Opinions on a JD5500

tim_s · Mar 8, 2004

I'm looking to upgrade my 4300 and have found a 1996 5500 in my price range (15k). It has 3000 hrs on it. Does anyone have any expierence with this model? I believe that it has a turbo and I am a little leary of that. However it does have a 520 loader and rear hyd remotes which I am in need of. Any and all comments, history, experiences would be much welcomed.

Thanks

ScottAR · Mar 9, 2004

Why does the turbo scare you? I'd venture to say more diesel engines come with turbos these days than don't.

firewoodman · Mar 9, 2004

I have owned 2 5400 tractors. Both were 4x4 with 540 loaders. One had the synchro transmission, one had the collarshift. The one with the synchro had over 5000 hours and the other 1500. I used them quite a lot, including forestry work which is very tough, and had no problems. The turbo never was a problem, just cover the exhaust pipe when transporting on a trailer. Does the tractor you are looking at have 2 extra rear remotes, or just the two for the loader?

tim_s · Mar 9, 2004

There appear to be 3 sets of remotes, two used for the loader and one extra set. I was worried about the turbo as far as durability and longetivity on a 3000hr tractor.

Woodbeef · Mar 9, 2004

The JD 5500 is a 4 cylinder non-turboed engine. Some of the early ones had problems of assorted types,especially with the trannies.

Chillimau · Mar 10, 2004

Was the 5500 70 or 75hp?

I know on the 5400 it was a turbo 3cyl 60hp and the 5410 was 4cyl non-turbo 65hp and the 5510 was a turbo 4cyl 75hp.

I wouldn't worry about the turbo. The main thing is to allow some cool down time idling after working it hard so the turbo temperature comes down before shutting off the engine. A hot turbo will cook or coke the oil and eventually wipe out the turbo bearings. An exhaust temperature gauge would be a nice guage to have.

cowboydoc · Mar 10, 2004

The 5500 is a turbo engine woodbeef. It is a 73 hp engine. The problem with the transmission was the parking. It would sometimes get stuck. There is a fix for that now. Otherwise that is a pretty good tractor. If it has a cab though the cabs were not very good on those early models.

Woodbeef · Mar 10, 2004

You could just be correct there Doc. All I did was go by what the HotLine Guide said,not the brochure. I went back and check Hot Line again,some of the 5500 specs say turbo,some do not. 73 pto hp is a bit of a stretch for the old 239 to make in normal aspiration model. So I'd say it must be turboed.