Buying Advice Two Tractor Dilema

[Gary Fowler]

For just about anyone with more than 10 acres of land, it seems 2 tractor are a must, one small and nimble and the other large for heavy lifting, bush hogging and ground engaging work.

 

[jenkinsph]

Which one do you use the most?
That is the one I would upgrade first.

 

[Rara Avis]

Which one do you use the most?
That is the one I would upgrade first.

Agreed...

 

[Leecofarm]

I know its been 6 months but I'm finally getting ready to pull the trigger on a 5100m and have decided on a 5055E as a replacement for the retiring 2010. Question I have is which tractor to have the FEL added? I will get a 3rd valve 4 way bucket for mainly light clearing and cleanup. Thanks for the input.

 

[yanmars]

Can you get an aftermarket cab or a take off JD that was a closed cab? I do not know if that is feasible for you but you know what your big tractor is, condition and hours. Maybe a possibility.

 

[rScotty]

I know its been 6 months but I'm finally getting ready to pull the trigger on a 5100m and have decided on a 5055E as a replacement for the retiring 2010. Question I have is which tractor to have the FEL added? I will get a 3rd valve 4 way bucket for mainly light clearing and cleanup. Thanks for the input.

What an interesting question. At first I was going to say put the FEL on the 2010....that will cost the least, and will give the 2010 something to do in retirement! .
But of course good as those 2010's are, the new tractors should be more comfortable to use. They had better be for the money. But the 2010 is tough competition.

So after thinking about it realistically for awhile I think that if it were my problem I'd consider putting the FEL on whichever tractor has the most convenient transmission for use with that 4n1 bucket. And that's probably a HST tranny. I didn't believe in HST for years, but they are pretty well worked out now. Especially the ones with cruise control - that kinda defeated my last argument against them.

I hope you get the optional Skid Steer QA (SSQA) instead of the JD propriatory type quick attach for bucket to the loader. The SSQA opens up a whole world of loader-mounted implements, and the 3rd valve even more. Last I checked, the SSQA cost more than JD's version, but they have probably fixed that by now.
rScotty

 

[dieselcrawler]

My opinion? Tractors should be 4x4 and have a loader. If you don't need 4x4, run it in 4x2 until you do need 4x4, you will eventually need it. Same goes for the loader, run without it if you need to, but I find a loader useful doing nearly every task I do.

 

[Otgaugres]

My opinion? Tractors should be 4x4 and have a loader. If you don't need 4x4, run it in 4x2 until you do need 4x4, you will eventually need it. Same goes for the loader, run without it if you need to, but I find a loader useful doing nearly every task I do.

^^^This

 

[Leecofarm]

What an interesting question. At first I was going to say put the FEL on the 2010....that will cost the least, and will give the 2010 something to do in retirement! .
But of course good as those 2010's are, the new tractors should be more comfortable to use. They had better be for the money. But the 2010 is tough competition.

So after thinking about it realistically for awhile I think that if it were my problem I'd consider putting the FEL on whichever tractor has the most convenient transmission for use with that 4n1 bucket. And that's probably a HST tranny. I didn't believe in HST for years, but they are pretty well worked out now. Especially the ones with cruise control - that kinda defeated my last argument against them.

I hope you get the optional Skid Steer QA (SSQA) instead of the JD propriatory type quick attach for bucket to the loader. The SSQA opens up a whole world of loader-mounted implements, and the 3rd valve even more. Last I checked, the SSQA cost more than JD's version, but they have probably fixed that by now.
rScotty

I am leaning toward the FEL and 4 way bucket on the smaller 5055e. It will have the 12/12 trans with power reverser (no clutching). Both tractors will be cab and 4x4. Rationale is that the smaller tractor will be more maneuverable doing the light cleanup duties. Any thoughts on that choice?
Thanks to all for helpful comments.

 

[Zebrafive]

I am leaning toward the FEL and 4 way bucket on the smaller 5055e. It will have the 12/12 trans with power reverser (no clutching). Both tractors will be cab and 4x4. Rationale is that the smaller tractor will be more maneuverable doing the light cleanup duties. Any thoughts on that choice?
Thanks to all for helpful comments.

Unless you need more capacity in a loader than you can get for the 5055e, put the loader on it.