New 5425

tjkadar · Jun 4, 2008

Here is a shot of the farm's new 5425. It still sitting at the dealer's lot, but will be delivered Friday morning.

John Deere 5425
MFWD
Cab with Air Suspension Seat
12F/12R PowrReverser with 540/540E PTO
15.5R38 In. R1 Radials - Rears
13.6-24 In. R1 Bias - Fronts
2 Rear SVCs
3 Mid SVCs with joystick controls
Rockshaft with telescoping links
Front Weight Support
542 NSL FEL with skid steer quick attach and 72 " skid steer bucket
Hood Guard
Mirrors
Antenna

RollTideRam · Jun 4, 2008

I like it. JC

RollingsFarms · Jun 4, 2008

i like that alot! did you specifically ask for those tires or did they come on there? those are the first i've seen on a 5025 series that's why i was asking. if i decide to go the 5225 route, i am going to go with the largest rear tire that i can get, as i think the stock size looks too small. also, those front tires look wider, are they? what is the difference between a skid steer bucket and a regular bucket?

tjkadar · Jun 5, 2008

The 'stock tires' (i.e., no cost option) for the 5425 are:
16.9-28 In. 6 PR R1 Bias - Rear
11.2-24 In. 8 PR R1 Bias - Front

That means the rear tires are about 1.4" narrower than 'stock' while the fronts are 2.4" wider. Also, the rear tires are 8" larger in diameter. The tires happened to be the package the tractor was ordered with. I don't mind having radials. If I wanted tractor spec'ed exactly the way I wanted, I would be waiting until September for it. It is supposed to hit 98 F today, I'll take the cab now.

The rear looks very narrow partially because of the extra height and also because they are set at their narrowest rim width for transportation.

The skid steer bucket is a bit heavier and a little more heavy duty than the general purpose stock bucket. It allows me to swap between the grapple, post hole digger, bale spear, and bucket quickly and easily.

burnetma · Jun 5, 2008

You are really going to enjoy that tractor!

tjkadar · Jun 6, 2008

Tractor delivered! 3 pt hitch surges very badly. Dealer sent a mechanic out to check it out. Tractor will be going back to the dealer ASAP. Not having a very good first impression of John Deere. Tractor has 0.7 hours on it and is inop.

At least the AC works good...

The dealer just brought my Kubota back. They are going to take the Deere in, check out the rockshaft, fix the problem, and bring it back. Meanwhile, I can keep using the M6800. Honestly, I didn't expect anything until Monday.

Kudos to the dealer for taking care of an issue quickly, efficiently, and effectively. Sparrow and Kennedy Tractor in Bishopville, SC... they are standing behind their equipment and their customer.

I'm not real happy the tractor has an issue, but things can and do happen. These things are built by humans... and some of those humans make mistakes. Its how we deal with those mistakes that separates the good from the bad.

First impression with the Deere - love the tractor, disappointed with the rockshaft. Sparrow and Kennedy - they rock! I appreciate the effort all the guys at Sparrow and Kennedy are putting into getting things squared.

dgl24087 · Jun 6, 2008

tjkadar said:
Tractor delivered! 3 pt hitch surges very badly. Dealer sent a mechanic out to check it out. Tractor will be going back to the dealer ASAP. Not having a very good first impression of John Deere. Tractor has 0.7 hours on it and is inop.

At least the AC works good...

The dealer just brought my Kubota back. They are going to take the Deere in, check out the rockshaft, fix the problem, and bring it back. Meanwhile, I can keep using the M6800. Honestly, I didn't expect anything until Monday.

Kudos to the dealer for taking care of an issue quickly, efficiently, and effectively. Sparrow and Kennedy Tractor in Bishopville, SC... they are standing behind their equipment and their customer.

I'm not real happy the tractor has an issue, but things can and do happen. These things are built by humans... and some of those humans make mistakes. Its how we deal with those mistakes that separates the good from the bad.

First impression with the Deere - love the tractor, disappointed with the rockshaft. Sparrow and Kennedy - they rock! I appreciate the effort all the guys at Sparrow and Kennedy are putting into getting things squared.

Sounds like the dealer didn't do a thorough job of checking the tractor out in predelivery. I have a cousin who purchased a new 5325 last fall, it didn't get delivered before it's first issue, all I can recall is that was a 3 pt. hydraulics issue. Dealer fixed it before delivery.

tjkadar · Jun 6, 2008

A more thorough preflight would have caught and corrected the problem before delivery. But I don't know if attaching an implement to the 3 pt hitch is SOP during dealer prep or not. I'm not happy I won't have an air conditioned cab for bush hogging this weekend, but I do have my trusty M6800. The work will get done, I'll just be sweating a lot more.

