john deere 5103 or 5203

whitearrow · Aug 16, 2005

good evening guys.i am seriously thinking of purchasing a john deere 5103 or 5203.i want a tractor that will be with me for the long haul,many years of trouble free service.whats the word on these tractors?should i be concerned that they are built in india vs usa?is the john deere quality still there? someone please help,this is my first tractor purchase.i just don't want to screw it up.i want to run rhis tractor for many many years.
thank you for all replies.
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bobbyjak · Aug 16, 2005

Get the 5105 or 5205..They are made in USA (GA)..

whitearrow · Aug 16, 2005

bobbyjak,they are more expensive and i like the transmissions in the 03 series better.more simple operation is what i am looking for.simple gears for me,i think that they will last longer that the hydros.
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ddivinia · Aug 16, 2005

I considered an 03 also. I wanted the 5303 due to the power. Now, a non-turbo model has merit also - less to break. Too bad they are only 2wd. What do you plan on doing with it?

D.

whitearrow · Aug 17, 2005

ddivinia,i don't believe that i need a 4wd.i will be mainly straight line bush hogging and some discing of deer plots.i just want a simple reliable well proven tractor.is this one that i am looking at?
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ddivinia · Aug 17, 2005

I think you are looking at the right one. Some people don't like the European style fenders, but I think they are cool. They are made out of heavy steel and make a perfect mounting platform for all kinds of stuff. In countries like Inida, it is used as primary transportation. It is not unusual to see them with 7 peopel sitting on the fenders, tc.

Now, the 03s are made in India. That really bugs some people. An American made option is the 5105 or 5205. The biggest draw of the 05s to me, is that they are available in 4WD.

Now, the 5303 seems like the deal to me. 64hp for not a lot more money than the 5103 or 5203. Perhaps you don't want a turbo. A turbo would be something else to break, but I think they are pretty well figured ou these days. What altitude would you be using it? High altitudes, I would definelty get a turbo version.

Also, the front end loader is not easily removed from the 03s, but that might not be a big deal.

Good luck,
D.

whitearrow · Aug 17, 2005

ddivinia,i will me using the tractor exclusively in east central mississippi.my eye was orgininally on the 5103 but slowly gravitating towards the 5203,you know just a few more horses.my thinking was like you said about the turbo 5303 something else to go wrong.like i originally posted i want this tractor to be simple and to last.also,i dont think that i will ever need a front end loader.
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unreconstructed · Aug 17, 2005

White Arrow,

There is more discussion on the 5103 on July 16 entitled
"5103 is there a better option". I am no whiz on this machine or I would link it for you. I asked the question and got a lot of responses. I am still toying with the 5103 vs 5105 option myself--I wish the 5103 had 4wd. All the posts I have gotten recommend 4wd for FEL use with these compact tractors. I grew up on a farm and only know about farm tractors and we never had 4wd and I really don't want it. But if it takes 4wd to make the FEL work to its full potential, then I guess I better consider it. The 5103 sound like a good bet for little maintenance and according to the posts I mentioned above has adequate power, especially for a flatlander. I never received a post from anyone who has used a 5103 with a FEL describing its limitations, but if the FEL is not an issue, sounds like the 5103 is a good bet and affordable.

I don't know what to think about the India issue. Not sure that matters anymore. Instinctively I had rather send my money to the boys in Georgia than someone in India. The India made tractor may leave money profit in the U.S., who know.

Good hunting. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

BillG_in_TX · Aug 17, 2005

Here's the link to the previous 5103 discussion.

It appears that cowboydoc gives it his seal of approval, so I wouldn't worry about whether it's a good tractor or not.

cowboydoc · Aug 17, 2005

They are 100% designed and engineered by Deere. The reason that they are sold in India is because they sell 90% of the 03 series in India. Only 10% of the tractors made there are sold in the US. Also the engine, drive train, wheels, etc. are all made in the US and shipped to India for assembly. The engine is the same one that is used in the much more expensive 25 series. As far as being bulletproof I don't know where you'd find a better tractor for the money. If you like gadgets and modern transmissions and conveniences this tractor is not for you. But if you want a no frills tough as nails tractor like what rolled off the assembly line 30 years ago this is your tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Ledgemere Farm · Aug 17, 2005

Two years ago, one of my brothers purchased a 5105. very nice machine. simple, rugged, reliable.

