M5140 vs. M6040

   / M5140 vs. M6040 #1  

mdford

New member
Joined
Jun 30, 2012
Messages
10
Location
Al
Tractor
Kubota L2550, Dresser 175C, M5140HD
The only difference I see in these two tractors is the engine and about $1500. The 5140 has the V2403 (149 CI) and the 6040 has the V3307 (203 CI). At the dealer's lot, the V2403 engine seems to rattle with the familiar "diesel ping" and the V3307 does not. Also, I noticed that at 35 degrees the V3307 starts faster than the V2403. Overall, the V3307 just seems to be a better running, smoother engine.
Which, leads me to this question....... Do any of you have an opinion about these two engines? I wonder what's the real difference? Is there a difference in longevity between the two? Would it be worth $1500 to get the bigger, smoother engine in the long run? I don't want to get the smaller engine and then wish I had spent the extra dollars to get the bigger.............. Thanks for your comments!
 
   / M5140 vs. M6040 #2  
The only difference I see in these two tractors is the engine and about $1500. The 5140 has the V2403 (149 CI) and the 6040 has the V3307 (203 CI). At the dealer's lot, the V2403 engine seems to rattle with the familiar "diesel ping" and the V3307 does not. Also, I noticed that at 35 degrees the V3307 starts faster than the V2403. Overall, the V3307 just seems to be a better running, smoother engine.
Which, leads me to this question....... Do any of you have an opinion about these two engines? I wonder what's the real difference? Is there a difference in longevity between the two? Would it be worth $1500 to get the bigger, smoother engine in the long run? I don't want to get the smaller engine and then wish I had spent the extra dollars to get the bigger.............. Thanks for your comments!

It would be to me, over the life time of a tractor $1500 is really inconsequential to get something you want.
 
   / M5140 vs. M6040 #3  
I have never heard of anybody regretting going too big.
 
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   / M5140 vs. M6040 #4  
Get the 6040 it is a great tractor ........you'll love it.

Charlie
 
   / M5140 vs. M6040 #5  
Go with the bigger machine. I learned the hard way, twice.
 
   / M5140 vs. M6040 #6  
Go with the bigger machine. I learned the hard way, twice.

I don't think you learned yet :D You went from a a 2012 M7040 to a 2010 L3240? Seems a little backwards to me. :laughing:

Just kidding, I'm sure there is an explanation. :confused3:
 
   / M5140 vs. M6040 #7  
Lol! I haven't updated my profile yet.
 
   / M5140 vs. M6040 #8  
The 5140 on tractor data.com is showing as turbo. The 6040 is not shown there as turbo. Bigger engine, non turbo, more power? Unless the fuel consumption is hugely more, go big.
 
   / M5140 vs. M6040 #9  
Generally speaking, the smaller HP tractor in the same chassis is the best buy for the money. Generally speaking the $1500-$2000 to jump up the HP seems very expensive.

I'm not familiar with these two tractors so I can't be sure they are duplicate chassis, tire size, lift capacity, tractor weight, etc. I'd look closely at all those things using the Kubota website data. You might find that you are buying something beyond an engine difference.

Now with all that said,,, if you need the HP, the cost is insignificant.

In my current tractor the M8540 and M9540 share the same identical engine. The 10 HP difference is gained in fuel delivery. The M9540 has a size larger tire, front and rear. The tire size drove my decision more than the HP. I was buying a tractor sitting on the dealer's lot and a discontinued model. I could only find a M9540 equipped as I needed so I didn't have much of an option. Later I heard of buyers that went for the M8540 with the larger M9540 tires installed.

Look closely at these two tractors. Then decide if you need the extra HP. Good luck with your decision.
 
   / M5140 vs. M6040
  • Thread Starter
#10  
Well, after studying these two tractors very closely, I decided to go with the M5140. Besides the $1600, the only difference in these two tractors is the engine and draft control. (which I don't need). Everything else is exactly the same. The only reason that I considered the M6040, was the V3307 engine seemed to run smoother than the V2403. But after cranking and running many times, I decided the V2403 ran just as smooth and even with a little less vibration...(especially at low RPM's). As I said in my first post, the V3307 engine seems to run just a shade quieter than the smaller engine. But from what I can read. the V2403 is a souped up little package of HP. (2.4 L @50+ Hp) I'm sure either of these two engines would run for many years without any major problems. I have a L2550 4WD that I bought new in 1985. It has been an outstanding tractor down through the years. "Tough as Nails" Garage kept with 1200+ hours. Still looks new! The only maintenance was a water pump at about 1000 hours. I considered other tractors and have been looking and studying other brands for quite a while. But I always seemed to gravitate back towards the orange tractors.
 
 
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