Deere or Fendt

james ds

Member
Location
leinster
We just sold one that was 5 years old - cost 110k ful spec new and sold for 80k circa 1000hrs a year. Had no more than servicing and a couple of minor repairs through that time. Operators love them, light weight for the power and compact size, very versatile tractors that we use for every operation from spraying (6000L 36m) drilling (12m direct) corn cart (18-20t trailers) spreading (trailed k45) . Good all rounder


new one best part of 140k now though but that doesn't matter IMO - its ownership cost that i'm interested in

Only way you could get me into a different brand right now would be with guaranteed buy back price and 5 year warranty
The current price of a 724 here is now €180 k , the way sterling is gone the sterling price will be up near £160 k very soon.
 
Have there been many reports of trouble with the Deutz engines in the 500 series?

Maybe I’m worrying over nothing.

Do Fendt fair well in terms of reliability versus Deere? Bit of a generalization I know as all brands have dodgier models.

Would a 514/516 be plenty man enough for a 5 furrow reversible?
 

Spanish

Member
The 500 dr Fendt series has 4-cylinder engines, which I think are always more squeezed to get power than those of 6. In JD you have the option of the less equipped M series but also with less chance of failures, rather than tempting what It needs no more.
Fendt is making a mistake putting the Deutz engines, the same as Same or Ursus, for example. Both brands had better models and times, but I would continue with John Deere
 
The 500 dr Fendt series has 4-cylinder engines, which I think are always more squeezed to get power than those of 6. In JD you have the option of the less equipped M series but also with less chance of failures, rather than tempting what It needs no more.
Fendt is making a mistake putting the Deutz engines, the same as Same or Ursus, for example. Both brands had better models and times, but I would continue with John Deere

See I guess the 6130r is certainly a pocket rocket but we may want to go 5 furrow in coming years and it would be too much for that tractor.

I don’t like the weight of the 6145/6155 for rolling and the likes.

If Deere had a 4cyl tractor with 150-160hp (rated not boosted) then it would be a fairer comparison with the 514/516 Fendt.
 

jackstor

Member
Location
Carlisle
We’ve a 516, very capable tractor, powerful, compact, once you’ve had a vario changing gear will seem like hard work.
We priced a JD and it was a lot more money to change.
As for reliability, all tractors are getting far too complicated, especially with Ad-blue so I would get as long as warranty as possible.
 
We’ve a 516, very capable tractor, powerful, compact, once you’ve had a vario changing gear will seem like hard work.
We priced a JD and it was a lot more money to change.
As for reliability, all tractors are getting far too complicated, especially with Ad-blue so I would get as long as warranty as possible.

That’s good to hear.

What do you use it for?
 

jackstor

Member
Location
Carlisle
That’s good to hear.

What do you use it for?

Everything!!
front/back mo-co’s, forage wagon, 3m combi and front press, 5m cultivator, rolling, tedding, rowing up, haulage, rear discharge muck spreading.
We’ve just a 4 furrow plough, but did have a 5 on demo,it was too big for it, but it was a massive, long plough (Kuhn 153). I’m sure it’ll handle a ‘smaller’ 5 no bother.
It’s also has autosteer which is great!
 

kiwi pom

Member
Location
canterbury NZ
There's no right or wrong answer, which brand do you like, especially if you're driving it yourself. Best local dealer, best price, warranty etc.
Personally I don't think you need a IVT transmission for that workload when cheaper options are available (Deere only) but many on here go for lots of options that aren't really needed.

My only other question would be, considering the price of tractors nowadays, does it still pay to do your own work or would you be better keeping your current tractor for cattle feeding and contacting out the field work?
 
There's no right or wrong answer, which brand do you like, especially if you're driving it yourself. Best local dealer, best price, warranty etc.
Personally I don't think you need a IVT transmission for that workload when cheaper options are available (Deere only) but many on here go for lots of options that aren't really needed.

My only other question would be, considering the price of tractors nowadays, does it still pay to do your own work or would you be better keeping your current tractor for cattle feeding and contacting out the field work?

Very valid points.

I guess I’m driving it myself and think at my age I’ll treat myself to a cvt.

In terms of field work, I’m quite fussy (understatement of the year) when it comes to the crops. Cattle are only a sideline.
If I had to contract out the field work then I’d be happier to rent out the land rather than have someone else grow my crops (I could not tolerate balls ups).
 

kiwi pom

Member
Location
canterbury NZ
Very valid points.

I guess I’m driving it myself and think at my age I’ll treat myself to a cvt.

In terms of field work, I’m quite fussy (understatement of the year) when it comes to the crops. Cattle are only a sideline.
If I had to contract out the field work then I’d be happier to rent out the land rather than have someone else grow my crops (I could not tolerate balls ups).

Yep fair enough, if it works for you go for it, have both on demo and buy the one you like the most.
I was just pointing out alternatives, its sometimes hard to make sense of this forum when half the threads are about how little money farming makes and the other half are about avoiding tax and buying top spec tractors, utes etc.
 

Zetor

Member
Location
Northumberland
I’m surprised. What models/spec did you price?

I mooched around a couple of dealerships and thought the build quality of the Fendt and it’s Fendt loader looked very good. Didn’t see a 500 series though and have never even driven a Fendt!

720 power plus & 195r ap
Really like want the JD but the steering lock and huge bonnet make it clumsy for what I do, it is almost 2t heavier too.
 

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