5525 is in the house!!

DK_Farms · Oct 29, 2005

Took delivery Friday morning. The tractor actually came in on 10/20/05, about 3 -1/2 weeks after ordering. The dealer quoted 2 to 3 weeks so that was about right. The big hold up was the loader. The tractor comes from Georgia and the loader comes from Welland, Canada. The loader was a week behind because of problems in the plant. The cutter and quick hitch were already in stock.

Cut 10 acres yesterday at an average of 7.1 mph with the MX10. I probably could have gone a little faster but the ride was rough enough. R1's, even the radials, are definitely a little rougher ride than the R4's I had grown accustomed to. Reminded me of the old hard-as-a-rock R2's of my younger days. Cut quality was excellent. I was cutting the same acreage with the 4610 at 5 mph max with the MX6. And I stayed clean and cool thanks to cab and air. My only regret is that I didn't get the E-pto option. However, fuel economy is still impressive. I cut that 10 acres starting with a full tank of fuel. When I finished, the needle had barely moved off the full mark. Oh, by the way. That full tank of fuel was courtesy of my dealer. This is official notice that I am hereby once again transfering to the "JD Owning and Operating" forum. (my wife and my checkbook are telling me that I need to STAY there) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

RoyJackson · Oct 29, 2005

Great looking rig! I envy you...but it'd be a bit big for my property!

Is that loader a quick detach?

Kyle_in_Tex · Oct 29, 2005

Nice, very nice.

Yes, field roughness is my problem too. I also have a lot of post oaks to "slalom" in and around. Be glad you have MFWD, the bigger diameter front tires go over ruts that jar me around on my 4310. I'm glad my FIL bought his 5420 and lets me use it to keep the place mowed. 7 mph is pretty fast for a shredder but not too fast if the conditions are good. I'll bet you can get a lot done in a bit of time.

Ddivinia, if you read this, how fast can you cut normal hay type grass with your 15 foot batwing? This is a HP question. Reason I ask is we have some old bahia grass coming back in our coastal bermuda and that stuff is murder to cut if its dry. I've been told to cut the bahia in the early morning before the dew is dry. It can bog down a 6' shredder on our 5420 if thick enough.
Kyle

ddivinia · Oct 29, 2005

It really depends on how rough the terrain is and how tall. Usually I go around 5mph. I got between B2 and B4 usually - just depends on conditions. Somewhat slower if I am pushing trees over (still clearing cedars).

I just added a grill guard, a rear windshield wiper and a hookup for my ipod in the 5525. Maybe I need a FEL next or some rear wheel weights...

Off to finish up the barn wiring.

D.

DK_Farms · Oct 29, 2005

Yes, the loader is quick attach. The bucket is also quick attach to the loader frame. Gonna weld some hooks on it first chance I get.

fastpat · Oct 30, 2005

That's really a nice looking tractor, congrats.

Am I correct that the 5025 series can have the cab AND the backhoe attachment? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

ddivinia · Oct 30, 2005

I got to plant some wheat this weekend with my 5525.

D.

farming · Oct 30, 2005

Congratulations on the purchase. I am also considering the 5525 for use in hay production. You mentioned the ride being rough... what Cab and seat did you get? Also what trans and other options did you decide to go with?

fastpat · Nov 5, 2005

Looking for more pictures!

/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

DK_Farms · Nov 6, 2005

Sorry about being late to reply, but I had to take the wife on a birthday trip to San Antonio (a.k.a. buttering her up for a Gator HPX 4x4 /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif)

When I mentioned rough ride, I was comparing that to the R4's on my 4610. Although, I did go with the radial R1's option to smooth the ride a little. The radials help some and according to the JD mechanics around here, the treads last a little longer and bite better in the soft stuff. The cab is the standard isolated cab. The cab sits on 4 rubber cushions that isolate it from the frame. It works well for vibration I suppose, but when you cross a row of 4-inch deep ruts at 5 mph, that stiff isolation does nothing for the bounce. I also opted for the standard seat rather than the air cushioned model.

I have the 12/12 sync shuttle transmission with the PowerReverser option. In hindsight, I probably should have gotten the HI-LO option as well. There is about a 1.5 mph gap between some gears and the HI-LO would fill in that gap. I had forgotten about the gear range gaps on my old 2020 when I stepped up to E-hydro on the 4610. I got spoiled being able to feather ground speed to match conditions exactly. I wish now that I would have gotten the E-PTO option as well. I will really wish I had it when I hook up the MX6 for tight space mowing. Didn't really think I needed it until I spoke to neighbors who have it on 6000 series tractors. Although, so far, I can't say that I am displeased with fuel economy. I also opted for the ElectroHydraulic hitch system. Now that's neat. I always had trouble getting the rear blade back to the exact same depth after turning. Now it's a snap. And the electronic draft control is very smooth.

I'll post some more pictures after I get it really dirty.