Allis Chalmers 5020 operation

Just got a 1980 model 5020 4WD. Perfect mechanically and needed a few days sanding and paint. I don't fully understand the lettering by shift levers/knob. The shift pattern is basic but can't determine if its a 5 or an S in the lower left. There's a knob that wont budge under the seat that has letters "FS L". Also a lever to the left of the knob with letters "M l and H". The PTO and implement up/down levers are fully understandable. I attached a couple of pics and would appreciate any help. My previous tractor was a JD 850, which had as many levers but was more understandable.

F and S knob is for Fast and Slow on the rear lift,S on the shift pattern is for Start if the safety wires are still hooked up so the tractor can't be started in gear,M,L,H are Medium,Low and High ranges.I'd suggest you pick up a owners manual off ebay.

On that F & s knob under the seat the L likely means locked so it can't lower.

And be careful and don't break anything as about Zero parts are available for those tractors.

The other guys have you covered on operation. I'm going to offer some perspective on manuals.

How many hundreds if not thousands of dollars did you spend on that tractor? How many hundreds of dollars did you spend on oil and filters? How many hundreds of dollars did you spend on paint?

Owners manuals for these tractors can be obtained for as little as $15 shipped to your door. There is no reason to quibble over the cost of an owner's manual especially in this case.

The tractor was $2800...I don't call that "thousands". If you're spending "hundreds" on paint (AC Orange-its the same as HD orange- $5/can on sale at HD and oil filter $7 at Walmart) you need to let someone else do your shopping. I do need to order an operating manual but the $15 one on Ebay seems useless...do you have a particular one in mind? Thanks for the response.

Thanks so much for that info. I'm still trying to determine how to change between 4WD and 2WD. Also still looking for a good manual, some on Ebay appear to be scams. Not looking to break anything which is why I asked questions on this site. The tractor has less than 900 hours and it will be used only for light bush hogging. Thank you for the info.

Mike, thanks for that info which no one seemed to know. Unfortunately that knob seems stuck and since the seat feels good I'm not going to try forcing it. Any idea if this tractor switches between 2WDand 4WD. There is no indicator that signals when its in either (my truck has a special indicator, wish the tractor did). Thanks for the response.

I'll look on my MF 220 same basic tractor as you have to see about the 4WD lever as it was a 4WD with a broken front end when I bought it.I changed it over to 2WD with parts off a AC 5020.

(quoted from post at 09:04:07 03/23/23) Mike, thanks for that info which no one seemed to know. Unfortunately that knob seems stuck and since the seat feels good I'm not going to try forcing it. Any idea if this tractor switches between 2WDand 4WD. There is no indicator that signals when its in either (my truck has a special indicator, wish the tractor did). Thanks for the response.

Click to expand...

The knob under the seat is not a seat adjustment. It is to control the speed the rear lift/three point hitch arms lower. Turn counterclockwise for a faster lowering, clockwise for slower lowering. Turned fully clockwise until the knob stops, will lock the lift from lowering.

Operator's Manuals tell you about the controls, how to operate the tractor, and give maintenance and adjustment information normally handled by an operator/owner. Operator's manuals are not large manuals, and a good used original on eBay is likely better print and picture quality than most new reprints. A new reprint of the Operator's manual is only $15.00 from the AGCO publications site.

If you want more repair type information, like a mechanic would use, you will need to purchase a Service Manual in addition to the Operator's Manual. You can purchase a parts book as well if you want, or use the online parts book at:

https://parts.agcocorp.com/


If you want, you can purchase the actual Allis Chalmers manuals for your tractor at this link:

http://www.agcopubs.com/

If you want help getting the proper manuals on that site, there is a phone number near the top right of the page you can call, and a person will assist you in getting the right manuals. Have the tractor serial number at hand in case they ask for it.

I doubt very much there ever was a four-wheel drive indicator on those tractors.

Thanks again Jim...my misunderstanding...knob for lift speed. I'm thinking the lever to the left of knob is to change between 2WD and 4WD, Thanks for the link to tha manual...I will order asap.

Manufactured by Hino-Moto , Rebadged by Allis-Chalmers , Massey-Ferguson and Ingersoll that I know of.

The 4/2 WD lever is under the seat on the left side with a rod running down to the 4WD gearbox.

Thanks...I just ran the tractor for a couple hours with bush hog. As someone mentioned it appears up is 2WD and down 4. The tractor ran like new. Checked it over after use and no evident leaks or fluid loss. This one will outlast me if maintained properly. Some parts may be a problem as someone mentioned but all filters (oil, fuel and air) are readily available from Fram and others for the Toyosha S126 diesel its equipped with. Thanks for the help.

(quoted from post at 05:54:30 03/23/23) The tractor was $2800...I don't call that "thousands". If you're spending "hundreds" on paint (AC Orange-its the same as HD orange- $5/can on sale at HD and oil filter $7 at Walmart) you need to let someone else do your shopping. I do need to order an operating manual but the $15 one on Ebay seems useless...do you have a particular one in mind? Thanks for the response.

Click to expand...

I did a quick google search and came up with several sources. One such source being "Peaceful Creek" which I have heard makes good quality reprints. Their price was around $16 shipped. Personally I like to find original originals even if they're not in perfect condition, actually, BETTER if they've got some grease stains on the pages.

Not sure what you mean by "useless." Any manual is better than no manual. It's entirely possible that you'll get cheated by an ebay seller, but you usually can't tell by looking at the listing. As long as what you get contains the information, even if it's a little fuzzy...

Anyway I was just trying to provide perspective. You've got $3000+ invested, a manual is 1/2 of 1% of that investment. Even at double the price it's 1%. Of course maybe my math is off by an order of magnitude. It's late in the day, and my brain is fried.

That's quite a coincidence...I just ordered that manual from Peaceful Creek...$15.99 including tax and delivery...can't beat that. Thanks much.

Do you still have the 4WD front axle? I am in the process of rebuilding two MF Hinomotos.

Still have part of it.

Could you send me an email. Would like to ask you about the axle.