Do I need 4wd and/or loader?

[jed1894]

You're getting a lot of great advice and it sounds like you're listening to some very experienced people on the boards. The only mistake IMO you made when purchasing was not getting the loader....Oh well..... As someone said get the loader installed on your existing tractor and put it to work. If....after a few years you will know more about what your needs are and then either upgrade or pick up something to fill the need. That's pretty much what I'm doing. As I've said I have the 5103 with FEL and the 14.9x24 rear tires. So far I has done everything I've asked of it. If I was to do it over only two things I'd change. I'd have gone with more HP (only because I'd want it) and the wider 16.9x24 tires for better traction and less compaction. I'm in the process of moving to a larger piece of property myself (40ac) and it has a spring that runs through the center of the property. For the task of redirecting the water flow to allow more of the property to dry out I'll use either my boxblade and if that doesn't work I'll rent a backhoe for a week (although I want a bachoe of my own ).

Good luck.

Thanks.....reading the old post on this forum is very informative. I can't stop reading.

I think the new tractor (trade) may be out of the question. I just got back the numbers on trading for the 5045E or the 5055E. Both of which would more than double my 0% tractor payment now. And that's with loosing my $1100 on the trade. The trade difference for the 5055E is $14,750--little less for the 5045E. The trade may be the best thing to do, but my finances may not allow it. Also, the need for the 4wd has not been justified, yet. This could be an expensive experiment. Bottom line: I'm going to pay around $10,000 for a 4wd tractor (trade in). The loader is $4700 either way.

So, now that I'm about 90% sure I am not getting the 4wd, I'm back to the idea of adding the loader to my 2wd (like a few have suggested). Also been thinking about trying to get the wider tires, but I'm probably going to pay big time for them and the outcome would is not known. That would help with the traction I suppose. Or, adding weight to the tires I have, which seem to be pretty narrow (factory tires). What would be best? Added wgt to the narrow tires or getting the bigger tires? I know, I know...keep adding stuff and in the end the cost would be up to where the 4wd would cost.

thanks, jed

 

[jed1894]

Getting a tractor with 300 hours is something like getting a used car with only 20,000 miles on it.

There was an old thread here about this; it kind of listed out the equivalent of hours in what would be miles on a car/pickup.

EDIT: This thread had some infor about hours. Not the one I was looking for, but on subject

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/buying-pricing-comparisons/24055-hours.html

Thanks.....dealer also called about the used tractor. Apparently since it has over 250 hours, it falls out of the range they can sale at 0% interest. It also would have an impact on the warranty. I think they're only discounting about $2000 from a new one so that ain't so interesting anymore. It's a 5045E and I can get a new 5055E for about $2000 more....not very discounted in my opinion, but makes me feel good about the resale of the John Deere.

jed

 

[RobertN]

Another thread with hours to miles comparison(thanks MossRoad sor search criteria)

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/90665-hours.html

 

[jed1894]

Made a command decision this afternoon: won't be getting the 4wd, for now. Too much money for something I'm not sure I'll need. Also, not in the budget right now for a hobby farm.

Looking at loaders now for the 2wd. Any suggestions? I don't think I have many choices. Price I got from dealer (john deere brand) was $4700.

Also, any suggestions for making the rear end grip a little better? Adding water seems to the be the overall first step. Adding weights may be next. Seems like switching to 16.9-28 over the 14.9-28 (currently installed) won't do much per the dealer. I'll probably invest in a box scrapper as well....that should help.

One other thing.....I assume that I won't need the weight plates on the front of the tractor once the loader is installed. I think there's about 6, maybe 8, plates with the mounting bracket. Is this something I should offer as trade in for the loader. How much are they worth? Not sure what I paid extra when I bought it. I just told the dealer to put them on (the tractor did not have them at first--they came to my farm and installed them after the fact).


thanks, jed

 

[TripleR]

If money is a big consideration, you might check out Westendorf; not as good as OEM in my opinion but cheaper. We have one on our Case and it has weathered a lot of abuse. We got a self leveling model; some like them, but I don't so we finally disabled it as it will haul more without it.

 

[RPW]

If your getting the JD512 loader for $4700.00 new that's not bad. I think when I was buying mine the loader was about $6k but of course I got it less because I bought it with the tractor. As far as other brands i don't see a problem there either. Shop around. Now the question about tires this is just my uneducated guess.... For now I'd run the standard. Add water to see if that helps but if you got the standard 13.6x24 tires I think that in soft ground with loaded tires you might find yourself digging in more. Again you'll have to think your way through the situation. If the buget allows then get the 16.9x24's and then maybe sell your originals on CR or something like that. Your dealer "might" work with you to trade the standard tires for the wider ones with of course paying the difference. I'm to late in the game to do that but when (if) I ever wear out my existing tires I will go with the 16.9's.

