Replacement time

jd2420 · Jul 15, 2011

New, looking for some advice. I am looking to replace my 2440, she is old, worn out and seen much better days. In fact I may try and get her overhauled and kept as a "show piece" (We shall see on that).

My use- I have a place in upstate NY, about 300 acres. 150 is purely woods in its own parcel (no use there at all). The other parcel is about 150 acres, I have 8 fields of varying sizes from 8ish to 15ish acres. The largest of which is a typical NY rocky pasture, which I do mow. I also move snow in the winter, using the bucket. I currently use a 7 foot rotary bushhog, but would consider moving larger. (8 or 10 feet?)

I am thinkin 5065/75e? Any suggestions?

Verticaltrx · Jul 15, 2011

I'm going off memory here on the specs on the 2440, so bear with me. IIRC the 2440 (or was it the 2640?) was the same physical size as the 2550. Anyways...

We have a JD 2550 (row crop) which is basically the same as your 2440, just a couple years newer. Also just got a 5045e which is the same size as the 5065/75e you are looking at, but with less power.

There is a pretty big size difference in the 2550 and the 5045e. The 2550 feels more like a field tractor and the 5045 like a smaller utility tractor. Don't know what the 5045e with loader and mfwd weighs, but the 2550 is almost 10,000lbs fully ballasted, and that's open station 2wd. Really JD doesn't make anything that is directly comparable to what you have, they have the 5000 series which are a little smaller, and the 6000 series which are a little bigger.

For what you want the 5065/75 might do the job just fine. They are a still a fairly substantial tractor, more so than other makes in this size class. Also note that nowadays they are advertising by engine hp, not by the PTO as the older tractors were. Your 2440 is 60 PTO hp, IIRC, and the 5065e is only 53 PTO hp give or take. You want every bit of 60hp on the PTO to run a 10' bush hog. The 5075e would be about the minimum. The new smaller displacement turbocharged engines won't have the low end torque you are used to, they tend to make all of their power around the PTO rpm range. Our 2550 when you start lugging it down you can really feel the torque increase as the rpms drop. The 5045e just feels like it gives up once you get below a certain rpm. Just the nature of a turbocharged engine, for most applications it's not that big of a deal.

I will say that the 9F/3R sync-shuttle transmission on the 5000 series is really nice. It shifts smoother than the older 8F/4R and also the forward to reverse syncro is really nice for loader work. Not sure which loader you have on your tractor, but the new 553 loader is pretty substantial. About 3000lb lift capacity and 10' height. Overall I really like the 5045e, we've put about 150hrs on it in just the few months we've had it.

Edward. S · Jul 16, 2011

Maybe a 6D series like a 6115D. To do all the mowing. Might want to get a cab to be protected from the elements of winter.

TRR · Jul 16, 2011

To add to Verticaltrx's post - I have a 5055e and it weighs about 5000# so the 5065e/5075e should be about the same weight. The differences between them seem to be the size of the turbocharger and the options that are put on. The 553 loader weighs about 1500# according to the JD service department.

jd2420 · Jul 16, 2011

Cab wont do. I have height/clearance issues in part of the barn that I store snowmobiles in, I need to be able to get in/out of there with the tractor. Further, it is used relatively heavily in woods, brush and I'd rather just not deal with all the overhanging limbs.

I think you guys are hitting on my general issue (Or the one that I am seem to think I have). I was afraid of the turbo for that reason, effectiveness at lower RPMs. But, I seem to feel like I am in a tweener mode. It seems like options are more limited in the large landowner/non-farm use category. I really do not think I need all the extras to upsize much more than 506(7)5e, but I think I could use the extra ump at the PTO. It is just hard to pump out an extra 10-20k if it is does not match my needs....

Or maybe I am over-thinking the whole issue?

Verticaltrx · Jul 16, 2011

jd2420 said:
Cab wont do. I have height/clearance issues in part of the barn that I store snowmobiles in, I need to be able to get in/out of there with the tractor. Further, it is used relatively heavily in woods, brush and I'd rather just not deal with all the overhanging limbs.

I think you guys are hitting on my general issue (Or the one that I am seem to think I have). I was afraid of the turbo for that reason, effectiveness at lower RPMs. But, I seem to feel like I am in a tweener mode. It seems like options are more limited in the large landowner/non-farm use category. I really do not think I need all the extras to upsize much more than 506(7)5e, but I think I could use the extra ump at the PTO. It is just hard to pump out an extra 10-20k if it is does not match my needs....

Or maybe I am over-thinking the whole issue?

For PTO work such as bush hogging I doubt you'd notice much difference the how the power is delivered. Loader work, grading, etc it might be a little more noticeable, but probably wouldn't be a deal breaker for me. Where I really notice it is in heavy field work like moldboard plowing. With the 2550 often times you can power through a tough spot without having to down shift. The 5045e just slows down more and more until you are forced to stop and down shift. And to those wondering about that comparison, I was using plows well sized to each tractor (3-16" on the 2550 and 2-14" on the 5045e) so it's not like I was overloading the smaller tractor.

However, I think you might be over thinking all this a little. I feel pretty certain that you would be happy with the 5075e. Might be lacking in some small aspects, but the overall package is very nice and very useable.

jd2420 · Jul 20, 2011

I am mildly concerned with torque issues on the Eseries. 155 ft/lbs is not a lot...

However, I may go look at a mildly used 5085m if I have time this week.

AKfish · Jul 21, 2011

Are you looking at the 5075E? I went here: TTL test reports/JD Deere

and it was 187 ft./lbs. of torque.

AKfish

Mistyridgefarm · Jul 21, 2011

Sounds like you have a great place. The 5M series is supposed to be a replacement for the old 2xxx series. Well, at least in weight and capability. The M series is a dream of amenities and features previously only on the larger row crop tractors. For what you described, you would be very happy with the 5075M or 5085M (in case that 10' hog becomes 12-15'. Don't worry about the lower torque for ground engagement, the draft sensing is precise and sensitive to keep you moving in tough spots. Get on one and see what you think.