New 5075M is at the dealer's!

[Island Farmer]

I too am not sure a stump bucket would be handy on a tractor loader. Hard to see where it is digging compared to it being on Skid Steer.

I like the global carrier concept. I wonder if there have been any problems with the linkage binding or bending making release difficult? I heard there is a heavier version called Cat 2 out on larger loaders.

To add to what I have already said about the Bobcat system. I have not seen any problems with the attachment connection system in the three Bobcats that I have owned, or on any of my friends Bobcats. These machines are used to lift heavy things regularly, but also to run attachments that can definitely put a strain on the connection system. There really are only two things that can wear: the retractable pins, and the holes that they go into. You should keep them greased, but even if there is wear, it can be relatively easily repaired and brought back to new spec.

As far as I can see this system is becoming the universal system, which means that it is very easy to find or rent buckets, or other attachments setup for it.

 

[AKfish]

To add to what I have already said about the Bobcat system. I have not seen any problems with the attachment connection system in the three Bobcats that I have owned, or on any of my friends Bobcats. These machines are used to lift heavy things regularly, but also to run attachments that can definitely put a strain on the connection system. There really are only two things that can wear: the retractable pins, and the holes that they go into. You should keep them greased, but even if there is wear, it can be relatively easily repaired and brought back to new spec.

As far as I can see this system is becoming the universal system, which means that it is very easy to find or rent buckets, or other attachments setup for it.

Ditto here... I've looked at the Global carrier closely. Looks to be a very strong and secure system.

However, for the climate that I live and work in - 7 months of freezing temps with snow, ice and the best combination of all - frozen, semi-frozen mud and manure - that spring loaded full length double pin setup on the bottom of the loader mount - would be a nightmare!

Nope; the holes would foul, the spring would foul, the long shaft would foul and I'd be in a very foul mood!

The Skid-steer is pretty bullet-proof.

AKfish

Skid-steer

 

[Island Farmer]

Hi All,

This tire dilemma is not easily solved, at least by me. I want to get this right the first time, and I am confident that pclausen feels the same way.

I have been trying to do as much research on the internet as I can. I am now primarily interested in Michelins, although if Caledon or anyone else would like to educate me more about Firestones, I would definitely be all ears. Also, in a previous post Caledon described having seen a new 5 series tractor recently at a dealership that had the 13.6R24 -- 16.9R34 combination that can be ordered from the factory. He said that he like the way it looked. I would be open to this combination, but I hestitate because for the additional expense I am not growing my flat plate very significantly. The 13.6R24 has a flat plate of 168.3 and the 16.9R34 has a flat plate of 289.2.

The two tire combinations that I have come down to are:

width Diam. Circ. Flt. Plt. wheel

Multibib:
XM108 420/65R24 15.6 45.7 134.8 214.2 W11
MultiBib 540/65R34 20.9 62 183.3 316.8* W16L

Agribib:

Agribib 14.9R24 16.1 49.6 147 212.4 W13
Agribib 18.4R34 18.8 65.4 194.2 315.1 DW16L

On a farm forum in the UK I have read about Michelin tires from 4 or 5 years ago having sidewall cracking problems. It is unclear whether this was caused by under-inflation, or manufacturing defect. If it was a defect, I believe that Michelin has fixed the problem by now. To be on the safe side, I think that it is important to insist that the supplier provide tires that are no more than one year old, ideally just off the assembly line. This is also important because for warranty issues the tire manufacturer goes by the date of manufacture, and with tires older than 5 or 6 years, your chances become pretty slim of getting satisfaction. From what I have learned, it seems that the reason people get such long life out of their bias tires is that they are not run at low inflation so they do not have the same stress on the sidewalls. Even though the radials are designed to be run at low pressure, it is very important to adjust pressure for machine weight, speed, and kind of work, in order to extend tire life. Considering that to replace the four Agribibs (not including wheels) would cost about $5500, maximizing tire life becomes something to take seriously.

From examining the specs above, you will notice that the two combinations are fairly similar in several ways. First, comparing the Agribib to the Multibib, you will notice that they have a similar width and flat plate. In the case of the back tires the flat plate is about the same, but the Multibib is wider and the Agribib is taller, so its footprint is longer.

As I have mentioned in my previous post, the Multibib combination would keep my tractor at the same height it is now with its factory installed Goodyear Dyna Torque radials. (12.4R24 -- 18.4R30). If I choose the Agribib combination, the tractor will rise 4".

