New MX5100, A few Observations I've made.

[scesnick]

Well, I finally ditched my old tractor and bought a spanking new MX5100 out of necessity. I have a 2.5 mile driveway that winds up over a mountain to our property. I was totally snowed in (over 60 inches and counting). So, called Messicks and they delivered the 5100 to the bottom of the mountain in one day even though they are over 3 hours away from me!!! They were outstanding and really came through in my time of need.
I really like the MX5100. I didn't want ofr really need all the bells and whistles of the other models so the MX5100 was a perfect fit.

After putting 35 hours on it in 3 days removing/plowing snow I do have a few observations. First of all, R4 tires really, really suck in the snow. No way to sugar coat this. Now, maybe if the tires were filled the added weight would improve traction but for right now they totally suck. I asked for ag tires but it was delivered with R4's and I had no choice but to bite the bullet and keep the R4's.
Second, and probably my biggest complaint right now is the fuel comsumption. Man ! I have lost track already of how many gallons this tractor has drank in just 35 hours but it is somewhere in the 35-40 gallon range. !!:0 Someone please tell me that this will get alot better. I have been doing ALOT of snowblowing with a 3pt. Ber-Vac 64" blower. Hopefully this is what is using all the fuel..
Also, the Diff Lock is VERY, VERY hard to operate. I have to pretty much stand on the pedal to get it to work and then while it is engaged I have to fight to hold it down. If you don't get it totally down ( which is very hard to do) it will chatter alot.

Well, after talking to the Messicks rep about the terrible traction the R4's get in snow and how i could get them to work a bit better, he called me back and said he would come pick my tractor up, swap out the R4's with Ag tires, check on the Diff lock and even go half on with me on filling the ag tires. and have my tractor back to me in 2-3 days !!
I was pretty apprehensive about buying from a dealer 3 hours away but I can't really say enough good things about my experience with messicks now that i decided to buy from them..

 

[dex3361]

Congratulations on the new tractor. I have the L4400 which is a step down from the tractor you have. When I am working the L4400 hard it gets maybe a about .9 gallon per hour. Compared to the previous gasoline tractor of similar size (IH424) and similar load that got about 1.7 gallon per hour. The fuel efficiency picks up a bit after it gets broke in though. If the MX5100 had came in HST I would have bought that unit.

 

[CHDinCT]

scesnick, congrat's on the MX. Really impressed with how far Messick's was willing to go to work with you on your purchase and subsequent tire swap. Definately keeping them in mind if/when I ever upgrade from my BX.

 

[Bob_Young]

Good report, scesnick. Glad to hear Messicks came through for you. Not surprised about the R4s, especially not filled. You need some weight back there to balance the FEL.

As to fuel consumption, I get about the same with the MX5000 and think it's quite good. Four hours on the tach burns almost exactly 5 gallons of fuel...1.25 gph...again and again. That's when bush hogging a few hundred RPM below the 540 engine speed and, AFAIK, the rest of the time as well. Compared to the older JD ag tractors I often run, the MX seems quite miserly with fuel. Was wondering if the turbocharger on the MX5100 helped or hurt fuel consumption. Apparently, it's either the same or slightly better.

I think you'll like the filled R1s. Keep us informed as she breaks in.
Bob

 

[jas67]

First of all, R4 tires really, really suck in the snow.
....
Second, and probably my biggest complaint right now is the fuel comsumption. Man ! I have lost track already of how many gallons this tractor has drank in just 35 hours but it is somewhere in the 35-40 gallon range. !!

Point 1: yes, R4's suck in snow. My B7610, which I purchased pre-owned with R4's on it needs chains to get around in this stuff, but my B7100 with turfs did fine. I'm watching for a set of good-condition pre-owned turfs (33x12.50x15 rear, 23x8.5x12 front), because I don't have the $1300 or so to buy new (wheels and tires).

Point 2: 1 gal/hour sounds about right for that tractor. My B7610 has about 1/2 the power at 24HP, and it used about 1/2 gal/hour running a 60" snow blower.

 

[bxowner]

A couple of years ago, I posted a complaint/inquiry/observation to the JD site about my JD 2320 going through 1 gal/hr (a 24 hp diesel) and wondered if it would get better. I recently saw that thread revived and several people with the same tractor reported the same consumption with many more hours than mine. And, they made a point of saying that was pretty good. I didn't think so - nor do I now - but it doesn't seem too bad for such a large tractor as an MX5100 running a big blower.

 

[VALENT]

Fuel consumption sounds about right.
Is this a 4 wheel drive?
I do wonder what the problem would be with the differential lock.

 

[IH3444]

Gallon an hour when working is about what my NHTC48 burns. Like yours, it will do some work for that gallon. The international backhoe is a fuel pig, but it is a real workhorse also.

 

[Chilly807]

Congrats on the new beasty ! To put things in perspective, fuel wise, my 3400 gets about the same consumption. I can figure on a gallon per hour at close to fully loaded, maybe a shade better. I'm surprised yours is that good on fuel. You'll see a bit of improvement during everyday operation, but a gallon per hour snowblowing or bush-hogging is about right.

As far as the r-4's are concerned, they aren't the best tire for all-around use unless you only operate on firm ground. With chains you'd be ok, I'd even recommend those for r-1's under winter conditions.

My diff lock sounds like yours, actually I really dislike the location... the left side would be far better. You'd be able to easily engage the diff lock and still have a foot free for the throttle. I haven't had to use mine much, but it does have a substantial spring in there. I was told once that if you engage the diff lock it will stay engaged until you take load off the drivetrain, i.e. disengage the clutch. I don't know if that's true or not.

Sounds like Messick's is going to ensure you're a happy customer, I'd enjoy dealing with them myself. As it is, I've got a good dealer here so it's not like I'm stuck.

Chilly

 

[pitt_md]

I run a MX5000 (2006) and I can tell you that running these tractors at PTO speed sucks fuel down fast. If I back off the RPM's a couple hundered and work at that speed it goes a lot further.

I also have R4's that are not filled but run a large ballest box full of rock and it does OK. It's not up to the R1's in traction for the same set up though.

I agree the diff. lock is stiff to press down. I find that if you do this at a stand still it goes down all the way and you don't need to stand on it. BTW if it is chattering your doing damage. Either press it down all the way or get off of it.