What's the reputation of 5040s?

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?

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 . . . . . .

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.

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.

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.


Edited by JohnCO - 12 Dec 2015 at 6:28pm

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.

My first choice would be the Ford 3000.

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