John Deere 5083E Initial Review
Model Year: 2012
I started doing bush hogging and dirt work on the side in 2008 when I was in high school. My dad lent me $12,000 to purchase my first tractor, a 1999 John Deere 5210 2WD with a 520 loader and a Bush Hog 286 mower. Through the years, business picked up, I bought larger implements and yes, paid dad back for his loan. This year, I landed several good contracts including two large airports, municipal contracts with city and parish (county) as well as some good but rough jobs with subdivision developers. After working the 5210 into the ground this summer (1400 hours from March to October). I had the money to buy my own tractor and write it off through my LLC. I went with a 2012 John Deere 5083e with Tier 3 emission compliant 4.5L 4cyl 4045D engine, 553 FEL with bucket and hay spear to feed hay to our cattle this winter. Although I have only had it for a month, it has thoroughly impressed me. I can cut thick grass, bahaia, Johnson Grass and turf on the airfields that is around 5 ft. high at the Louisiana Regional airport, down to 4 inches with my MX10 at roughly 7.3 miles per hour without choking it a bit. The PowerReverser is a huge jump for me from the old SyncShuttle on the old 5210. It makes spreading dirt and FEL chores a breeze. The cab is quite roomy and comfortable, air and heat work great (Keep the cabin filters clean). I have had plenty enough power to do anything I have asked it to do. I pulled an 18' set of disks to plant ryegrass for feeder calves this winter and it pulled with no problem, keep in mind I was pulling them shallow for grass seed. The MFWD is great for scooping dirt out of piles that have been sitting for a while that have grass on them, with the 18.4-30 tires, there is hardly any slipping and ripping up yards and pasture. Just be sure when engaging the MFWD, because of the mechanical lever, let it roll forward a bit and when taking it out, let it roll back a bit. Makes it fall in and out a heck of a lot easier. The 553 loader has plenty of lifting power for moving heavy objects such as diesel tanks and trees. I did a job a week or so ago where I had to move a 50" diameter oak tree that was in a friends yard. The tree was cut in about 5' sections and when I went to pick the base of the trunk up with pallet forks, it lifted it about 3 feet off the ground at idle then wouldn't go anymore. Even with the loader maxed out, the back end of the tractor did not feel light or "squirrely" at any point driving to the burn pile even with nothing on the back and no water in the tires. The tractor is extremely stable and well balanced. When I got there, I revved it to about 1800 RPM and with a little roll back was able to lift it to the height needed to get it on top of the pile. I cannot say enough about the tractor and how much it makes my job easier. I am comfortable all day, even with the mechanical spring seat, it is a very plush ride. Lastly, the 540E PTO is a great option especially when running my woods BB840X (7ft) cutter. I have done real estate property with super steep inclines and, with the Epto on, it still ran the mower great and left a great finish. I would not recommend running in the 540E with a 10ft, or a 15ft Batwing (Rhino FR180), but in the regular 540 setting, it runs it perfectly fine. The 5083E is an awesome tractor for what I do. And anyone wondering how it handles a baler and bales, I had a chance to bale about 175 silage bales that we tubeline wrapped for our cattle this winter and it handled the John Deere 458 Silage Special with no problem. Running around 6 miles an hour. It also handled the 10.5 ft Kuhn hay cutter with power to spare. My dad was skeptical of the little tractor with his old school, "it has to be a 6 cylinder to generate power" attitude but, Ill tell you he was pleasantly surprised with the performance of the 5083E as well. We have several larger tractors we use on our cattle and hay farm, all John Deere, a 7230, two 7130's and a 7420. With what we do with them, It is good to know that my tractor can hang with his. It has been a dream of mine to own my own business for quite some time and, I have always been told that your business is only as good as your equipment and, I am confident that I have the right equipment now. I will be graduating from LSU next fall in industrial engineering but I hope to have this business going strong enough to not have to use my degree. Back to the tractor, I will keep you folks updated on it's durability and performance. I am "going by the book" as far as break in oil, filters and service. I plan on putting over 1500 hours on her next year so, expect a review then. For anyone buying, I would strongly recommend the 5083E. Big thanks to the guys at Ascension Equipment and rent all for making buying my equipment and parts quick and easy. Have a blessed Holiday season! - Grant Smith
Pros: MFWD, 553 loader makes a great combination, plenty of power, super comfortable compared to my 5210.
Cons: None as of yet.
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