5E Limited vs. 5M

[Honey Dealer]

I am purchasing a tractor to perform all aspects of hay operation, to renovate hay land and also to run a Berry harvester.

Is there any advantage to the M series over the Limited other than comfort and convenience? Will the M do the job better in any way or just more conveniently?

 

[AKfish]

The limited has a 12x12 transmission. The limited has a lower hydraulic capacity. The limited is a bit harder on fuel (see here: TTL test reports/JD Deere). This may be a function of the gear ratios but, if I recall correctly - the M's are intercooled, too. Don't think the limited's have a turbocharger intercooler.

And of course, the M has the heavier transaxle housing (greater 3pt lifting capacity) and the electro-hydraulic 3pt (twin, external hydraulic cylinders on the rear lift arms). The limited has the traditional, internal hydraulic cylinder within the transaxle housing that lifts the 3pt arms.

Oh, I believe that the limited's have the squential fuel pump system and the M's have a common rail system.

There could be more... but that's all I've got rattling around in my head tonight!

AKfish

 

[Zebrafive]

Is there a clutch difference? Wet vs dry?

 

[MattLynch]

The new 5e's are pretty nice to drive and will have no problem with hay. I have a 2012 e and so far it works good but you can tell it is a cheap tractor and may not last as long as an m. I have had a lot of small problems so far. It does have an intercooler, but it isn't great on fuel.

 

[MattLynch]

Both use a wet clutch with shuttle trans. Same engine, same cab in 2012 models.

 

[MWRR]

One of the factors I took into consideration was the heavier weight of the M. Of course that can be overcome by adding weights to the E and probably cheaper.

 

[Bigfoot62]

I am purchasing a tractor to perform all aspects of hay operation, to renovate hay land and also to run a Berry harvester.

Is there any advantage to the M series over the Limited other than comfort and convenience? Will the M do the job better in any way or just more conveniently?

As AKfish and MWRR pointed out, there are some significant differences.
Technically, MattLynch is correct, it is the same basic engine, but different engine controls and performance. For example, the M's maximum PTO hp is reached at 2100 rpm, not the 2400 rpm that the E requires. More power at lower rpm = more torque, less fuel, longer engine life, etc, etc.

And, yes, you are paying more for comfort and convenience, but IMHO it's worth it. A few thousand dollars, spread out over the expected life of the tractor, is not a whole lot. If we ever get out of this drought situation, I will spend about 300 hours each year in the tractor seat, just in the hay fields. Is comfort and convenience important to me? You bet.

I went through this same decision process about a 18 months ago. AKfish did it more recently. He has some long, in-depth, posts about his decision. Just look for the "Find all threads started by" under his username. I think it would be a good read for you.

 

[Martian]

As others have pointed out, the E will do most everything the M will. The M is just a more comfortable tractor, and has some very nice features to go along with it. Not many things you can really say the M will do that the E won't, but if I was upgrading my 5410, I'd be getting an M, not E.

 

[jdtractor]

I own a 5093e series, and i will say its as nice as the higher $$$$$$ m. will do everything you need when compareing them both. I have been in some high $$$$ tractors, like the m series Deere builds they are not worth the extra $$$$$$ IMO. Its your CASH spend it how youn want ,but the E series tractors are just as good as the M. Ive owned 2 Es and I will put them up against any M series of equal size!

 

[AGGIE00]

I had a 2010 5083e and traded up to the MY2012 5083e a couple weeks ago. All the creature comforts that seperated the M from the E in 2010 are fixed in the MY2012. Except for electric 4x4 activation and throttle, the cabs are essentially the same. The E now uses a console where it previously had the levers coming through the floor. The only reason I would go with the M is if I absolutely had to have the frame it comes with, and for the price I'd go with the 6030 series.

Make sure you are looking at the MY2012 with the green frame and not the black frame because they are very different. At first glance you will swear you are looking at an M.

BTW, not all M tractors use the common rail injection system.

 

[MattLynch]

If you plan to farm or work the tractor hard I would recommend an m a 6d or take a good look at the Massey 2680. I like my 5093 but as I found out it was never meant to be a farm tractor, it is built and marketed to "property owners" and I wonder how it will hold up.

 

[Bigfoot62]

I had a 2010 5083e and traded up to the MY2012 5083e a couple weeks ago. All the creature comforts that seperated the M from the E in 2010 are fixed in the MY2012. Except for electric 4x4 activation and throttle, the cabs are essentially the same. . . At first glance you will swear you are looking at an M. . .

Not quite.
The e still doesn't have the electro-hydraulic 3pt hitch control. That's a HUGE difference, especially if you've ever tried to hook up to a hay mower by yourself, etc. And, there are still mechanical differences, 3pt hitch lift capacity, engine performance, etc.

The M is still a "premium" tractor, and the e is an economy. You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
And, the OP stated that he wanted a tractor do work a "hay operation." That's what I do. I chose the M and still think it's the best choice for the intended purpose.

 

[Edward. S]

The bigger hydraulic pump on the 5M is a added bonus when lifting up big bales with the loader.

 

[AGGIE00]

Not quite.
The e still doesn't have the electro-hydraulic 3pt hitch control. That's a HUGE difference, especially if you've ever tried to hook up to a hay mower by yourself, etc. And, there are still mechanical differences, 3pt hitch lift capacity, engine performance, etc.

The M is still a "premium" tractor, and the e is an economy. You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
And, the OP stated that he wanted a tractor do work a "hay operation." That's what I do. I chose the M and still think it's the best choice for the intended purpose.

No doubt the M is a much heavier built tractor, but I was refering to the cab and the upgrades from 2010. We put over 10000 hrs on a Deere 2640 in the hay field and it is still in operation. The E is very similar to the 2640 in frame size and I expect the same longevity.

 

[Honey Dealer]

I'll add some details to my original post. The land is already broke. I intend to use a tiller to prepare the seed bed and seed with a disc drill. I'd like to cut the hay with a Moco and I'll only make square bales.

The berry harvester only needs 30 pto hp and I'd like to get a side discharge manure spreader to mulch the Saskatoons.

Right now I have nothing but a JD 2520 that I use for my Apiary.

 

[AKfish]

No doubt the M is a much heavier built tractor, but I was refering to the cab and the upgrades from 2010. We put over 10000 hrs on a Deere 2640 in the hay field and it is still in operation. The E is very similar to the 2640 in frame size and I expect the same longevity.

AGGIEOO;

I've had the opportunity to use my neighbor's 2640 during the past 2 years. Great tractor and just the right Hp/Size machine for my hay operation!

One thing that really stood out.... look at the transaxle housing on the 2640. It has the same squared off axle casting's that the M does. Very beefy, heavy duty! :thumbsup:

Considerably different than the Limited's.

AKfish