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
Butch