From what little I have learned, the Agribibs are a more common tire combination, both in size and design. Although, I have read about farmers in the midwest having success with Multibibs. There seems to be a trend moving toward wider tires for more flotation and better traction.

Choosing either of these combinations will be a substantial upgrade from a monetary standpoint. Caledon paid about $3000 to upgrade from his stock tires to his Firestones that are the same size as the Agribibs. Depending upon the source of the tires, it would cost me about the same. In the case of the Multibibs, it would cost $4000

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Island Farmer

 

[bill in ny]

i would save my money and run the factory goodyear's. use the money saved to buy some of your equipment. by the time you ware out the goodyear's, you will have forgotten about the other tires.

 

[Island Farmer]

i would save my money and run the factory goodyear's. use the money saved to buy some of your equipment. by the time you ware out the goodyear's, you will have forgotten about the other tires.

I appreciate your suggestion. It's true that the factory Goodyears would suffice. The things is that I have been farming my place for over 23 years. In that time I have had a chance to see what works well on my place. After owning two Bobcats, when I bought my third I paid more to get wider industrial tires. In the six years I have been using that machine, I have never regretted that decision. The machine would have functioned with the standard tires, but I believe that it has functioned significantly better with the wider tires, causing less rutting and ground compaction.

Again I find myself with a limited opportunity to make the best decision for the long run, and I really want to do just that. It is bad enough to pay the high prices for the equipment in the first place, it is even worse to not be satisfied, or worst of all to end up spending more in the future to rectify the mistake.

 

[Island Farmer]

pclausen,

After much thought and research, I am moving toward a set of Agribibs the same size as Caledon's, 14.9R24 -- 18.4R34. I'll be able to do the upgrade for less than $3000.

One more thing, I have to admit an oversight. In a very simplistic way I was imagining the machine rising up 4" after putting this new set of tires on. I simply wasn't thinking very carefully about it, I guess just too many pieces of information to process. I am kind of surprised that none of my new farming friends on this website didn't call my attention to the error The tire will grow by 4" in height, but the tractor is connected to the tire in the center, so only two inches of that tire growth will effect the overall height of the tractor.

My decision is in part based on an assumption that I have made about Caledon's 5105M. I assume that it's frame and overall structural dimensions are the same as my 5085M. It looks that way from the specs, and today I am going to try to further confirm that that is really true. If anyone knows anything more about this, please let me know. Of course Caledon's tractor and mine are pre 2012 wheelbase extension, which is new spec. for all 5085 and above 5M series tractors.

Island Farmer

 

[AKfish]

The 5105M is significantly heavier than the 5085M... It wouldn't be too surprising to note that the turning radius is also significantly greater - and the corresponding wheelbase as well.

AKfish

 

[Island Farmer]

The 5105M is significantly heavier than the 5085M... It wouldn't be too surprising to note that the turning radius is also significantly greater - and the corresponding wheelbase as well.

AKfish

Actually the 5105M and the 5085M, if both pre 2012, are the same wheelbase, but the 5105M is about 400 lbs. heavier than the 5085M.

 

[AKfish]

Actually the 5105M and the 5085M, if both pre 2012, are the same wheelbase, but the 5105M is about 400 lbs. heavier than the 5085M.

Hmm... same engine, same transmission - I see. Where's the weight comin' from?

AKfish

 

[Island Farmer]

Hmm... same engine, same transmission - I see. Where's the weight comin' from?

AKfish

I wish that I could answer that question for you. I do know that the 5085M grew less than 5" longer for 2012, and is now 600 lbs. heavier. Part of this is the now standard heavy duty 3pt. Certainly the 3pt does not account for all of that weight; it would be really interesting to know where that weight is hidden.

The following quote is from the John Deere website specs page for the new 5085Ms and up:

{The 5085M, 5100M, and 5115M, 2WD and 4WD, feature an identical wheelbase of 90.6 in. This provides excellent parts commonality and attachment compatibility, an added bonus for those who manage 5M Series fleets.}

I tried to find the weight difference between the new 5085M and the new 5105M. Unfortunately I could not find that information on the John Deere website. They seem to be still in the process of building it out. There is quite a lot of information, just not the full list, where you can usually do the compare tractors.