JD 5 Series Questions - Just a Few More...

leeave96 · Sep 18, 2014

I've read a ton of posts on this and other forums and hope you can answer one last round of quick questions regarding the 5 series tractors as I am about to buy one.

The model I am looking at is a 5055d - two wheel drive tractor.

Looking at tractor data and reading a bunch of posts, I gather the 8F/4R collar shift tranny has been around for quite sometime - not something new, but I can't prove it. Do you know if this is the same 8F/4R tranny Deere would have used on a tractor 20 or 30 years ago? Is it a reliable tranny?

Reading about the overheating hydraulic issues and the melting fuel tanks, it looks like the "e" models are having this problem? Question is - would the 8F/4R tranny's be completely different from the engine back to the 3 point hitch and with it perhaps a design that's less prone to over heating?

I've got a Massey Ferguson 50 Diesel (which I'm keeping) and it is a great tractor, but I want something newer before the final tier 4 emissions come and the 5055d strikes me as a tractor design that has been around for 20 or more years, older design, but new - which is fine by me.

I am comfortable the 2.9L (179 cu in), 3 cylinder model 3029 engine is a great engine.

The only other thing I would consider doing down the road a few years from now is make some 4x4 round bales of hay, but for now, bush hogging and square baling.

Any concerns with the 5 series tractors aside from the above? Any advice, tips, etc., would be much appreciated.

Thanks!
Bill

Tx Jim · Sep 19, 2014

I agree JD 2.9L engines although a little noisy are good engines.

crowbar032 · Sep 21, 2014

I've got a 5065E which is in the same series but is 4x4. I haven't had any issues with the hydraulic overheating and melting fuel tank. I think the resolution on that was people were hitting the rear outlet levers with their hand/thigh causing the overheating, but not totally sure on that. As far as transmission, I don't know. The only thing I'll say I don't like is that it's way too fast in reverse in any range but "A" for me. That results in a lot of shifting.

norshud · Oct 2, 2014

I have a 2012 5055D. I had some initial quality issues like hose clamp leaks, negative battery not tight on chassis (that was a stopper just like the P/S leak) and a P/S hose on the steering valve leaking from not being tight and a failed rubber shifter boot from the start (coat that thing down with dielectric grease to keep it from drying out on both shifter). With all that aside I love this tractor. I also have a 2000 4200 SST with a 420 loader that I bought new. I needed to run a 10 foot bush hog and this tractor has done everything I have put before it. I did add 1,000 plus pounds of front weight on with the JD suitcase system and weight mount casting . It is also decent on fuel. I would buy it again, in a heartbeat. It is everything a tractor should be and not filled with electronic junk and plastic parts. Fenders are heavy metal and not like my 4200 which is plastic junk. The hood is plastic though. I also love the hand rails to mount and dismount the tractor. I changed out that joke of a toolbox with a metal larger one and added a canopy and had the rear tires filled. I now have 215 hours on it and I like it more and more every time I use it. For the money I personally do not think the tractor can be beat and I looked at New Holland Workhorse and Kubota. JD let me use their money for 5 years for o% and best of all theft/damage insurance for $350 for the life of the loan. That insurance is cheap compared to an inland marine policy to cover the unit.

leeave96 · Oct 2, 2014

norshud said:
I have a 2012 5055D. I had some initial quality issues like hose clamp leaks, negative battery not tight on chassis (that was a stopper just like the P/S leak) and a P/S hose on the steering valve leaking from not being tight and a failed rubber shifter boot from the start (coat that thing down with dielectric grease to keep it from drying out on both shifter). With all that aside I love this tractor. I also have a 2000 4200 SST with a 420 loader that I bought new. I needed to run a 10 foot bush hog and this tractor has done everything I have put before it. I did add 1,000 plus pounds of front weight on with the JD suitcase system and weight mount casting . It is also decent on fuel. I would buy it again, in a heartbeat. It is everything a tractor should be and not filled with electronic junk and plastic parts. Fenders are heavy metal and not like my 4200 which is plastic junk. The hood is plastic though. I also love the hand rails to mount and dismount the tractor. I changed out that joke of a toolbox with a metal larger one and added a canopy and had the rear tires filled. I now have 215 hours on it and I like it more and more every time I use it. For the money I personally do not think the tractor can be beat and I looked at New Holland Workhorse and Kubota. JD let me use their money for 5 years for o% and best of all theft/damage insurance for $350 for the life of the loan. That insurance is cheap compared to an inland marine policy to cover the unit.

Great write-up thanks!

I bought a 5055d and have been busy with it making square bales of hay. Knock on wood, so far, so good.

RollingsFarms · Oct 2, 2014

My friend has that same transmission in his 5105 and it's been bullet proof. Tractor seems to be having hydraulic problems a lot lately but that tractor has also had a rough life even with only 600 hours on it. I had a 5203 which is just like the model you're looking at and it was always great, never had the hot hydraulics issue or melting tank. Only complaint was my friends 5105 felt stronger then my 5203 and I think that had a lot to do with my tractor having turbo lag and his isnt a turbo.