jkubel said: Our club has had two JD 5225 tractors since 2005. They have not missed a beat and work almost daily. One is used for pulling our articulator(Lastec 721) and the other blowing, spreading, trailers and brush mowing. There both used during aerification and carry any load put to them. I would recommend the JD brand, They stand behind their product!!!!
Jason,
I would agree with you that the larger Deere's are good, and deffinately better than the cheaper 4000 series. Seems like Deere really meant the smaller ones for light commercial and residential use. They just don't hold up to the rigors of our use.
And about dealer service....sent our 4320 to the dealer last June due to low throttle issues and bogging down. After four months, they sent it back and told me it can't be fixed and needed to be traded in. The tractor had 1,600 hours on it. We sent to another dealer in town and the problem turned out to be a $450 governor. Needless to say, we don't do much business with the first dealer anymore.
My old Deere's 6 of them which are from the early 80's still run like a champ. But, they don't build them like this anymore in that size. Everything has gone overseas for that size tractor. Cheaply made, plastic parts, computerized and expensive repairs. That being said, I wouldn't hesitate looking at the larger Deere's again, but it would boil down to price and Kubota would get the sale.