Help me choose my next John Deere tractor

[econometrics]

Howdy all,

I've been stepping into researching a tractor that I could upgrade into from my 2007 5103 2wd / 512 FEL. I bought this tractor from a guy that I bought some rural acreage from, so it's not my ideal tractor, but it's done well for what I've asked of it! Only has 250 hours on it, so it's just getting broke in. With that in mind, I've been thinking that I should look to capitalize on the low hours to get a higher resale or trade in value on it whenever I upgrade to something.

Here's what I've been thinking I'd like in an upgrade:

1. Used - less than 500 hours preferably. I want to spend as little cash as I can in upgrading from my 5103, and I figure the <500 hour mark will give me the best "bang for buck" in something used.
2. MFWD - I have some sandy land in places, and a LOT of elevation change. I've already been in a few spots where MFWD would have helped a lot.
3. 65-80hp - Ideally, I would like a machine that could effortlessly run a 15' batwing, hay baler, etc. in the years to come. I'm a few years away from needing these implements right now.
4. Rear Remotes - at least two.
5. Removable loader
6. PowerReverser - I go back and forth on this one. It's not a deal breaker, but it would be nice to find something with one.

So far, what I have been drawn to looking at are 5065/5075E's and then on the higher end of HP the 5425s. It's harder to find a 5425 in the hour-range I'm looking for, but the prices of the used ones are pretty nice.

I really have no need for cab right now. I'm still a young buck, so the heat / cold doesn't bother me, and I like the savings on a cabless machine.

So... point me in the right direction here, ha!

Thanks!

 

[econometrics]

E.g. there's a 5075E around here with 380hrs for $27,500. I figure I could get around $12-$14K for my 5103 on trade in or private sale, so $13Kish to upgrade to a 2009 5075E that's like-new?

 

[trooper632]

Buy orange, M96S

 

[econometrics]

Buy orange, M96S

Haha, it was only a matter of time until the orange vs green comment.

Sorry, I'm a green guy. So I'm sticking with it.

 

[arlen4720]

I sure like the 5xxxM's...A little heavier, a little longer (I think). A little better tranny options.

 

[econometrics]

I sure like the 5xxxM's...A little heavier, a little longer (I think). A little better tranny options.

I would love a 5085M, but thet M series price range is just a little over where I want to be.

 

[arlen4720]

Yeah I hear ya...Then you start looking at 6M's...power quad and IVT's, front PTO and 3 point..nice.

 

[Blackjackfarm]

I would love a 5085M, but thet M series price range is just a little over where I want to be.

I sure like my 5095M, its a nice, nice tractor. I drove and priced a 5075E, made me realize I could afford a John Deere but in the end I paid the extra for the extra goodies on the M series.

Also, you may be young and tough, but can you say 'melanoma' (skin cancer)? Think about a cab, you'll like it summer and winter.

 

[econometrics]

Also, you may be young and tough, but can you say 'melanoma' (skin cancer)? Think about a cab, you'll like it summer and winter.

You Minnesotans sure are scared of the sun. Kidding... I spent the first 21 years of my life in Morris. :thumbsup: I always cover my skin when I'm out in the high-UV stuff, though. And winter in TX is like June in MN!

The extra $15K (from what I see poking around prices on the internets) of going from an E to an M is too much for me right now. I'm paying cash for this thing, so I'm trying to be as efficient as I can. Not to mention, there's a lot of other things to buy right now. I hope to use this next tractor for about 5-7 years, then move into something with a cab from there.

 

[arlen4720]

I'm a big fan of an open station for livestock chores...Opening gates, climbing on and off the tractor with **** all over your boots, running augers and being able to reach over and adjust the throttle, etc.

 

[jenkinsph]

I would love a 5085M, but thet M series price range is just a little over where I want to be.

I recommend you think a little more about the 5085M, it is a good size for your needs. Yes it does cost more but if it will be the ideal tractor for many years without the need for trading up it would be a sound move up. A cabbed tractor enables me to get things done without the misery of inclement weather, you get alot of that in east Texas.

 

[econometrics]

I'm a big fan of an open station for livestock chores...Opening gates, climbing on and off the tractor with **** all over your boots, running augers and being able to reach over and adjust the throttle, etc.

+1 on that. This is something I find myself doing a lot, and I had not thought about that before - being able to reach straight to the controls. Even hooking up with iMatch is a lot easier with being able to reach over the back end and adjust the controls.

 

[econometrics]

I recommend you think a little more about the 5085M, it is a good size for your needs. Yes it does cost more but if it will be the ideal tractor for many years without the need for trading up it would be a sound move up. A cabbed tractor enables me to get things done without the misery of inclement weather, you get alot of that in east Texas.

All true... but I still have to hurdle the extra $15-$20K out of pocket!

 

[jenkinsph]

+1 on that. This is something I find myself doing a lot, and I had not thought about that before - being able to reach straight to the controls. Even hooking up with iMatch is a lot easier with being able to reach over the back end and adjust the controls.

I don't know about a cat 2 setup but with a cat 1 cab tractor I can reach the iMatch latches with the rear window open. No need to leave the seat to hitch up is my experience. Topntilt does help alot though as it makes up for out of level implements.

 

[jenkinsph]

All true... but I still have to hurdle the extra $15-$20K out of pocket!

I get that but it may cost a lot more than that for an upgrade a few years down the road.

 

[deere5105]

I moved from a 5105 with 512 FEL in 2WD to a 5303 with 522 FEL in 4WD and have been very pleased. I do notice the turbo 2.9 seems to burn more fuel than the naturally aspirated 2.9. The 5105 would turn sharper and change directions more quickly but I can deal with that in exchange for the extra traction. I too considered the M series, even started a thread on it, but in the end the cost difference was too much for me to justify for my uses.

 

[econometrics]

I get that but it may cost a lot more than that for an upgrade a few years down the road.

Always possible. The way I look at it is this...

I currently have a 2007 5103 2wd with 250 hours. I sell that and move for the next 3-5 years to a 2010 or newer 5065/5075E MFWD, removable loader.

It's a lot cheaper to keep climbing the ladder to, say, a 5085M with a cab from a 5075E than it is right from my 5103.

Cash is cash. When it's gone, it's gone. I don't really *need* a cabbed tractor right now. It would only be "nice" to have the comfort of it. I'm not ready to part with an extra $20K just so I can be air conditioned, heated, and cabbed.

 

[econometrics]

I moved from a 5105 with 512 FEL in 2WD to a 5303 with 522 FEL in 4WD and have been very pleased. I do notice the turbo 2.9 seems to burn more fuel than the naturally aspirated 2.9. The 5105 would turn sharper and change directions more quickly but I can deal with that in exchange for the extra traction. I too considered the M series, even started a thread on it, but in the end the cost difference was too much for me to justify for my uses.

This is great to hear. Sounds like you were in the same position I am now.

What do you mainly use your 5303 for now?

 

[deere5105]

This is great to hear. Sounds like you were in the same position I am now.

What do you mainly use your 5303 for now?

My primary use would be mowing with a MX6 cutter, planting food plots, pulling a 8' disc harrow, planting small garden and other basic property maintenance items.

 

[bglz42]

I traded my 5045d on a 5083e... best thing about a cab? Running over a HUGE underground nest of bumblebees, and watching them from airconditioned comfort doing their best to kill me... All the while finishing the job, thumbing my nose...LOL!