Good bye Green!

[sixdogs]

This is troubling to see these things with the 5000 series. I have a year 2002 model 5520 that has been great except for one issue back in 2002 that the dealer never fixed or really even addressed. I believe it was USA made/assembled and of better components since the castings look stronger than later models. It has a Mexican engine but apparently those were well made. Around the time I bought this it was rare or maybe nonexistent to hear of a 5000 series problem and there were lots of them sold. I've been thinking of another 5000 and debating between that and Kubota. I wonder how widespread these problems are?

 

[ovrszd]

Most of the parts were made in India and China. Diff, transmission, cab, etc. The tractor is advertised as "assembled in the USA", I'm pretty sure that means the major components were just bolted together.
I can't blame a country like China for a poor quality John Deere, all the Chinese factory did was build exactly what John Deere wanted-a very cheap component. My blame goes entirely on John Deere which did not do their part in assuring quality, and quite frankly I don't think they care as long as they are making money hand over fist. They didn't care enough for the rep to call me on two occasions when John Deere said they would.

Yep, that was my point as well. The components were built exactly to the standards imposed by JD.

I don't think JD is the only manufacturer doing this. I think there are many others.

The days of a farmer buying a tractor and owning it for the rest of his productive life are mostly gone. The vast majority of the 100HP and less tractors are bought by the typical member of this website. It's used more for hobby than a livelihood and will be traded within a few years. So, end result, manufacturer doesn't worry about building a product that lasts a lifetime. They are more concerned about profit margins.

Don't mean to keep picking on JD, but another example are the JD lawn tractors sold at Home Depot or wherever. Might as well go to Wal-Mart and buy whatever they are selling..... Hate to see that type of marketing.

 

[davesl708]

Yep, that was my point as well. The components were built exactly to the standards imposed by JD.

I don't think JD is the only manufacturer doing this. I think there are many others.

The days of a farmer buying a tractor and owning it for the rest of his productive life are mostly gone. The vast majority of the 100HP and less tractors are bought by the typical member of this website. It's used more for hobby than a livelihood and will be traded within a few years. So, end result, manufacturer doesn't worry about building a product that lasts a lifetime. They are more concerned about profit margins.

Don't mean to keep picking on JD, but another example are the JD lawn tractors sold at Home Depot or wherever. Might as well go to Wal-Mart and buy whatever they are selling..... Hate to see that type of marketing.

Have to agree with you on those JD mowers from Lowes, HD ect. I bought one in 2011. Only 150hrs on it and it was looking worn in the mower deck and front axle. Sold it after others were having major problems with the throw away transmissions were failing due to towing small trailers.

The thought that a leaky seal cannot be replaced or any servicing other than replace it.
JD puts their name on it they own the quality.

 

[MattLynch]

My 5093E was about the same quality as you lawn mower, lol.

 

[farmer2009]

Nice tractor. Sounds like you got one heck of an upgrade. Could you post some pictures of the loader suspension? That interest me. You'll love the self-leveling loader.

 

[Garycw]

Have to agree with you on those JD mowers from Lowes, HD ect. I bought one in 2011. Only 150hrs on it and it was looking worn in the mower deck and front axle. Sold it after others were having major problems with the throw away transmissions were failing due to towing small trailers. The thought that a leaky seal cannot be replaced or any servicing other than replace it. JD puts their name on it they own the quality.

Seems like each year they get cheaper made. What's added in place of quality is cup holders, 12vdc sockets( can't remember last time I wanted to charge cell phone while mowing) more bells & whistles. I'd rather have the technology and reliability of a 8N. The big box JD L120 I purchased 15 years ago IS still going strong with only a cpl belts & one set of new blades so far. Has about 450 hrs. I really don't believe you will even get that now.

 

[davesl708]

Seems like each year they get cheaper made. What's added in place of quality is cup holders, 12vdc sockets( can't remember last time I wanted to charge cell phone while mowing) more bells & whistles. I'd rather have the technology and reliability of a 8N. The big box JD L120 I purchased 15 years ago IS still going strong with only a cpl belts & one set of new blades so far. Has about 450 hrs. I really don't believe you will even get that now.

I had a JD 214 30 yrs. old when I sold it. Blade and tiller were both still working fine. Engine needed new rings.

 

[Threepoint]

Matt, that's quite a tractor! Do you have to run through a check list and radio ground control each time you fire that thing up?

 

[Red Horse]

Very Nice Matt. What IS the country of assembly? Engine is a? MF is an AGCO company correct so is the tractor common to another AGCO machine?

I can't keep up with all the mergers and what seems like constant shuffling of manufacturers in the case of companies-like NH, Deere that contract out some machines.

And for you guys talking about Big Box Deere garden tractors, I tell people-take your time and look for a clean Deere 314,316-318. Real garden tractors! As are the old International Cub Cadets.

 

[MattLynch]

Very Nice Matt. What IS the country of assembly? Engine is a? MF is an AGCO company correct so is the tractor common to another AGCO machine?

I can't keep up with all the mergers and what seems like constant shuffling of manufacturers in the case of companies-like NH, Deere that contract out some machines.


And for you guys talking about Big Box Deere garden tractors, I tell people-take your time and look for a clean Deere 314,316-318. Real garden tractors! As are the old International Cub Cadets.

AGCO consists of MF, Fendt, Challenger, and Valtra. Yes they do share some components. The 5600 series tractors are made in France, and so far(that I've seen) every single part stamped with the country it was made in is in Europe. The engine for example is an AGCO POWER (formerly called SISU) and made in Finland. It has a sticker with they dyno test and the signature of the person that assembled it.