The dealer is correcting the problem and shares my frustration with the surging 3 pt. hitch.

Attached are some photos of the tractor during its initial, short stay at the farm.

RollingsFarms · Jun 6, 2008

i've only dealt with Sparrow & Kennedy in Manning. i have been to the one in Bishopville before, and rode past it many times when I was dating this girl from Bishopville. i just have never walked in and talked with anyone. the one in Manning has an excellent parts Dept! the salesman however, seem to just be like zombies at times. it's weird really. they only have about 3 salesman total, and the one i always want to talk to is always busy with a customer and i dont have time tow ait to talk to him because i have to get back to the farm. the other 2 salesman i've talked to in there, well lets just say they seem dead. they keep their answers short and dont give any insight to anything. i do love the dealership though as i've never had a problem with getting a part or service, but i have been wondering if i went to talk to Cameron in Bishopville if i would maybe see a different experience? both are Sparrow and Kennedy dealerships so it wouldnt be like i was "buying behind their back", but i am still going to give Gamble77 a shot at my business and any other dealer on here that wants to give me a quote. Gamble77 has always been so helpful and informitive, i feel like he's the kind of salesman i could deal with. you'll have to keep your eyes and ears open for me if you come accross a good used tractor. by the way, are you trading in your 6800? if so, i might go take a look at it oneday when they take it back and return your 5425. i live in Pinewood, just on the other side of Sumter.

tjkadar · Jun 6, 2008

RollingsFarms said:
i've only dealt with Sparrow & Kennedy in Manning. i have been to the one in Bishopville before, and rode past it many times when I was dating this girl from Bishopville. i just have never walked in and talked with anyone. the one in Manning has an excellent parts Dept! the salesman however, seem to just be like zombies at times. it's weird really. they only have about 3 salesman total, and the one i always want to talk to is always busy with a customer and i dont have time tow ait to talk to him because i have to get back to the farm. the other 2 salesman i've talked to in there, well lets just say they seem dead. they keep their answers short and dont give any insight to anything. i do love the dealership though as i've never had a problem with getting a part or service, but i have been wondering if i went to talk to Cameron in Bishopville if i would maybe see a different experience? both are Sparrow and Kennedy dealerships so it wouldnt be like i was "buying behind their back", but i am still going to give Gamble77 a shot at my business and any other dealer on here that wants to give me a quote. Gamble77 has always been so helpful and informitive, i feel like he's the kind of salesman i could deal with. you'll have to keep your eyes and ears open for me if you come accross a good used tractor. by the way, are you trading in your 6800? if so, i might go take a look at it oneday when they take it back and return your 5425. i live in Pinewood, just on the other side of Sumter.

Nathan (Gamble77) is a great guy to deal with. I have a lot of respect for him and his dealerships. The way John Deere structures (if I get this wrong guys, please feel free to correct me) their dealerships, each dealer has an area of responsibility. They can sell to anyone anywhere, but within their area of responsibility they are able to offer more incentives which allows them to make a better deal.

When we were visiting the Bishopville shop last week, there were some rumblings of personnel issues at one of the other stores. Not sure exactly what was going on, but it sounded like some changes might be made in the near future.

I think Cameron is going to be asking around $21,500 for the M6800. Tell him I sent you and maybe he'll drop that a bit more.

The M6800 has an ATI Quick Attach with the skid steer bucket, MFWD, hydraulic shuttle shift, canopy, 2 rear remotes, and about 285 hours on the HOBBS meter. I'll add a few more to that this weekend.

The M6800 has been a trouble free tractor. If it had a cab, I would keep it. If you want any photos of it, let me know.

TheSmellofIron · Jun 7, 2008

Wow. The internet.

I am Cameron Kennedy- newb to your message board. Thanks for having me. This is an fascinating thread we've got going here. First of all, many thanks to Tim and his dad for their purchase. Nice folks and they made a good decision going with this tractor.

Regarding the hitch, it was unfortunate that it got away but we're harvesting wheat at the moment and things are hectic in my shop. I was more annoyed than anyone. Its not as if we will be reimbursed for the multiple trips with our big truck and the service call.

