Buying Advice New Tractor Suggestions

[ragingrooster]

Hello Everyone. I ran across the site and thought I'd get the perspectives of some of you seasoned folks out there, as I'm about to buy a new tractor.

Main work involved:

1. Pastures

2. Timber

3. Brush

4. Just about anything else

- About 50 acres with woods, trails, pasture, and steep to rolling terrain.

The first choice right now is a JD5100E for about $39k

 

[foreman Etexas]

That with loader and 4wd? The JD5100E would sure do it and anything else. The 5085E would be plenty too. For the brush I recommend a grapple,for the hills 4wd and set the tires out some.

 

[coolnature]

I believe the 5100E is only available with a cab and MFWD (correct me if I am wrong). Does the tractor you are looking at for $39K have a front end loader (FEL)? If so, I assume it is used since a new unit would be in the $50's. If used, get someone knowledgeable to check it out thoroughly and ask for service records to see how the tractor has been maintained. If it checks out good mechanically and cosmetically, is low hour and has an FEL, it sounds to me like it is worth the $39K.

 

[coolnature]

I just looked at the JD website and they do offer the 5100E with an open station. My bad.

 

[ragingrooster]

Thanks guys. This was the type of feedback I really needed. I understand some of this stuff might be on other threads, but it might be outdated and there's a lot you can miss. But, anyways....

Yes, the price was for an open station without FEL but with MFWD. Same as 4wd. Right?? I really wanted the ROPS instead, for fear that I'd tear up the cab on the trails. I also considered the 5085, but it looks like it has the same dimensions as the 5100. So, I figured the extra hp was worth it.

I figure I can get a lot of the work done with much less tractor, I would just have more power than push a smaller machine so hard all the time. I'm trying to just buy one tractor that I can hang on to for just about everything in the long run, rather than trading, buying, selling, leasing every few years as projects come around. What kind of grapple might work best? I know less about them than tractors.....

 

[GManBart]

Thanks guys. This was the type of feedback I really needed. I understand some of this stuff might be on other threads, but it might be outdated and there's a lot you can miss. But, anyways....

Yes, the price was for an open station without FEL but with MFWD. Same as 4wd. Right?? I really wanted the ROPS instead, for fear that I'd tear up the cab on the trails. I also considered the 5085, but it looks like it has the same dimensions as the 5100. So, I figured the extra hp was worth it.

I figure I can get a lot of the work done with much less tractor, I would just have more power than push a smaller machine so hard all the time. I'm trying to just buy one tractor that I can hang on to for just about everything in the long run, rather than trading, buying, selling, leasing every few years as projects come around. What kind of grapple might work best? I know less about them than tractors.....

Welcome to TBN!

Yes, MFWD = 4WD for what you're looking at. Some folks make the distinction that MFWD is normally only part-time and the front wheels are smaller in diameter. 4WD is normally associated with larger AG machines that have four powered wheels of the same size, and the machine pivots in the center to steer.

The difference in power between the 85 and 100 would most likely be noticeable during ground-engaging work, like plowing. For loader work, brush cutting etc, it's probably not going to make much difference.

 

[dusty3030]

Thanks guys. This was the type of feedback I really needed. I understand some of this stuff might be on other threads, but it might be outdated and there's a lot you can miss. But, anyways....

Yes, the price was for an open station without FEL but with MFWD. Same as 4wd. Right?? I really wanted the ROPS instead, for fear that I'd tear up the cab on the trails. I also considered the 5085, but it looks like it has the same dimensions as the 5100. So, I figured the extra hp was worth it.

I figure I can get a lot of the work done with much less tractor, I would just have more power than push a smaller machine so hard all the time. I'm trying to just buy one tractor that I can hang on to for just about everything in the long run, rather than trading, buying, selling, leasing every few years as projects come around. What kind of grapple might work best? I know less about them than tractors.....

Grapple goes on the front end loader, so you will need to buy a front end loader with the tractor in order to have that option.

 

[nybirdman]

100HP for your uses sounds like over-kill.You would have to add $6-7,000 for a FEL to your base price.
I believe 60-70HP would be more than enough(with FEL) 4WD.
Great variety of grapples offered;do a little reading on this site.
I do all the work you described plus food plots with 44HP.

 

[dusty3030]

My local Kubota dealer has two M7040 4wd, hydraulic shuttle, open station that would be right up your alley. Pre tier 4 emissions and all.

They have been tempting me but I can't justify it so I just bought a used smaller tractor to fill the true need I had right now, but IF I were shopping with your criteria I'd be all over one of those.

 

[coolnature]

Thanks guys. This was the type of feedback I really needed. I understand some of this stuff might be on other threads, but it might be outdated and there's a lot you can miss. But, anyways....

Yes, the price was for an open station without FEL but with MFWD. Same as 4wd. Right?? I really wanted the ROPS instead, for fear that I'd tear up the cab on the trails. I also considered the 5085, but it looks like it has the same dimensions as the 5100. So, I figured the extra hp was worth it.

I figure I can get a lot of the work done with much less tractor, I would just have more power than push a smaller machine so hard all the time. I'm trying to just buy one tractor that I can hang on to for just about everything in the long run, rather than trading, buying, selling, leasing every few years as projects come around. What kind of grapple might work best? I know less about them than tractors.....

MFWD is short for mechanical front wheel drive. The 5085E is essentially the same as the 5100E, just a little less HP and less $$. Do yourself a favor and look at the other manufacturers competing machines if you haven't already. I would check out the Kubota, New Holland, Massey Ferguson, LS, Kioti, Mahindra, etc. They are all good tractors but there are differences and when spending $40K on a new tractor, it will not hurt to explore all your options. When I was tractor shopping last fall, I made a list comprised of must have features, likes and dislikes, dealer support / likeability and $$. There is no "perfect" tractor nor is there any brand that is trouble free. Tractor shopping is a lot of fun but very stressful, enjoy the experience!