Thoughts on 100hp tractor options

[Jrasband]

I used to get paid, but now I'm lucky to have someone keep the hay in exchange for mowing and bailing.

Not worth it, your giving fertility away. You'd be better off cutting it yourself.

 

[hayden]

I bought a 5115M about 3 years ago, been a rock solid tractor, no issues. Completely agree with all the previous comments , the euro quick mount is the only way to go even if you had to replace your current attachments.
Another thing to consider is which loader to go with. I’ve got the 540m loader on my 5085E and went with the 540r loader on the 5115M . Both are rock solid and each has it’s slight advantages. I like the 540m for it’s longer reach , excellent for pushing burning brush piles together and keeping the rest of the tractor at distance away from hot coals. 540R advantage is its compactness, doesn’t stick out as far and aids in maneuverability. Bought the 540M separate from tractor and installed myself.
I think you’d definitely like the 5M , they may be a bit pricier but you get what you play for

Thanks. I was wondering about the M vs R loaders and will look into it more closely. I now see there are lots of adapters, so I would likely go with a Euro/global loader and use the adapter as needed.

What do you use for ballast on the tractor for the loader? I was reading some stuff that suggested Deere always wants a weight box, and that wheel weights and loaded tires isn't enough. That struck me as very odd.

One of the primary uses for this tractor would be running a snow blower, and keeping that as close to the tractor as practical is very desirable. It becomes much harder to maneuver around if it's way out in front. So the idea of a loader that doesn't stick out so much is appealing, even if it sacrifices some reach when using a bucket.

 

[hayden]

Not worth it, your giving fertility away. You'd be better off cutting it yourself.

Perhaps, but I would also have to buy all the equipment since I currently only have the tractor. Plus I would have to be around and able to spend the few days and be slave to weather for each cut. That part is definitely not worth it to me. If I can't have someone else haying it, I would just cut it with a mower a few times a year at my convenience.

 

[hayden]

Once you see how nice euro/global is, you’ll thank us for switching.

I'll thank you now.

 

[Jrasband]

Perhaps, but I would also have to buy all the equipment since I currently only have the tractor. Plus I would have to be around and able to spend the few days and be slave to weather for each cut. That part is definitely not worth it to me. If I can't have someone else haying it, I would just cut it with a mower a few times a year at my convenience.

That's what I meant. Don't bother haying it just cut and leave it for now. Another option is to tell the person haying it is to only take one cutting, that helps a lot.

 

[hayden]

That's what I meant. Don't bother haying it just cut and leave it for now. Another option is to tell the person haying it is to only take one cutting, that helps a lot.

I see, and yes, that makes sense.

 

[Hay Dude]

Is a used CVT tractor an option? A Kubota M7 CVT(KVT) with 2,000 hours can be had for about 75K.
I’d take that over a 100HP new tractor 24/7. Once you drive it for a week, you’ll be glad you did.

 

[hayden]

On a related topic, I have been looking at late model used Deere 5M series tractors, and see a lot that only have 100hrs or so. Actually it ranges from a low of perhaps 50 up to around 300, but I'd say most in the 100 range. Would these be rental returns, and is that a common practice? Or is it a red flag that these tractors are sold new and don't stay sold for more than a 100 hrs or so? I'm guessing the former, but don't know what typical practices are.

 

[Seven Gables]

Thanks. I was wondering about the M vs R loaders and will look into it more closely. I now see there are lots of adapters, so I would likely go with a Euro/global loader and use the adapter as needed.

What do you use for ballast on the tractor for the loader? I was reading some stuff that suggested Deere always wants a weight box, and that wheel weights and loaded tires isn't enough. That struck me as very odd.

One of the primary uses for this tractor would be running a snow blower, and keeping that as close to the tractor as practical is very desirable. It becomes much harder to maneuver around if it's way out in front. So the idea of a loader that doesn't stick out so much is appealing, even if it sacrifices some reach when using a bucket.

For ballast I use 16 100lb suitcase weights hung from a Heavyhitch brand weight holding frame, gives about 1700lbs total. I’ve got only 1 wheel weight per side and No liquid ballast (may add 1 more). I find it’s plenty adequate for my uses , liquid would definitely add much more stability but over the years I’ve come to not like dealing with liquid ballast although I do still have it in some of my tractors. Wheel weights and 3pt ballast is my preferred option.
I do some snow removal for hire in winter with the 5115M and that’s the primary reason I went with the 540R loader on it. I’ve got some driveways I blow that it would be very easy to take out the corner of clients garages as I’m doing there circular drives especially if I leave bucket on. I prefer a rear mount blower for it’s smaller turning radius on a larger tractor, essentially gives you rear steering. Great setup for my applications.
Just want to add I mistakenly said I mounted the the 540m loader myself, it was the 540R loader.

 

[hayden]

Is a used CVT tractor an option? A Kubota M7 CVT(KVT) with 2,000 hours can be had for about 75K.
I’d take that over a 100HP new tractor 24/7. Once you drive it for a week, you’ll be glad you did.

I continue to look, but so far I keep bumping into the same two issues. First is that the tractor is just too big for what I need, and that would be the case with a M7. I looked at one of the larger M6 tractors this past week, and it's much too big for my needs, and for the space that I have. And obviously an M7 is even bigger. Honestly something like a Kubota M5 or Deere 4000 series is a better size, but none are available with a full function power shift, let alone a CVT. Just to get a powershift is pushing me into a tractor that is probably one size bigger than I need. The second issue is that the CVT tractors are a big bump is price. A Deere 6m series starts at around $175k new, and the CVT adds another $15k. The Fendt 200 series that you suggested earlier is in line size-wise with what I'm looking for, but way more expensive than a Deere or other with a powershift. Plus the Fendt dealer is just to far away. I also looked at a Case with CVT, but again it's a $175k tractor. So in short they have all turned out to be too big, or too expensive - at least so far

 

[Seven Gables]

On a related topic, I have been looking at late model used Deere 5M series tractors, and see a lot that only have 100hrs or so. Actually it ranges from a low of perhaps 50 up to around 300, but I'd say most in the 100 range. Would these be rental returns, and is that a common practice? Or is it a red flag that these tractors are sold new and don't stay sold for more than a 100 hrs or so? I'm guessing the former, but don't know what typical practices are.