The thing that really bothers me is RollingFarms call out of my sales people in Manning. In their defense, you guys are a tough sell. At one point Tim made a comment about being an easy sale and I had to laugh. You guys have to recognize that you look much harder at things than the average customer. Not only do you ask lots of questions, you ask difficult questions. Questions that sometimes the salespeople cant answer...and we hate that.

All that being said, they are an older mellow group and I can see how they good give someone a bad impression. Take advantage of the best JD parts team we have to offer and visit me in Bishopville for sales issues.

Thanks again for the business, Tim. You'll be enjoying the AC in no time.

RollingsFarms · Jun 7, 2008

TheSmellofIron said:
Wow. The internet.

I am Cameron Kennedy- newb to your message board. Thanks for having me. This is an fascinating thread we've got going here. First of all, many thanks to Tim and his dad for their purchase. Nice folks and they made a good decision going with this tractor.

Regarding the hitch, it was unfortunate that it got away but we're harvesting wheat at the moment and things are hectic in my shop. I was more annoyed than anyone. Its not as if we will be reimbursed for the multiple trips with our big truck and the service call.

The thing that really bothers me is RollingFarms call out of my sales people in Manning. In their defense, you guys are a tough sell. At one point Tim made a comment about being an easy sale and I had to laugh. You guys have to recognize that you look much harder at things than the average customer. Not only do you ask lots of questions, you ask difficult questions. Questions that sometimes the salespeople cant answer...and we hate that.

All that being said, they are an older mellow group and I can see how they good give someone a bad impression. Take advantage of the best JD parts team we have to offer and visit me in Bishopville for sales issues.

Thanks again for the business, Tim. You'll be enjoying the AC in no time.

welcome to TBN Cameron! it's always nice to have local people to talk to. i want to apologize if i gave the wrong impression about your store in Manning. i acctually have no problems with it at all, never have. they have always given me great service and i have never had to wait for a part more then a day or two at MOST. my "complaint" wasn't really a complaint about the sales people in Manning. i remember it being the same way back when it was Manning tractor co. i recently bought a JD Zturn from them last spring and everything was beyond satisfactory. about your comment about us being a tough sell. did you mean farmers in this area or the general population in the area of Manning? i guess i am always reading on here how people are impressed by the salesman's knowledge of tractors theyre looking at, and how they answered any and every question they had, even spent hours answering questions, doing test drives, even demoing tractors on their property. i have never gotten that vibe from Manning. i've learned to accept that as i have been doing business with them for years, so i guess its like the old saying goes "you dont know what youre missing if you dont have it in the first place." i dont veiw it as improper treatment and have never been offended by the practice, i just chalk it up as thats just the way it is at my dealership. every purchase i have ever made from them has always been a pleasent experience though, i just have never purchased a tractor from them(used to be my grandfathers tractor and farm and i took over the operations after he passed in 1999). your stores in Bishopville and Manning are going to get a fair shot at my business in the future when i decide to purchase a new tractor, so don't think i am an unhappy customer. look forward to talking with you on here and in person!

TheSmellofIron · Jun 7, 2008

No, I meant the tough sale is the guy posting on the tractor message board!

Keep in mind our area has always been dominated by row crop business and hopefully that will always be our bread and butter. Consumer and small tractor business is very very different. We put more emphasis on it than the old Manning Tractor Company but its not our primary focus. Don't take that to mean its not important to us. We're evolving as a company and are committed to improving this area.

RollingsFarms · Jun 7, 2008

tjkadar said:
Nathan (Gamble77) is a great guy to deal with. I have a lot of respect for him and his dealerships. The way John Deere structures (if I get this wrong guys, please feel free to correct me) their dealerships, each dealer has an area of responsibility. They can sell to anyone anywhere, but within their area of responsibility they are able to offer more incentives which allows them to make a better deal.

When we were visiting the Bishopville shop last week, there were some rumblings of personnel issues at one of the other stores. Not sure exactly what was going on, but it sounded like some changes might be made in the near future.

I think Cameron is going to be asking around $21,500 for the M6800. Tell him I sent you and maybe he'll drop that a bit more. The M6800 has an ATI Quick Attach with the skid steer bucket, MFWD, hydraulic shuttle shift, canopy, 2 rear remotes, and about 285 hours on the HOBBS meter. I'll add a few more to that this weekend.

