Comparison 5090E vs 5090M

[deadmigit]

Hi, I have had a 2004 JD 5520 and it's on its last legs. With JD having 0% financing I think it is time for a replacement and have narrowed it down to a 5090E or a 5090M. Most of the work this tractor does is loader work mainly with putting out bales in the winter and clearing cut trees in the summer. I also use it to grade and bush hog 3 or 4 times in the summer and maybe push snow once or twice. My main concern is reliability and I have been reading that the E series hasn't been doing well long term for some people. I am open to other options but just trying to stay below the 80k mark. Thanks so much.

 

[Bigfoot62]

Hi there, and welcome. Please take a moment and add your location to your signature. That will help members respond intelligently to your questions.

I have a 2012 5083e. It's been a good tractor, so far. I think it has about 700-800 hours on it. No issues. I also have a 10 year old 5085M and a 5090M that I bought 1 1/2 years ago. Bought the e used, with 112 hours on it. Both of the M's were bought new.

You have to understand what makes the e cheaper than the M.
12 speed transmission instead of the 16. The 3 ranges of the e are not synchronized, the 4 ranges of the M are. But the forward-reverse shuttle works the same.
Lower hydraulic flow than the M series. That means what the M can do at an idle, you have to run the e up to 1500 rpm to do.
Nylon tires instead of radials.
4wd engagement is a mechanical lever. The M has a rocker switch that lets you choose between full-time 4wd and automatic 4wd. In auto mode, it senses wheel slip and engages the front axle as needed.
Standard hydraulic controls instead of electro-hydraulic controls. I use the outdoor, fender mounted buttons almost every time I hook up an implement to the 3ph, and I don't have to climb back into the cab to do it.
The standard seat in the e model is the cheapest thing JD could find. 90 degree metal bucket, (padded) but with no adjustment for the seat back angle. I bought a new air-ride swivel seat for my 5085M and put the M seat in the e. Much better.

The e model is adequate for most tasks, the M makes it easier. (nicer, more comfortable, etc) I put about 500-600 hours a year on the 3 cab tractors combined. When I'm cutting hay, that might mean 14-16 hours a day. Then, I drop the mower, and hook up to the tedder. The next day, I hook to the baler. And, down here, that process is repeated 4-5 times each summer. We cut, rake and bale with the M's. I just move and stack hay with the e. I want the radial tires and air ride seat, and I'm willing to pay for them.

If you're not going to spend much time in the tractor, and you don't need to change implements on a regular basis, you might be happy with an e.

And, by all means, shop around on price. I paid $72k for my 5090M in 8/18. And that was with the air seat, 3 sets of wheel weights on each side, the hitch buttons on both rear fenders, (comes standard on one fender) big Michelin radials, and auxiliary hydraulics (3rd function) on the loader with the thumb switch on the loader handle.

Hope my rambling thoughts have helped.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

I have a 2011 5093E Limited it has been a pretty good tractor with some minor things like one of the two seat suspension springs has broke twice, a coolant sensor has shut me down for several days blowing a 20 amp ignition fuse till it could be tracked down, electronic shuttle shifter quit and I had to replace it, and as fate would have it the clutch return spring broke just this afternoon, but that is all minor stuff. I mostly put out hay with mine and put in winter pasture in the fall and usually plant some millet for my cows in the spring, but if I was going to row crop farm with it I wouldn't keep it for a minute as all the controls that you would use are in the most inconvenient spot for the operator and are just not comfortable for the operator, but it's not an $80,000 dollar tractor either, I am not a government farmer and it's an affordable alternative for us small time operators.

 

[kthompson]

Lineman North Florida, what is a government farmer? Is that a person who raises governments on their farm? How do you plant them? Are you saying there are farmers who works for the government or has their cost paid by the government? Know a lot of small to for my area large farmers. Not aware of any who have excess money or income. Matter of fact with a flood here due to massive rains or hurricanes for most of the last few years we have a surplus of farm land just waiting to become developments. Doubt any of those who have gone busted having only farmed for their life time and now lost it all think anyone pays their way.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

KThompson, I have several neighbors who farm to fail they use government programs to big time and keep rolling , you can't never have a productive crop and stay in business, these same folks keep a new $60k diesel truck and all the new tractors and equipment that you could want and you will see where they have posted on facebook and the like about how everybody should thank a farmer, but they only post pictures of big fish and deer that they are killing while everybody else is out working, so there you have it, maybe I should have called them counterfeit farmers, as I know a lot of real farmers who work hard and struggle to make ends meet , I have lived on a farm all of my life but saw a long time ago that I needed to learn a trade to feed my family and farm a little for a hobby. Do a little research on some programs like " Best Management Practices " they can pay as much as 75% of new equipment prices and you pay 25% within 60 months most of that equipment winds up at an auction and it certainly fetches more than the 25% out of pocket that was paid, and while it has gotten a little harder as of late many are still taking advantage of the system.

 

[deadmigit]

The e model is adequate for most tasks, the M makes it easier.

Thanks for the in-depth response! (Thanks for the location tip, I changed it) We put around 250 hours a year on our current tractor but they are hard hours loaded with a front and back bale going up hills or pushing trees. Also, about 150 hours of the year are employee hours so it has to be durable and easy to use. I am leaning to the M just because of the radials and the hope that this tractor will buy me another 15 years like my last one has.

 

[CobyRupert]

Does the M have a full length (engine) frame?
Edit: Nope.

 

[LouNY]

KThompson, I have several neighbors who farm to fail they use government programs to big time and keep rolling , you can't never have a productive crop and stay in business, these same folks keep a new $60k diesel truck and all the new tractors and equipment that you could want and you will see where they have posted on facebook and the like about how everybody should thank a farmer, but they only post pictures of big fish and deer that they are killing while everybody else is out working, so there you have it, maybe I should have called them counterfeit farmers, as I know a lot of real farmers who work hard and struggle to make ends meet , I have lived on a farm all of my life but saw a long time ago that I needed to learn a trade to feed my family and farm a little for a hobby. Do a little research on some programs like " Best Management Practices " they can pay as much as 75% of new equipment prices and you pay 25% within 60 months most of that equipment winds up at an auction and it certainly fetches more than the 25% out of pocket that was paid, and while it has gotten a little harder as of late many are still taking advantage of the system.

I would tend to believe that the situation you describe is pretty rare and I doubt that it can survive very long.

 

[Bigfoot62]

Does the M have a full length (engine) frame?
Edit: Nope.

Yep. See here: John Deere 5090M page 10-11

 

[Bigfoot62]

. . . what is a government farmer? Is that a person who raises governments on their farm? How do you plant them? . . .

On their back, six feet under?