CWP37
Gold Member
I priced a new model 5203 4WD (with a lot of bells and whistles) at $27,250. For that price, it seems I'm close to a 4520 4WD w/ PowerReverser. Is that true? If so, it clouds my thinking a little. Old iron or new tech?
4520 vs 5203 (Both 4WD)
- Thread starter CWP37
- Start date
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Z-Michigan
Veteran Member
4520: hydroshuttle (really nice to have)
12x12 gears (nice, only a modest upgrade)
weaker loader (though 400CX on paper is as strong as a 522)
shorter wheelbase
category 1 hitch (only)
likely get stuck with R4 tires unless you special order
5203:
more power
3 cylinder engine instead of 4 - might be more fuel efficient
probably get R1 tires unless you special order
category 1&2 hitch = more flexibility
dry clutch shuttle (not as nice)
generally stouter construction
designed to run more hours of harder use
fewer electronic gizmos to break
more likely to still be common 20 years from now (in terms of good running older tractors)
Either one should be just fine.
12x12 gears (nice, only a modest upgrade)
weaker loader (though 400CX on paper is as strong as a 522)
shorter wheelbase
category 1 hitch (only)
likely get stuck with R4 tires unless you special order
5203:
more power
3 cylinder engine instead of 4 - might be more fuel efficient
probably get R1 tires unless you special order
category 1&2 hitch = more flexibility
dry clutch shuttle (not as nice)
generally stouter construction
designed to run more hours of harder use
fewer electronic gizmos to break
more likely to still be common 20 years from now (in terms of good running older tractors)
Either one should be just fine.
unreconstructed
Platinum Member
Chip,
You gonna have to quit talking about that new 5203. You are giving me the buying bug!!
If I had about 30k to spend, I think I would get tell that fella at Brady to ditto whatever Chip did and keep my old 5203 and still one of those fancy hydaulic post hole diggers with a rock bit on it.
I am tired of the dirt out here in West Texas, except when digging post holes. I dug 4 with a rock bar at Menard the other day. Too #*^$ old for such nonsense.
ge bates.
You gonna have to quit talking about that new 5203. You are giving me the buying bug!!
If I had about 30k to spend, I think I would get tell that fella at Brady to ditto whatever Chip did and keep my old 5203 and still one of those fancy hydaulic post hole diggers with a rock bit on it.
I am tired of the dirt out here in West Texas, except when digging post holes. I dug 4 with a rock bar at Menard the other day. Too #*^$ old for such nonsense.
ge bates.
froggy
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2001
- Messages
- 1,075
- Location
- Cooke County, Texas
- Tractor
- JD4320 with TNT, electric diverter, cruise control and air suspension seat.
You are having the same problem that I will be facing next year on whether to buy new a large CUT or a utility tractor in same or more horsepower range. Either way it will be a tractor with a power reverser/shuttle transmission. Will be interesting to see how this plays out for you.
AKfish
Super Member
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2004
- Messages
- 5,420
- Location
- Alaska
- Tractor
- JD 5115M; JD 110 TLB; JD 4720; Ford 9N; JD X300R
Yes, Sir... This is a conundrum! I've been pondering the CUT vs Utility tractor question for the past year or so myself.
It really comes down to a question of what kinds of chores will you likely be using the tractor for.
Mowing a large lawn or a large hay field - pasture area?
Clean the barn and corral area or haul large, 1,200lb round/square bales?
If the answer falls along the lines of what a CUT does best; then go with that--
If you figure that the work involves more heavy duty work and possibly larger CAT II attachments; go with the Utility model.
I'm leaning more and more towards the 5203 FWD. I can use it for some of my smaller jobs (although, not as quickly done...) but I can't use a 4520 to do the more heavy duty jobs.
AKfish
It really comes down to a question of what kinds of chores will you likely be using the tractor for.
Mowing a large lawn or a large hay field - pasture area?
Clean the barn and corral area or haul large, 1,200lb round/square bales?
If the answer falls along the lines of what a CUT does best; then go with that--
If you figure that the work involves more heavy duty work and possibly larger CAT II attachments; go with the Utility model.
I'm leaning more and more towards the 5203 FWD. I can use it for some of my smaller jobs (although, not as quickly done...) but I can't use a 4520 to do the more heavy duty jobs.
AKfish
ddivinia
Elite Member
CWP37 said:
I remember when you bought your 5103, but I don't remember what all you do with it. I have a 4720 and love it. I also bought a 5525 for bigger work (cab). THey didn't make a 4720 cab at the time or I might have gone that route, but 15' batwing needs a bigger tractor.
D.
OP
CWP37
Gold Member
Yesterday was a sad day. Sold my 5103. It seems she's in good hands, though.
Now I've got to get another tractor. Got a couple of quotes.
4720-400CX loader with similar options $30,125.00.
5203 4WD-522 loader $26,500
It seems I'm leaning toward the 5203. Not because of cost, but I kind of like the size better. Also, the whole price difference in the 4000 series bugs me. Far as I've read, 4120-4720 are the same tractor with price bumps for programming the engine. Maybe I'll go ride a 4000 again.
Now I've got to get another tractor. Got a couple of quotes.
4720-400CX loader with similar options $30,125.00.
5203 4WD-522 loader $26,500
It seems I'm leaning toward the 5203. Not because of cost, but I kind of like the size better. Also, the whole price difference in the 4000 series bugs me. Far as I've read, 4120-4720 are the same tractor with price bumps for programming the engine. Maybe I'll go ride a 4000 again.
