Help me choose my next John Deere tractor

[jenkinsph]

I would love a 5085M, but thet M series price range is just a little over where I want to be.

I recommend you think a little more about the 5085M, it is a good size for your needs. Yes it does cost more but if it will be the ideal tractor for many years without the need for trading up it would be a sound move up. A cabbed tractor enables me to get things done without the misery of inclement weather, you get alot of that in east Texas.

 

[econometrics]

I'm a big fan of an open station for livestock chores...Opening gates, climbing on and off the tractor with **** all over your boots, running augers and being able to reach over and adjust the throttle, etc.

+1 on that. This is something I find myself doing a lot, and I had not thought about that before - being able to reach straight to the controls. Even hooking up with iMatch is a lot easier with being able to reach over the back end and adjust the controls.

 

[econometrics]

I recommend you think a little more about the 5085M, it is a good size for your needs. Yes it does cost more but if it will be the ideal tractor for many years without the need for trading up it would be a sound move up. A cabbed tractor enables me to get things done without the misery of inclement weather, you get alot of that in east Texas.

All true... but I still have to hurdle the extra $15-$20K out of pocket!

 

[jenkinsph]

+1 on that. This is something I find myself doing a lot, and I had not thought about that before - being able to reach straight to the controls. Even hooking up with iMatch is a lot easier with being able to reach over the back end and adjust the controls.

I don't know about a cat 2 setup but with a cat 1 cab tractor I can reach the iMatch latches with the rear window open. No need to leave the seat to hitch up is my experience. Topntilt does help alot though as it makes up for out of level implements.

 

[jenkinsph]

All true... but I still have to hurdle the extra $15-$20K out of pocket!

I get that but it may cost a lot more than that for an upgrade a few years down the road.

 

[deere5105]

I moved from a 5105 with 512 FEL in 2WD to a 5303 with 522 FEL in 4WD and have been very pleased. I do notice the turbo 2.9 seems to burn more fuel than the naturally aspirated 2.9. The 5105 would turn sharper and change directions more quickly but I can deal with that in exchange for the extra traction. I too considered the M series, even started a thread on it, but in the end the cost difference was too much for me to justify for my uses.

 

[econometrics]

I get that but it may cost a lot more than that for an upgrade a few years down the road.

Always possible. The way I look at it is this...

I currently have a 2007 5103 2wd with 250 hours. I sell that and move for the next 3-5 years to a 2010 or newer 5065/5075E MFWD, removable loader.

It's a lot cheaper to keep climbing the ladder to, say, a 5085M with a cab from a 5075E than it is right from my 5103.

Cash is cash. When it's gone, it's gone. I don't really *need* a cabbed tractor right now. It would only be "nice" to have the comfort of it. I'm not ready to part with an extra $20K just so I can be air conditioned, heated, and cabbed.

 

[econometrics]

I moved from a 5105 with 512 FEL in 2WD to a 5303 with 522 FEL in 4WD and have been very pleased. I do notice the turbo 2.9 seems to burn more fuel than the naturally aspirated 2.9. The 5105 would turn sharper and change directions more quickly but I can deal with that in exchange for the extra traction. I too considered the M series, even started a thread on it, but in the end the cost difference was too much for me to justify for my uses.

This is great to hear. Sounds like you were in the same position I am now.

What do you mainly use your 5303 for now?

 

[deere5105]

This is great to hear. Sounds like you were in the same position I am now.

What do you mainly use your 5303 for now?

My primary use would be mowing with a MX6 cutter, planting food plots, pulling a 8' disc harrow, planting small garden and other basic property maintenance items.

 

[bglz42]

I traded my 5045d on a 5083e... best thing about a cab? Running over a HUGE underground nest of bumblebees, and watching them from airconditioned comfort doing their best to kill me... All the while finishing the job, thumbing my nose...LOL!