990 or 5103?

[tarscraper]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I dont know if you have pulled the trigger yet, but I would look at the 4120 also. It is a more modern design than the 990 or 5103 and weighs in right beween these two models. The 990 would be good around the house and the 5103 in the fields, but the 4120 would perform as good or better than these models at both tasks. Its going to set you back around $3000 more, but to me that is worth it especially when you consider the added features and the USA manufacture vs Japan (990), or India (5103). )</font>

An extra 3k to know it was "assembled" in the US? From parts that come from all over the world? The 990 and 5103 are used on homesteads AND small farms very frequently. Get the tractor with the features you need and you can afford. The 4120 is a good tractor. It is slightly easier to use than a gear tractor for a newbie. A weekend on a gear tractor and you would be just as comfortable. It is not a big deal. There is something to be said for simplicity and value.

 

[brandon07]

Only reason I didn't get the 5103 instead of my 990 is I wanted 4wd. You here on here all the time that the 5103 owners loose traction before they loose power.

 

[ddivinia]

4WD is very handy.

All of the listed tractors are excellent units. The 5103 is a bargain in my book. The 4120 is a lot more tractor from a feature and ease to use perspective. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.

D.

 

[Turkflyer]

They "lose traction before they lose power" because they aren't ballasted properly.

 

[deerefan]

Correct...with good ballasting the 5003 series would be unstoppable. I keep mine lightly ballasted to keep myself out of trouble (getting stuck). /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Turkflyer]

That's the beauty of the design. They can be light to prevent compaction, or can be ballasted to pull properly. You have the best of both worlds.

 

[5103Owner]

Mine is heavy, loader, tires filled, whenever I get stuck (lotta mud lately) I use the loader to get myself out, gotten me out every time so far. The wieght is an advantage in the spring, it'll pull a 2 bottom plow or an 8' disk no problem.