Question for JD experts

[mike223]

I'm in sort of a quandary. I've been trying to decide on a tractor for at least a year, to use on my property in mid TN. 70 ac, 15 pasture, 55 wooded, rolling hills with some steep ridges in the woods. Will be 'hogging the 15, making trails in the woods, doing some light logging for firewood, and planting a vineyard and orchard-nothing commercial, and planting a garden for me and food plots for deer (may end up BOTH for the deer).

I guess my quandary is as follows. Given the above info, I've been looking for a tractor in the mid 30 to 50 HP range. I have driven different makes including JD, and like the hydrostat setup on the JD 3000/4000 series, but am concerned about longevity and maintenance costs in the future, as well as up front costs. I also like the 990, but I understand that it's only a straight gear tranny, and I'm not sure how hard it would be to operate especially when going from forward to reverse. Most of the tractors that I've driven have been hydrostats because that's what the dealers have offered when I've been there. Bottom line- is the hydrostat worth the costs over the long haul. I'm sure that this will be the only tractor that I ever buy, so I'm trying to get the most bang for the buck.

BTW, I also need to operate the PTO while dismounted (chipper, splitter etc.), so a kill switch that doesn't allow this wouldn't work for me. Another thing that concerns me are electronic doodads that tend to get boogered up when in use, and need computer programmers to fix. I'd like to avoid that as well. Thanks for any help.

 

[RoyJackson]

A 990 does allow off seat usage. There's a procedure in the manual for (same as my 790 and most other Deeres).

For longevity, I prefer a machine that is simple...the KISS principle. Less to break, basically. Hydros have been around a long time and they are robust, but if they do break it can be cubic dollars. I don't care for them myself.
Clutches are also expensive, but if the operator knows what they're doing, you'll get thousands of hours out of one. If, in your situation, there will be more then one operator, you'll have to ensure they know how to use a clutch...or go with the hydro.
I'm the only operator here, so I don't have that problem.
As far as going from 1st to reverse...the gears are inline so it's pretty easy. I've not operated a 990, but did run a 970 which has the same transmission.
For the tasks you've described, a gear transmission may be the better bet.

I'd suggest you look at the 5xxx series machines too. Just make sure they're not to big for working in your woods. The 5xxx series are 2WD only, however. That would probably work for most your tasks too. Think about that...

It really depends on how much you want to spend. Both the 990 and 5103 base in the mid teens, so once you add the loader, you'd be in the low 20's.

Then you need implements, if you don't have them already.

And, as much as I'm a Deere fan, at least look at other brands. Also consider used machines.

Good luck to you...I am sure other TBNer's will be adding more opinions on how you should spend your dollars!

 

[tuolumne]

I can't say enough about the 3520 with power reverser transmission...and I've only had it for 24 hours.

Edit: I should have said that I have a chipper. PTO is fine as long as you dismount first and then turn it on. The 3rd scv with rear couplers would work well for a splitter, but the control would be in an awkward spot. It seems that the power beyond with the open center flow and independant controls on a splitter would work better. This machine is extremely maneuverable in the woods. There are a lot less electronics without the hydro, cruise control, load match etc. You can look at my pictures in the 3520 first impressions thread in JD owning/operating forum.

 

[gamble77]

I am a big fan of the PowerReverser transmission, even over the hydro. I think for your size land a 4320/4520 would be a great fit. You might even consider juming in something like a 5225 or 5325 with a Reverser transmission also. I send you a PM.

 

[mike223]

I went to the Deere dealer today to pick up some parts for my new-old 455, which hadn't arrived yet, and looked at some of the tractors that they had, and I gotta say, the selection was mighty sparse. They had one 790, one 5103, one 3720, one 4520, and one which I thought was a 5220 or something like that, that had a Carrera front axle with a vertical exhaust, and a loader control that entirely blocked the right hand entry to the operators station. To be quite honest it looked like a Farmtrac in JD colors. What model is that? i have to admit, it didn't look as ergonomic as even the 790, which seems to be the simplest of the JD line-or at least I thought so until I saw this one. Don't get me wrong, I kind of liked the "old school" styling, but I really didn't like the way the loader control blocked the right side. Also, even though I hung out and walked through the entire yard and building, I was never approached by a sales guy. It was quite a bit different than the dealer in Columbia, who were very helpful and accomodating when I bought my 455. I'd probably go to them instead of my local dealer, but they're a good 50 minutes to an hour away from where my property is. What's the opinions on buying from distant dealers, vice closer ones, if the closer one doesn't seem to be interested? Thanks again.

 

[RoyJackson]

"What's the opinions on buying from distant dealers, vice closer ones, if the closer one doesn't seem to be interested?"

You won't be the local dealer's best buddy if it comes to service.

That said, my local dealer wasn't working with me as well as I thought he could have (but I did have some credit issues then). I ended up buying a tractor from a company about 350 miles away.

I won't be getting some of the benefits I would have (such as free pick up and delivery, my tractor probably won't be at the head of the line, should it require repair), but I still buy any parts from him exclusively.

So...it depends on how often you expect to see your dealer.

 

[Mike120]

Actually, I think you are pretty lucky to be able to wander through the place without being bothered by a salesman. I prefer it that way because if I have any questions about something, I go see the service manager....He's the one who knows the equipment, that's who the salesman will call for the answer anyway, and that's who you are going to deal with long after the salesman has moved to greener pastures.

 

[Z-Michigan]

30 to 50hp is actually a pretty wide range. I would look at which implements you want to use, figure out the power requirements for them, and buy a tractor that gives you a modest (not large) excess of power over the requirements.

I think gear or HST would be fine for your use. That issue has been endlessly debated. Though I happily own a gear transmission, I think HST will last at least as long for most users. HST might wear out in 30-40 years. Gear will last longer - in fact, almost forever - with excellent maintenance and a user who never makes mistakes. If any user of the tractor is hamfisted, HST will likely go longer before problems arise. Just my humble opinion.

I think any of the JD tractors will serve you well for 20-30 years. If you are actively planning to use it beyond that timeline, I think the utility models (5103 and up) will likely have better parts support 30+ years from now. However, they might be too big for your uses, and most of them will be more money than what you're looking at.

 

[mike223]

Just looking at running a 6-7 ft bushhog for 15 ac of pasture, rotary tiller for a garden (half acre or less) and some large food plots (4-6 ac), disc for same, FEL and boxblade to maintain an 1100 ft gravel driveway, posthole digger for fencing and planting an orchard and vineyard for personal use, light logging for firewood, a chipper, and a logsplitter. Sounds busy huh? Oh, and I forgot about cutting some trails through the woods. Most of this will keep me busy 'til I croak.

 

[jcmseven]

Mike,

I would not go smaller than a 4000 series for your needs. Unless you are going to be doing a lot of PTO work, I would save the money and go for a 4120, 4320. With a PRT, they both would have enough power. I like the hydro better for the mountains, where I live, but I would probably get a PRT if I had more open areas and it was a bit flatter--which sounds like your situation. You could easily make the argument to go bigger, but you would lose some manuverability. It really depends then on how manuverable you need be. If things are wide open a 9000 series track tractor would work fine, but it just will not do in the tight stuff, and that price tag.....

John M