5520 Anybody driving one ...

[blueriver]

My neighbor has for sale his 5520 MFWD with the 541 FEL and the John Deere # 49 backhoe all plumbed in from JD. It has 1100 hrs on it and he was the orginal buyer.

I'm thinking of buying it off him ... anybody got one and if so what do you think of them. Its 75hp he says it has every available option that JD offered when he bought it at a little over $53K ... its real clean and sharp.

 

[AKfish]

Low hours... BACKHOE! What's not to like?? Only read about one design issue with the 20 series here on TBN - fuel system - pump losing the prime, etc.

JD provided a retro-fix for 20 owner's. Should ask the current owner if his 5520 has been upgraded.

The thread is on the JD owning/operating here: Fixing Startup Problems with JD 5220, 5320, 5420, 5520 - Page 3 - TractorByNet.com

Best of luck.

AKfish

 

[blueriver]

Thanks Fish I will ask him about that ... thanks for the link ...here's a couple pic's

He stated the only reason he's selling is with his recent knee replacemnt along with a hip problem the clutch bothers him so he wants to shop for something different.

 

[Martian]

Have the previous model to it (5410) with no issues. AKfish mentioned the pump issue and that's all I've heard to go wrong as well. Tractor looks to be in excellent shape. I'd consider it a worthy buy:thumbsup:

 

[blueriver]

Have the previous model to it (5410) with no issues. AKfish mentioned the pump issue and that's all I've heard to go wrong as well. Tractor looks to be in excellent shape. I'd consider it a worthy buy:thumbsup:

Yes ... he is a stickler for detail. It is super clean and well maintained.

Thinking ... Thinking .... Thinking!!

 

[AKfish]

Looks to be a sweet machine; and it's a cab tractor!! I figured it was open-station with the backhoe..

Quite a find! Won't get one like that at a Richie Bros auction!

(Baler looks to be darn good, too!)

AKfish

 

[blueriver]

Looks to be a sweet machine; and it's a cab tractor!! I figured it was open-station with the backhoe..

Quite a find! Won't get one like that at a Richie Bros auction!

(Baler looks to be darn good, too!)

AKfish

When I showed the picture to my grandson he asked ... do you get the baler? The tractor is all plumbed for the back hoe where you just plug in the hyd hose's ... and then set a lever in the cab ... if I buy it he'll show me all about that. I really don't think I need a back hoe.

 

[blueriver]

Low hours... BACKHOE! What's not to like?? Only read about one design issue with the 20 series here on TBN - fuel system - pump losing the prime, etc.

JD provided a retro-fix for 20 owner's. Should ask the current owner if his 5520 has been upgraded.

The thread is on the JD owning/operating here: Fixing Startup Problems with JD 5220, 5320, 5420, 5520 - Page 3 - TractorByNet.com

Best of luck.

AKfish

I went over again this morning and asked about that start up issue ... he stated has never had an issue. I asked if he new if it had an electric fuel pump or was gravity ... all he said was fuel pump of course?

Then he climbed in fired it up and said I need to clean it up ... he apologized for it being so dirty and if I decided to buy it, it sure won't look so bad !!!

Well this time I need a little help from the bank ... they said no problem Friday when I talked to them on the phone and if I decided go ahead and cut the check and come on in ... thinking ... thinking ... thinking and I'm leaning that direction.

 

[Martian]

When I showed the picture to my grandson he asked ... do you get the baler? The tractor is all plumbed for the back hoe where you just plug in the hyd hose's ... and then set a lever in the cab ... if I buy it he'll show me all about that. I really don't think I need a back hoe.

Would be really easy to set all of that up. No more than a couple minutes on and off. You may think a backhoe isn't a necessity now but it adds so many more possibilities. That's one excellent set up. Largest 5000 series at the time with a cab, backhoe and low hours. If you have the use for it them it would be a really good buy in my book.

 

[blueriver]

Would be really easy to set all of that up. No more than a couple minutes on and off. You may think a backhoe isn't a necessity now but it adds so many more possibilities. That's one excellent set up. Largest 5000 series at the time with a cab, backhoe and low hours. If you have the use for it them it would be a really good buy in my book.

