Loader for John Deere 5303

[vtsnowedin]

I have a 553 loader on a 5045E. It is plenty strong and the mounting hardware plate extends forward to just behind the front axle so when you raise a load it makes tractor and loader act like a scissor without sending the load stress through the engine block. They have been building these tractors with these loaders for a long time and have it figured out. There are ballast requirements for when you are doing heavy loader work that should be followed if you want to save front axle wear. My 5045E should have 2000lbs. on the 3PH when loading manure or other heavy material. The owners manual for the 553 loader does say that for 5x03 series tractors (section 50-6) that you might have to adjust the muffle toward the turbo charger to clear one of the hoses. I love mine.

 

[deere5105]

I have a JD 522 FEL on my 5303 4WD tractor. I would suggest if looking new go with the JD 553 and if looking for used either a JD 522 or 553 if you want the ability to remove the loader. If removal not a concern you could look for a JD 512 non-removable loader. I had one of these put on a 2WD JD 5105 and had no issues. I have removed the current JD 522 loader once mainly just to see how easy it was. I typically find I use the FEL for something most every time I operate my tractor.

 

[Dan Dargeloh]

vtsnowedin, the first tractor (can't remember model, old age I guess) I looked at with a 553 loader on it was a larger model with a 4 cylinder engine and front wheel assist. The mounting brackets were connected to the center of the tractor with nothing I observed going forward. This tractor had a very substantial engine block and the connection between the block and front end was very substantial. I then found a 5300 with loader, and saw that the mounting bracket for that one tied into the front end. That's the way it would mount on mine also. Now it all makes sense. As for ballast, did John Deere plan these tractors this way in order to sell lots of cast iron weights? Great little tractor with no traction. I've add beet juice to my rear tires. It cost way more than the calcium, but no way was I putting calcium in my almost new tractor. If I need more weight, I will build something to hang on the 3pt for times I need it. This will be a great tractor for putting the chain saw and stuff in the bucket to go cut and trim trees out of fence lines and other places. Far better than trying to carry the stuff on a 4 wheeler or in a cart behind a 4 wheeler where stuff bounces out. This tractor is so easy to get on and off of compared to my old farm tractor with a loader, it will all be worth the effort.

 

[vtsnowedin]

vtsnowedin, the first tractor (can't remember model, old age I guess) I looked at with a 553 loader on it was a larger model with a 4 cylinder engine and front wheel assist. The mounting brackets were connected to the center of the tractor with nothing I observed going forward. This tractor had a very substantial engine block and the connection between the block and front end was very substantial. I then found a 5300 with loader, and saw that the mounting bracket for that one tied into the front end. That's the way it would mount on mine also. Now it all makes sense. As for ballast, did John Deere plan these tractors this way in order to sell lots of cast iron weights? Great little tractor with no traction. I've add beet juice to my rear tires. It cost way more than the calcium, but no way was I putting calcium in my almost new tractor. If I need more weight, I will build something to hang on the 3pt for times I need it. This will be a great tractor for putting the chain saw and stuff in the bucket to go cut and trim trees out of fence lines and other places. Far better than trying to carry the stuff on a 4 wheeler or in a cart behind a 4 wheeler where stuff bounces out. This tractor is so easy to get on and off of compared to my old farm tractor with a loader, it will all be worth the effort.

Each model has it's own mounting bracket and the 5M's as well as 5225. 5325, and 5325N s don't have the front arm and one the 5500 narrow has a cross brace underneath. I have beet juice in my rears 1400lbs. of it and 300 lbs of chains on in the winter. I have plenty of traction. A ton ballast block is still recommended on the 3PH if your gonna load all day. I don't put the saw in the bucket. I forget it's there and start to move or dig something and almost run it over.( old age for sure) I bungee cord it to the ROPS behind the seat but I'm thinking of building a mounted scabbard outside the soft cab perhaps on the fender for easier access.

 

[Dan Dargeloh]

deere5105, thank you for the response. I have decided to go with either with the 553 or the Westendorf TA 180. The advantage of the 553 would be the ability to leave my front end weight bracket on the tractor, for use if I do remove the loader. I would like to have the heavy duty bucket along with the skid steer mount, but John Deere doesn't offer that. It's one or the other. Then again my Westendorf catalog only lists one grade of bucket. Decisions-decisions! Either way, I'm going to "pull the trigger" shortly.

 

[Dan Dargeloh]

vtsnowedin, I about died laughing about forgetting about the chain saw and almost running over it. We all have our moments! ;-)

 

[Dan Dargeloh]

Because the Deere loader was made in Mexico, I decided to go with one that is made in Iowa. Why spend your money for something that is foreign made, when you can keep your money in this country, right? Well take it from me, buy the factory made, dedicated model, no matter where it is made, not some "fits all" model. This has turned into a nightmare, I am about ready to pull my hair out. I think money spent on quality control, along with common sense designing, would be money better spent, than for slick advertising. :-(

 

[econometrics]

Ugh, sorry to hear that. Frustrating!

 

[RG1]

Because the Deere loader was made in Mexico, I decided to go with one that is made in Iowa. Why spend your money for something that is foreign made, when you can keep your money in this country, right? Well take it from me, buy the factory made, dedicated model, no matter where it is made, not some "fits all" model. This has turned into a nightmare, I am about ready to pull my hair out. I think money spent on quality control, along with common sense designing, would be money better spent, than for slick advertising. :-(

This is what I was going to tell you, but it seemed you had your mind made up already. I'm sorry you are having the trouble though. There's no better loader for your tractor than the one the the factory designed the tractor around in the first place, but that's the proverbial water under the bridge now I guess.

 

[Dan Dargeloh]

This loader would be fine, if the quality control was better. BUT, inadequate, poorly written, and hard to follow installation instructions, pieces that don't fit together properly, way too many totally unnecessary fittings on the hydraulic lines, and just plain poor workmanship on other than the actual loader assembly itself, makes for a disappointing unit. The main structure of the unit is built like a battleship, too bad they couldn't of finished the total package off as good.