What can you not do with the 5103 now? Once you use. Power reverser you won't want to go back. MFWD is really nice. Not just n mud but when plowing etc. I grew up on a fender f a John Deere 40. The buddy seat in a cab is way better. How much HP do you need? Do you plan n running a round baler? 5m vs 5e. I just bought a 5093e. I compared to the M and I could not justify the money. Early 5e yes, 2013 no. The only thing I really miss if the electronic hitch. I have it in my 5525 and it is really slick Safety - had a buddy run into so bees lad year on a dozen. He didn't make it. I have had m shredder throw stuff into m cab. Never know what you find in a pasture. I bet you get good money for your 5103. I have seen many at auction go for mor than they were new. How about the new 5075e cab? Configuration looks like $38k. The deal for me is I didn't want an interim t4 engine. D,
I really want/need MFWD and a heavier rear end with better traction. I have the skinny rear tires on my 5103 and they just spin so easily when I get a little resistance with my loader, box blade or disc.
I have about 1/4mile of dirt driveway to maintain with a lot of elevation change in it. I don't get too far grading the driveway with the BB before I start spinning. So something with more power and grip is really needed soon. Especially as we start getting into the wetter months here.
And the greater power, reach and functionality of the removable 553 loader would be really nice vs my fixed 512.
I feel exactly the same as you with the E/M. The value of what I get for my $ is too good with the E for my needs. If I was farming for a living or a biz and had more acreage, I could start to see where an M would be nice. But my tractor is really for nights / weekend projects and farming. That's why my 5103 only has 235 hours on it for a 2007. It's not getting used every single day.
I would like I run a smaller round baler with my next tractor. Which is why I've had my eye on this used 5075E locally. But I would not be bailing much land with it. That's why I feel this tractor will be a 3-5 year tractor for me as we grow in acreage under management. I can handle 15-20 acres of pasture and 75-80 wooded with a 65-75hp tractor for now I think.
Then there's the cab... What you bring up, Darin, are really the biggest reasons I would want a cab - safety and protection. I actually enjoy the open air on a tractor a lot, so I'm not really all that swayed by AC and heat and a quiet cab.
I think I am leaning to sticking with an open station for this purchase though. I'm just not yet at a place where I feel my uses are justified with a cabbed machine. But they hopefully will be in the near future. It will then be less $ for me to move from the 65-75hp tractor to a 75-90hp cabbed vs going to one now from my basic 50hp utility 5103.
I'm glad it's the 2007 5103 with true 50hp. I want to capitalize on the low hours right now to get a good price. I'd like the flexibility of having a tractor with at least 55hp PTO.
it's definitely one of my top considerations for getting a cab.