Do I need 4wd and/or loader?

[RPW]

2WD and a FEL, Been using mine (JD5103 2wd) for about 2 years. Running it on 25ac mostly flat. Move large rounds, pulled Cedars (2 - 4 in.) mow, use a boxblade etc. I think so far I've only wished for 4wd once. And that was in winter and very muddy. What you lack in features you can make up for in brains. Is there an advantage with 4wd? Yes. Can you get by without it? Yes. Should you have bought the FEL with the tractor? YES,YES,YES. Easy way is to trade up to the tractor you think you need or learn what you have and make a decision based on what you find works for you.

Good luck.

 

[schmism]

Yes :thumbsup:

 

[LBrown59]

The laoder will be handydandy..
you'll sell your wheel barrow soon after getting it. 4wd? sounds like you don't need it on your flat area.soundguy

I didn't .
Of course I have never owned a wheelbarrow.
Maybe that's got something to do with it .

 

[stravis]

Not sure where in GA you are or what kind of soil you have, but here in middle Georgia, I would definitely want 4wd if I was farming. The more you harrow or till the soil, the more loose it is. With the rain we've been getting this year, I wouldn't be able to drive across my land without 4wd if I had harrowed it. If you're moving hay at all, a loader would be a must for me. I hate moving hay with a 3ph spear. It's awkward and you can't stack nor load onto a trailer. (Unless you have a scissor type spear, which is even more awkward). I use my loader more often than any other implement (not more hours, but more often). I wouldn't be without either.

Can you get by without 4wd and a loader, of course. Would life be easier with both, absolutely. Is it worth the cost, that's up to you.

 

[jed1894]

Man! The response is incredible. Thanks for all the information. This site is full of information on every topic.

Just an update, I was out tractor shopping today......Stopped at the Kubota, NH and Deere stores. Got to look and sit on each brand. I'm kinda hooked/attached to the Deere products because my good buddy is a Deere salesman and the Deere mechanic lives across the road (next farm) from me. That's very nice for a new farmer. Call him over for a beer and let him work on the tractor....

So, John Deere is the way I'm going at this point. But, I had to look a the MX5100 and some others just to say I did. By-the-way, the nearest Kubota and NH dealers are about 45 min away.

I went out and looked at the 5045E, 5055E and 5065E. My buddy is working up some numbers for each. I'm going to eat some trade in money trading out of the 2wd (with under 10 hours) but that's my fault for buying it in the first place. Haven't made a decision yet but my choices are simply: put a loader on the 2wd or trade up to the 4wd. Cost difference after trade will be between 14k (for 5045E) and 17K (5055E and/or 5065E). Got some thinking to do:

However, I need advice one more time: my Deere buddy has a used 5045E with 300 hours that was rented to a peanut company who only used it to tow peanut carts around. The PTO and 3 pt hitch has never been used. He'll need to add a loader to it, but I think I can get it for about $2000 less than a new 5045E. It will come with a new warranty (I think he said 2000 hours and 2 years) and I can also buy an extended warranty like a new one. Should I consider this? Should I ask for more off? Any suggestions?

Once again....thanks for the information.

jed

 

[jed1894]

Another thing I noticed today.....just in case I decide to go with a new tractor:

One of the 5055Es had huge, wide tires on the back compared to another 5055E next to it. I did not get the numbers, but they seemed almost twice as wide. The cost difference was $800 if I understood the dealer correctly. To me, the larger tires would be an asset, correct? When I mentioned putting the larger tires on my 2wd for better traction and added weight, the dealer said I would be better off with the 4wd version. I guess he was thinking that $800 from the factory is one thing, but buying two more tires and rims would jack up the cost.

Would larger tires make that much difference?

jed

 

[jed1894]

Forgot to add one other thing:

When I mentioned pulling up stumps, I meant very small ones like bamboo, very small trees, etc. nothing more than about 3 or 4 inches wide.

jed

 

[LBrown59]

One of the 5055Es had huge, wide tires on the back compared to another 5055E next to it. I did not get the numbers, but they seemed almost twice as wide.
The cost difference was $800 if I understood the dealer correctly.
To me, the larger tires would be an asset, correct?
When I mentioned putting the larger tires on my 2wd for better traction and added weight, the dealer said I would be better off with the 4wd version. I guess he was thinking that $800 from the factory is one thing, but buying two more tires and rims would jack up the cost.
Would larger tires make that much difference?
jed[/quote]
Not necessarly.

 

[Soundguy]

I agree whole heartedly. I worked a dairy farm for years with nothing but 2wd tractors and never really had too much trouble. For farm work the 4wd gets you a little further before you get stuck but your still stuck. I can't think of 1 time when the 2wd got stuck but a 4wd would not. The one place I really liked the 4wd when we finally got one was when moving wrapped round bales on ice in the winter, then I think a crawler may be the cats meow.

Ditto that. Only tractor I've ever been stuck on was 4wd..

soudnguy

 

[Soundguy]

Forgot to add one other thing:

When I mentioned pulling up stumps, I meant very small ones like bamboo, very small trees, etc. nothing more than about 3 or 4 inches wide.

jed

You'd be surprised what under the ground on a 4" stump..

soundguy