JX85 vs JD5420

[twabscs]

Hi All,

I'm getting ready to add a utility tractor to my fleet (of 1). I have more acres now and will be using the tractor primarily for haying. I'm getting ready to pull the trigger and I'm looking at a new Case JX85 and a used (100 hours) JD 5420. The JD is $2K more has very little warranty left and the JX85 is brand new with cheaper financing and full warranty.

Both tractors have cabs and loaders with QA. The JD has the power reverser and the JX does not. The JX is somewhat of an economy tractor and the JD is more in line with the JX90U (Deluxe).

I'd like to hear the good, bad, and ugly. Right now I'm leaning toward the Deere. Both dealers seem easy to work with.

Thanks!

 

[cowboydoc]

I would get the 5420. You get alot more tractor than the case. If you are getting a cab the cab in the JD alone is worth the extra $2k in my opinion.

 

[KASBJS]

Look at engine displacement for sure and rated rpm.
Do not pay much attention to lift capacity on the JX it is not correct. I have never seen a tractor lift almost as much as its weight. Deere is the way to go here in my opinion. Request a demo if you haven't already. You will see the differences there.

 

[jltrent]

The power reverser in my opinion is worth the difference in price especially with the loader. Also with the power reverser you get the wet clutch. You also get the 276 cu. in. engine which is the same engine that JD uses in some of its 6000 series tractors. I think you about answered you question while you where writing it.

 

[twabscs]

Thanks for the replies so far, it was what I expected - Aren't many Case guys around here. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I went to look at the JD. The cab wasn't as "nice" as I originally thought (Maybe because it's not new?). Also, the battery was dead so I didn't get to take it for a test drive. Dealer promised to put a new battery in by tomorrow.

One issue with the JD: The QA on the 541 loader is different from that used by my TC (Skid Steer). This is a problem as I won't be able to swap my QA attachments between the machines. The dealer thought that there might be an adapter, but that won't completely solve the problem as I would need a different bucket than the one that comes with the tractor.

That JX has the 32LC Loader on it with the curved arms (and skid steer QA). The JD has the older, non-curved, non skid 541. A positive for JX85.

Although I like the JD dealer, he isn't really an "ag" dealer and doesn't have any hay equipment. I view this as a small negative.

Keep the comments coming!

 

[twabscs]

Agree - We have the bigger, non-turbo engine in the Deere versus the smaller, turbo engine in the Case. Yes, I'm leaning toward the Deere, but there is the issue of warranty. A 2 year "extended" warranty on the Deere is around $1k (has a $250 ded.)

 

[BarryinMN]

The Deere seems to be very low hours for out of warranty.

Can you get the machine & maintenance history? Lease return or insurance claim (flood R&R) vs an estate settlement might make a difference.

Depending on what the dealer has in it there may be wiggle room to negotiate & extend warranty 6 mos? That might help balance the financial risk vs new Case cheaper money & full warranty.

A demo with each at your place may tip the scales.

A third option might be asking what the dealers have for trades coming in. May have something there that stands out.

Have fun comparing!

 

[rrsquid]

The JX85 is not the same, but I have a JX55 (no cab). The only complaint I have is the seat cracking very quickly.

This is a great, easy to drive tractor. My JX55 has a fully synchro shuttle, so while I do have to use the clutch to change direction, I don't have to stop.

The '55 is the first model in the JX series and I can see where I'm only scrathing the surface of the tractor's capibilities.

--
Mark

 

[twabscs]

The tractor is a 2002 model. The story is that an older gentleman had the tractor, he passed away, and the tractor pretty much sat in the barn. The dealer originally sold the tractor and has all records of the service, etc. The tires show very little wear.

The primary issue I have now is with the QA. I really hate to have two types of QA for my FEL implements.

 

[Shadow_River]

Go for the Deere. The PowrReverser Tranny is worth the difference and it really extends the life of the clutch. You stated that both the Case and the Deere have cabs, check into the cost of replacing a clutch on Cab tractors. That should help you decide. Best of luck on your choice.

azzxx

 

[cowboydoc]

How much are they asking for the 5420? I can't believe you didn't like the cab on it. I think they have one of the nicest cabs out there. I liked that cab much better than the cab on my 6415.

 

[twabscs]

Aw, it was fine, but I don't have much tractor cab experience. I guess I expected it to be like my F150 Lariat. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif E.g., the power reverser on the dash seemed overly large (and rudimentary) when compared to column-type shuttle, etc.

Around $37.5K. What do you think about the QA issue? I thought all QAs were the same, but Deere seems to have their own special one.

Thanks,

 

[timb]

I believe the way at least some of the adapters go from JD QA to skid steer style will solve both your problems.

Since these adapters themselves go on and come off the JD loader arm attachment points just as fast as any other JD QA accessory - you can keep your original bucket and still use skid-steer attachments.

Basically, when changing loader attachements, you'd either quick-detach at the loader arms (to mount a different JD attachment) and leave the adapter connected to the last-used skid-steer attachement - or detach at the skid-steer adapter point to mount the next skid-steer attachment.

Check out ATI I believe some of the folks here are using these.

 

[BarryinMN]

One thing that drove my tractor buying decision was tier II engine emissions compliance on newly built tractors. On the automotive side injector pressures went from ~ 3K psi to 30K psi. Fuel filtration also jumped an order of magnitude from 10 microns to 1 micron. The blue oval guys failure mode was a speck of dirt holding an injector open filling the cylinder. On next start it would hydrolock & things bent.

Neighbor has a Dodge cummins in warranty: rebuilt the injection system $5K expense. Dealer strongly suggested 1 micron filtration. He ignored the advise & just rebuilt it again this time on his nickel.

I bought new but to the old emissions standard.

On the other hand the new turbo might have more torque rise before lugging down.

The dead battery may be simply discharged & sulfated up. Or mouse chewed wiring shorted & drained it. Is the selling dealer capable of troubleshooting wiring? The xx20 series is at the high end of the food chain for wiring complexity.

Let us know which way you go!