New Holland 5030

[Yooperwing]

Thinking about going to look at a NH 5030 tractor. A few ? maybe someone can help me out with…… this tractor has forward and reverse shuttle, does it have neutral in between?Reason I ask is because my left knee is getting wore out and after a day of round balding, it’s pretty sore. (Using a 6600 Ford now) seems the shuttle would be a lot easier on the knee. Also is the shuttle mechanical or hydraulic? And is it synchronized? Wondering too, where they are built?
Appreciate any info you all can provide ! Thank you all so much!
Yooperwing

 

[DanielW]

I've been looking for one for a while - folks seem to love them, and they accordingly always fetch more money than I can justify. My understanding is it's pretty much a 5610 engine mated to the rear end from a 4610/4630, with a mechanical shuttle. Ford realized the 4610 rear end was more than capable of handling a little more power, and there was more of a market for a slightly smaller/more nimble tractor in that HP range, so they came up with the 5030. I think there were two trannies offered: an 8x8, and a 16x8 (high/low fwd.). I THINK (but could be wrong) that the 16X8s had problems if the fluid wasn't kept clean and changed often enough.

As I say, everyone seems to love them. But I haven't yet managed to bag one, so I have no first-hand experience. You may want to check out the Kubota's of that era/size, as the hydraulic shuttle on them was pretty much indestructible, and would probably be easier on your knee. Of course, you'll need to re-mortgage the farm to pay for a Kubota of that size...

 

[Destroked 450]

I’m a bit biased on the model due to the repairs I have done to a neighbors 5030
He was not good at maintenance but some of the troubles he has started before he purchased it
1st the shuttle shift transmissions used in the 3930, 4630, 5030 were made by Kubota for Ford
Good transmissions if properly maintained but pricy to repair if not
These transmissions has an oil pump to lube some of the shafts and bearings, no other 3 cylinder Ford manual transmissions had this feature. If the suction screen in the transmission wasn’t serviced and keep clean the transmission would eventually fail
When the screen plugs up or the pump fails on the 16x8 the dual power clutches would burn out
10 years ago the oil pump cost $1000 and there were only two in North America at that time, the dual power clutches was another $1000, on his the oil distributor housing, control valve, and relief valve were badly scored, these items were no long available so we couldn’t fix his transmission
I replaced it with an 8x8 from a 3930 that also has a oil pump and screen but was in good condition
The shuttle is mechanical so there is just as much clutch use as a non shuttle
If synchronizer fails they cost over $2000 each if one is still available, I have the used ones from his 5030
If the tractor is 4wd the outer hum assemblies can be repaired if you can get your JD dear to work with you, ring and pinion gears are not available
Lastly the 256 engine they use is an excellent engine but it takes a special radiator to keep it cooled in the smaller chassis. A radiator for a 5030 only fits a 5030, $1200 at the dealer, no aftermarket, got his recored for $700

I’m a Ford person and this is just my opinion
If you want a 60-70 hp small chassis with shuttle and possibly 4wd look at a Kubota M6800 or preferably a M7040

 

[Casey in Ky]

What Destroked 450 said is right on the money. If you buy that tractor with the old standard 8x2 trans they’re almost bullet proof. I’ve got a Ford 4830(the 4830 was made from 92-94 and in 94 they changed it the 5030) that has been all you could ever ask for. But when you add the shuttle to it, its buyer beware. If they’ve been maintained it’s a maybe, because parts are virtually non existent for them. To my knowledge Kubota didn’t use that shuttle in any of their own stuff, it was specifically made for Ford/NH and it’s been discontinued for several years now. And it’s a shame because a shuttle on that tractor would be so handy. I’d probably pass on the 30 series and maybe look for a 4 cylinder 10 series with a shuttle, if I was dead set on a Ford or New Holland, or maybe even a little newer and look at the TN series, but that’s an entirely Fiat built tractor, but they have been decent to my knowledge.

 

[Harry in Ky]

Decent maybe, but not nearly as reliable as the Ford versions. Also MUCH harder to work on.

 

[495man]

The 8x8 in the 5030 had a neutral...but you need the clutch.

If your knee is bad, get a Hydraulic shuttle. M7040 Kubota with hydraulic shuttle no clutch. M7060 is newer, M6800 is older.

I bale with hydraulic shuttle, rarely touch the clutch pedal. Pull shuttle to N to tie & dump the bale, back to F to start a new one. Easy to go to R after tying if you do need to back up on a slope to dump.

 

[Destroked 450]

The 8x8 in the 5030 had a neutral...but you need the clutch.

If your knee is bad, get a Hydraulic shuttle. M7040 Kubota with hydraulic shuttle no clutch. M7060 is newer, M6800 is older.

I bale with hydraulic shuttle, rarely touch the clutch pedal. Pull shuttle to N to tie & dump the bale, back to F to start a new one. Easy to go to R after tying if you do need to back up on a slope to dump.

M6800 has mechanical shuttle, a cousin has one that I’ve driven

What Destroked 450 said is right on the money. If you buy that tractor with the old standard 8x2 trans they’re almost bullet proof. I’ve got a Ford 4830(the 4830 was made from 92-94 and in 94 they changed it the 5030) that has been all you could ever ask for. But when you add the shuttle to it, its buyer beware. If they’ve been maintained it’s a maybe, because parts are virtually non existent for them. To my knowledge Kubota didn’t use that shuttle in any of their own stuff, it was specifically made for Ford/NH and it’s been discontinued for several years now. And it’s a shame because a shuttle on that tractor would be so handy. I’d probably pass on the 30 series and maybe look for a 4 cylinder 10 series with a shuttle, if I was dead set on a Ford or New Holland, or maybe even a little newer and look at the TN series, but that’s an entirely Fiat built tractor, but they have been decent to my knowledge.

Thanks, just a FYI
4830 and 5030 were built at the same time but the 4830 was dropped from production after a few years
4830 was a 4 cylinder version of the 3930
5030 was a 4 cylinder version of the 4630

 

[495man]

M6800 has mechanical shuttle, a cousin has one that I’ve driven


Thanks, just a FYI
4830 and 5030 were built at the same time but the 4830 was dropped from production after a few years
4830 was a 4 cylinder version of the 3930
5030 was a 4 cylinder version of the 4630

I should have clarified the M6800 "utility special" was manual/synchro shuttle, the M6800 "hydraulic shuttle" was the clutchless version. I've driven both types, both have the left hand column lever. I looked at an M6800 hydraulic shuttle with an ALO loader before I bought.

 

[Casey in Ky]

M6800 has mechanical shuttle, a cousin has one that I’ve driven


Thanks, just a FYI
4830 and 5030 were built at the same time but the 4830 was dropped from production after a few years
4830 was a 4 cylinder version of the 3930
5030 was a 4 cylinder version of the 4630

Learn something everyday. I had never noticed this production over lap(‘90 to ‘94 for the 4830 and ‘92 to ‘96 on the 5030). When I bought my 4830 however many moons ago my dealer(longtime Ford/New Holland dealer) told me the 4830 was just the early 5030 and I never questioned it….