Owner of  5E 4-Cylinder Tractors can claim bragging rights to operating the most dependable engine on the market with John Deere’s extensive track record for building high-performance engines. The John Deere-designed and -manufactured diesel engine provides excellent torque, fuel efficiency, and durability. This turbocharged engine also complies with Tier 3 emission standards.

The John Deere-built PowrReverser transmission provides 12 forward and 12 reverse (12F/12R) gears for operators requiring additional flexibility for multiple applications. It comes standard with shiftable 540/540 Economy power take-off (PTO). This transmission is ideal for operators using their tractors to perform in versatile applications.

Hydraulic wet forward and reverse clutches maximise durability and will outlast the life of any dry clutch. When tractors are run by multiple operators with a variety of experience levels, a wet clutch is the best way to maintain transmission integrity and performance while decreasing clutch replacement costs.

Two platform-mounted levers offer easy and comfortable shifting for a pleasant operator experience. The gear-shift lever is easy to reach and the less-used range lever is now shorter.

Unique knobs make it easier to distinguish between the two. The forward lever selects one of four speeds, all synchronised shifts for on-the-go shifting with the use of the clutch. The rear lever selects collar-shift A, B, and C ranges, which are not synchronised.

Maximum productivity is achieved with hydraulic PowerShift between forward and reverse and is ideal for loader and rear blade applications that require frequent directional switches in tight spaces. Excellent modulation allows the operator to shift the direction lever from neutral to forward or reverse, forward to reverse, reverse to forward, or to neutral from forward or reverse.

Operators can accomplish all these directional changes without sacrificing comfort or having to depress the clutch pedal. The speed of directional changes can be adjusted to the operator’s preference or application demands with the field-installed PowrReverser modulation control.

An electrohydraulic fingertip directional lever control allows the operator to effortlessly switch directions with a small finger motion. The control is located on the left side of the instrument console and selects forward, reverse, and neutral positions.

It also allows the operator to steer and shift direction with the left hand, freeing the right hand to operate other tractor controls, such as the loader, rear implements, or hand throttle.

Constant-mesh, helical-cut gears provide silent operation and excellent reliability while the pressure-lubricated top shaft adds to the transmission durability. Fully enclosed, rigid shift linkages for short throw and crisp shifts enable all operators to clearly know in what range and gear they are operating.

This also eliminates clutch service costs that occur when the park brake is accidentally left engaged. A neutral start switch requires the directional lever to be in the neutral position to start the engine.

The heavy-duty MFWD front axle contains a limited-slip solution which unlocks the true potential of the axle allowing for increased drawbar pull and improved traction, even when one tire is in a slippery condition. This ensures the operator gets the required torque to the ground for the application demand and frees the tractor to break out of a potential rutty situation, leaving producers with cleaner fields and decreasing the need for pulling chains. The MFWD front axle also reduces wheel slippage with less tractor ballasting for reduced soil compaction, increased fuel economy, and longer tire life.

The MFWD centerline design provides excellent maneuverability around the worksite and more crop clearance so producers are not driving down their crop or profit. Additional versatility is proven when wheel treads are adjusted with 6 degree of caster angle and 55-degree turn angle, which results in a shorter turning radius and plenty of horsepower to turn around in tight places. The 10 degree of axle oscillation follows uneven terrain allowing for consistent performance and comfortable ride.

Axle oscillation also reduces the stress and maintenance cost on the axle spindles because loads are consistently spread across the entire axle. The centerline design also eliminates the need for drive shaft universal joints that require regular maintenance. Three grease points are conveniently located to minimize maintenance time while maximizing front axle performance.

The MFWD engagement lever is located on the left-hand side of the operator.

5E 4-Cylinder Series Tractor are equipped with two economical and versatile spool-type SCVs. Two rear SCVs comes standard on 5E 4-Cylinder Series Utility Tractors.

All rear SCVs are lever-controlled, and couplers are equipped with plug dust covers to prevent dirt and debris from entering the hydraulic system. This ensures the most reliable performance, allowing operators to get their work done.

Operators can couple and uncouple under pressure with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) push-pull couplers, which reduces the muscle required to switch implements. This allows the operator to effortlessly couple and uncouple hydraulic hoses from one implement to another.

The SCV and rockshaft valve can be adapted to provide live hydraulic power, power beyond, to implements with an independent control valve.

The 540/540 economy PTO allows operators to select the engine rpm for reduced fuel consumption, reduced noise levels, reduced vibration, and less wear and tear on the engine, while at the same time keeping the proper 540 rpm at the PTO.
 
The economy PTO provides 540 rpm to the PTO at 1705 engine rpm. The 540 economy mode is ideal for any PTO applications where full engine horsepower is not required.
 
Operating at lower engine rpm decreases fuel costs up to 30 percent and provides additional productivity by improving the operating experience through enhanced operator comfort from reduced noise and vibration.
 
A lever allows the operator to simply change between 540 and 540E when conditions merit the opportunity to save fuel without affecting performance.
 
For heavy-duty operations requiring maximum PTO power, the PTO shift lever is placed in the 540 position, the PTO is engaged, and the engine is run at a rated speed of 2400 rpm. This selection gives 540 rpm to the PTO shaft and delivers the fully advertised horsepower at rated engine speed.
 
When the tractor is in economy PTO mode, the engine is electronically limited to 1705 rpm, preventing accidental over-speeding of PTO implements and protecting against binding the PTO shaft.
 
This interlock also prevents accidental shifting of the PTO selector lever at engine speeds above 1700 rpm, which would lead to downtime for fixing implements or drivetrain components.