john deere 5103 or 5203

[Ledgemere Farm]

Two years ago, one of my brothers purchased a 5105. very nice machine. simple, rugged, reliable.

Last year, my oldest brother needed another tractor. He initially looked at the 5105, but the price had jumped over six grand in a little over a year. He tested and purchased the 5103. Yes, it's made in India, but John Deere is a worldwide company and procures its parts from all over. Given his druthers, he would have got the 5105 to support the US economy, but the price margin was a little to much for what he was looking for.

You won't go wrong either way. Front-wheel assist is neice to have, but for your apllication. 2WD will suffice.

Good luck with your buying process. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[unreconstructed]

Cowboydoc,

Thanks for all your input on the 5103. Looking at your bio, I see you have 4wd JDs. As I said, my tractor experience is confined to cotton farming back in the 1960s--M-5 Moline, 1850 Oliver, and in the late 50's as a kid , the old UB Moline. Never had a tractor with 4wd or used a loader with one (loader experience is with wheeled Cat loaders). So, I didn't know if when one hits a pile of aggregrate with a compact tractor, will the thing stall out before the bucket can be pulled back with a load if one only has 2wd? Or if one is peeling,say, a couple of inches off for a road bed with the scarfier teeth, will the same thing happen if only 2wd is used? Looking at how 4wd pickup trucks are used-- I think sometimes 4wd is used beyond what the equipment is truly intended for. But that might not be the case with these small tractors. Anyhow, I think the same as the originator of this thread--that the less bells and whistles one buys the less the repair bill down the road. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[cowboydoc]

You will notice it alot when using a 2wd compared to a 4wd tractor. Your skidsteers, backhoes, etc. have the no stall features built into them. The tractors usually don't. To answer your question yes you will stall a tractor. Even on the 4wd tractors if the traction is good enough you will stall it before you slip. You usually have to use the clutch to keep them from stalling.

 

[unreconstructed]

Thanks much. The 5105 has a shuttle shift which I don't want to pay for so the tranny makes the 5105 quite a bit higher than the 5103. Have considered the 990 but see that the lift capacity is a lot less than the 03 and 05 and knowing my penchant for dirt farming, I would probably regret buying the 990. Guess when it comes down to it, the decision will swing
with the dealer's offer and how my middle age hormones are the day I finally pull the trigger.

Again, muchas gracias. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[cowboydoc]

From what I've been told the 03 series is not selling like they had hoped it would. Take a look on jd's dealer search engine. There are quite a few out there for some really good prices.

 

[whitearrow]

cowboydoc,how do you get the best deal for your money?is there a website that you can go yo to find out what the dealer paid for the tractor in question?
whitearrow->>>------------------->

 

[PM1]

I've had a JD 5203 for over a year now, and I haven't wished for a different tractor a single day. It has operated flawlessly, with smooth power delivery and solid footing.

I have the JD 510 loader mounted on the tractor as well. The rear tires are filled, and I have a bush hog mounted on the rear most of the time since I tend to mow any time I'm moving from one place to another.

With that configuration, I've never once needed 4WD to get full performance from the loader. Driving into a gravel pile and extracting a heaping bucket load is almost effortless. The same is true for driving into a pile of dirt or clay.

I routinely carry 1,500 - 2,000 lb loads in the bucket or chained to the bucket. The tractor is completely solid, and I never feel the load from the operator's station. Last weekend I lifted and carried a 40-foot steel beam weighing 1,700 lbs. -- while it was hanging completely off the right side of the loader bucket.

4WD would certainly add capability to the tractor and the loader, but the point I'm making is that I've never once NEEDED more capability. The loader is strong, the tractor is strong, and there's enough weight on the rear wheels (especially with filled tires and a heavy implement) to give terrific traction and stability - even with full loader work.

This is in no way saying that 2WD is better than 4WD -- you just asked for feedback on whether 2WD was sufficient on the 03 series. My experience has been 100% yes. Hope that helps.

Parker

 

[unreconstructed]

PM1

Your post answers my question to a tee. I appreciate your input much. My Dad's philosophy was simple cheap equipment and it worked for him. He's gone on over to the other side of the river now, but think he would like this tractor.
If I buy one and its as good as everyone on TBN says, then I might name it after Pop. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Thanks again.
/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[ddivinia]

It is really nice having 4wd and it really helps with a FEL. Regardless any of the 03s are a deal.

D.