Loader for John Deere 5303

[Dan Dargeloh]

Hi, my name is Dan and I'm new here. I have a John Deere 5303 that I am considering putting a front end loader on. That tractor is so easy to get on and off of compared to my two other tractors with loaders, that it would be worth the expense. I am starting to get older now, so that little John Deere is looking better and better all the time to this IH fan! A loader would make an already handy tractor even better. Any recommendations from others, who own one of these tractors, as to what make & model loader to buy would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[JD5210]

You might consider looking at tractorhouse.com, fastline.com and machinefiner.com and look up your tractor and see what loaders are them.

You might also look at 5x20 tractors and then look up the loader manuals from the following URL and see if they work for your tractor and maybe look at the e tractors.

Sorry, but this is the best I can do to help you.

John Deere Ag - New Equipment: Technical Publications - Equipment Search

 

[GreenWannabe]

Several manufacturers make loaders which fit the 5303. The ones I found:

John Deere 512 and 553
Koyker 185
Quicke 200 (available through Rhino and Bush Hog) Q21 and Q28
Westendorf - many different models, they recommend the CC-300 and MAX428
Woods LU126

HTH.

 

[Dan Dargeloh]

GreenWannabe and JD5210, thank you for the info. I have called a few dealers around here and got some pricing on Allied, Koyker, Deere, and Westendorf. I have tentatively narrowed my choices to the Deere 553 and the Westendorf TA 180. Both are rated for 80-90 horsepower. Koyker only produces the 185 for this application and it is rated to 60, which makes it on the light end for the application. The quote on the Allied wasn't even in the ball park. I like the Deere 553 due to the fact that it would allow me to leave my weight bracket on the front of the tractor to use when the loader was off. BUT, that means that the only mounting point for the loader is in the middle of the tractor, instead of the front and middle on the other style which hooks to the front of the tractor also. Any thoughts on this from you or anyone else out there. A tractor broken in half would be a revolting development!

 

[dieselcrawler]

We have a westendorf on a Kubota L4310 at work... bought new. Been on tractor about 4 years. Stout loader...

 

[GreenWannabe]

I would look at a loader mounted on a tractor at your JD dealer. They've used a center mount design for a number of years now, and I haven't read any problems with it breaking the tractor. I think their mounts distribute the force pretty well, but you can tell more about it by getting underneath and looking at one.

 

[econometrics]

I have a 553 Loader on my 5075E. It was $6K from the dealer installed.

It's one of the sturdiest looking mounts / loaders I have seen on a utility tractor that size. Lots of iron! :thumbsup:

 

[Dan Dargeloh]

I looked at one on a later model and slightly bigger tractor yesterday. The only thing between the loader mount and the front end is the engine. I think I would feel alot more more comfortable with a loader that mounted there and the front of the tractor, thereby distributing the load. Unseen badger holes can cause some severe shock loading on equipment and I'd sure hate to find out at what point the engine block would break.

 

[Dan Dargeloh]

econometrics, my bad. The tractor I looked at was a 5025 series with a 553 loader on it. The loader brackets mounted in the middle of the tractor. I found a 5300 with a 520 loader on it. The 520 is a mid mount loader also. The 5300 is an earlier version of my 5303. The mounting brackets on it mount on the bell housing and reach forward to the front end, tying the tractor together. I'm sure the brackets to mount a 553 to my 5303 would be the same, eliminating my fear of "splitting" the tractor. Now it comes down to the price differential between the JD 553 and a Westendorf TA-180. Does anyone know if it is true that you can't get the heavy duty bucket on the John Deere with the skid steer mounting? My Deere dealer told me the HD bucket is available only with the global mounting and not the skid steer.

 

[econometrics]

Does anyone know if it is true that you can't get the heavy duty bucket on the John Deere with the skid steer mounting? My Deere dealer told me the HD bucket is available only with the global mounting and not the skid steer.

I do think that is the case, and your dealer telling you that is probably right.

I have the global carrier on my 553. I actually like it a lot. It's the beefiest carrier I've seen on a tractor. And the bucket you reference really is a a beast too.