5525 or 5093E, that is the question

[hollowcd]

Hello guys and thank you for the responses to my previous posts, it has been a nice welcome to the forum. This question is a little more heavily weighted as it is more of an investment than I have dealt with in the past. I grew up on a small 160 acre family farm. We had few implements and tractors, and about 18 years ago we ended up contracting out our land instead of farming it ourselves as the investment outweighed the opportunity. Our primary tractor for the farm, and still owned by us today, is a 1974 John Deere 4040 with an amazing 3,500hrs on it. Recently, my brother and I started a small hay business, and this year already we have doubled in size. We are pushing the 100 acre mark for next years business, and we are in the middle of updating equipment as we go. My brother just invested in an 05 TN60a that will help immensly, and I am looking at trading in the old 4040 to do what my dad did 30 years ago, invest in a tractor that will last us another 30 years. I do want to go Green as it has treated my family well over the years, and the service and support is abundant where I live. After a ton of searching and deliberating, my first choice would fall on an 06-07 JD 5525, Cab, MFWD, loader prepped, under 750hrs. I have also found out that for about he same price, I can get a brand new JD 5093E series also with cab, MFWD, and loader prepped. From what I have read, there is not a whole lot of difference between the two less a few hydraulic GPM, different control configuration, and a little weight. I really would like opinions as to what you guys think would be a better investment for the long haul. I feel like the 5525 would hold its value better having the bells and whistles, but cant get over knowing I can get a brand new tractor with a few less options for the same money. Any advice/recommendations would be highly appreciated as I have a big decision to make and I want to make the right one. Thanks for the help and advice, its much appreciated.
Regards,
hollow

 

[jenkinsph]

I assume you already know that the 4040 is larger than both of these newer tractors and is closer to 6000 series today. Neither the 3500 hours on the 4040 or the 750 hrs on the 5525 are very many. I would think for ground engaging work the 4040 will beat the other two. You might want to consider doing a restoration of the 4040 if the sheetmetal and mechanicals are good. Use it a little longer and if you feel the need to trade up you would get more for it. My personal inclination would be to go the restoration route and then add to the tractor collection with a new 4000 series tractor.
You can get a better deal without a trade in and Deere is offering some good incentives for new purchases right now.

Note that as I recall Deere was building 4030's in 1974, I think a 4040 is a little newer than that.


Steve

 

[hollowcd]

Thanks Steve for your reply. The ergonomics, fuel consumption, and a little less power is what attracted me to the new tractors. Effeciency wise I like the newer tractors, plus the 90hp of the 4040 is a little overkill with the old JD24t baler, JD 410 Round baler, 4 basket tedder, and NH haybine that we run. Plus I like the capability of adding the loader to the front of the new tractors while utilizing the MFWD. I am not saying the restoration is a bad idea, there is just too many positives surrounding the newer models and the investment we made in the 4040 30 years ago, is pretty much apples to apples what the tractor is worth today so I wouldnt be taking a hit in the upgrade. As far as the trade in goes, I would probably sell the 4040 outright to get the money it is worth out of it, I cant afford to take that big of a value hit on a dealer trade.

 

[gamble77]

The cab difference is a pretty huge deal, neither cab is bad but the cab on the 25 series is much nicer. I would sit in each one and drive them around to get a feel for the CABs. I am sure you could probably live with the smaller hyd capacity on the E series but the CAB you might regret. Good luck in your search.

 

[hollowcd]

I actually sat in them this morning. Well kind of, I sat in a 5101E and a 5095M, both brand new. The size of the cab seems to me the same. The major difference is the lack of console on the right side on the E series. On the 5525, all your controls are on the right side, arm level, including throttle. On the E series the throttle is on the gage column, the hydraulic controls are down to the right of the seat, the PTO is on the left side of the seat, and there is not a telescopic steering wheel. Other than that I didnt notice a whole lot of difference, what am I missing? I think that there is around 10k difference in price. Other than a few less GPM and the cab differences they seemed to be very similar machines. I am unsure if the 25 series tractors are set up the exact same in the cab as the new M series are though.

 

[ddivinia]

I actually sat in them this morning. Well kind of, I sat in a 5101E and a 5095M, both brand new. The size of the cab seems to me the same. The major difference is the lack of console on the right side on the E series. On the 5525, all your controls are on the right side, arm level, including throttle. On the E series the throttle is on the gage column, the hydraulic controls are down to the right of the seat, the PTO is on the left side of the seat, and there is not a telescopic steering wheel. Other than that I didnt notice a whole lot of difference, what am I missing? I think that there is around 10k difference in price. Other than a few less GPM and the cab differences they seemed to be very similar machines. I am unsure if the 25 series tractors are set up the exact same in the cab as the new M series are though.

The 5525 cab is essentially the same as the new E series except all the controls on the E are on the floor. The 25 series has the SCV, etc up on the right.

I looked at the E series and they are not as nice as the 5x25. Some dealers still have 5x25s on their lot and are giving some smoking deals. You might want to check around for a left over.

E vs M
The M is essentially a 6000 in a 5000 size. There are some very nice features on the tractor. One specifically that i like is that the cooler fold out for easy cleaning. That is super nice when you are haying.

I would have to check but i think I broke 750 hour or so on my 5525 cab MFWD - it has been a great tractor. I hay with it, and all kinds of general stuff around the ranch here.

You might want to look at the 6115D. It seems to be a real bargain, but not as fancy as some of the other tractors.

D.

 

[rutwad]

I am not trying to be negative, just playing devil's advocate.....

When I read the first post, I was thinking you should keep the 4040. 3500 hrs is not bad at all. Especially since it has been in your family the entire time.

You mentioned a growing business, but you are wanting to downsize your tractor? Why not invest in larger equipment if you think the tractor is oversized?

You want MFWD- if you're getting stuck with 2wd then it's probaly to wet to cut hay anyway.

I cannot compare the 5525 to the 5093E, but I feel certain the 4040 rides quite a bit better than both.

Maybe I am just confused. If you want advice on selling the 4040 and buying a new tractor, I say keep the 4040. But if you want to compare 5525 to the 5093E, I can't say. Grow your business and wait to get a larger tractor. My friend has a 6420 and 5525 and there is a HUGE difference in the 2!!

 

[ddivinia]

I am not trying to be negative, just playing devil's advocate.....

When I read the first post, I was thinking you should keep the 4040. 3500 hrs is not bad at all. Especially since it has been in your family the entire time.

You mentioned a growing business, but you are wanting to downsize your tractor? Why not invest in larger equipment if you think the tractor is oversized?

You want MFWD- if you're getting stuck with 2wd then it's probaly to wet to cut hay anyway.

I cannot compare the 5525 to the 5093E, but I feel certain the 4040 rides quite a bit better than both.

Maybe I am just confused. If you want advice on selling the 4040 and buying a new tractor, I say keep the 4040. But if you want to compare 5525 to the 5093E, I can't say. Grow your business and wait to get a larger tractor. My friend has a 6420 and 5525 and there is a HUGE difference in the 2!!

Maybe he doesn't want to drive a 35 yr old tractor.

Depending on the baling needs, you should consider a 6000 series tractor. With that being said, I run a 467 baler no problem with my JD 5525. Longer wheel base and heavier tractors do ride better. We use a 4520 cab for raking and it can beat you to death at times. Sometimes I wish I had go bigger, but the 5525 has been a very good tractor.

When I was looking at my 5525 I had considered a used 20yr old tractor and I think I made the right call buying newer.

D.

 

[Edward. S]

Uhh im kinda new here but like whats the point of a 6420. i have one too.

I am not trying to be negative, just playing devil's advocate.....

When I read the first post, I was thinking you should keep the 4040. 3500 hrs is not bad at all. Especially since it has been in your family the entire time.

You mentioned a growing business, but you are wanting to downsize your tractor? Why not invest in larger equipment if you think the tractor is oversized?

You want MFWD- if you're getting stuck with 2wd then it's probaly to wet to cut hay anyway.

I cannot compare the 5525 to the 5093E, but I feel certain the 4040 rides quite a bit better than both.

Maybe I am just confused. If you want advice on selling the 4040 and buying a new tractor, I say keep the 4040. But if you want to compare 5525 to the 5093E, I can't say. Grow your business and wait to get a larger tractor. My friend has a 6420 and 5525 and there is a HUGE difference in the 2!!

 

[ddivinia]

Uhh im kinda new here but like whats the point of a 6420. i have one too.

6420s rock - I could not swing the extra $$$.

D.