4520 vs 5203 (Both 4WD)

[Rara Avis]

5203 is manufactured in Pune, India...

Product Specification for 5203 Utility Tractor (56 hp)

4520 does not identifiy country of manufacture...which I think in JD language, that means a US construction...

Product Specification for 4520 Compact Tractor (53 hp)

 

[ddivinia]

5203 is manufactured in Pune, India...

Product Specification for 5203 Utility Tractor (56 hp)

4520 does not identifiy country of manufacture...which I think in JD language, that means a US construction...

Product Specification for 4520 Compact Tractor (53 hp)

With the dollar in such bad shape these days, maybe US made goods will start looking "cheaper" than their foreign made ones.

D.

 

[Turkeyman]

Look hard at the 4720 it is a great tractor unless you are working hay then I would move up to a 5 series. You will love the hydro for mowing and loader work. I plow with mine but the longest strip I have is 300 yard.

 

[ddivinia]

I have had a 4720 for a couple years now. I have almost 200 hours on it and love it. The HST transmission rocks. It is so much easier to use for smaller jobs and ones that require more precision. You can work the HST and the brakes at the same time when positioning and it is very smooth. I am looking at a fence mower at the moment. I suspect it will be much easier to handle wiht the 4720 with HST vs. my 5525 with the power reverser.

Good Hunting,
D.

 

[Turkeyman]

I have about 400 hrs on mine and many people here are concerned about the durabilty of a hydro- I am not. My tractor with my Brown mower attached weighs 9300 lb. You may want to look at a 5x25 to get a limited slip front end as I do not think the 5203( 4wd) has it. I wish my 4720 had one. I would think that would help your problem with getting stuck almost as much as getting 4wd.

 

[CWP37]

It hurts every day to look out in my barn and NOT see a tractor. Mine's been sold for a couple of weeks and I'm really missin' her.

I looked into a 5225, but it looks a little out of my price range. I'm teetering between a 5203 and a 4720. It seems that the price will be pretty close, unless things change toward the end of the year.

How does the 4720 ride while mowing? 85% of what I'll do is shredding and my 5103 was really comfortable riding through the pasture. I'm concerned that the smaller 4000 series might be a little bumpier. I've used similar size NH (TC40) and Kubota (L3400) and they were rough riding.

 

[CWP37]

I just don't want to buy a smaller frame 4720 and then have to "cowboy up" while mowing.

The 4720 would have the advantage of getting into some tighter areas and, obviously, the HST is a plus with loader work.

 

[Turkeyman]

The 4720 will have a shorter wheel base so it will be a rougher ride but it makes up for it in agility. Have you looked at Rental Returns? SC/ GA are full of them from the Peach and Peanut farms. TX must have 4 times the number of tractors. Fastline Publications in Aug. showed 15 + Deere's in the size you are looking for. Also have you check MachineFinder?

90% of my mowing is in the rough so it is hard to judge, plus fluid in all 4 tires have little give in them.

 

[greggh]

I have been viewing these forums for quite a while. I'm new but I have found a lot of valuable information. I have received what I think is a good deal on a new MFWD 5203 with a 522 loader for 22,600. I am going to pull the trigger in about 3 weeks. I am waiting on a barn to be built first since I don't live at the property. I hope I am doing the right thing.

 

[Z-Michigan]

That sounds like an excellent deal, to the point that I wonder what important items are left out of this price. Hope it works out for you.