My only real complaint is that the brakes are not very good. The first time you apply them, they sink almost to the floor and you have to pump them. I really hate that when I have that big cutter on the back, and the brake pedal goes almost to the floor on the first push. Poor design.
Whoa... I say WHOA!!Really hard to get your leg outta the door to drag your foot along the ground an help slow that tractor down...!!!
Have you visited with your dealer to see if there's anything to remedy your brake situation? Doesn't sound Ok to me. Might be a repair or recall notice on the problem. I'd be talking to the shop foreman at the very least.
AKfish
To start off, I'm formally known as Deere9986, Here is my evaluation of the tractors.
We bought the tractors the first of June in 2011. We use them on our custom mowing operations in Arkansas. We mow about 10,000 to 12,000 acres a year with the 6 machines. I checked the hours on the machines the other day and each is in the 1300 to 1400 hour range. These tractors stay hooked to bat wings from the dealer.
I am very pleased with these little tractors. We also farm so I was skeptical when I climbed on one of these compared to my 8000 series. These are well built little tractors especially for what we put them through. We've had a few PTO shafts break and Deere always fixed them at which ever dealer was closest. On my list of problem areas, first would be the rear draw bar. Watch the bolts on the bottom and the braces running up the back. We've had two hitches rip off the tractors that we claimed on insurance. Second would be the mfwd driveshaft. Every tractor broke the factory one because the screws holding the cover on would gouge the shaft and when put in a bind would twist at the cut. Non of ours burn more than a quart of oil between changes or had any major engine problems. Overall they are great little tractors. We leased a 2012 model and really liked the cab improvements. We are looking at trading for 6 New ones this year and maybe then trading every year so our dealer will have lower hour tractors to move compared to these.
Well you are a better man then my self MattLynch. My hats off to you, I own a 5093e limited and I would hate to mow that many acres with this machine.Ive owned it for a little over 2 years, and Im not IMPRESSED. THe ground I mow is steep and rough , I pull a john deere HX10 rotary and It takes all the **** out of this tractor to do what i do . I bought this machine because John Deere said they have the machine to do it all. Ive read all the posts on here and I must say they are all interesting,but I must say IMO this series of john deere is overrated.(the 5093e) I will not buy another E series again its M or on up the next time.......I wish you all the best with all of your tractors but I regret my purchase. Have a good one.
Yes these tractor we are talking about are none to wide. I asked my dealer why so narrow, was told they moved the brakes in from outboard to inboard. The dealer said it was john deeres way of lightening the machine ??????? I guess . What ever the reason they are narrow and mine is set as wide as possible.
Just so you know they sell or did sell spacers for the rear wheels . They bolt to axle,then the wheel bolts to it. I looked into this option and voted against this. They are offered up to and includeing 4" width. Not cheap for what u are getting but it sets the wheel accordingly. I thought about having a machine shop make me a set ,but set the **** with it.This option might serve u . They are sold by john deere by the way. just my0.02cts.