Thoughts on 100hp tractor options

[Seven Gables]

On a related topic, I have been looking at late model used Deere 5M series tractors, and see a lot that only have 100hrs or so. Actually it ranges from a low of perhaps 50 up to around 300, but I'd say most in the 100 range. Would these be rental returns, and is that a common practice? Or is it a red flag that these tractors are sold new and don't stay sold for more than a 100 hrs or so? I'm guessing the former, but don't know what typical practices are.

Yes there are lots of super low hour Deere tractors for sale. I bought my 2019 5115M in 2021 with only 47hrs on it . Bought my 2018 5085E with only 14hrs. Saved thousands and both have been excellent no issue tractors, neither had enough hours for someone to abuse and destroy them

 

[hayden]

Yes there are lots of super low hour Deere tractors for sale. I bought my 2019 5115M in 2021 with only 47hrs on it . Bought my 2018 5085E with only 14hrs. Saved thousands and both have been excellent no issue tractors, neither had enough hours for someone to abuse and destroy them

Any idea how they got those hours? Loaners? Rentals? Demo units? They must be part of some program for there to be so many.

 

[Seven Gables]

My 5115M I bought from C&B operations in South Dakota, a large JD dealer out west. It was a either a county or township lease and used to only pull a 3pt hitch tree planter, I saw the tree planter on it when I spotted it on tractor house so know it wasn’t BS.
5085E I bought from a large grain farmer in northern North Dakota, really can’t explain the low hours, possibly he found a bargain on it and used as a write off, IDK. I’m certain the hours were correct though by its condition.
With that said you still have to be careful, the ones I would stay away from usually have hours more in the 500 range and have been leased by states for mowing highway right of ways, usually have the rear tires set super wide. Most all of those I’ve seen on tractor house looked to be well beat and abused

 

[rScotty]

I just swung through rural western Nebraska and southern Wyoming for a couple of weeks this fall.
I was struck by the number of small farms still using older US-made tractors. These weren't parked by the barn, they were in the fields and working.

The old gear drive and powershift JDs - 4020s and such - were most common, but there were others. Even saw some later model Farmalls still working at what looked like seed bed prep and fertilizing.

 

[Seven Gables]

Just curious if you’ve found any 5m’s Or any other tractors that fit the bill for what you want? I’m not in the market for any tractors but just been casually looking at what’s out there in the 5m lineup and actually seems there’s not as many as when I was looking back at the end of 2020. Also if the ad descriptions are correct most all I’m finding are the standard 32 speed or 16 speed power reverser transmissions , hardly any with the powershift option in the 5m series.

 

[Hay Dude]

Any idea how they got those hours? Loaners? Rentals? Demo units? They must be part of some program for there to be so many.

I can’t explain the Deeres, but Kubota was leasing a lot of M-7’s to flood the market and get units out there. They were working with Wells Fargo I believe on the leasing end.
There were good deals out there. I considered a low-hour lease turn-in on an M-7 151 or 171 with a loader. They were like 80 grand at messicks, but I’m reluctant about Kubotas over 100HP.
I think they are harder to find now. They were 2017-2019’s with 3-5 year leases. Most have been sold now.

 

[Williy]

This Deutz hp is 106 to 126 hp

5 Series - Deutz-Fahr America

Discover the perfect balance of power and agility with Deutz-Fahr 5 Series tractors. Precision engineering for superior farm performance.

deutz-fahramerica.com

willy

 

[hayden]

Just curious if you’ve found any 5m’s Or any other tractors that fit the bill for what you want? I’m not in the market for any tractors but just been casually looking at what’s out there in the 5m lineup and actually seems there’s not as many as when I was looking back at the end of 2020. Also if the ad descriptions are correct most all I’m finding are the standard 32 speed or 16 speed power reverser transmissions , hardly any with the powershift option in the 5m series.

I'm finding a handful, but all are pretty far from where I am located. I will likely line up some and do a road trip to check them out. I haven't even run a 5M yet, so everything could change when I get in one.

As for ads, the descriptions are always highly suspect. It's some combination of dealers who are lazy and/or don't know the difference between various features. And to add to the confusion, at least for a while the 5M was available with a 16 speed manual (clutch to shift, 4 speeds, 4 ranges) transmission. So a 16 speed could be all manual, or it could be a Power Quad, and it can be hard to tell which.

Then the manual 16 speed was available with a high/low power shift (clutchless, shift on the fly) that brings it to 32 speeds. And that's easily confused with the Powr8 which is also 32 speeds, but with 8 speed clutchless shifting, and 4 clutch to shift ranges.

From what I can tell, the Powr8 and Power quad didn't show up until 2022 or 2023.

Next step for me is to get in one or two examples to confirm it's what I want. Then I'll focus on buying.

For what it's worth, I'm also considering 2018 or later 5R tractors.

 

[Seven Gables]

Gotcha, yeah you’re correct both the power shift versions just came out recently, weren’t available when I bought in late 2020 for sure. I’ve got the 32/16 power reverser transmission in mine. I bought a new 1996 Ford 7740 that had 16speeds forward and reverse with powershift, would of been equivalent to the Deere power quad. Then bought a 2006 NewHolland TS115A that was 16 speed power shift would of been equivalent to the Deere power 8 in operation, both were sweet to operate.
Deere has so many different options hard to keep track of them all. That 5R was there first powershift in the 5 series I believe. You might want to research that a little seems there was a few issues with the 5R’s . Possibly some computer troubles if I’m remembering correctly.

 

[hayden]

It looks like the Power Quad and Powr8 were introduced in the 5M series at the same time the 5R was discontinued, which makes sense.

Anyone have any specifics about common 5R issues/problems? I'm considering used 5Rs.