John Deere 5100 E, Kubota 9960M, Case IH 110A

[bjohnson224]

Hello,

I am interested in buying a tractor for small farm purposes mainly in a business manner. The main things I would be doing with this tractor is planting food plots and cutting/bailing hay. The implement with the most tractor force required I would ever pull would be a three blade bottom plow. I am set on getting a tractor between 85-110 hp. The reason I want such a high hp tractor (high concerning what I will be using it for) is because I will be using it for a business and efficiency is king (a 100hp tractor can bottom plow faster than a 50hp). I have looked into the John Deere 5100E and 5085E alike and the Kubota 9960M series tractor. I am looking at cab-less tractors that have loaders attached. Year models range from (2010-2016). All of them would be 4WD (or MFWD)

I have concerns about both however. I know they are both known as durable tractors. However, bottom plowing takes a lot of force and the Kubota weighs ~1200 pounds less than the JD. Would this weight problem cause the rear tires to spin when bottom plowing? The soil I would be plowing would vary since I am going to use this tractor for business purposes but it would vary between sand, red clay, prarie mud. That is the only concern I have with the Kubota.

The concerns I have with the John Deere are not mostly mechanical. I know the John Deere 5100E tractor has a larger engine than the Kubota 9960M (meaning it runs less RPM to produce 100hp), which tells me it would be less strain on the engine over time. However, I have also heard from farmers that the John Deere tractors aren't all that they are cracked up to be concerning durability. I would like the most durable and problem free tractor on the market. I have Kubota and JD dealers in the same town as me, both of which have good reputations. The JD dealership, of course, has a higher price associated with maintenance and such, which leads me to my final and highest concern.

I have heard that recently JD has applied a computer system to their tractors that allow them to turn them off and render them completely useless if they wish. This could be caused by unwarranted repairs made by the tractor owner and not by a certified JD dealership. I perform maintenance on my Massey 4243 myself and have fixed several small errors along the way. If this is true, I am completely against JD because it will not ever be MY tractor. I do not wish to have to override this system because that will only lead to more issues.

I would buy an older tractor but I will be using this tractor a lot and need it to be regularly "turn-key" ready.

So, all that being said, Kubota or JD?? Or any other suggestions would be great! (Please keep the year range between (2005-present)

 

[RedNeckRacin]

I bought my 5083e for several reasons, and one was the tractor was 1700lbs heavier than the 8560. I was going to add ballast anyways so I wanted the heavier tractor. Never regretted the decision yet. I do not do any plowing with my tractor but I have pulled a 16 foot disc for quite a few hours in plowed ground.

 

[Farmer495]

How big is the 3 bottom plow? M7040SU plays with a 3x12 plow, a 3x16 would likely be fine behind a M9960. Get cast wheel centers and load the tires if you are concerned on ballast. You are pulling a plow a smaller tractor could pull and you are 4x4.

Personally I'd be getting orange, Deere you are paying for a name, no experience with the larger CIH A series, but wasn't impressed with the smaller ones.

 

[bjohnson224]

The 3-bottom plow is a 3 x 16. I have pulled it with my 85 hp Massey and it never had any problems but it was in sandy soil and it is getting a little old. I have always heard that JD was the best made but it seems like they might be heading down a bad path as far as newer tractors are concerned. I would like to stick with a 85+ hp just incase I never need it and adding cast wheel centers would probably help tires not spinning on the Kubota. Just haven't had much experience with Kubota over the years.

 

[Rustyiron]

I don't have any personal experience with the JD "e" series, but remember in more than one place, reading that guy's were more or less saying that it was not "up to" what they expected from Deere. From fit & finish, to the comfort/design and even the look of the casting's on the bigger components. A little internet searching on the "E" series might be worth it to either prove or disprove what could be basically just "gossip" that I've posted above.

 

[rustyshakelford]

I have a brand new 5100e, ordered in oct '16, came in February. I shopped around between kubota, Deere and case. Case is the best bang for the buck but to me was flashy and that felt cheap. It has a big tractor feel but there was just something about it I didn't trust. I was looking at the 120 too. For the kubota, it was the m5.115 I think. Hated it. Drove it around the yard and was beat to death, and ergonomics was off for me. Really didn't care for it...lots do, but it wasn't for me. Then it was the Deere. Love the fit and finish. Air ride seat was comfortable and all the controls are right at my hands. No reaching behind for a remote or 3pt. Was conveniently layed out and the Deere just looks good to me. So far, it only has 13 hrs on it but it's awesome. For sure get the 24/12 trans. Great for running a batwing and I'm sure it'll be good for plowing.

Good luck in your decision

Brett

 

[jon edwards]

I bought a 2016 Case 75c and it has been great. I have not used a plow, but I have done a lot of other stuff with it. I am looking for a two bottom plow now. My best friend has a 2015 5100e and it is nice, but has had a couple of mechanical issues. I am surprised more people don't have the Cases. I was in mine tilling for 6 hours Saturday.