Comparing a JD and a Farmtrac

zwk2433 · Oct 21, 2005

Y'all:

I could really use help.

I am starting a new business and I will be using my tractor for 3 basic purposes.

1) Spraying ROW. Tough travel through woods.
2) Spraying Turf. Easy travel over pastures.
3) Cutting brush 1-3" in diameter.

I will used the tractor about 90 days per year. I am pretty much a one man show, and I need my tractor to work every day I need it to work.

I can get a 4wd Farmtrac for $21,500 after tax or a 4wd JD 5425 for $29,200.

When I sat on a brand new Farmtrac at the AG EXPO yesterday, everything felt a little funky, stiff, and creaky. I would like to know if the Farmtrac would do a good job or if I should really pony up the extra money for the JD?

Your input is really appreciated.

LeadPoison · Oct 21, 2005

There are more comfortable options inbetween.

gamble77 · Oct 22, 2005

What model FarmTrac are you comparing, and with what attatchments? If you could fill out your profile also that might help to nail down pricing (pricing is very regional).

thcri · Oct 22, 2005

First, welcome to TBN, second, go back in and fill our profile so we all know of your whereabouts. Regions make a big difference in the answers we give.

On to your question, if the Farm-trac, (which I don't know much about) feels funky then take it off your list. There is a substantial savings but if this is a business and that thing is down the savings gets less and less each time. The John Deere is a top notch tractor and typically one of the more expensive ones, this is where knowing your region really helps us out. I would look around for other brands and see how you like them price. Kubota, New Holland, Kioti, Mahindra, Massey Fergusson all make great tractors. I would spend more time getting to know dealers rather than colors. Once you find the dealer you like the most and feel will give you the best service after the sale then that is where I would be buying. Find out things like how long has he been in business, how long has he had the brand he is quoting you. Stop in many times and see how responsive he is to your questions. Don't ask them all at once, save some for more trips. If he just hangs in there and keeps answering your question and shows he cares, that is the guy.

murph

zwk2433 · Oct 22, 2005

Thanks y'all.

Sorry about not putting region. I am in AL.

I have looked a little harder at the specs and I think a 5225 would probably be a better comparison. It will end up 4-5k more expensive than the farmtrac.

I looked at the Kubotas, but I want to buy a lot of attachments all at once and their financing won't allow as large of purchase as I need to make.

cowboydoc · Oct 26, 2005

No doubt go with the JD. First it's $4000 more tractor than the farm trac if you really compare the specs. Secondly the ergonomics between the two are not even close. The fit and finish doesn't even compare. Most importantly 10 years down the road if it ever breaks down that $4k will seem like nothing when you can't get the farmtrac fixed or it takes weeks or months to get parts and a certified mechanic to work on it. With Deere you'll have parts within 12 hours and there will always be a qualified deere mechanic that will have you up and going in no time. Lastly if you ever go to sell it you will make up that $4k and then some. Over 10 years the deere will depreciate very little. You'll be lucky to get half, if that, of what you paid for the farm trac.

fish_wisperer · Oct 26, 2005

my dad has been in the heavy construction industry for over 30 years they use tractors for box blading ect, he sais the only tractors that really hold up are the old ford 2910 and 3910, he sais you cant kill them. the farmtrac 545 and 535 are the same tractors made by the same people with a different name. i showed him this, from now on they will be buying farmtrac insted of new holland or kubota.

Suburban600 · Oct 27, 2005

Zack, I live in VA have a place in NC where I keep my 2003 Farmtrac 60, the 2WD version of the Farmtrac you may be interested in buying.

I have 200 hours on the tractor.

I bought the tractor with a 5320 loader, a bushhog and a boxblade.

I own about 40 acres of forest that's about 50% wetland.

I run through the brush using the FEL to push the brush down and cutting it down with my bushhog. I pull an old disk plow through new ground on trails.

This is probably some of the toughest work you can do with a tractor.

What do I like and not like about the tractor?

The gear shift was stiff. But as the dealer told me it would the stiffness is now gone with use.

I lost a grease fitting on the FEL.

I have pulled both of the lights on the ROPs out of their mountings and had to rebond with JBWeld. Some brush guards would be nice.

We were moving very heavy....1000 to 2000 pound or more stumps with the tractor and had one roll back and hit the grill. Ooops, I didn't have a grill guard.

I believe my ignition switch may be malfunctioning because the alternator excitor and the neutral saftey switch are both inop and bypassed. I just haven't got around to fixing.

Running in brush and into stumps with my 2WD has caused some issues with alignment that I'm going to fix over the holidays.

Bottom line is that my tractor is used in very difficult conditions. I don't rush when I work but the environment is punishing.

No major mechanical problems with unfailing reliability. I perform regular oil changes as specified and keep the tractor clean.

All of the tractors brands mentioned are great. Just take a look at what you will use the machine for and make certain you are comfortable with the dealer.

Jim

fish_wisperer · Oct 27, 2005

i cant say anything about other farmtrac models but the 545, 535, and 555 are the old ford work horses, they have been around since the sixties so parts are not a problem. for people like me who are lucky to put 200 hrs a year on a machine anything will do but if you make a living with it dont count out farmtrac. some of the common problems my dads company has with tractors are parts falling off " head lights, dash, clutch springs, ect ect. also anything plastic cracks up in a few weeks. electronic and computer controls,,,,,,,,,,forget it!! time is money and these pesky problems cause alot of down time. if i were going to use it to make a living i would not consider the top three unless i were getting a heavy duty commercial one, you know the yellow ones.