M5140 vs. M6040

mdford · Dec 22, 2012

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!

TripleR · Dec 22, 2012

mdford said:
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.

94BULLITT · Dec 22, 2012

I have never heard of anybody regretting going too big.

NativeSon · Dec 23, 2012

Get the 6040 it is a great tractor ........you'll love it.

Charlie

moriboy · Dec 25, 2012

Go with the bigger machine. I learned the hard way, twice.

Piston · Dec 25, 2012

moriboy said:
Go with the bigger machine. I learned the hard way, twice.

I don't think you learned yet

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:

moriboy · Dec 28, 2012

Lol! I haven't updated my profile yet.

JoeBuyer · Dec 28, 2012

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.

ovrszd · Dec 29, 2012

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.

mdford · Dec 29, 2012

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.

TripleR · Dec 29, 2012

The V2403 has a good track record and is used in the MX4700 and MX5100 only without the turbo on the MX4700. The only difference I saw was the M5140 has an organic main clutch and the M6040 has Ceramatalic; wish I was smart enough to know whether that's important or not, but I kind of like it anyway.

As mentioned by ovrszd, the M6040 appears to come with larger tires. I like big tires and so does my dealer, so he orders all M8540 with the same tires as the M9540, if not, like ovrszd I would have an M9540 as opposed to our M8540.

While draft control is not necessary for most of us, I have had to change my opinion on it a bit. I used it farming, but not doing utility work. Since going with a much bigger box scrapper, I use it on our M8540 and kind of wish I had it on our L5740, not a real big deal, but a nice to have at least for me.

Not trying to change your mind, just throwing things out there.

kuboman · Dec 29, 2012

Ceramic clutches are more durable than the regular clutch. They can take more heat and not warp, and also withstand more wear.

mdford · Dec 29, 2012

A few days ago,the dealer delivered to me a new M5140HD, , Hyd. Shuttle, ROPS, FEL, Loaded R4 Tires, Canoply, and 6' Land Pride cutter. When I first looked at it at the dealer, they were unloading it off of the truck. It was freshly made in Nov. of this year. I really like to buy something that has not been on the lot for several months. When I first went to the dealer, I asked about the M6040HD and they said it was not a popular tractor, and usually, for a little more money, people would just go to the M7040HD. There is about a $1600 jump between the M models. eg. M5140, M6040, M7040. As far as tire size is concerned, the M5140 and the M6040 have the same R4 tires. And the clutch is Wet Disk and not dry. If I were using a turning plow, I would sure have opt'd for the draft control. Back in 1985, I paid $350 extra to get draft on the L2550, but in all those years, I never used it even once. Anyway, that's my story and I really appreciate all the good comments that you have offered. It's nice to have some good opinions from knowledgeable people. Thank You and Happy New Year!

TripleR · Dec 29, 2012

kuboman said:
Ceramic clutches are more durable than the regular clutch. They can take more heat and not warp, and also withstand more wear.

Thanks for the information.

kuboman · Dec 29, 2012

mdford said:
A few days ago,the dealer delivered to me a new M5140HD, , Hyd. Shuttle, ROPS, FEL, Loaded R4 Tires, Canoply, and 6' Land Pride cutter. When I first looked at it at the dealer, they were unloading it off of the truck. It was freshly made in Nov. of this year. I really like to buy something that has not been on the lot for several months. When I first went to the dealer, I asked about the M6040HD and they said it was not a popular tractor, and usually, for a little more money, people would just go to the M7040HD. There is about a $1600 jump between the M models. eg. M5140, M6040, M7040. As far as tire size is concerned, the M5140 and the M6040 have the same R4 tires. And the clutch is Wet Disk and not dry. If I were using a turning plow, I would sure have opt'd for the draft control. Back in 1985, I paid $350 extra to get draft on the L2550, but in all those years, I never used it even once. Anyway, that's my story and I really appreciate all the good comments that you have offered. It's nice to have some good opinions from knowledgeable people. Thank You and Happy New Year!

Only the models with the hydraulic shuttle have a 'wet clutch.' The rest use a standard clutch.

xring100 · Dec 29, 2012

ovrszd said:
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

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.

You could put any option tire on available on the M8540 I opted for the Radials 12.4 x 24 Front 18.4x30's over the Bias Plies the dealer said they would have put a different tire on the tractor but i figure for $750 what the heck get the radials. I purchased a 2011 because i really did not want the added cost or frustration later down the road with a Tier 4. Mechanical Injection is so much simpler

TripleR · Dec 29, 2012

xring100 said:
You could put any option tire on available on the M8540 I opted for the Radials 12.4 x 24 Front 18.4x30's over the Bias Plies the dealer said they would have put a different tire on the tractor but i figure for $750 what the heck get the radials. I purchased a 2011 because i really did not want the added cost or frustration later down the road with a Tier 4. Mechanical Injection is so much simpler

Yes, you can get different tires and such on the M8540, now M8560. I wanted cast centers, air ride seat, quick coupler for FEL and a couple of other things but it was going to take several weeks to configure it the way I would have liked. My old tractor was toes up and I needed a replacement ASAP, so I took as close to as I wanted as I could get. If a person has the time, wait and get what you want that's what I did on my L5740.

ovrszd · Dec 31, 2012

Sounds like the $1600 upgrade was not cost effective for you. If you don't need the HP, I would certainly agree. As I said, generally speaking, the smaller HP version of identical chassis is usually the best bang for the buck. Good luck with your new tractor when ya get it!!!