Farm Equipment - What's the reputation of 5040s?

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What's the reputation of 5040s?

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Topic: What's the reputation of 5040s?

Posted By: oldironguy
Subject: What's the reputation of 5040s?
Date Posted: 06 Dec 2012 at 2:08pm

I recently came across a 5040 with a loader that's for sale nearby but I don't know anything about this model except it was made in Romania and has a three cylinder diesel engine of a brand I don't recognize. What's the general reputation of this model? What do you use yours for? What's a reasonable price to expect to pay? Are parts and service available?

Thanks,

Dick

Replies:

Posted By: tbran
Date Posted: 06 Dec 2012 at 4:23pm

made by universal tractor, hesston, oliver, AC and long sold basically the same tractor.

The fiat engine was tough - if one kept serviced and fuel clean. Cav system so be prepared for fixable fuel leaks. Clutches were so so - trannys cam in 6-9 8- 12 speed with the 8 speed the best. 8 speeds have independent pto 's with a separate lever .

Brakes were dry and weak, hydraulics were ok but had to have the water kept out and or changed regularly. The best loader set up was to use the separte pump bolted right aabove the pto - a erally grand idea. The electrical system was terrible as were the lighting.

We called them Romanian Roadsters - terrible but tough

Posted By: TimNearFortWorth
Date Posted: 06 Dec 2012 at 5:03pm

tbran hit it; if you can find one that has been reasonbly taken care of, they are hard to kill off completely. Brother says nearby farm has one they beat the snot out of and never serviced it proper, has 12K hours on it . . . . . .

Posted By: AC200Puller
Date Posted: 06 Dec 2012 at 6:39pm

Good little tractor .I have one and a gallon of fuel will last the better part of the day.

Posted By: OrangePowerGA
Date Posted: 07 Dec 2012 at 5:08pm

Very easy on fuel. Water can get into the hydraulic/trans fluid easily due to a poor seal/design on the dipstick. The lift pump for the fuel system appears to be a weak area.

You'll want to check the hand operated clutch for the PTO. Make sure it works properly, so there is no grinding when sliding over the engagement lever. The electrical systems are not the best. They are good starters in cold weather. Parts can be found, but finding them is not as easy as other models. The piston rings were not the best. It is common for these tractors to smoke, sometimes excessively due to the poor rings. Better quality rings can take care of the smoke. IMO the 8 speed is a good choice. Also, check the diff lock, sometimes they will not engage properly. The fact that it's a UTB/Long hurts the value. Make sure you buy it cheap! I was really let down with the amount of money I got for my 5040 when I sold it; I felt like I was giving it away.

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AC - WD
JD - 650

Posted By: rkm
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2012 at 10:33pm

I am so very glad I saw this post.

I am currently looking at an AC 5040, and lo and behold.. there is a fuel leak somewhere in the engine compartment, the hydraulic fluid is cloudy/milky, the pto lever grinds unless you take it slow and easy, one of the lights is not working - not sure why.

But, it really does feel like a solid tractor, and I was very comfortable driving it. I would be using it for 'larger' field work for my veggie operation - I can't really tolerate leaks, however.

Of the four tractors I have my eye on (in my price range), it is the newest (!), the priciest, and the one I like the best. Just not sure if I'm comfortable with these known issues at the asking price (a little under 5k).

The dealer is willing to address all these issues, but the diesel leak has me a little uncomfortable - and I don't really have the time or the skills to tinker.

The other tractors are a international b-414, and international 624, and a ford 3000.

I grew up with an AC d12 gasser. It's long gone now, however..

Posted By: Texgardener
Date Posted: 12 Dec 2015 at 6:06pm

I just bought a 5040. From the online pictures it looks like a 1979. It says tractor number 476504; is that the serial number? It has a front end loader and a sidewinder bush hog. I got it for $3000. I had to replace the hydrolic line that runs from the front end loader control valve to the back. Both hoses from the rear auxerilia hydrolic connector needed replacing. New tires. Runs good. Can't wait for the operated and shop manuals to arrive.

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Yes Gardener

Posted By: PaulB
Date Posted: 12 Dec 2015 at 6:15pm

RKM Of the tractors you've mentioned that your looking at I would take the Ford 3000 over all of them. The only thing that would make me shy away from it would be if it was gas and or had the 4 speed or SOS transmission. The 4 speed would not have a live PTO and don't get me started on the problems of the SOS transmission. Those 3 cylinder Fords are tough and easy to get parts for along with a good hydraulic system.

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If it was fun to pull in LOW gear, I could have a John Deere.
Real pullers don't have speed limits.
If you can't make it GO... make it SHINY

Posted By: JohnCO
Date Posted: 12 Dec 2015 at 6:20pm

Given the four choices you are looking at, rkm, My first choice is the Ford, second the IHC 625 the other IHC and the AC are a tossup. Most all the parts for either the Ford or the IHC are still available at the dealer or parts places. The Ford probably has an 8 speed (4 with high/low) and a two stage clutch for the pto. If it's a select O speed it has 10 speeds forward and 2 reverse and live PTO. My 2 cents.

To be honest, about the only reason I'd buy a foreign made AC would be to add to the collection of 20 some AC's I already have. Not a tractor I would have to depend on for day to day work.

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"If at first you don't succeed, get a bigger hammer"
Allis Express participant

Posted By: JohnCO
Date Posted: 12 Dec 2015 at 6:25pm

PaulB beat me by a few seconds! I've had several SOS Fords over the years and really didn't have that many problems with them. That said, parts are getting hard to find and although they are easy to work on, most mechanics don't know about them. I was thinking the 4 speed also had a two stage clutch but really don't know. Four speeds just isn't enough for veggie work, I speak from experience!

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"If at first you don't succeed, get a bigger hammer"
Allis Express participant

Posted By: PaulB
Date Posted: 12 Dec 2015 at 6:43pm

I worked at a Ford dealer while going to high school during the 6Y & 7A periods of production. The 4 speed could also have the Sherman 3 speed auxiliary making it a 12 speed but no provision for a live PTO (with 2 stage clutch) like the 6 & 8 speeds. The SOS transmissions are easy to repair but even back then some parts were hard to get. They could be OK after a good mechanic adjusted them properly, but were terrible on-the-go shifters after things wear a bit. There biggest fault was they got so hot while running and would draw in moisture when they cooled off. The thing I dis-liked about the gassers was they were so cold natured with the water heated intake manifolds and the spark plugs would seize if not changed regularly.

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If it was fun to pull in LOW gear, I could have a John Deere.
Real pullers don't have speed limits.
If you can't make it GO... make it SHINY

Posted By: DiyDave
Date Posted: 12 Dec 2015 at 9:10pm

RKM, when you go by that B-414, make the sign of the cross, and slowly back away...

Posted By: CrestonM
Date Posted: 12 Dec 2015 at 9:52pm

My first choice would be the Ford 3000.

Sorry guys....

Posted By: MACK
Date Posted: 12 Dec 2015 at 10:32pm

Have saw some camshaft problems with 5040s. MACK

Posted By: AMB(wcIL)
Date Posted: 12 Dec 2015 at 10:50pm

I 2nd what Mack said about crankshaft end play. I was working at a dealership and had to put a clutch in a 5040. It had so much end play I could push it out of the rear main seal with the flywheel unbolted. Shop foreman told me to put back together and park it on death row. I don't remember it having a loader on it. Andy