About to buy my first tractor! (Part II)

BattalionChief · Jun 3, 2006

Thank you all for the responses on the IH 584 question. You gave me quite a few things to think about. The old tough 584 I asked about in my other post does need some work to make it really operate without "issues." I am mechanically inclined and have experience with repairs, etc... BUT, a commodity I really value is TIME, and I don't necessarily want to 'buy' a bunch of repairs.. Which leads me to my next tractor/question..
I am considering a new John Deere 5103 with the 512 loader (2WD).

So:
This tractor is certainly strong enough for me at 50 HP. But this tractor is about 2000 lbs. lighter than the old IH 584. The question is would I be confronted with traction problems being the tractor is 2WD and only 5500-6000 lbs. (which is 2000 lbs lighter than the IH 584) or this still enough weight/HP to really grab the ground while working with the loader on slight grades?

Not much else to ask about the new Deere, I rode it today.. IT IS NICE... ...phew.. hard to resist a new one.. I might add, another item I have been giving more value after looking at the new Deere is SAFETY.. the new tractor has a good brake of course, but also other safety features (like roll bar)... These will be VERY important as my teenage son learns to use a tractor..

Well, again thanks for everyone's help!!

BattalionChief · Jun 3, 2006

Thank you all for the responses on the IH 584 question. You gave me quite a few things to think about. The old tough 584 I asked about in my other post does need some work to make it really operate without "issues." I am mechanically inclined and have experience with repairs, etc... BUT, a commodity I really value is TIME, and I don't necessarily want to 'buy' a bunch of repairs.. Which leads me to my next tractor/question..
I am considering a new John Deere 5103 with the 512 loader (2WD).

So:
This tractor is certainly strong enough for me at 50 HP. But this tractor is about 2000 lbs. lighter than the old IH 584. The question is would I be confronted with traction problems being the tractor is 2WD and only 5500-6000 lbs. (which is 2000 lbs lighter than the IH 584) or this still enough weight/HP to really grab the ground while working with the loader on slight grades?

Not much else to ask about the new Deere, I rode it today.. IT IS NICE... ...phew.. hard to resist a new one.. I might add, another item I have been giving more value after looking at the new Deere is SAFETY.. the new tractor has a good brake of course, but also other safety features (like roll bar)... These will be VERY important as my teenage son learns to use a tractor..

Well, again thanks for everyone's help!!

GaryE · Jun 3, 2006

This tractor is certainly strong enough for me at 50 HP. But this tractor is about 2000 lbs. lighter than the old IH 584. The question is would I be confronted with traction problems being the tractor is 2WD and only 5500-6000 lbs. 

It is much easier to add weight than it is to add HP. Not to mention, there are times when to much weight can be a problem. I would much rather go with a lighter tractor and have the option to add weight when needed than to have a tractor that is to heavy some of the time.

Just my opinion,

Gary

GaryE · Jun 3, 2006

This tractor is certainly strong enough for me at 50 HP. But this tractor is about 2000 lbs. lighter than the old IH 584. The question is would I be confronted with traction problems being the tractor is 2WD and only 5500-6000 lbs. 

It is much easier to add weight than it is to add HP. Not to mention, there are times when to much weight can be a problem. I would much rather go with a lighter tractor and have the option to add weight when needed than to have a tractor that is to heavy some of the time.

Just my opinion,

Gary

Bird · Jun 3, 2006

Now you're getting to where I, personally, would prefer 4WD. However, you can use a counterweight on the 3-point hitch and should be pretty well satisfied. You can actually buy a weight box from your tractor dealer for that purpose, a number of Tractorbynet members have made their own, and other than the pictures on Tractorbynet, I've only actually seen one tractor with one of the weight boxes. I think most folks just do as I did; have my box blade, tiller, or even a mower on the back for a counterweight.

Bird · Jun 3, 2006

Now you're getting to where I, personally, would prefer 4WD. However, you can use a counterweight on the 3-point hitch and should be pretty well satisfied. You can actually buy a weight box from your tractor dealer for that purpose, a number of Tractorbynet members have made their own, and other than the pictures on Tractorbynet, I've only actually seen one tractor with one of the weight boxes. I think most folks just do as I did; have my box blade, tiller, or even a mower on the back for a counterweight.

BattalionChief · Jun 7, 2006

Well, I pulled the trigger .. and went hog wild..

I am getting the 5105 with a 522 loader and 4WD... phew..

A very nice set up.. the only down side is the $$$$ required..

thanks to all... I finally bought my very first tractor.. kind of excitedly nervous about the delivery tomorrow..

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

BattalionChief · Jun 7, 2006

Well, I pulled the trigger .. and went hog wild..

I am getting the 5105 with a 522 loader and 4WD... phew..

A very nice set up.. the only down side is the $$$$ required..

thanks to all... I finally bought my very first tractor.. kind of excitedly nervous about the delivery tomorrow..

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

KiotiJohn · Jun 8, 2006

( Well, I pulled the trigger .. and went hog wild..

I am getting the 5105 with a 522 loader and 4WD... phew.. )
Well alright! You not only went hog wild, you bought a great HOG of a machine. You're going to be drunk with happiness very soon!
Congrats!
John

KiotiJohn · Jun 8, 2006

( Well, I pulled the trigger .. and went hog wild..

I am getting the 5105 with a 522 loader and 4WD... phew.. )
Well alright! You not only went hog wild, you bought a great HOG of a machine. You're going to be drunk with happiness very soon!
Congrats!
John