Buying Advice Two Tractor Dilema

[Leecofarm]

I currently operate two tractors on a 600 acre tree farm: A 1964 JD 2010 RU that my dad bought new and a JD 6403 98 HP tractor that I bought new 7 years ago. It has approx 700 hours. I do most of my light mowing with the 2010. This consists of 10 acres of lawn with a 6 ft grooming mower and 10+ miles of roads through the farm with a 6 ft bush hog. I use the 6403 to harrow, plow, plant and cultivate 15 acres of food plots and mow 10-15 acres of Bahia grass fields. I am going to purchase a cab tractor with detachable bucket to replace one of them, but am torn by which one I should replace. The 6403 is 4 wheel drive and pulls a 12' draft harrow with no problem. Just heat and dust with open station. The 2010 and 6403 are in good shape as both have been garaged and serviced every year since new. I thought about replacing the 6403 with a 5100M with cab and loader for field work and 70% of my heavy mowing. Problem is, I do use the 2010 to do light work, including turf mowing that a large utility tractor can't do. Can't justify replacing both at the same time. I also considered a 3 cylinder 5075E or M as a compromise that could possibly replace both. Question is; do I keep the pre-tier 4 6403 tractor open station and continue to eat dust and retire the 2010 and replace with a smaller 4 or 5 series cab tractor/bucket combo? Or move up to the 5100M and continue to use the 2010 for light mowing until it croaks?

New to this forum and appreciate any feedback.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

Have you considered replacing the 6403 with a lightly used pre-tier CAB tractor that will do the job?

 

[Leecofarm]

Have you considered replacing the 6403 with a lightly used pre-tier CAB tractor that will do the job?

Not a bad idea, Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[rScotty]

Not a bad idea, Thanks for the suggestion.

If the dust and open station of the heavy tractor are the problem then I'd say do whatever you need to do to fix that problem. It's health-related, and that's important.

Not sure why you want to replace the 2010, though. Is it having problems? With normal regular maintenance it ought to be good mechanically just about forever. People usually get rid of those older Deeres because of "soft" systems rather than mechanicals. The problems tend to be things that age but are easily replaceable, but still add up to real money. Things like gauges, hoses, seats, tires, paint, and rubber parts. such. And that's a sure-enough valid reason to buy something new..., although actually the 2010 would be easy to update if you care to do so. Pretty nice machines.
rScotty

 

[Leecofarm]

The 2010 is in pretty good shape, with minor differential leaks and the usual wear and tear that a 53 year old tractor has. I wouldn't get rid of it, just retire it to minor work.

 

[rScotty]

The 2010 is in pretty good shape, with minor differential leaks and the usual wear and tear that a 53 year old tractor has. I wouldn't get rid of it, just retire it to minor work.

OK, that makes a lot of sense. With that many acres and the work you are doing it sounds like you will always need at least two tractors - a big and a little - and having something as nice as your dad's 2010 as a backup just makes sense. BTW, back in the 60s power steering was an option on the 2010. Does yours have it?

A couple of questions, does the 6403 have 4wd and is 4wd important on your place? And finally, how about leasing a tractor from your dealer for fall chores while he puts a cab and/or loader on the 6403? Or is adding to the 6403 not an option?

Oh, last question and I hope I'm not asking too many....but what is it about the new tractors that you would want that the 6403 doesn't have?
rScotty

 

[Leecofarm]

OK, that makes a lot of sense. With that many acres and the work you are doing it sounds like you will always need at least two tractors - a big and a little - and having something as nice as your dad's 2010 as a backup just makes sense. BTW, back in the 60s power steering was an option on the 2010. Does yours have it?

A couple of questions, does the 6403 have 4wd and is 4wd important on your place? And finally, how about leasing a tractor from your dealer for fall chores while he puts a cab and/or loader on the 6403? Or is adding to the 6403 not an option?

Oh, last question and I hope I'm not asking too many....but what is it about the new tractors that you would want that the 6403 doesn't have?
rScotty

Yes, the '64 2010 RU gas has power steering and the power adjustable rear wheel option. No mechanical problems since new, just alternator, tires, and tune up items. I'll probably replace the 4x4 6403 with a 5100M w/cab, and the following year buy a 4000 series JD with cab and loader to replace the 2010, which will relegated to wagon pulling, etc..

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[TomSeller]

3 tractors an option?

 

[Leecofarm]

3 tractors an option?