I know I know ... I keep beating myself up with that backhoe deal. I do have some trees here and there that could go, some stumps that could go. I could clean out the creek area going to my pond ... I could dig out my spring... dig a crave ... in case my wife kills me for buying another tractor!!

 

[AKfish]

dig a crave ... in case my wife kills me for buying another tractor!!

There ya go... you're comin' up with all kinds of projects - and your wife can help, too!!

Got any culverts that are all bent in and don't drain right anymore! Got an area that has some gravel or sand that you'd like to get at.. but can't 'cause of 4 feet of overburden?!?

Have you checked on any used 49's? What's your dealer think it's worth? Might give you some idea about how good a deal you're gettin'.

AKfish

 

[blueriver]

There ya go... you're comin' up with all kinds of projects - and your wife can help, too!!

Got any culverts that are all bent in and don't drain right anymore! Got an area that has some gravel or sand that you'd like to get at.. but can't 'cause of 4 feet of overburden?!?

Have you checked on any used 49's? What's your dealer think it's worth? Might give you some idea about how good a deal you're gettin'.

AKfish

Yes ... yes ... I know I am having a fight on my hands!! He told me new it cost him right about $12K to add the OEM backhoe ... he says he may have put 5 hrs on it total ... my local JD dealer states he belives I may could get on a good day ... to a drunk buyer $3500-4000 BUT ... That means the subframe would have to be removed from the tractor and all that fancy hyd plumbing that was set up by the selling dealer just to plug the hyd hoses in would also have to be removed ... this is not a 3 point hitch deal ... this is like the big boy's have .... I'm thinking I would be plain outright stupid to even try and sell it. BTW I decided I am going to buy the unit ... see my banker Monday and hope to bring it in Monday evening ... I probably won't sleep much the next few days !!!

I went over this evening before dinner ... he had it all washed up ... removed the bale monitor out of the cab ... the backhoe was on and he said I'll change the oil and filter and fuel it up. Showed me a scratch on the fender that I had not seen and said no worry new fender is in the shop and I can put it on... I says so I guess your considering it sold ... he said yep.

 

[Martian]

Yes ... yes ... I know I am having a fight on my hands!! He told me new it cost him right about $12K to add the OEM backhoe ... he says he may have put 5 hrs on it total ... my local JD dealer states he belives I may could get on a good day ... to a drunk buyer $3500-4000 BUT ... That means the subframe would have to be removed from the tractor and all that fancy hyd plumbing that was set up by the selling dealer just to plug the hyd hoses in would also have to be removed ... this is not a 3 point hitch deal ... this is like the big boy's have .... I'm thinking I would be plain outright stupid to even try and sell it. BTW I decided I am going to buy the unit ... see my banker Monday and hope to bring it in Monday evening ... I probably won't sleep much the next few days !!!

I went over this evening before dinner ... he had it all washed up ... removed the bale monitor out of the cab ... the backhoe was on and he said I'll change the oil and filter and fuel it up. Showed me a scratch on the fender that I had not seen and said no worry new fender is in the shop and I can put it on... I says so I guess your considering it sold ... he said yep.

Congrats!

I think you've made an excellent decision. A 5000 series with a cab and a backhoe is one of the best tractors you can get in my book. I'm sure it will serve you well for many years to come. I get tractorinsamnia every time a new piece of equipment is coming my way too!

 

[blueriver]

Congrats!

I think you've made an excellent decision. A 5000 series with a cab and a backhoe is one of the best tractors you can get in my book. I'm sure it will serve you well for many years to come. I get tractorinsamnia every time a new piece of equipment is coming my way too!

Thanks and per the wife "keep the backhoe" ... I woke up at 1:30 to put some wood in the stove and then put on the coffee ... making a list of things to "dig up".

I'm wondering if the USDA still has the cedar tree eradication program ... I'm taking on an additional 80 that has plenty of them and I'm thinking this unit will pop those right out ... gotta call them Monday.

 

[AKfish]

Thanks and per the wife "keep the backhoe" ... I woke up at 1:30 to put some wood in the stove and then put on the coffee ... making a list of things to "dig up".

