Good or bad utility tractor models

[Rmart30]

We are looking to possibly buy a 50-60ish hp tractor for a spare. Seeing lots of 5103 2wd no FEL with under 1000 hrs for around 9k. Been considering one of those. Any models in that HP range to steer clear of?

 

[yukonhunter]

Stay far away from the new 4 series

 

[beenthere]

15-20 year old 4600 or 4700 should be a good solid tractor if you don't find a 5000 series.

 

[Rara Avis]

Stay far away from the new 4 series

Well, in reality...the new 4 series is still a CUT...NOT an UT...for a Utility tractor in the newer realm you are at a Series 5 at a minimum

Rmart, if you find an old (1976-1982) well maintained JD2640 it will do all aspects of hay farming with none of the modern electronics to go bad while it sits...

 

[daugen]

I'm on the 3rd one in two years
Rusty, not too many of us can say that so you have had some bad luck.
Or you are buying a model that has real issues.
I am assuming you are talking about a JD built in India.
I also own an Indian tractor, a Massey that is a 5E series wannabe, with a Simpson/Perkins design diesel.

Are these issues you had related to poor engineering, bad build quality, a consistent theme?
That would sure be interesting to hear about.

All efforts to be pleasant and not prickly will be appreciated. Spanner that was quite a blast you made.
And frankly saying stay away from 4 series JD is basically a general opinion. Spanner, don't you think we all can see that ourselves?
It's an unsupported general whitewash statement that is all fluff and no substance other than for sure expressing brand and model
negativity. But guess what, he gets to do that...at least in this country.

The name of this thread is exceptionally broad in scope. I don't see Yukon's statement as being bad in any way, but then
I'm not following his threads. If Yukon was nothing but a flamer, he would have been yanked long ago.
Let's all be nice and learn from each other.

I almost bought a 4720 instead of my Kubota L and would have if the dealer was closer and better.
A 4 series is a CUT. I found, out of inexperience and new experience, that having a "real" utility tractor, something around 5000 pounds and above
would have been a better choice for me. I should have bought an M instead of an L. But you learn these things

But entry level Utility seems to be the playground of the Indian tractors. Or perhaps a forte if one uses JD's rebranding as a compliment.
Is there a quality control problem or a poor quality component problem? Or a JD distribution/parts problem.

Beyond entry level it looks like frame size goes up. So if one can speculate on what is good or bad about utility tractors, isn't it more making sure you
get the right size and capability for your job?

I'd like to know which manufacturer has the strongest loaders in a given hp/weight category. My L Kubota has weaker FEL lift despite half a dozen pressure checks
that if I were to trade up, I'd want 4000 pound lift minimum.

I look at a new M5 or M6 Kubota and drool. The lower profile ones. But a 5M JD would be hard to walk away from also.
So when one asks what is best, or worst, need to be fair about price range. My expectations for the L FEL lift were probably
unrealistic due to inexperience. Now I know...

 

[daugen]

Rmart, please be more specific as to whether you mean JD models in that hp range or any company's models.
Big difference in discussion. If the former, need JD experts.

btw, I like the idea of getting a spare tractor that is Tier III or Tier IV interim. Spare me the DEF.
I own a II and a III and the exhaust is totally clean.(ok, smell and visibility)

 

[Rmart30]

Rmart, please be more specific as to whether you mean JD models in that hp range or any company's models.
Big difference in discussion. If the former, need JD experts.

btw, I like the idea of getting a spare tractor that is Tier III or Tier IV interim. Spare me the DEF.
I own a II and a III and the exhaust is totally clean.(ok, smell and visibility)

I will buy nothing that is tier IV or has any kind of DPF system on it ever. I work on enough of that mess at work to know to stay as far away from it as I can.


Just Deeres is why I posted it in the deere section instead of the general forum. Those size HP kubota are harder to find than deere in my area.

I currently have a L4600 and a 4240 deere. Need something in between those. I was eyeing a 5300 that is for sale but not stuck on it.

We have a ditch mower we are currently using on a 5103. Little light of a tractor for it when fully extended. Need something that will tote it better and run a 7 or 8 ft bush hog and 8 ft disk.

 

[rustyshakelford]

I'm on the 3rd one in two years
Rusty, not too many of us can say that so you have had some bad luck.
Or you are buying a model that has real issues.
I am assuming you are talking about a JD built in India.
I also own an Indian tractor, a Massey that is a 5E series wannabe, with a Simpson/Perkins design diesel.

Are these issues you had related to poor engineering, bad build quality, a consistent theme?
That would sure be interesting to hear about.

All efforts to be pleasant and not prickly will be appreciated. Spanner that was quite a blast you made.
And frankly saying stay away from 4 series JD is basically a general opinion. Spanner, don't you think we all can see that ourselves?
It's an unsupported general whitewash statement that is all fluff and no substance other than for sure expressing brand and model
negativity. But guess what, he gets to do that...at least in this country.

The name of this thread is exceptionally broad in scope. I don't see Yukon's statement as being bad in any way, but then
I'm not following his threads. If Yukon was nothing but a flamer, he would have been yanked long ago.
Let's all be nice and learn from each other.

I almost bought a 4720 instead of my Kubota L and would have if the dealer was closer and better.
A 4 series is a CUT. I found, out of inexperience and new experience, that having a "real" utility tractor, something around 5000 pounds and above
would have been a better choice for me. I should have bought an M instead of an L. But you learn these things

But entry level Utility seems to be the playground of the Indian tractors. Or perhaps a forte if one uses JD's rebranding as a compliment.
Is there a quality control problem or a poor quality component problem? Or a JD distribution/parts problem.

