JD 5103, 5203, 5303

cowboydoc · Jun 26, 2003

Tim,

I totally agree with you but most everything is only assembled here anymore. I'm pretty sure the engine on the 5205 is foreign as well. Mostly things are put together here. Some of the bigger stuff is made here and the balers and others things are. But most of these smaller tractors for the most part are just assembled here. The way I look at it most of the money on these tractors is corporate profit and dealer profit so at least that money is going back to the US. Other than that I don't know what to do about it. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

rancar · Jun 26, 2003

Gonna come down to what my mix of chores are really gonna be (versus what I'd like to dream about doing). Once you start down that slope the 05 and 03 series are very interesting as well.

Yep.....I was in this position myself....wrestling with which model to purchase. In my case, the deciding factor was could the tractor fit in my garage or barn buildings. The 4710 could /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.....the others (however desirable they were) couldn't. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

...Bob

timb · Jun 26, 2003

( In my case, the deciding factor was could the tractor fit in my garage or barn buildings. )

LOL! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif This very past weekend I was measuring once again the current "tractor" bay on the end of the barn just to check (and compare to the old NAA that's in there now).

As long as I get a folding ROPS and don't spread the wheels too wide on the 5000's any of them will fit without mods to the bay. (The bay's about 9 x 16 feet, 80" sliding door opening is the limiting height factor).

No easy choices - but I guess great that there are so many!

cowboydoc · Jun 26, 2003

If you were looking at this tractor as your only one Tim I wouldn't go with it. It's a very good tractor for what I'm going to use it for I think but if it's your only tractor it lacks alot of the features that I really like. If this was my only tractor no doubt I would go up to the 5205 with mfwd, power reverser, etc.

rancar · Jun 26, 2003

Tim...

Measure that vertical exhaust pipe on the 5000 series tractors. This was the constraint in my case, not the ROPS or the tractor width. That little pipe would have smacked right into the top of the door jamb. Maybe I could have thought how to modify that pipe but the thought never occurred to me at the time. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

...Bob

timb · Jun 26, 2003

Having nothing better to do (this season) tractor-wise I've been anally comparing minute detail differences between the 4's and 5's. I get the sense that there's a lot more of that "old-fashioned" tractor design approach in the 5's (wet cylinder liners come to mind). The ability (on the MFWD) to set both front and rear tread widths. I've also compared the suggested front ballast for running, say, an MX6 brush hog to get a feel for how well these different series can sling a "medium" sized implement around. While the 944-lb MX6 is right up at the limit of what a MFWD 4710 can "safely" handle (by the book taking 10 of 12 possible 70 lb weights) - an MFWD 5220 (not really physically that much bigger) does not require any extra front end weight for that same mower. (The 2wd version does spec for 400lb of weight). But then I worry that the 5xxx might be too big for some jobs. Some of that issue I eliminated by deciding to use a big garden tractor for lawn mowing.

The wife's getting tired watching me pour over brochures by night and measure clearances around the farm by day!

(Actually that's strategy - when she finally says (and she will) "Would you just go buy the stupid tractor already!!!" - I'm not going to let the door hit me on the way out to the dealer! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif )

Tim

timb · Jun 26, 2003

The vertical exhaust is a pain for now - I figure I'll have to buy the optional horizontal bits for now. Unfortunately - you can't use the horizontal exhaust with the backhoe. Not that that is likely to be a problem any time soon.

This bay needs rebuilt (might happen this year) and a new larger barn is in the plans down the road so even that height might not be too much an issue. If I modify the door and header there is sufficient clearance in the shed even now for the vertical exhaust.

timb · Jun 26, 2003

Unless the bonus situation at work next spring is a lot better than it's been the past few years /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif it's most likely going to be a reverser MFWD 4710 or a 2wd 5220 reverser (especially with the "540E" PTO). There's a lot to like on both.

Actually, even the '03's are a huge improvement over the only running tractor there now - that '53 NAA! But I think I'd really like a more flexible/friendly tranny than the '03s.

One of the issues we have now though is getting into/out of the woods (fairly steep trails) - the MFWD would be a monster step up there.

Ideally I'd get something smaller with MFWD (possibly even a mid-sized CUT) and something in a 60-ish PTO hp size but that's really tough to justify, even with used equipment. Keep trying to find that magic one-size-fits-all.

Tim

JohnMiller3 · Jun 26, 2003

... even the '03's are a huge improvement over the only running tractor there now - that '53 NAA!... 

I think, anyone would be hard pressed to find even a Mahindra, Kioti, Long, MF, or any somewhat "known name brand" 55 PTO hp, Turbo Charged Utility tractor with these hydraulics, and a 1 ton capacity loader attached for $16,400...

This just so happens to also have a JD Logo pasted on the sides, and painted with JD green/yellow paint... I guess it wouldn't matter if it was made on the MOON... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

timb · Jun 26, 2003

One thing that might concern me would be this line being "orphaned" down the road if it doesn't fly - since these appear to be a new card from the deck. JD seems pretty darn good at keeping parts inventory around - but even better would be if the '03's shared any major compenents with other lines. Any decent amount of "cross-over" here? (I guess that goes for the '05's as well for that matter.)