Yes there are lots of super low hour Deere tractors for sale. I bought my 2019 5115M in 2021 with only 47hrs on it . Bought my 2018 5085E with only 14hrs. Saved thousands and both have been excellent no issue tractors, neither had enough hours for someone to abuse and destroy them

 

[hayden]

Yes there are lots of super low hour Deere tractors for sale. I bought my 2019 5115M in 2021 with only 47hrs on it . Bought my 2018 5085E with only 14hrs. Saved thousands and both have been excellent no issue tractors, neither had enough hours for someone to abuse and destroy them

Any idea how they got those hours? Loaners? Rentals? Demo units? They must be part of some program for there to be so many.

 

[Seven Gables]

My 5115M I bought from C&B operations in South Dakota, a large JD dealer out west. It was a either a county or township lease and used to only pull a 3pt hitch tree planter, I saw the tree planter on it when I spotted it on tractor house so know it wasn’t BS.
5085E I bought from a large grain farmer in northern North Dakota, really can’t explain the low hours, possibly he found a bargain on it and used as a write off, IDK. I’m certain the hours were correct though by its condition.
With that said you still have to be careful, the ones I would stay away from usually have hours more in the 500 range and have been leased by states for mowing highway right of ways, usually have the rear tires set super wide. Most all of those I’ve seen on tractor house looked to be well beat and abused

 

[rScotty]

I just swung through rural western Nebraska and southern Wyoming for a couple of weeks this fall.
I was struck by the number of small farms still using older US-made tractors. These weren't parked by the barn, they were in the fields and working.

The old gear drive and powershift JDs - 4020s and such - were most common, but there were others. Even saw some later model Farmalls still working at what looked like seed bed prep and fertilizing.

 

[Seven Gables]

Just curious if you’ve found any 5m’s Or any other tractors that fit the bill for what you want? I’m not in the market for any tractors but just been casually looking at what’s out there in the 5m lineup and actually seems there’s not as many as when I was looking back at the end of 2020. Also if the ad descriptions are correct most all I’m finding are the standard 32 speed or 16 speed power reverser transmissions , hardly any with the powershift option in the 5m series.

 

[Hay Dude]

Any idea how they got those hours? Loaners? Rentals? Demo units? They must be part of some program for there to be so many.

I can’t explain the Deeres, but Kubota was leasing a lot of M-7’s to flood the market and get units out there. They were working with Wells Fargo I believe on the leasing end.
There were good deals out there. I considered a low-hour lease turn-in on an M-7 151 or 171 with a loader. They were like 80 grand at messicks, but I’m reluctant about Kubotas over 100HP.
I think they are harder to find now. They were 2017-2019’s with 3-5 year leases. Most have been sold now.

 

[Williy]

This Deutz hp is 106 to 126 hp

5 Series - Deutz-Fahr America

Discover the perfect balance of power and agility with Deutz-Fahr 5 Series tractors. Precision engineering for superior farm performance.

deutz-fahramerica.com

willy

 

[hayden]

Just curious if you’ve found any 5m’s Or any other tractors that fit the bill for what you want? I’m not in the market for any tractors but just been casually looking at what’s out there in the 5m lineup and actually seems there’s not as many as when I was looking back at the end of 2020. Also if the ad descriptions are correct most all I’m finding are the standard 32 speed or 16 speed power reverser transmissions , hardly any with the powershift option in the 5m series.

I'm finding a handful, but all are pretty far from where I am located. I will likely line up some and do a road trip to check them out. I haven't even run a 5M yet, so everything could change when I get in one.

As for ads, the descriptions are always highly suspect. It's some combination of dealers who are lazy and/or don't know the difference between various features. And to add to the confusion, at least for a while the 5M was available with a 16 speed manual (clutch to shift, 4 speeds, 4 ranges) transmission. So a 16 speed could be all manual, or it could be a Power Quad, and it can be hard to tell which.

Then the manual 16 speed was available with a high/low power shift (clutchless, shift on the fly) that brings it to 32 speeds. And that's easily confused with the Powr8 which is also 32 speeds, but with 8 speed clutchless shifting, and 4 clutch to shift ranges.

From what I can tell, the Powr8 and Power quad didn't show up until 2022 or 2023.

Next step for me is to get in one or two examples to confirm it's what I want. Then I'll focus on buying.

For what it's worth, I'm also considering 2018 or later 5R tractors.

 

[Seven Gables]

Gotcha, yeah you’re correct both the power shift versions just came out recently, weren’t available when I bought in late 2020 for sure. I’ve got the 32/16 power reverser transmission in mine. I bought a new 1996 Ford 7740 that had 16speeds forward and reverse with powershift, would of been equivalent to the Deere power quad. Then bought a 2006 NewHolland TS115A that was 16 speed power shift would of been equivalent to the Deere power 8 in operation, both were sweet to operate.
Deere has so many different options hard to keep track of them all. That 5R was there first powershift in the 5 series I believe. You might want to research that a little seems there was a few issues with the 5R’s . Possibly some computer troubles if I’m remembering correctly.

 

[hayden]

It looks like the Power Quad and Powr8 were introduced in the 5M series at the same time the 5R was discontinued, which makes sense.

Anyone have any specifics about common 5R issues/problems? I'm considering used 5Rs.