Beyond entry level it looks like frame size goes up. So if one can speculate on what is good or bad about utility tractors, isn't it more making sure you
get the right size and capability for your job?

I'd like to know which manufacturer has the strongest loaders in a given hp/weight category. My L Kubota has weaker FEL lift despite half a dozen pressure checks
that if I were to trade up, I'd want 4000 pound lift minimum.

I look at a new M5 or M6 Kubota and drool. The lower profile ones. But a 5M JD would be hard to walk away from also.
So when one asks what is best, or worst, need to be fair about price range. My expectations for the L FEL lift were probably
unrealistic due to inexperience. Now I know...

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/john-deere-owning-operating/326021-new-5055e-6.html?highlight=

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...eed-help-deciding-deere-being.html?highlight=

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/john-deere-owning-operating/327135-well-shoot.html?highlight=

Here's a couple threads. Had a really good one at ****************. Been an absolute nightmare. Think most was dealer related but the brakes are an inherent problem with them. How have a 5100e made in America. It's better but still has some issues.

Brett

 

[Rmart30]

Have also found a 5410 2wd no FEL. How about those?

 

[Zebrafive]

I like the 5X10 series. I would NOT get one that had the collar shaft transmission. I would want the sync/shuttle or PowrReverser. If the sync/shuttle, I would want the optional E-PTO.

 

[daugen]

http:/How have a 5100e made in Amer...o make [I]some[/I] repairs on used equipment.

 

[Zebrafive]

I'm retired and spending 70 grand on a new tractor is nuts. I'm looking for the five year old one that is half price.

Unless it has lots of hard to fix problems, I don't think you will find a 5 y.o. tractor for 1/2 price. Or did you mean your budget is $35,000?

 

[daugen]

Unless it has lots of hard to fix problems, I don't think you will find a 5 y.o. tractor for 1/2 price. Or did you mean your budget is $35,000?

you're right, should have said ten years and lower hours.

Like most of us, I have a beer budget and champagne tastes, though when I first saw the 5 series JD it just looked right to me.
Besides, 2005-2012? avoids Tier V
While the latest and greatest is fly by wire and joysticks in the custom armrest, geez break something in that apparatus and good luck fixing it yourself.
So your tractor goes down for weeks waiting to get it back.
Sometimes simpler is better, and I'm not a mechanic.

what I don't understand are the trans choices and what comes next after hydrostatic.
PowrReverser. Reminds me of Jeep 4wd where you used to have three different 4wd options to choose from on some models.
They all work but what is easiest? Lowest effort?

I would think most manual transmissions are pretty bulletproof.
But I'd sure want something easier to use than clutching and twin sticks.
Actually what I'd like is CVT but I can't afford it. And would you want an early adopter model
even if you can finally afford it? I think CIH offered CVT/IVT lower down in the hp range.

So what's the best trans choice for the OP, and maybe me someday?
particularly if one bought an older M 5 series.

 

[rustyshakelford]

read all the threads Brett. That fluid swap deal on delivery is a jaw dropper.
Talk about a let down. You think you are going first class with Green and...

For the uses I give it, I'm glad I bought my Kubota. It drives like a modern car.
My Massey drives like a 1960's Jeep. But i've wanted to move up into something heavier now that I'm doing some tillage for an old farmer neighbor whose
tractor is expiring, as he seems close to... My Massey will pull a 1200 pound disc harrow (LP DH2596) but it's a struggle for traction with only 2wd.
I'd love to find a used JD 5 series with 4wd, and I'm seeing a lot of Indian built tractors like my Massey, just a little bigger.

I'm sorry if this sounds like a stupid question but would a 5E series used be a good deal due to perhaps some poor opinions,
assuming all the problems, brakes, whatever, are fixable permanently? Meaning a new better part, not just replacing badly designed parts under warranty.

I owned a Audi 5000 when the automatics had the unintended acceleration issue which utterly wrecked the market value of the cars.
But I owned the unusual manual trans model, no problems there...but the market value tanked too on a perfectly good car.
Any such high value JD's out there?

For sophistication and ease of use, I'm not sure you can beat Kubota. But if you want more weight under you, most have looked elsewhere.
Big Massey and NH presence in this area so that is an option for me also.
And then there's always the question, on my almost totally flat land, bigger heavier potentially cheaper 2wd or smaller 4wd for same money?
I'm retired and spending 70 grand on a new tractor is nuts. I'm looking for the five year old one that is half price.
But like the OP, I don't want the turkey model either.
The real question is, if they have some inherent problems, can they be fixed cost effectively and permanently?
I always expect to make some repairs on used equipment.

I think the heart of the 5e are great tractors. I just had bad luck. They actually have a fix out now for the brakes. I would recommend one for your uses. It'll pull that disc much easier then your Massey with the front wheels pulling too. Get the 12/12 PR tranny though.

Brett

 

[deerefan]

I have a 2005 JD 5103 as you can see in my profile pic. Have around 450hrs, been a great tractor. I use it mainly for bush hogging with 286 model bush hog and dicing. Occasionally some box blade/scraper blade work. Only one issue around 2010, hydraulics got stuck. Dealer fixed it. Otherwise a good machine.

 

[AKfish]

The 5x10-20-25 series were all good tractors. IIRC - the biggest issue with the 10's and 20's was a problem with the fuel system. Fuel lines cracking, air leaks and a reto-fit from Deere with an electric lift pump to avoid engine stall when tank was down to 1/3 - 1/4 full.

Other than that, they're a solid tractor worthy of a look-over.