The M6800 has been a trouble free tractor. If it had a cab, I would keep it. If you want any photos of it, let me know.

man that sounds like a pretty good deal on your Kubota! i looked at the pics you posted, and was impressed with it. i was seriously considering Kubota and JD, but when Jones went out of business in Sumter, it kind of got me scared about Kubota as the nearest dealership is in Lake City and Florence. there's one in orangeburg but he only has ONE tractor on his lot and its been there for months i think. JD having 2 stores within 15 & 30 mins from me is whats steering me towards JD now. i just HAVE to have a dealer close by. my mechanic is also knowledgable about JD and id have to ask him if he was the same with other brands too before i could strongly consider them. i would love to have a 500 series MF or a TN new holland, but the nearest dealer is 45 min away. it's also nice to just run to Manning for a part, instead of having to spend half the day going 45 min out of the way to get a part if i needed it. i sometimes wish my farm was within driving distance so i could just drive my tractor to the dealership and save on having them pick it up and deliver it.haha

RollingsFarms · Jun 7, 2008

TheSmellofIron said:
No, I meant the tough sale is the guy posting on the tractor message board!

Keep in mind our area has always been dominated by row crop business and hopefully that will always be our bread and butter. Consumer and small tractor business is very very different. We put more emphasis on it than the old Manning Tractor Company but its not our primary focus. Don't take that to mean its not important to us. We're evolving as a company and are committed to improving this area.

oh i agree with you 100%. i am not looking for a CUT, i am acctually looking for an ag utility(5025 series or used 5020 series) to use on a 740 acre tree farm. anything smaller just won't cut it i don't think. i was thinking about the 5003 series, but i just need the extra weight of the larger 5025 & 5020 series. i have always been impressed with your availibilty of these series of tractors.

tjkadar · Jun 7, 2008

RollingsFarms said:
man that sounds like a pretty good deal on your Kubota! i looked at the pics you posted, and was impressed with it. i was seriously considering Kubota and JD, but when Jones went out of business in Sumter, it kind of got me scared about Kubota as the nearest dealership is in Lake City and Florence. there's one in orangeburg but he only has ONE tractor on his lot and its been there for months i think. JD having 2 stores within 15 & 30 mins from me is whats steering me towards JD now. i just HAVE to have a dealer close by. my mechanic is also knowledgable about JD and id have to ask him if he was the same with other brands too before i could strongly consider them. i would love to have a 500 series MF or a TN new holland, but the nearest dealer is 45 min away. it's also nice to just run to Manning for a part, instead of having to spend half the day going 45 min out of the way to get a part if i needed it. i sometimes wish my farm was within driving distance so i could just drive my tractor to the dealership and save on having them pick it up and deliver it.haha

Welcome aboard Cameron!

It seems like we've gone through a few Kubota dealers in Sumter. First Netco Hardware and then Jones. Neither company was primarily a tractor shop nor were they very knowledgeable about tractors. I don't have that issue with Sparrow and Kennedy. Matter of fact, when the hyrdaulic mechanic came out to look at my machine, he said, "I haven't worked on any of these small machines before."

That's too funny. Heck, I still remember when Bishopville didn't carry anything under 100 hp. Cameron has done a lot to help make us smaller tractor owners feel welcome in a big tractor world.

I just spent 4 hours dragging and bush hogging. I already miss my 5425 something awful! It is a very, very nice tractor!

tjkadar · Jun 9, 2008

Quick update - the load sensing control on the 3 pt hitch needed some adjustment. I'm hoping the tractor will be home sometime tomorrow! I guess wearing my new John Deere t-shirt as a good luck charm worked out today!

ddivinia · Jun 10, 2008

You are going to love that tractor. The 3rd valve on the FEL totally rocks.

D.

tjkadar · Jun 10, 2008

When the tractor had to go back to the dealer, my wife said I looked like a little kid whose Christmas tree had burned down... in front of him.

If I didn't have a meetings today, I would have taken off work and waited for the tractor to show up again. Anticipation... its killing me!

ddivinia · Jun 10, 2008

tjkadar said:
When the tractor had to go back to the dealer, my wife said I looked like a little kid whose Christmas tree had burned down... in front of him. If I didn't have a meetings today, I would have taken off work and waited for the tractor to show up again. Anticipation... its killing me!

I know how you feel.

Why the 5425 instead of the 5525 or 5625? Don't need the extra HP? I am glad i got the 5525. I am thinking of adding a 5625 in a couple years so I dont have to move implements around as much and the extra HP will be good for baling.

They better get that thing fixed - you have projects.

Play with the hitch some before you hook any implements. It can be a little confusing.

D.