Mowing Inherited 05 5103

[rScotty]

A friend has inherited a 2005 5103 from his uncle痴 estate. The tractor has about 400hrs on it. He is a high school teacher, lives on 12 acres, mostly open, but funds are limited. The tractor has had regular greasing, oil changes every year as well as fuel filter, hydraulic oil filter and air filter replacement. The coolant, hoses, belt and hydraulic oil have not been changed. The tractor was kept out of the weather. Being funds are limited, he cannot afford to do these services and is not real mechanical-I offered to do it free, he has to save up for parts. He is fearful of mechanical failure if he doesn稚 perform the above mentioned items soon. Hour wise, he is good. Time wise, not so much. I own the same tractor and do my coolant and hyd fluid every 2-3 years, oil/filters yearly. I only have about 520 hours on mine. What is your take on what he should do? The hoses/belts appear fine and I will test coolant. The tractor will be used for bush hogging and runs great. Thoughts?

Great tractor, I almost bought that very model. And BTW, good on you for helping him out. Without knowing a thing about either of you guys or your tractors, I'm going to go out on a limb hee and say he should let you do just what you would do on your own machine and both of you will be winners.

Don't sweat the small things; tractors don't suddenly just up and go bad just because you are few years behind the maintenance curve.... And it won't cost much that way either. Do whatever you do when it's convenient. The tractor will be fine.
It's kind of fun to own the same tractor as a friend has.
Enjoy,
rScotty

 

[deerefan]

Great tractor, I almost bought that very model. And BTW, good on you for helping him out. Without knowing a thing about either of you guys or your tractors, I'm going to go out on a limb hee and say he should let you do just what you would do on your own machine and both of you will be winners.

Don't sweat the small things; tractors don't suddenly just up and go bad just because you are few years behind the maintenance curve.... And it won't cost much that way either. Do whatever you do when it's convenient. The tractor will be fine.
It's kind of fun to own the same tractor as a friend has.
Enjoy,
rScotty

It is a neat coincidence. We bought them from the same dealer about 2 months apart. They are good, simple tractors. I have definitely enjoyed mine.

 

[Zebrafive]

My main priority would be getting the coolant checked. Probably original.

 

[deerefan]

My main priority would be getting the coolant checked. Probably original.

It is, far as we can tell from his uncle’s detailed maintenance log. We don’t typically get block busting cold temps in Louisiana. I am more worried about cavitation and rust building up in block and passages.

 

[TractorGuy]

Test the coolant and run it.

 

[beenthere]

pH test of coolant should give you the info you need.

 

[deerefan]

1) The coolant - positively change it without even doing any testing.
2) Hoses - change them as it's now convenient and 2 hoses can't cost too much.
3) Belt - you've covered that issue and it can be changed anytime when needed.
4) Hydraulic oil - doesn't usually get contaminated and filter will catch any particles.

I spoke with him at lunch. We will flush coolant and change hoses this weekend. He can swing this now and I feel it is the most important service to do now.

 

[Quebecguy]

How much do the hoses cost? With so few hours I wouldn't even think of changing them unless they showed obvious cracking, bulging or other defect. I've got almost 900 hours on my 2006 5205 and have no intention of changing the hoses anytime soon. For sure, change the coolant though.

 

[ovrszd]

Very Blessed man to inherit this tractor.

All the things mentioned so far won't do nearly as much for the continued good condition of this tractor as a roof over it. Forgo all expenditures to accomplish that.

Can someone in this discussion document mechanical failure because antifreeze wasn't changed? I've never understood that one.

 

[TractorGuy]

Very Blessed man to inherit this tractor.

All the things mentioned so far won't do nearly as much for the continued good condition of this tractor as a roof over it. Forgo all expenditures to accomplish that.

Can someone in this discussion document mechanical failure because antifreeze wasn't changed? I've never understood that one.

Haven't seen it in a long time but back in the day old coolant would clog a radiator in about 4 years. The rule of thumb back then we recommended changing every 2 years.

I think with better formulated coolant and mixing with mineral free water has almost made radiator shops a rare thing.