The step child tractors

Very little post on the 5040, 5045, 5050, 160, 6040 tractors. Are they really red head step child AC tractors? Is it because they were built over seas? I’m all for built in America, but it was AC’s attempt to save the small HP market. I’m all for built in the good ole USA, but these small tractors did a good job at attempting to save AC’s smaller market. Everyone was doing it, IH, Deere, trying to survive the 80’s. Not a fan at first, but after owning my 160, it’s a damn good tractor for what it was intended for. As I add a newly acquired 460 loader to it, it hopefully will be a good combination. A few months from now, I will have a better idea of it’s versatility. As of now I’m enjoying the fuel efficiency of the Perkins diesel and it’s easy cold starts, synchronized transmission as I feed our cattle. Adding a loader, skid steer compatibility, I’m hoping the money I’m investing will pay off. We shall see…just rambling on since I see so few responses to those of us small farmers that are happy with AC’s IMPORT tractors.

My enthusiasm for my 160 is rapidly going down hill.  First it was electrical gremlins that I just lived with now that it lost hydraulics it’s stuffed in a polebarn on my ill fix it someday list.  Sounds like the hydraulics losing prime is a common thing.   The little Perkins is the highlight.  

In the years those tractors were available, the dealerships I was at didn't really have much of a market for them. All our customers were buying larger tractors. I've never even driven or worked on a One-Sixty or 6040. Have worked on a few 5040-5045's and maybe one 5050. Overall, the Fiat tractors were probably better and more accepted (Oliver had them too) and A-C stayed with them more years. The 6060-70-80 was a pretty darn good marriage and were well accepted and were more what we were selling.

I have a 5040 and a 5050 FWA, I like them they are good tractors, the 5040 is probably the best 40hp tractor for the money I have found. There are Allis purists who turn their nose up at them but I like mine. I am trying to restore the 5050 to take to shows because you never see them and it will be easier to trailer it then my 200 or 7040. As far as the Perkins engine I have a 170 and I love it for the power and fuel economy.

I agree on the COVID thing, I ordered a set of headers for my 66 F100 and have been waiting since September.

I don’t know John I looked the 5020 up and I think it looks better with the turf tires, but I don’t know what you are using the tractor for. I like the 5020 it looks like a neat tractor.

Last year I overhauled a 5050 where the drain plug had fell out and it was run out of oil. Cost a connecting rod and of course had to turn the crank. The dry sleeves are actually thick enough you can bore the sleeve and buy an oversized piston. Did a complete overhaul. Say what you want about Fiat, that engine was well built and powerful for its size, as was the rest of the tractor. Would have made a fine unit in the field