All the reasons why tractors are the best farming vehicle would make a long and detailed list. For starters, they are highly powerful and help you perform tasks efficiently and quickly.
They are quite versatile and can help you accomplish a wide variety of tasks, be it plowing or tilling. What’s the best part? Modern tractors come with many automated features and are super easy to use.
If you want to purchase your first tractor, hundreds of options may leave you overwhelmed. As tractors grew in popularity, more and more brands jumped on the bandwagon. Today, the tractor industry has hundreds of brands, and more are joining every day.
John Deere is a well-known company that manufactures high-quality solutions for agriculture and construction. Based in the USA, the company started its journey in 1837. It is one of the big guns in the industry and has managed to hold its own in this cutthroat competition.
The John Deere 5100E and 5100M are two highly popular tractor models manufactured by John Deere. Both are widely used all over the world for farming and lawn care.
So, which one offers a better package? If you are purchasing a tractor for the first time, you may go through a dilemma while choosing your first tractor. In this article, we intend to compare both these models hereinafter. Let’s get started!
Comparing The John Deere 5100E vs 5100M
Comparison Table
| Features | JD 5100E | JD 5100M |
| Engine | 4-cylinder | 4-cylinder |
| Fuel | Diesel | Diesel |
| Multiple transmission options | No | Yes |
| Price | Moderate | High |
JD 5100E
First, we have the John Deere 5100E tractor. It houses tons of robust features and has everything that you’d expect from a tractor. It was introduced in 2013 and was an instant hit. Let’s take a closer look at this tractor model.
Features
First things first, the John Deere 5100E utility tractor uses a 4WD system. For those who do not know, a 4 wheel drive system powers all four wheels evenly for maximum traction.
As a result, this tractor is suitable for working on all kinds of terrains. Furthermore, this system shows great performance when it comes to large implements. It features a heavy front for improved stability.
Thanks to its 4WD system, you can expect powerful performance from the John Deere 5100E utility tractor on a variety of surfaces. And yes, since the power is distributed equally among all four tires, the John Deere 5100E utility tractor has high pulling power.
The power steering system of the John Deere 5100E utility tractor has also impressed many users. Thanks to this power steer, you can steer your tractor with minimum effort. This makes the John Deere 5100E utility tractor quite easy to use, even for first-timers.
If you are just getting started with tractors, consider purchasing this tractor. Furthermore, the power steering also enables your tractor to absorb shocks better.
Construction
The electrohydraulic directional lever is another key feature of the John Deere 5100E utility tractor. With this feature, you can change the directions of your tractor smoothly. You can control it with your left hand as it is found on the left side of the steering column.
Simply use this directional lever to change the directions with your left hand and use your right hand to control other features, like implements attached to your tractor. This shows how meticulously John Deere designed this tractor.
Engine
Now talking about the engine, the John Deere 5100E utility tractor comes with a reliable and mighty powerful engine for optimal performance. It has a four-cylinder diesel engine that is specially designed for this tractor. It has fewer moving parts than gasoline engines, so it requires less maintenance.
Many users have appreciated this construction as they don’t have to spend hours for maintenance day in, day out. If time is money for you, the John Deere 5100E utility tractor will be a perfect choice. Not only will it save you time, but also maintenance costs.
Fuel Efficiency
In addition to its low maintenance costs, the high fuel efficiency of the John Deere 5100E utility tractor will also help your wallet in the long run. As mentioned earlier, its engine is powered by diesel, which tends to be more efficient and energy dense than other fuel types.
At a time when fuel prices have skyrocketed, it would be great to have an engine that consumes less fuel.
The best thing about the John Deere 5100E utility tractor is that despite its low fuel consumption, it packs a powerful punch. It is more balanced than other engines and offers high torque at a high engine speed.
When carrying loads, the John Deere 5100E utility tractor combines its power bulge and torque for the best performance. You won’t have to shift to a lower gear while using it in tough areas.
This way, it retains its speed, even in tough conditions. This will allow you to accomplish your tasks faster, saving you a great deal of time.
JD 5100M
Without an iota of doubt, the John Deere 5100M is one of the most successful tractors by John Deere. It is a great addition to the already great 5M series by John Deere.
Released in 2018, this tractor is known for its innovative features and high performance output. Let’s discuss its features in detail and find out what’s so special about it.
Features
The main feature that sets the John Deere 5100M utility tractor apart from its 5100E counterpart is its multiple transmission options. This tractor lets you choose from three transmission options.
The options include 16F/16R PowrReverser transmission, 16F/16R PowrReverser transmission, and 32F/16R PowrReverser Plus transmission. All these modes operate at different speeds.
Depending on your farming needs, you can choose a suitable transmission mode to achieve precise operation. The “F” in 16F/16R refers to forward speed, whereas the “R” stands for reverse speed.
While it is good to have a tractor with high speed, there are some farming tasks that require low speeds. Well, the good news for you is that the John Deere 5100M utility tractor boasts a creeper feature to slow down your tractor.
This feature works in the 16F/16R PowrReverser transmission and the 32F/16R PowrReverser Plus transmission modes.
Construction
The John Deere 5100M utility tractor has been designed with the user’s comfort in mind. It comes with an air conditioner to keep the unit cool on the hottest days of the summer.
From the seat to the windscreen, everything is made of high-quality materials. Moreover, you get lots of seats and mirror options. And yes, you can opt for a sunroof to let in more light when needed.
Engine
Now coming to its engine performance, the John Deere 5100M utility tractor is equipped with a heavy-duty engine for ultimate performance. Like the 5100E tractor, it also has four cylinders and runs on diesel.
However, it has a higher engine power than the 5100E. Having said that, it is important to note that the engine of the John Deere 5100M utility tractor consumes more fuel.
Attachments
Attachments make the life of a tractor’s operator much easier as they save you from the hassle of doing tasks manually. The John Deere 5100M utility tractor has many built-in attachments that make it an ideal choice for farmers.
The 5100E does not come with these attachments, but you can attach them manually. Of course, you will have to buy them separately.
Final Verdict
The John Deere 5100M and 5100E are two best-selling tractors by John Deere. Both are constructed well and feature-loaded to help you accomplish farming tasks efficiently. However, the John Deere 5100M takes the crown, thanks to its high engine power and different transmission options.