JD 5203

gaspumpman · Oct 13, 2004

I am looking to purchase a JD 5203. Can anyone tell me the pros and cons of the 5003 series JD tractors?

I own 30 acres. I will be bush hogging, putting out round bales of hay, and possibly cutting hay (Square Bales) for personal use in the future.

Can the 5203 handle the job?

Ledgemere Farm · Oct 13, 2004

My oldest brother just bought the 5103. He runs a NH Hayliner with it (no wagon). He wants to buy a loader for it next year, but the loaders for these tractors are not "quick-tatch". They take a few minutes. I think they are only available in 2WD, but don't quote me on it. It has the European fenders on the back which take a little getting used to. I also think they are all Collar Shift, meaning that you need to stop to change gears.
I drove it a bit this summer. I thought it was a good no frills rugged tractor. They are in the same price range as the comparable Mahindras I think. The dealer told my brother that Deere came out with the 03 series because Mahindra was selling so many inexpensive 2WD tractors. Take that for what it's worth. I think they are OK.

cowboydoc · Oct 13, 2004

The 03 series is pretty much the same engine, drive train, frame, etc. as the 5x20 series. The differences are 1. The transmission is only available as non-synchro. 2. The fenders and body are different and there is no covering over the axle housing. 3. It is only available in 2 wd. If you can live with 2 wd and a non-synchro transmission then you have a great tractor. I don't think you can find any tractor out there comparable to it for the price.

It will work fine for moving round bales, bush hogging and haying. The only problem with haying is going to be you have to stop to change gears and the same with bush hogging. If that's ok then you will enjoy the tractor. If you don't want to stop to change gears everytime then I would go with a synchro. But to get that you have to go to the 5x20 series and jump up a bunch in $$$.

Bob_Young · Oct 13, 2004

Good, simple, straight forward tractor with no downtime inducing frills. Tractors like the 5203 were the mainstays of the utility Ag tractor lines in the 60's and 70's. Many from that period are still running fine today and more than adequate for the work you described. With a bit of care your 5203 will be doing the same 40 years from now.

If your land is well drained, go for it; lack of 4WD shouldn't be an issue. For bush hogging and haying, independent PTO is more important than shift-on-the-go capability.

Ledgemere Farm · Oct 13, 2004

For what it's worth, between my brothers and I, we own 10 tractors and only 3 are 4WD. It's handy, but you don't have to have it.

Bob_Young · Oct 13, 2004

If you get a quote on a 5203, please post along with your location. A few years down the road, I may be ready to consider one.

gaspumpman · Oct 13, 2004

Thanks for the information from everyone. I live in North Alabama. The best price I can find so far is $13,400 for the tractor (5203) and $4,000 for the 510 loader. Is this a good price? Or, should they be able to do better?

PM1 · Oct 13, 2004

<font color="blue"> {From my earlier post in another thread:} </font>

I have a JD 5203 with a 510 loader, and I agree it's a ton of tractor for the money. Yes, it's 2wd with a collar-shift transmission, but it also has 47hp at the PTO, fully independent PTO, and 11gpm hydraulics feeding the loader. All of that (tractor+loader) was a grand total of $15,800 brand-spanking-new -- of course your dealer price may vary.

Other dealers I called quoted between $17,500 and $19,200 for the same setup. I just happened to find a dealer that had one on the lot and was ready to win a new customer.

As for the fenders, I find them to be extremely useful. They're flat and wide, which gives you lots of room to stand on, place tools on, or mount tool boxes or other attachments.

cowboydoc · Oct 13, 2004

We ordered a 5303 that is supposed to be here next week. We got two SCV's, dual telescoping draft links, interchangeable cat 1 and II balls, two rear work lights, toolbox, and arm rests. The total was $14,800. The 03 is the next size bigger so if you are getting the 02 for $13,400 I'd say that's a pretty good price depending on the options. I didn't get a loader on mine.

RollingsFarms · Apr 10, 2007

cowboydoc said:
We ordered a 5303 that is supposed to be here next week. We got two SCV's, dual telescoping draft links, interchangeable cat 1 and II balls, two rear work lights, toolbox, and arm rests. The total was $14,800. The 03 is the next size bigger so if you are getting the 02 for $13,400 I'd say that's a pretty good price depending on the options. I didn't get a loader on mine.

how in the &^%$ did you swing that deal???!!! local dealer here wants 14,250 for a bare bones no accesories 5103. after being on this site for awhile and becoming wise to what prices for certain tractors SHOULD be, i told him he was full of $%^& and left it at that.