John Deere 5205: Problems, Durability, Repairs

John Deere 5205 is one of the many tractors that carry the John Deere badge. The tractor belongs to the Generation III list of tractors that were introduced in 1991 by the company. This tractor is considered a simple mid-range machine equipped with proper power to carry out all your farming functions. For a starting farmer, the 5205 is the tractor to consider.

In our article, we look at the 5205 John Deere tractor. Like every other machine, the 5205 tractor has its problems. We will explore the different problems that seem to dog this tractor specifically. We will, however, look at the various solution options the owner of this tractor has. The John Deere badge carries a lot of authority in terms of reliability and durability.

An overview of the John Deere 5205

The John Deere 5205 is a mid-sized tractor that was introduced in 1991 amongst other 5000 series tractors. This tractor is manufactured in Pune, India, and has remained one of the easily recognized John Deere tractors around the world. It boasts flexibility and superior gear appropriation, making it a superb agricultural tractor for cultivation and haulage.

Farmers prefer the 5205 model because of its efficiency both in handling and fuel consumption. It is equipped with a turbocharged 3-cylinder diesel engine with a 2900 displacement capacity. This allows it to deliver 2100 RPM at 48 HP. The tractor also prides itself as a high-feature farm machine as several farm implements can be attached, making it perform various farm tasks.

One of the striking features of this tractor is the 8-4 gear operation. It comes with a total of 8 forward gears and 4 reverse gears partially synchronized to the transmission. This collar shift gear makes it extremely easy to handle. Moreover, the steering is hydraulic, adding to the tractor's nimbleness and comfort for the operator.

Operating the 5205 John Deere tractor doesn't require frequent gear changes, even under variable field conditions. With a fuel capacity of 60 liters and a comfy seat, the driver can operate the tractor for a whole day without the need to refuel or take breaks to rest. The 7.5x16 front and 14.9x28 rear tires give the tractor good ground clearance and enhanced visibility for the driver. 

As for the top speed of the 5205, you get 32.39 kmh and a minimum of 2.96 kmh when moving forward. When in reverse, the tractor will give you a maximum speed of 14.9 kmh and a minimum of 3.89 kmh. The brake type on the tractor is oil immersed which helps maintain a low temperature and the ability for the tractor to stop immediately, even under extreme conditions.

The John Deere 5205 is an easy tractor designed to lift up to 1600 kgf. It affords the driver a quick mechanical quick raise and lower (MQRL) mechanism, which makes it easy to attach to many farm implements. The top shaft lubrication in the tranny ensures the tractor never develops a problem engaging the gears.

The 5205 model is a low-maintenance tractor that upcoming farms will appreciate. It is a low-maintenance equipment that won't cost you an arm and a leg. The piston spray cooling jet is standard in this model. Moreover, the rear oil axle with the metal face seal goes a long way to make the tractor versatile and durable.

John Deere 5205 problems

John Deere tractors and equipment are known to be sturdy, reliable, and durable. The company has, since the 1800s, insisted on giving its customers the best experience possible. For this reason, the company insists on carrying out maintenance work on all its tractors. It wasn't until recently that a law was in the USA was passed in the USA that allowed owners of John Deere tractors to carry out repair and maintenance work themselves. In other parts of the world, your tractor has to be repaired by an authorized dealership. John Deere has insisted on this to make the 5,000-hour or 5-year warranty valid and because of the computer app that the manufacturer can only access.

After many years of lawsuits and pressure from farmers and consumer advocacy groups, John Deere signed an MOU with the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), where farmers gain access to the same Deere data, documents, and diagnostics tools that the company and its dealerships use. This made solving the John Deere tractor problems easier, cheaper, and more convenient for thousands of John Deere machinery owners across the US.

Let us now look at the common problems you are likely to encounter with the 5205 model:

1) Engine overheating

Some 5205 owners and drivers report how this tractor's engine overheats. While this is not uncommon, it is an issue that should be addressed at the soonest possible opportunity. An issue with the cooling system normally causes the problem. More often than not, the coolant or the radiator is the source of the issue.

Solution

The radiator is the likely cause of the overheating issue. It could be without coolant, or the coolant is muddy. Always ensure the tractor has enough coolant to ensure normal engine operation. Mix water and the recommended antifreeze in a ratio of 50/50. If the radiator is muddy, drain it with pressurized air to ensure silt and debris in the fins come out.

2) The tractor won't start

This is a common problem for tractor owners. In the 5205 model, the problem is usually caused by using the wrong grade or type of fuel. In other cases, the problem may be due to a faulty fuel pump or wrong timing in the injector pump.

Another related issue is the blowing of the main fuse whenever you try to start the engine. This is an electrical problem, and it can force you to even have a stock of main fuses.

Solution

If the fuel pump is the one with an issue, you will need to repair it or replace it. For fuel injectors, proper timing should be done to let them perform as required. You might be forced to replace it if it's damaged beyond repair.

As for the blowing up of the main fuse, the answer to the problem is to disconnect the thermal fuse for extreme cold temperatures. Once you disconnect it, you won't have any more main fuse issues.

3) Whining noise

This problem is common on 5205 tractors, and it can be a difficult one to solve. Tractor operators report hearing a whining noise which sounds as though there is some air in the hydraulic system.

Solution

John Deere recommends letting the engine run for 30 minutes, and the tractor will self-diagnose, and the problem will go away. However, in our case, the annoying noise doesn't go away even after the recommended 30 minutes of leaving the engine running.

The tractor's hydraulic system uses a filter to keep the hydraulic fluid clean. Over time, just like the other filters, this filter needs to be replaced. Few people know about this filter, and not many dealerships seem to recommend checking or replacing it. Remove the long slim filter and clean it with diesel, and you will be good to go.

Ensure the hydraulic fluid is up to the recommended level. Driving your tractor when the fluid is low might cause the steering to turn too easily, and this might lead to an accident. In cases where the steering is turning easily and not due to low fluid, check the steering cylinder. If faulty, it should be replaced.

4) Front axle howling

Some 5205 operators report the front axle howling when operating the tractor.

Solution

You should not operate the tractor any longer as this would further damage the axle. Replace the tractor gears that are defective. They are the ones making the howling noise. If the bearing has crumbled, replace it too.

5) Transmission hard in reverse

The transmission can be hard on one or all of the reverse gears. The problem is mostly with the shifter locks or any one of the transmission gear selection parts.

Solution

You should replace any faulty components. It is advisable to stop operating the tractor immediately after you notice this problem, as further driving can lead to more damage.

John Deere 5205 durability

The 5205 tractor comes with a 5-year warranty or a 5,000-hour operational guarantee. Many owners of this tractor take pride in it because it goes for thousands of hours without developing any issues. This tractor can easily give you 10,000 hours of service with proper servicing and maintenance. Many owners don't have serious issues with their tractors before the warranty ends.

Conclusion

The John Deere 5205 tractor is simple farm machinery that will make you get the best value out of your farm. It is compatible with a range of implements, and its lifting capacity is commendable. For greater comfort and convenience, you might consider adding a canopy that adds to the tractor's versatility.