Yes, I'll probably end up with 5100m with cab and 45 hp cab tractor w/ loader and retire the 2010.

 

[TomSeller]

Yes, I'll probably end up with 5100m with cab and 45 hp cab tractor w/ loader and retire the 2010.

I'd keep her around and in running condition.

 

[Gary Fowler]

For just about anyone with more than 10 acres of land, it seems 2 tractor are a must, one small and nimble and the other large for heavy lifting, bush hogging and ground engaging work.

 

[jenkinsph]

Which one do you use the most?
That is the one I would upgrade first.

 

[Rara Avis]

Which one do you use the most?
That is the one I would upgrade first.

Agreed...

 

[Leecofarm]

I know its been 6 months but I'm finally getting ready to pull the trigger on a 5100m and have decided on a 5055E as a replacement for the retiring 2010. Question I have is which tractor to have the FEL added? I will get a 3rd valve 4 way bucket for mainly light clearing and cleanup. Thanks for the input.

 

[yanmars]

Can you get an aftermarket cab or a take off JD that was a closed cab? I do not know if that is feasible for you but you know what your big tractor is, condition and hours. Maybe a possibility.

 

[rScotty]

I know its been 6 months but I'm finally getting ready to pull the trigger on a 5100m and have decided on a 5055E as a replacement for the retiring 2010. Question I have is which tractor to have the FEL added? I will get a 3rd valve 4 way bucket for mainly light clearing and cleanup. Thanks for the input.

What an interesting question. At first I was going to say put the FEL on the 2010....that will cost the least, and will give the 2010 something to do in retirement! .
But of course good as those 2010's are, the new tractors should be more comfortable to use. They had better be for the money. But the 2010 is tough competition.

So after thinking about it realistically for awhile I think that if it were my problem I'd consider putting the FEL on whichever tractor has the most convenient transmission for use with that 4n1 bucket. And that's probably a HST tranny. I didn't believe in HST for years, but they are pretty well worked out now. Especially the ones with cruise control - that kinda defeated my last argument against them.

I hope you get the optional Skid Steer QA (SSQA) instead of the JD propriatory type quick attach for bucket to the loader. The SSQA opens up a whole world of loader-mounted implements, and the 3rd valve even more. Last I checked, the SSQA cost more than JD's version, but they have probably fixed that by now.
rScotty

 

[dieselcrawler]

My opinion? Tractors should be 4x4 and have a loader. If you don't need 4x4, run it in 4x2 until you do need 4x4, you will eventually need it. Same goes for the loader, run without it if you need to, but I find a loader useful doing nearly every task I do.

 

[Otgaugres]

My opinion? Tractors should be 4x4 and have a loader. If you don't need 4x4, run it in 4x2 until you do need 4x4, you will eventually need it. Same goes for the loader, run without it if you need to, but I find a loader useful doing nearly every task I do.

^^^This

 

[Leecofarm]

What an interesting question. At first I was going to say put the FEL on the 2010....that will cost the least, and will give the 2010 something to do in retirement! .
But of course good as those 2010's are, the new tractors should be more comfortable to use. They had better be for the money. But the 2010 is tough competition.

So after thinking about it realistically for awhile I think that if it were my problem I'd consider putting the FEL on whichever tractor has the most convenient transmission for use with that 4n1 bucket. And that's probably a HST tranny. I didn't believe in HST for years, but they are pretty well worked out now. Especially the ones with cruise control - that kinda defeated my last argument against them.

I hope you get the optional Skid Steer QA (SSQA) instead of the JD propriatory type quick attach for bucket to the loader. The SSQA opens up a whole world of loader-mounted implements, and the 3rd valve even more. Last I checked, the SSQA cost more than JD's version, but they have probably fixed that by now.
rScotty

I am leaning toward the FEL and 4 way bucket on the smaller 5055e. It will have the 12/12 trans with power reverser (no clutching). Both tractors will be cab and 4x4. Rationale is that the smaller tractor will be more maneuverable doing the light cleanup duties. Any thoughts on that choice?
Thanks to all for helpful comments.

 

[Zebrafive]

I am leaning toward the FEL and 4 way bucket on the smaller 5055e. It will have the 12/12 trans with power reverser (no clutching). Both tractors will be cab and 4x4. Rationale is that the smaller tractor will be more maneuverable doing the light cleanup duties. Any thoughts on that choice?
Thanks to all for helpful comments.

Unless you need more capacity in a loader than you can get for the 5055e, put the loader on it.