My new 5055e

sprek · Jun 16, 2014

I traded in my 2005 5205 4wd 2 weeks ago for a new 5055e 4wd cab tractor. After being initially impressed with the air conditioner and comfortable cab I hooked up my mx6 and got to work. I found it impossible to set the brush hog at mowing height because the mower is on the ground at the top of the rock shaft lever adjustment. Finally got it acceptable by making micro movements with the lever but if I move it up for any reason it will not go back to the same place. Decided to mow anyway. Using the new 540E pto, seems like a good idea. Lower rpm. But after mowing can not push down the lever hard enough from inside the cab to disengage it. I took it back to the dealer and the kept it all week to address these issues. Got it back Friday and went to mow some more. Everything is the same. Plus after mowing about 30 minutes I am pretty sure the clutch is slipping going from forward to reverse. Then I became aware of a horrible whining coming from the hydraulics. Got off the tractor to see if I can isolate the noise and notice the 3 point is drifting down slightly and then popping back up. Over and over. Won't stay in the same place.
Anyone have experience with these new tractors or know what might be going on?

Verticaltrx · Jun 16, 2014

sprek said:
Anyone have experience with these new tractors or know what might be going on?

Poor quality control is what is going on, there is a thread about it in the JD ag tractor section. As for your 3pt hitch, make sure the draft control lever is in the off position. If it is there is probably something out of adjustment in the system. The 3pt hitch on our 5045e has never been right since new. The clutch is probably out of adjustment, as is the linkage for the E-pto. None of these should be issues on a new tractor, but that's the world we live in these days. Hopefully you can get your dealer to straighten things out. The 5E series are good tractors (good design) but Deere's QC has been lacking lately. Sounds like you might need a different dealer as well, those problems should have been caught in setup and fixed properly when you took it back.

engine29 · Jun 16, 2014

What? Something wrong w/ a Deere? I thought that only happened to the other brands.

deere5105 · Jun 16, 2014

Have been curious to hear some feedback on the new cab model 5E's in that range. As stated earlier, sounds like the dealer needs to fine tune and adjust.

fieldman12 · Jun 16, 2014

I have a 5055E with no cab and the 9x3 transmission. My 6' Bush hog holds height where ever I put it. Mine came with a plastic stop that is adjustable that I set on how far I want the mower to go down. I just lower the lever down until it hits the stop. What transmission you got?

sprek said:
I traded in my 2005 5205 4wd 2 weeks ago for a new 5055e 4wd cab tractor. After being initially impressed with the air conditioner and comfortable cab I hooked up my mx6 and got to work. I found it impossible to set the brush hog at mowing height because the mower is on the ground at the top of the rock shaft lever adjustment. Finally got it acceptable by making micro movements with the lever but if I move it up for any reason it will not go back to the same place. Decided to mow anyway. Using the new 540E pto, seems like a good idea. Lower rpm. But after mowing can not push down the lever hard enough from inside the cab to disengage it. I took it back to the dealer and the kept it all week to address these issues. Got it back Friday and went to mow some more. Everything is the same. Plus after mowing about 30 minutes I am pretty sure the clutch is slipping going from forward to reverse. Then I became aware of a horrible whining coming from the hydraulics. Got off the tractor to see if I can isolate the noise and notice the 3 point is drifting down slightly and then popping back up. Over and over. Won't stay in the same place.
Anyone have experience with these new tractors or know what might be going on?

sprek · Jun 16, 2014

I have the 3 range 4 speed synchronized trans with shuttle shift. Mine also has the stop to set the 3 point but the lever is way out of adjustment.

deere5105 · Jun 17, 2014

I had to adjust the height of my lift arms in order to get them to lower closer to ground level. I viewed this as personal preference and was easy to do. Not sure if this helps your situation or not.

sprek · Jun 17, 2014

I think mine needs to be adjusted the other way. And a few other adjustments also. I took it back to the dealer yesterday. Hopefully they will get it right this time.

RoyJackson · Jun 21, 2014

Deere should stop importing tractors from the India plant until they get their quality problems squared away.

sprek · Jul 1, 2014

Here's the follow up on my new 5055E. Turns out it had a defective rockshaft control valve. The dealer replaced it and everything related to the 3 point is working just like it should. They also made some kind of modifications to the engagement lever for the 540E pto and seem to have relieved that issue also.
After the rockshaft control valve was replaced the annoying whine stopped. Since getting the tractor back I have only mowed about 12 acres and used the loader to move about 12 yards of dirt but at this point I am a happy rancher. Definitely love that cab and the 3 range synchronized 4 speed transmission with shuttle shift.