I'm wondering if the USDA still has the cedar tree eradication program ... I'm taking on an additional 80 that has plenty of them and I'm thinking this unit will pop those right out ... gotta call them Monday.

Congrats, blueriver. It's funny how your "better-half" can give you a push every now and again in the right direction...

That hoe will be the right medicine for those cedars! Be a whole lot easier operation than using the loader or trying to pull 'em out!

Send us a pic or two when you get a chance.

AKfish

 

[YesDeere]

I excited about your purchase just reading this thread! That is a very able machine. Like to see more pics too.

 

[sixdogs]

I have a 5520 and have to say it is one of the best tractors I have ever used. I'm 63 and don't plan to ever sell. There are thousands of these in the midwest and I have never heard of any serious problem. On some of them, mine included, the fuel line rots and needs to be replaced. Half hour max. No starting issues around here. The fact that you have a backhoe with it is exceptionally nice. Wait until you see what you can do with that. Even if you use it FIVE hours a year, it will pay for itself.

There was a service message regarding the clutch free-play adjustment. I think it's supposed to be 1/2" or 5/8" max. The service guy should know but if not search the web or I can find the info.
I put radials on mine, the equal to 18.4-34 and 12.4-24 and love it. I use for some tillage and those, combined with two rear weights on each side, make this tractor a bear. For tough tasks I added 800 lbs of front weights to the 260 lb front weight bracket. I also have cast rear centers on the wheels, things you will likely not need.

You will absolutely love that tractor, loader and backhoe.

 

[blueriver]

Congrats, blueriver. It's funny how your "better-half" can give you a push every now and again in the right direction...

That hoe will be the right medicine for those cedars! Be a whole lot easier operation than using the loader or trying to pull 'em out!

Send us a pic or two when you get a chance.

AKfish

Thanks sir ... I tell you I am married to a darn good woman ... she never questions me although I always make my intents clear and she is very supportive. I am thinking that it will pop those cedars right out ... of course I'll have to learn to operate it.

When I get the 5520 home I get a group of pictures put up.

 

[blueriver]

I excited about your purchase just reading this thread! That is a very able machine. Like to see more pics too.

Yes sir its exciting ... we worked the cattle today so I haven't had much time to do anything else ... I got up to early this morning and vaccinating, worming, casterating and had some to dehorn ... I'll sleep good tonight.

 

[blueriver]

I have a 5520 and have to say it is one of the best tractors I have ever used. I'm 63 and don't plan to ever sell. There are thousands of these in the midwest and I have never heard of any serious problem. On some of them, mine included, the fuel line rots and needs to be replaced. Half hour max. No starting issues around here. The fact that you have a backhoe with it is exceptionally nice. Wait until you see what you can do with that. Even if you use it FIVE hours a year, it will pay for itself.

There was a service message regarding the clutch free-play adjustment. I think it's supposed to be 1/2" or 5/8" max. The service guy should know but if not search the web or I can find the info.
I put radials on mine, the equal to 18.4-34 and 12.4-24 and love it. I use for some tillage and those, combined with two rear weights on each side, make this tractor a bear. For tough tasks I added 800 lbs of front weights to the 260 lb front weight bracket. I also have cast rear centers on the wheels, things you will likely not need.

You will absolutely love that tractor, loader and backhoe.

Thats encouraging that you are so pleased with yours ... I'm convinced that the backhoe is going to be an asset. I'll ask him about that clutch service message. I'm sure if he got it its been taken care of but never hurts to ask. I'm pretty sure he said this unit has the radials ... but we talked about so much I'll check that again ... I know its got the two rear weights per side and thats a plus... does not have the cast centers.

I told my wife it would probably be Wed. Cause she has a Dr. appointment Tuesday. She laughed and said your going to the bank Monday morning I'd bet you'll be over there as soon as your done at the bank and that tractor will be parked in your shed by night fall ... I think she may be right.

AND then Tuesday morning I am going to test my backhoe operating skills on a small tree that has been in my way dead center a little field for several years. That should prove to be a hoot !!! Her Dr. appointment is at 1:30 p.m. and over the years I have always gone with her ... may be a bad time to decide to let her go it on her own !!!!!!!