John Deere 5085M 3.80 star(s) (11)

Will Not Drive
Model Year: 2013

If you start the tractor and put it in gear, it may or may not go. I had it in the shop 5 times for 5 months. I don't know if it's John Deere or (dealer name removed) but I was sold junk and want my money back.

Pros: When it works it's good
Cons: Always in the shop

So Far So Good
Model Year: 2014

After owning a very bad 5075M, I am so far pleased with this unit. We were using a 96" HLA snow bucket on it last winter to do commercial snow removal. It didn't even know it was there so we are going to try a 108" extra high volume HLA bucket this season. We use a JD 85" bucket with 8" extensions for loading dirt (H260 loader) with ballasted tires and a JD681 tiller on the 3-point hitch. It works great. We also have a JD 1596 3-point hitch disc, as we work our own fields to produce soil for landscaping. It is equipped with a 32/16 power reverser, deluxe cab and radial tires. It can travel from job to job plowing snow very quickly. It beats the devil out of any skid steers in our area.

Pros: Smooth riding, easy to operate, agile for it's size
Cons: Needs better line of site for loader bucket and pallet forks

John Deere 5085M
Model Year: 2014

Tractor performs as promised. Build quality is great. Plenty of reserve power. I drive the 8 and 9 series John Deere's during harvest season as a part time job. The M series measures up well in most respects. Replaced an orange tractor.

Pros: Power as advertised, quiet cab, great heat and air, great air ride seat.
Cons: Not cheap.

General farm use
Model Year: 2013

Constant problems.

Pros: Power Reverser is handy
Cons: Constant problems with sensors and emmissions equipment

Trade Before Warranty Runs Out!
Model Year: 2010

Great tractor for first 2000 hours. We have owned a lot of John Deere tractors over the years, and this one is the first we have ever had to have warranty work done on. Mostly minor things while under warranty, dealer had fixed and back to work quickly. Unfortunately, once the warranty is up, the electrical system just goes all to hell. Power Reverser is only a great thing when it works! Glad we kept our 1992 2355 around for backup. That one always goes!

Pros: Rugged frame, lots of hydraulic power.
Cons: Electrical system failures.

Auction Buy, Great Tractor
Model Year: 2009

I purchased this tractor through online auction. Pleasant and fun experience as it was close enough for me to preview in person before buying. I was comparing to Kubota 85-95hp models and paid $10K more for green over orange due to having a very close JD dealership/shop/parts. Good thing, as it's in the shop. I used it for about 20 hrs. and it developed a sound and loss of power. Acts/sounds like a hydraulic pump to me. Shop hasn't diagnosed as of yet. Before taking it in, I performed the 600 & 900 hr. maintenance items which were all very easily performed. I love the cab, the AC blows harder/colder than any other I tested (I'm in Central, TX). I was told by several that they did not like the 540E PTO so I was skeptical. I love it. Shred in this mode and save LOTS of fuel! My other machine is a JD332D skid steer (yellow).

Pros: Serviceability, features, JD.
Cons: Price, filling oil with loader attached.

John Deere 5085
Model Year: 2011

This is the best 4 wheel drive tractor I've ever owned. It has the power shifter, it is made in the USA.

Pros: Lots of power.
Cons: None.

Photo Uploads:

Poor Reserve Torque
Model Year: 2011

This tractor looks good, sounds good, has nice features, but when you are in the field and demand power it falls on its face. An easy thing to do like racking a hay field you have to rake slower than you would like. If you have a hill in the field. you should not have to down shift to pull a rake up a hill. I have to drop back to B range from C range to climb the hill. This means shifting two leavers C to B and 1st to 4th. D range is worthless for work. Road only. C range is okay if on flat ground. I feel this tractor has a reserved torque deficiency. The power falls off fast in the higher ranges.

Pros: Nice cab.
Cons: Power reserve is not there.

Love It
Model Year: 2012

Grew up on a farm, but his is my first real field tractor. Could not be more pleased

Pros: Cab for blowing snow. All the power I need.
Cons: None.

5085M - What Now?
Model Year: 2011

This tractor is in at least 250 pieces at my dealer to fix the 4 wheel drive. A snap ring dislodged in the front of the transmission and to get to it, the tractor had to be taken apart. Now, do I really want this tractor back? Will all fuel, oil, water, a/c lines be back to factory specs? Will all bolts be torqued back to factory specs? What stops the same snap ring from coming off again cause it going back together with no modifications. It's been at the dealer 6 weeks so far,and I'm out a tractor.

Pros: Nice ride.
Cons: Transmission.

John Deere 5085M
Model Year: 2010

Running at 1200 rpm it uses about 1 gal/hour. My biggest complaint is that no one will tell me the location of the center of gravity. I have steep ground that needs bush hogging. It is a 4x4 with 18.4-30 rear tires filled with methanol/water mix. They measure 84" to the outside. It has a 563 loader with a hd 6' bucket and a cab. I have had the tilt meter indicating 30 degrees, but don't feel good at 20 degrees.

Pros: A/C is nice.
Cons: Don't know the location of the center of gravity.