Last year, my oldest brother needed another tractor. He initially looked at the 5105, but the price had jumped over six grand in a little over a year. He tested and purchased the 5103. Yes, it's made in India, but John Deere is a worldwide company and procures its parts from all over. Given his druthers, he would have got the 5105 to support the US economy, but the price margin was a little to much for what he was looking for.

You won't go wrong either way. Front-wheel assist is neice to have, but for your apllication. 2WD will suffice.

Good luck with your buying process. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

unreconstructed · Aug 17, 2005

Cowboydoc,

Thanks for all your input on the 5103. Looking at your bio, I see you have 4wd JDs. As I said, my tractor experience is confined to cotton farming back in the 1960s--M-5 Moline, 1850 Oliver, and in the late 50's as a kid , the old UB Moline. Never had a tractor with 4wd or used a loader with one (loader experience is with wheeled Cat loaders). So, I didn't know if when one hits a pile of aggregrate with a compact tractor, will the thing stall out before the bucket can be pulled back with a load if one only has 2wd? Or if one is peeling,say, a couple of inches off for a road bed with the scarfier teeth, will the same thing happen if only 2wd is used? Looking at how 4wd pickup trucks are used-- I think sometimes 4wd is used beyond what the equipment is truly intended for. But that might not be the case with these small tractors. Anyhow, I think the same as the originator of this thread--that the less bells and whistles one buys the less the repair bill down the road. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

cowboydoc · Aug 17, 2005

You will notice it alot when using a 2wd compared to a 4wd tractor. Your skidsteers, backhoes, etc. have the no stall features built into them. The tractors usually don't. To answer your question yes you will stall a tractor. Even on the 4wd tractors if the traction is good enough you will stall it before you slip. You usually have to use the clutch to keep them from stalling.

unreconstructed · Aug 17, 2005

Thanks much. The 5105 has a shuttle shift which I don't want to pay for so the tranny makes the 5105 quite a bit higher than the 5103. Have considered the 990 but see that the lift capacity is a lot less than the 03 and 05 and knowing my penchant for dirt farming, I would probably regret buying the 990. Guess when it comes down to it, the decision will swing
with the dealer's offer and how my middle age hormones are the day I finally pull the trigger.

Again, muchas gracias. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

cowboydoc · Aug 17, 2005

From what I've been told the 03 series is not selling like they had hoped it would. Take a look on jd's dealer search engine. There are quite a few out there for some really good prices.

whitearrow · Aug 17, 2005

cowboydoc,how do you get the best deal for your money?is there a website that you can go yo to find out what the dealer paid for the tractor in question?
whitearrow->>>------------------->

PM1 · Aug 17, 2005

I've had a JD 5203 for over a year now, and I haven't wished for a different tractor a single day. It has operated flawlessly, with smooth power delivery and solid footing.

I have the JD 510 loader mounted on the tractor as well. The rear tires are filled, and I have a bush hog mounted on the rear most of the time since I tend to mow any time I'm moving from one place to another.

With that configuration, I've never once needed 4WD to get full performance from the loader. Driving into a gravel pile and extracting a heaping bucket load is almost effortless. The same is true for driving into a pile of dirt or clay.

I routinely carry 1,500 - 2,000 lb loads in the bucket or chained to the bucket. The tractor is completely solid, and I never feel the load from the operator's station. Last weekend I lifted and carried a 40-foot steel beam weighing 1,700 lbs. -- while it was hanging completely off the right side of the loader bucket.

4WD would certainly add capability to the tractor and the loader, but the point I'm making is that I've never once NEEDED more capability. The loader is strong, the tractor is strong, and there's enough weight on the rear wheels (especially with filled tires and a heavy implement) to give terrific traction and stability - even with full loader work.

This is in no way saying that 2WD is better than 4WD -- you just asked for feedback on whether 2WD was sufficient on the 03 series. My experience has been 100% yes. Hope that helps.

Parker

unreconstructed · Aug 18, 2005

PM1

Your post answers my question to a tee. I appreciate your input much. My Dad's philosophy was simple cheap equipment and it worked for him. He's gone on over to the other side of the river now, but think he would like this tractor.
If I buy one and its as good as everyone on TBN says, then I might name it after Pop. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Thanks again.
/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif