours of operation. If you have operated an E, and said to yourself, "that's all I need my tractor to do", then go for it, you're not putting a ton of hours on your machine. We put those kind of hours on in a month sometimes so a no brainer for us to upgrade, particularly with the cheap finance. In the end, I'll have a tractor I'm happier with, and one that will have higher resale in 6-8 years.

I'm very curious to see the build quality out of Georgia. The Mannheims are put together pretty well. Hopefully we can work out the kinks on-farm.

If you are paying cash, a used M might be a good purchase. In the end I still think you need to operate them a little and see what matters to you.

 

[dstacy]

<SNIP>....... you're not putting a ton of hours on your machine. We put those kind of hours on in a month sometimes.....<SNIP>

Yeah exactly, you understand. I won't be making a living, or doing serious work every day, with my new machine. You guys that are seriously using your machines are in a different league than I am. Now of course having said that I still want to get the right machine for my needs.

If you are paying cash, a used M might be a good purchase. In the end I still think you need to operate them a little and see what matters to you.

JD is currently offering 0% on 48 months. I'd be a fool to write a check for my new tractor. I'll be happy to use JD's money for the next 4 years at no charge.