Case IH Maxxum, JD 6X10, Deutz DX4.70

Looking at a few different tractors. Mainly the early Maxxum(5140,5240,5130,5230) and also found a JD 6410 for what seems like a good deal. Gotta check it over real good though. Main thing I'm afraid of on the Maxxums are the electronics, Powershift, parking brake and the ill-designed/weak PTO system. With the John Deere I'm concerned with the electrnoics(computers) and powershift, though that is much less of a worry than the PS on the Case IH. The Deutx is just a decent looking tractor I found, though the air cooled engine concerns me in cold weather, due to the lack of a good preheat system, as well as the rear end. I know some members here own some Maxxums, but I was just looking for your general opinions on these tractors, whether it's your personal experience with it, or a neighbours, or what you heard at the coffee shop. Thanks.

My personal choice would be the deere. They are great tractors and don't give very much trouble. The only thing that would give trouble most of the time will be the wiring I think. I've not ran one but I know of several maxxum tractors with 10k+ hours and still going. I've never been around any Deutz tractors really.

Chris

i don't know much about any of those models and you mentioned no price, but guessing maybe you could buy 2 of the aircooled ones for the price of 1 of the others.

I bought a Maxxum because I like my Magnum so well. It's OK, but it's not as quiet as the Magnum. Neighbor has a couple similar age and size Deeres. I would go with the JD. I would run from the Deutz!

(quoted from post at 20:11:18 03/01/13) I bought a Maxxum because I like my Magnum so well. It's OK, but it's not as quiet as the Magnum. Neighbor has a couple similar age and size Deeres. I would go with the JD. I would run from the Deutz!

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For what its worth, our neighbor in the 80's had a DX-160 for their big tractor. Dad demo'd it but went with a 4490 back then. It was a good tractor for them. I don't know nothing other than seeing them get work done.
We mainly ran JD with the Case as our horse through the 80's.

I used to be an AC proponent. They certainly have a past, just like Deutz. But for a larger, modern, field working tractor, there's no future with either, at least as far as I'm concerned.

I have two JD 64XX series tractors.

The oldest is a JD 6400 MWFD 16 speed power Quad with a JD 640 standard loader. It has over 15,000 hours on it. I have replaced the transmission drive shaft once and one head gasket. Nothing else other than the usually oil/filters/batteries. Forgot one alternator.

The JD 6410 has about 7500 hours on it and we have done nothing to it other than change the oil and filters.

The CIH maxxum would be my last choice. They have had issues with electrics and transmissions around here. They also are kind of clumsy.

The Duetz DX4.7 would be OK but the parts are SKY HIGH through AGCO now. Also they where a clumsy tractor to operate.

IF I was going to buy a tractor of this size it would be a JD or Ford/New Holland. The Ford models would be a 5610 or 6640. They where bullet proof tractors too.

Hi
On the Deere watch for the drive shaft from the motor to the trans, if the crosses let go it can mess the input into the trans up, plus anything under the cab it hits on the way round and out on the ground.
Trust me it's expensive I heard the bang saw the oil slick and shaft laying in the snow. And heard the boss swear when JD bought it back with the bill.
The Deutz is mainly trans problems, most guys never seem to have motor problems unless they never service them. The pre heat issues can be solved if you know how to fit and where to get the heaters.
The Maxxums are good for 10.000 hrs there is a lot of them here in Canada with those hours on. watch the front axles if they have a loader on the eyes in the axle tube ends wear bad and they get play in the swivels and center pivot point. if the bushings come loose it's expensive as it needs machining back to size.
I fixed one that the hub bearing went out on and destroyed a whole hub that was over $4000 of New/ used parts.
one I know of just had new crank bearings fitted, the one that smashed the hub was blowing fuses in the shuttle but that was a wire and I have heard of a few with other trans issues.
Basically I would run hard from the Deutz parts are crazy money and that trans is a pig to do "WHEN" it goes wrong.
The other 2 are getting on in years so they will all have problems that are starting to show with wear and age.
There will be expensive parts on both and things that you can't fix yourself. Or will be expensive or maybe hard to find used parts for.
To be honest I'm not a Deere fan I think they are over rated from my time driving them . If it was my money id look at the Case IH personally. If I could of found a low hour Maxxum in my price range when I bought my Valtra 6400, It would be here now.
You also should think about the dealers in your area too, and how good the service is.
I work my own shop and see things from both color dealers here in my shop that are not right. I also hear from other local guys that are not happy with some of their work too.
Good luck with your choice and remember "Nothing kills a Deere like a Magnum" (Case IH)L.O.L
Regards Robert

Our 5240 has been to hell and back and still running like a new one. No complaints from us. Never had a deere