Mannheim tractors

woodbutcher

Well-known Member
When I bought my 2040 two years ago, I was in a bind for a loader tractor to use loading hay I had already sold. It has a 145 loader on it. It served its purpose quite well that summer. The hydraulics are strong for such a small tractor, and it has oversize front tires that make up for the swept back front axle, so that the turning radius is tight. It has a phantom hydraulic leak I can';t seem to track down. For awhile it seemed to be dripping from where a rear main seal would be located, although it's hard to tell on this model. But now it is definitely from around the remote hydraulic connector housing where it attaches to the top cover. I'm planning to remove the heavy box blade that's on it to see if that moves the leak somewhere else. It has water in the rear tires, so I don't use it in freezing weather, but when I back it out of the shop, it looks like the Exxon Valdez was parked there. I've owned two 3010's and a 720 in the past, plus other makes and sizes of tractors as needed, all used. Things that I took for granted on my Waterloo tractors, like a heavy steel dipstick in the hydraulic reservoir and a heavier-than-pipe cast filler cap, have been changed to plastic on the Mannheim tractor. I haven't had to replace the load control shaft seals since I bought it, so I don't miss that chore. I mentioned to my son, who called me as he was touring the Mannheim plant, that the tractor I bought is a Mannheim tractor. He just said "Oh," as if that's nothing to brag about. Sorry for the long post, but I was just wondering if this 2040 is of a lower quality than other Deere tractors made in the early 80's. Also, if anybody has had experience solving similar hydraulic leaks, I would appreciate any information I can get.
Butch
 
Yes, they are of lower quality..Yes they are a handy little loader tractor,,Yes, they develop ghostly issues that will drive you crazy...Yes, when they are working good they are "great"
 
Deere's Utility Tractor Line has been made in Germany's Mannheim factory for many years. The first models were imported for sale here in the early 70's. These were quality products and included high-line features, such as replaceable wet sleeves in the engines, lower-link draft sensing and an open center hydraulic system. Waterloo tractors offered more options in the late 70's-early 80's, including more hydraulic flow, Quad-Range and Power Shift Transmissions, but as an owner, you already know they were built for higher-HP work. In recent years, Deere has built tractors for sale in the US at Waterloo, Mannheim, Mexico and India. They also now have an assembly plant in Augusta, GA. Waterloo still builds high HP Row Crop Tractors and 4WD models with all of the latest premier features. Even today, the smaller Utility models do not have all of the bells and whistles found on the larger units. Common throughout the line is Deere quality and good dealer availability for parts and service, all supporting high resale values.
 
Clean the tractor, give it a good pressure wash. With all the dirt removed the leaks will be evident. External leaks are not normally a problem on a Mannheim tractor.
 
You can but dye in your oil and confirm with a black light where the leak is. Cummins Distributors have it.

The 2040 is a good tractor if used for the purpose it was designed for.
 
With water in the rear tires and its heavy ROPS and canopy, the loader will lift the heaviest round bale I've seen without an attachment on the rear. I still like to have some weight on back to counterbalance it, though. It starts and runs great.
Butch
 
(quoted from post at 08:20:31 01/24/13) Clean the tractor, give it a good pressure wash. With all the dirt removed the leaks will be evident. External leaks are not normally a problem on a Mannheim tractor.

I'll second what Larry stated. 2040's are good utility tractors. What year model is this 2040?
 
Got a 2040 in the tool shed right now. When I first got it is ran me nuts. The gasket on the hydraulic cover kept leaking by my right foot. I finally just fixed it myself...and it has been leak free since.
Good little tractor. I am 6'4" and I have never had a space problem...
 
You should see the look on some faces when they proudly talk about how great their USA John Deere is then point to the serial number plate that says Mannheim. After you tell them Mannheim is in Germany. The pout is on and suddenly that tractor is good for nothing.
Seems to be mostly about country of origin that motivates most flag waving Mannheim haters.
 
at work we have a jd utility that when you go to mother deere for filters you need to specify that it was built in mexico, their are 2 different oil filter numbers,
 
Hi Bill,
To fix it, did you just replace the gasket? I might try that. I did make more space on mine by moving the left fender out. I haven't done the right fender yet, because it requires breaking and re-torquing the ROPS, and they must be at least 300 ft.lbs.(I'm guessing.) I don't have a torque wrench that goes up that high, nor a cheater bar long enough to move the needle that much.
Butch
 
(quoted from post at 08:04:46 01/25/13) Hi Bill,
To fix it, did you just replace the gasket? I might try that. I did make more space on mine by moving the left fender out. I haven't done the right fender yet, because it requires breaking and re-torquing the ROPS,

Butch
Re-torquing? Aw Butch that what a long piece of cheater pipe is for. :wink:
 
Yeah...I had the Deere folks fix it twice...they did a lousy job.
I cleaned it up real good and put on a new gasket.
Key was getting all the old gastet and rust/junk off. It was tough to get it clean.
 
Dad had three new 2040's. I have the last one he bought and it has 8000 hours and has never had any work except a hyd pump rebuild.No complaints from us as it has been a great tractor.
 

Just checking because of your hyd leak to determine if it was closed center hyd's and it is. If you R&R rockshaft cover be sure and get correct quad ring.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top