Strengths I wanted a new tractor (2008) with 50 HP and 4X4 to deal with general outdoor tasks. I wanted dependability. I got a beautiful tractor for a good price, but with unseen problems.

Weaknesses I have the MX5100 in 4X4 with the LA844 loader. It is very front-end heavy. This means that while going down hill with a load the rear tires come off the ground. This means no stearing and no brakes when going down hill. This means a run-away tractor situation. It desperately needs a thousand pounds in the rear end to keep it on the ground. This means water in the rear tires, or else weights. That may save your life.

Overall I would be willing to buy this tractor again, but only if the forward center of gravity problem is solved by the needed weight in the rear end. I would need to be acquainted with and confident in the brakes. I would need to use 4 wheel drive in low gear when going down hill.

Strengths I needed a 50 HP 4X4 tractor to pull a 7 foot mower for field work. The MX 5100 has all the power I need. I like the R-4 tires and ROPS with canope and loader. I have the gear tranmission and like it. The loader has helped me with tall chores.

Weaknesses The PTO is activated by a lever which is small and not impressive. I had a 3 point hitch defect (wouldn't raise up) which tha factory authorized the repair of. On slopes and in mud the r-4 tires often spin. Traction is poor unless in 4-wheel drive. This thing guzzles diesel.

Overall I am proud to own the machine and I am looking forward to many years of use.

Strengths stron strong tractor for its size, nice size, easy to operate in tight spaces. large enough for the field but compact enough when you need to get in the woods. very bright headlights. can get a good days work out of a tank of diesel(about 8 hours cont. at 2600rpms) very smooth and easy to operate, fun to drive. the horizontal exhaust pipe is nice when you are in the woods. comfortable operator station and seat ( I am 5'9'' and 200lbs). shuttle shift is very nice when doing a lot of reversing. cup holder is a nice addition. starts very easy in cold weather. the 50 hour service was around $250. this tractor is small enough to haul with a standard size truck (F150 OR 1500). easy under the hood access for maintenance

Weaknesses i wish the fender lights had a steel cage welded around them for protection, if you get in very thick woods limbs and thick hedge can snag them. I had to put one on that tore off, it only cost me about $20. tool box is small which it is on many models.

Overall I have the 2wd model with over a year of use and 100 hours so far and the tractor has been very dependable, absolutely no problems, mechanical or electrical. I own a 75 acre horse farm, about half pasture and half woods with trails. I do lots of pasture cutting(have cut some very thick over-grown fields with no problem or engine lug), and disc food plots for wildlife, drive way and trail maint., all the other general around-the-farm chores. this tractor handles large round bales of hay (2000lbs-2500lbs) for livestock with no problems. have also pulled some old stumps up with it. I was worried that i may need a larger tractor but this one has done everything i have asked so far without a problem, although it is too light for very large farm implements, but that isn't what it is made for anyway. I do have all 4 tires filled with ballast which was done at dealership. overall has been a great tractor for small horse farm and manageing other hunting properties. I look forward to getting frontend loader and other implements

Strengths Delivered mine 08/29/08 just a couple days ago. I would not trade it for 30 of the old tractors I've had. It is a strong tractor so far, and I see no reason why it will not last me a long time. We have a 21 acre gentleman type farm, and there is nothing here it has not been able to do. Got FEL 4WD and ag tires. Almost ready for 50 hr break in service. I'm 5'9" tall and weigh 250, very comfortable. My 11 year old daughter loves running the tractor. She puts out round bales for the livestock.

Weaknesses Needs rear work lites.

Overall Can't say much more. Unless you are a rancher in need of a huge tractor, this is a great tractor. My family has always farmed (small time), heavy equipment (excavation type work, I was running a 550 John Deere dozer with a german tans. at the age of 7) and construction. I not a rancher, but I know my way around a piece of equipment, and this is the tractor for me.

Strengths Strong, lots of power, quiet, easy to use, small turning radius, can trailer behind an 1/2 ton pickup, easy to clean, very easy under hood access. Only had it for a week and not had it over 2500 RPM, pulled a big oak apart with it, impressive! I have the MX5100DT (4WD) w/ Ag tires. The Cat I/II 3 pt hitch has extending arms, very nice!

Weaknesses none so far, will update later

Overall A SUPER tractor, great size in a medium package.