Z-Michigan
Veteran Member
I had the same issue with 4x20 pricing for the same reason. Gee, for $3600 less what's stopping you? If you liked the 5103 I think you would find the 5203 MFWD better in certain important ways and as good in all other ways. Only reasons I would get the 4720 instead would (1) wanting HST for loader work, especially pallet forks or digging holes, or (2) wanting HST for maneuvering in tight areas like inside of barns or mowing inside of small pastures. HST would be really, really nice to have if either of those apply to you. If I was mowing large areas and never confined, I would get the 5203. The 5203 is probably more durable, but I'm sure it would take a very long time to wear out a 4720 anyway.
OP
CWP37
Gold Member
I do have one small (about 1/2 acre) pasture by the creek that I couldn't mow well with my 5103. Got it stuck down there once. Don't really know if a 4720 would be any different, though. Probably better off just clearing it a little better.
I'm really leaning toward the 5203, unless I find a helluva deal on a 5205 or 4720.
I'm really leaning toward the 5203, unless I find a helluva deal on a 5205 or 4720.
ddivinia
Elite Member
CWP37 said:
That HST trans is hard to beat. I believe that is standard on the 4720. I have a 4720 and I love it. If you mow a lot of open space, you will want cruise control. Your foot will get tired on that pedal.
D.
Rara Avis
Veteran Member
5203 is manufactured in Pune, India...
Product Specification for 5203 Utility Tractor (56 hp)
4520 does not identifiy country of manufacture...which I think in JD language, that means a US construction...
Product Specification for 4520 Compact Tractor (53 hp)
Product Specification for 5203 Utility Tractor (56 hp)
4520 does not identifiy country of manufacture...which I think in JD language, that means a US construction...
Product Specification for 4520 Compact Tractor (53 hp)
ddivinia
Elite Member
PaulChristenson said:
With the dollar in such bad shape these days, maybe US made goods will start looking "cheaper" than their foreign made ones.
D.
Turkeyman
Silver Member
Look hard at the 4720 it is a great tractor unless you are working hay then I would move up to a 5 series. You will love the hydro for mowing and loader work. I plow with mine but the longest strip I have is 300 yard.
ddivinia
Elite Member
I have had a 4720 for a couple years now. I have almost 200 hours on it and love it. The HST transmission rocks. It is so much easier to use for smaller jobs and ones that require more precision. You can work the HST and the brakes at the same time when positioning and it is very smooth. I am looking at a fence mower at the moment. I suspect it will be much easier to handle wiht the 4720 with HST vs. my 5525 with the power reverser.
Good Hunting,
D.
Good Hunting,
D.
Turkeyman
Silver Member
I have about 400 hrs on mine and many people here are concerned about the durabilty of a hydro- I am not. My tractor with my Brown mower attached weighs 9300 lb. You may want to look at a 5x25 to get a limited slip front end as I do not think the 5203( 4wd) has it. I wish my 4720 had one. I would think that would help your problem with getting stuck almost as much as getting 4wd.
OP
CWP37
Gold Member
It hurts every day to look out in my barn and NOT see a tractor. Mine's been sold for a couple of weeks and I'm really missin' her.
I looked into a 5225, but it looks a little out of my price range. I'm teetering between a 5203 and a 4720. It seems that the price will be pretty close, unless things change toward the end of the year.
How does the 4720 ride while mowing? 85% of what I'll do is shredding and my 5103 was really comfortable riding through the pasture. I'm concerned that the smaller 4000 series might be a little bumpier. I've used similar size NH (TC40) and Kubota (L3400) and they were rough riding.
I looked into a 5225, but it looks a little out of my price range. I'm teetering between a 5203 and a 4720. It seems that the price will be pretty close, unless things change toward the end of the year.
How does the 4720 ride while mowing? 85% of what I'll do is shredding and my 5103 was really comfortable riding through the pasture. I'm concerned that the smaller 4000 series might be a little bumpier. I've used similar size NH (TC40) and Kubota (L3400) and they were rough riding.
OP
CWP37
Gold Member
I just don't want to buy a smaller frame 4720 and then have to "cowboy up" while mowing.
The 4720 would have the advantage of getting into some tighter areas and, obviously, the HST is a plus with loader work.
The 4720 would have the advantage of getting into some tighter areas and, obviously, the HST is a plus with loader work.
Turkeyman
Silver Member
The 4720 will have a shorter wheel base so it will be a rougher ride but it makes up for it in agility. Have you looked at Rental Returns? SC/ GA are full of them from the Peach and Peanut farms. TX must have 4 times the number of tractors. Fastline Publications in Aug. showed 15 + Deere's in the size you are looking for. Also have you check MachineFinder?
90% of my mowing is in the rough so it is hard to judge, plus fluid in all 4 tires have little give in them.
90% of my mowing is in the rough so it is hard to judge, plus fluid in all 4 tires have little give in them.
greggh
Gold Member
I have been viewing these forums for quite a while. I'm new but I have found a lot of valuable information. I have received what I think is a good deal on a new MFWD 5203 with a 522 loader for 22,600. I am going to pull the trigger in about 3 weeks. I am waiting on a barn to be built first since I don't live at the property. I hope I am doing the right thing.
Z-Michigan
Veteran Member
That sounds like an excellent deal, to the point that I wonder what important items are left out of this price. Hope it works out for you.