Good luck.

 

[RobertN]

I put a Bushhog loader on my old tractor. It was a compact though, so smaller than what you would need. I was pleased with it. It was $3000 10 years ago, installed. Your price for the JD loader might not be too bad...

 

[jed1894]

Yeah, I've called Bush Hog and Westen??? and been shopping for after market brands...all were more than the JD plus I don't know how I would have gotten them on and/or transporting my tractor to a location for installation. With John Deere, they will pick up my tractor, install the loader, and bring it back to my farm. Can't beat that for $4700. It's a JD brand as well.

Unless something changes my mind overnight or within the next few days, I'll go ahead and get it ordered.

jed

 

[michellesc7]

Jed
If you envision light loader work- that is no dirt moving - just using it for a wheel barrow - make sure you can lift the hay bales you mentioned- is ytour tractor a 45 hp tractor? ask folks on the jd site.

If you take the guy's advice to have like a 6ft bushhog and my advice to ensure you have water and antifreeze or weights on the rear wheels you may be amazed with the 2wd with a loader. again i mention soil type- if it is a dark sandy loam kinda muddy when wet abandon this idea.

I know you don't know the future. The rule of thumb is to buy bigger than you think you need now.

The loader price you mentioned is reasonable. Do you have at least one set of rear remotes?

My vote from reading the posts thus far is for you to stay the course. IMHO I don't think the Ford is going to cut it. Borrow it and try it on your bamboo even if you have to pay to borrow it.

Michelle

 

[jed1894]

Jed
If you envision light loader work- that is no dirt moving - just using it for a wheel barrow - make sure you can lift the hay bales you mentioned- is ytour tractor a 45 hp tractor? ask folks on the jd site.

If you take the guy's advice to have like a 6ft bushhog and my advice to ensure you have water and antifreeze or weights on the rear wheels you may be amazed with the 2wd with a loader. again i mention soil type- if it is a dark sandy loam kinda muddy when wet abandon this idea.

I know you don't know the future. The rule of thumb is to buy bigger than you think you need now.

The loader price you mentioned is reasonable. Do you have at least one set of rear remotes?

My vote from reading the posts thus far is for you to stay the course. IMHO I don't think the Ford is going to cut it. Borrow it and try it on your bamboo even if you have to pay to borrow it.

Michelle

The specs on the loader say it will pick up the hay bales (1200 to 1300 pounds at the most). The dealer also said it would work or I wouldn't have to pay for it. I'm not going to move them far (on the front at least). I'll use the back to move them any distance. I'm mainly concerned with unloading and loading them on a low trailer and moving them short distances to feed my horses. Found out a few weeks ago that a light tractor (Kubota with no weight in the back) will tip over hauling hay bales if you get them off the ground to far. When you said "ask people on the JD site," you mean this site just under the John Deere section, right? If so, that's a good idea.

The 5045D is a 45 HP. Yes, I have rear remotes. I already have a very large bush hog (Bush Hog 290 series) that weighs a ton. Don't really need one this big, but I got a good deal on it. It will pick it up fine. That's how I got the 5 of the 10 hours on it. I also have a 6 ft harrow that I have pulled through my field with no problems. The only thing I haven't done yet is plant and complete a full year of farming. But, it it will pull a harrow, I think I'm okay there.

Yeah, the Ford thing came and went. Unless I see one within the next few days that looks good, I get the loader for the JD.

Just to give a few more details about my experience level (I may have come across as this being my first use of a tractor), I have used tractors for 30 years or so--the last one that I actually had in my possession was a Ford 4000. I grew up on a farm in the summers, but lived in the city. My grandfather and everyone on my mother's side were all farmers. I also help my friends with farming (planting and harvesting corn, sunflowers, planting wheat, and anything else they want me to do--I hate that chicken litter job). They get me started and I take off. I also had a Kubota (54 hp) 4x4 with loader on my farm for the past year before I bought the JD. I used it extensively. Maybe put it in 4x4 3 times. I've moved a bunch of hay over my life but never gave much thought to the 4x4 (they were all bigger tractors) and 4x4s did not exist.

To me, this decision comes down to what I can afford right now and what I'm willing to lose on my trade. Just too much money to spend right now.

Maybe the my next tractor will be the one my wife wanted: Closed cab with A/C so she can ride with me and do some night farming!

thanks, jed