Purchasing opinions

[Rfdsdurham]

As i have stated in a earlier post im in the market for a cab tractor. Currently, im a small scale farmer, cut around 20 acres of hay a year, do bushhogging, and foodplots. I also push snow which is a big factor in wanting a cab tractor. I currently have a 5065e mwfd and it has been a good tractor thus far. At the present we make square bales of hay but i can possibly see a round baler in the future. My question is for a guy like me is the e series a sufficient tractor for my needs. I would love to go to the m series but im having a hard time justifying the price difference. Another question is should i look at the 5083e vs the 5085m. My reason for asking is due to the emission stuff on the newer e series. Ive found a 2011 5083e that has roughly 130 hrs on it. It does have a 563 loader on it, the dealer is asking 44,500 i believe. I honestly do no remember all the features it has on it but does this sound like a good deal? The dealer also has a 06 5425 with a loader and roughly 1200 hrs on it for 35000. Is that a decent deal? Between the two used tractors which would be the better tractor? Thanks for all the help so far and for the help to come.

 

[mjcountrybumpkin]

I do small to medium scale farming with 2011 5083e as my main tractor. Mow and bale 150 acres a cutting. It does very good with 8' Kuhn disc mower and Vermeer 5400 roller.
Yes the M is nicer but we bought the 5083 new ( no loader) for $36,000. Couldn't even look at at an 5085m for that deal. If you have the spare change M models are nice , but if not the E will do the job just as well, just not as refined.

 

[calhoun9001]

Before I bought my 85e I could have got a new 83e or the 85. For me personally I like the looks of the 85e. I was also nervous about the tier 4 emmissions. It's been on the m series since 2011 I believe. The future will tell if that was a good move or not. I can tell you this is a very quiet diesel and smooth as a can be. If you go used try to find one with the h260 loader, I think it's a better loader over the older loaders.