Pulled the trigger on a 5525, now for the add-ons!!!

[hollowcd]

Finally pulled the trigger on an 08 5525. After about 6 months of looking I finally found the one I wanted. I am considering adding a buddy seat to my cab and was hoping I could get a little feedback from those who have one. Any pictures of one installed would be awesome. It would be nice for my kids or wife to tag a long sometimes so I am considering the seat. It looks like I will have to replace the plastic to the left of the drivers seat to do so? I dont see anywhere to attach anything from the current setup. I have also considered the seatback extension as it seems that the seat doesnt come very far up on the back support. Any feedback from owners would be highly appreciated. Along with those items I will belooking at a quick hitch system so I can hook/unhook the ccm drum mower a lot faster so any advice on brands would be good too, seems like the Deeres Imatch are kind of salty. I am sure I will have more questions to come...Thanks,
hollow

 

[AKfish]

Congratulations! I'd sure love to see a JD5525 pull into the yard...!! Great machine.

Did you get the extendable draft-links? They might be a better option than the quick hitch.

Gotta be careful that the attachments are compatible with the hitch. I.E.; will/is the CCM drum mower quick-hitch compatible?

The buddy-seat is a great idea. Can get the kids and wife to see "how it's done" ... or sometimes - not!!

Is the current seat the optional air-ride seat? Have never heard of anyone that has one complain or decide to swap out for the standard seat once they've used it!

Lookin' forward to some pics. Best of luck with your new tractor.

AKfish

 

[hollowcd]

Thanks AK, I attached a few pics of her after about 6 hours of cleaning and detailing. I was able to pull the suitcase weights off of my old 4040 and use them. I cleaned them up and repainted them and they look new, not to mention saving me about $800!! To answer your questions, I do have the telescopic links and the EH hitch so I dont know if the quick hitch would be advantageous for me. This tractor is about as equipped as I could find one as it has the air ride seat as well as 24spd reverser transmission. I priced the buddy seat and it looks like I will have to replace the plastic on the left of the seat to install it, but having the E-pto allows me to do so so I lucked out on having that option. Attached are some pics of my new baby and as you can tell in one of the pics, I have her protected!!:thumbsup:

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

That's a really nice tractor. Looks like your doggy is all ready to go.

I'd be interested to hear your pro's and con's after you use it for a season (comparing it to your old 4040).

I believe Ddivinia (Darren) might have a caddy for his cutter that really makes the hook up easy.

 

[jenkinsph]

Very good looking tractor, weights worked out perfect too. Looking at the pics you got me green with envy.:drool: Hope your pup lets you ride the new tractor.:laughing:

 

[AKfish]

That's a mighty fine lookin' tractor!! Thanks for the pics.

I'd sure like to have one of those babies sittin' in the yard.... :thumbsup:

AKfish

 

[sal64]

nice machine.

 

[jd110]

Sweet looking tractor! The buddy seat requires you to cut out the left side upholstery to install. Glad to hear you have the e-pto since it is required to install the seat. I have actually installed a seat in a standard pto. Alittle modification to the lever is required and there is very close tolerances for engaging pto. I can probably come up with pdf instructions I could email you, the file would be to big for attachment.

 

[hollowcd]

Thanks for all of the comments guys, I appreciate the feedback!! I know that some of you where around when I posted my original post regarding trading in my 1979 John Deere 4040 on a new tractor. I recieved some feedback on that post including some advice on which way to go when it comes to a new tractor. Although a haying tractor is my current bulk of tractor usage, I needed a tractor that I could use for the next 20-30 years as a utility tractor to bushhog, clear timber, clear snow, and anything else you could think of on a small farm that the 4040 wasnt exactly cut out for. I tried to make a choice on a piece of equipment that could handle every aspect and thats where the 5525 came in. I struggled to find a negative post regarding the 25 series tractors, and the price hike between the 25 series and the new M series tractors was quite large, not to mention that Deere is offering 0% on used equipment right now. The dealer treated me well on the 4040 trade in and I was able to make the purchase happen. I appreciate all of the advice, help, and feedback you guys have provided. I am proud to continue the green ownership.:thumbsup:

 

[hollowcd]

jd110, do you happen to have any pics of the buddy seat installed? I am really interested in how bad things look after you cut into the upholstery to make the seat fit. That makes me cringe just thinking about it!!