I need an assement too!

How many bottoms should a 60 horse 4 wd tractor pull in moderate clay ground? I have a '04 JD 5320 shipping weight is 5300 or so...but I have tires loaded and a 541 front end loader mounted...traction doesn't seem to be an issue. The transimission is a 9 speed...3 gears/3 ranges. Running in 2nd range B..what I call 5th gear...the danged tractor's tongue hangs out. This is with the plow adjusted as per the manual and the depth control working right. Put the tractor in 1st range B (4th gear) and ground speed is not much faster than a good mule and trash coverage becomes an issue. I think this machine is a weak sister. before the pro's tell me it is a 55 horse PTO machine....I saw it dyno 63 on the pto at the dealership. Horsepower readings are one thing....doing the work another. I'm ready to find it a new home....after 117 hours of frustration.

At the time, I bought all the tractor I could afford. I wanted a 5520...but both it and the 5420 were beyond my pocketbook. This tractor and loader set me back $32,000. I stopped at the McCormick dealership last fall and the dealer grinned and said, let me bring mine and we'll hook up your plow and see what it does. I was tempted. But, I just don't like the look of the new McCormicks and I don't like Perkins engines (flame away boys). I think Deere builds a good machine in the 6000 series....but go price one. A friend of mine bought a 75 horse 6000 something last summer....$51,000 with loader. Way beyond my league.

I would think that is very large.

Gary

Thr ws a pst on hre a whl bck whr thy lft ot te mdl ltrs and yu cld stll rd it.

Spelling doesn't bother me cause I make my share of mistakes also.

Gary

I clicked on the site of a Deere dealer the other night. Called Planters Equipment, they must have a boat load of 5000 series tractor for sale. In fact I know the area quite well, didn't think they had that many customers.

Gerald J.

If you have your plow in the ground, it will probably put you down in 2nd or 3rd.

I don't give a hoot what anyone says, 5, 6 or 7 inches deep isn't plowing, it's scratchin around on the surface. You can do that with a disc.

Figure 25 horse per bottom in heavy soil, at least 3.5 to 4.5 mph and the ground has to be at the right moisture to do a decent job.

I'm not ridaculing these young fellows in any way, shape or form, as they are just having fun. But this is definetly how you don't do it. These pictures could be the poster child for the "plowing the wrong way".

I would suspect no one has ever shown them the correct way either.

Just my view and stated as such,

Allan

Glenn

Jerry

I must be in the minority of the "most everywhere" area. 4020 struggled with my 4-16 and 6410 mfwd still struggles in some spots. Lots of clay/hardpan though. Not much topsoil...yet.

Depth makes a big difference.

You should be able to plow 8"deep at about 4or 5 MPH with 60 HP with that 3-14's.

Gary

I like to plow when the ground is just dry enough to not cling to the tires and the plows scour nice and clean.

Today, I hooked up an old set of Dearborn 2-16's and turned some corn ground about 7-8" deep....good shares on these plows too....pulled the JD's tongue out as well.

Take this to the bank....I called the district Deere rep (some guy out in Illinois, I'm in KY)...and got a mouthful of BS. They simply will not admit they have a dud in these machines and act as if you are speaking heresey to complain about a green tractor. I've had 3 Deere's and this one sucks. Honestly, I had a little 1050 that would handle 2-16's as well as this mush will. I don't expect to set any speed records...not going anywhere....but I want enough ground speed to get decent trash coverage. I don't know what to do...I'm considering a trip to the local Kubota dealer....knowing I'll take a bath on this JD.