L4400 or MX5100 HELP!!!! cant decide which

VTNY5008 · May 26, 2008

Hi Burt,
During my search for my first tractor, I had narrowed it down to the same two tractors, the L4400 and the MX5100. On May 9th, I ended up going with and purchasing the MX5100.
As other members have noted here, the extra weight of the MX5100 comes in handy. I have the Woods 720 brush hog which seems to work well with it.

The main reason I bought the MX5100 over the L4400 was the transmission. I really like how the transmission works and is set up on the MX5100 over the L4400. I only have 17 hours on mine right now but so far I have no complaints or regrets.
Good luck with your decision. Steve

N80 · May 26, 2008

I'm curious, what type of tranny does the MX have? Is it a shuttle shift? Or is it a synchronized manual? If its a shuttle shift...what exactly does that mean?

Builder · May 26, 2008

With a shuttle shift, you select one of say 8 gears for example. Then you have a left hand shuttle lever on the dash next to the steering column where up is forward and down is reverse.

pitt_md · May 27, 2008

Builder said:
With a shuttle shift, you select one of say 8 gears for example. Then you have a left hand shuttle lever on the dash next to the steering column where up is forward and down is reverse.

The shuttle lever for the MX5000/MX5100 is on the left of the seat next to the fender. There are a couple of types of shuttle shifts. One like on the MX5000/MX5100 is a mechanical shuttle which requires the tractor be at a full stop before shifting from forward to reverse. The other is a hydraulic shuttle and can (I am told) be shifted on the move.

Builder · May 27, 2008

pitt_md said:
The shuttle lever for the MX5000/MX5100 is on the left of the seat next to the fender. There are a couple of types of shuttle shifts. One like on the MX5000/MX5100 is a mechanical shuttle which requires the tractor be at a full stop before shifting from forward to reverse. The other is a hydraulic shuttle and can (I am told) be shifted on the move.

Yes, there are diff set-ups. My L-39 had the gear position shifter on the right and the F/R "reverser" on the left of the column.

Hydraulic is a different animal, more expensive we clutch and like you said, no clutching req'd to go from F to R. My Case backhoe has that set up.

VTNY5008 · May 27, 2008

The MX5100 has a partially synchronized main gear shift on the deck (3rd and 4th) with the shuttle shift on the left hand side by the fender. The MX5100 also has the high/low shifter located right behind the forward and reverse shifter giving it 8 forward and 8 reverse gears vs. the MX 5000's 8 forward and 4 reverse (one shifter for Forward/Reverse, High/Low, with only Low in reverse). I tried out the MX5000 as well but liked the transmission set up on the MX5100 much better.

Bob_Young · May 31, 2008

I didn't get a chance to try the MX5100 when I settled on the MX5000 but, looking at the specs, I couldn't think of any use for the extra 4 high-range reverse gears. There must be something, but I continue to draw a blank.

Lower/slower reverse gears make sense. The "hang onto your hat" high-range reverse on my L4300 is about useless. Backing up is best done slowly.
Bob

pecanguy · Jun 2, 2008

pitt_md said:
The shuttle lever for the MX5000/MX5100 is on the left of the seat next to the fender. There are a couple of types of shuttle shifts. One like on the MX5000/MX5100 is a mechanical shuttle which requires the tractor be at a full stop before shifting from forward to reverse. The other is a hydraulic shuttle and can (I am told) be shifted on the move.

The shuttle on the MX5100 is synchronized so you can be rolling when you shift to and from reverse. 3rd and 4th are also synchronized as previously stated. The book recommends rolling slowly when shifting the shuttle. I've really enjoyed the 6 hours I've put on mine so far.

What do you know first post. I've been lurking for too long haha. Hello all.

Gamer1524 · Jun 25, 2008

Bob_Young said:
I didn't get a chance to try the MX5100 when I settled on the MX5000 but, looking at the specs, I couldn't think of any use for the extra 4 high-range reverse gears. There must be something, but I continue to draw a blank.

Lower/slower reverse gears make sense. The "hang onto your hat" high-range reverse on my L4300 is about useless. Backing up is best done slowly.
Bob

Well..tell us how you like it and if you got any toys to go with it

piller · Jun 25, 2008

I thought I read that the MX5100 runs it's engine at about 2700 rpm in order to get the 540 rpm PTO speed. This seems a little fast to run the engine, but perhaps it's fine or maybe I'm wrong. I'd appreciate it if any MX5100 owners could comment on this issue.