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Minneapolis-Moline 5 Star

Verified
Minneapolis-Moline 5 Star tractor
Photo: Stevandtpatterson · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons

The Minneapolis-Moline 5 Star (1957–1960) was a versatile mid-size tractor offered in several configurations and all three fuel systems.

Identification & configuration

TractorData lists the 5 Star in Universal (tricycle, single-front, and adjustable wide-front), Standard, and Industrial configurations, in gasoline, LP-gas, and diesel.

It is often confused with the M-5 that followed — see 5 Star vs M-5 and the Star-series overview.

Factory paint

Per the MMCI paint records, the 5 Star used the common Prairie Gold (PG2) with Cherry Red wheels and grille across its Universal, Standard, and Industrial forms. See the full paint reference.

What to verify

  • Configuration & fuel: confirm which body and fuel system you have before ordering parts.
  • Serial / plate: on the side of the transmission case; decode the serial (ranges below).
  • Don’t confuse it with the M-5 (a later, different tractor).

Sources & Verification Notes

Configuration and years per TractorData; paint per MMCI; serial ranges per Jensales as cited below. We do not assert horsepower figures, and we flag production counts as collector-reported until confirmed against factory literature.

Serial Number Ranges

YearSerial rangeNumber typeSource confidence
1957 11000001 – 11001057 tractor plate Verified Medium
1958 11001058 – 11001058 tractor plate Verified Medium
1959 11700060 – 11700060 tractor plate Verified Medium
1959 11400786 – 14401295 tractor plate Verified High
1961 18900041 – 18900041 tractor plate Verified Medium

Decode a specific serial number →

Engine

Specifications

Nebraska TestNo. 651 (1958)
FuelLP-gas (commercial propane)
EngineMinneapolis-Moline LPG, 4-cylinder vertical
Bore × Stroke4-1/4" × 5" (283 cu in)
Compression Ratio8.3 to 1
Rated RPM1500
CarburetorSize 1-1/4"
IgnitionBattery, 12 volt
Max Belt Horsepower54.96 hp at 1530 rpm (observed)
Rated Belt Horsepower48.58 hp at 1546 rpm
Max Drawbar Horsepower49.36 hp at 1500 rpm, 4025 lb pull (observed)
Rated Drawbar Horsepower39.57 hp at 1500 rpm, 3032 lb pull
Speeds (mph)3.14 / 4.80 / 5.95 / 9.12 / 17.37; reverse 4.80
Total Weight as Tested9205 lb (with operator)
Tested fuel economy9.29 hp·hr/gal
Test remarkDuring Test D the throttle control linkage was lengthened to eliminate engine hunting.

Specifications per the cited source below. Manufacturer-advertised figures can differ from tested values — confirm restoration-critical specs against factory literature.

Source: Nebraska Tractor Test No. 651 (1958) — 5 Star

Nebraska Tractor Test Results

Official, independently measured performance from the University of Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory (public-domain reports). Figures are as-tested on a specific fuel/transmission variant — your tractor may differ. Look up the full report by test number.

Test No.FuelYearDrawbar hp (max)PTO/Belt hp
651LP-gas195849.36 hp54.96 hp (PTO)
652Diesel195849.62 hp54.68 hp (PTO)

Full test summary (TractorData transcription) →

Factory Paint Colors

Body, wheel, and powertrain colors documented for this model's era by the MMCI Paint Committee. The exact part-by-part configuration, year breaks, and footnotes are in the full paint reference. Individual tractors vary — special orders and regional exceptions were common, so confirm against your own machine.

Manuals & Literature

Factory publications cataloged for this model (MMCI / Floyd County Museum). We catalog the publication and its coverage — not its contents. Obtain copies from the museum or a reproduction seller.

Operator's Manuals

Parts Catalogs

Browse all manuals →

Finding Parts

We don't publish part numbers we can't verify against factory literature. The authority for this model's part numbers is its factory parts catalog; interchange is serial- and configuration-dependent, so always confirm against the parts book before buying.

Factory parts catalogs

Engine-family parts

This model uses the 336 ci (5.5 L) Four-Cylinder (Gas / LP / Diesel), shared with M-5 and M-670 / M-670 Super. Many engine-family components are common across these models — verify fitment against the parts catalog, as serial- and configuration-specific variations exist.

Documented parts

Cataloged Minneapolis-Moline part numbers documented for this model. Applications vary by serial, year, and configuration — confirm against your parts book before ordering.

Carburetor

  • TSX-693 — Marvel-Schebler carburetor (MM# 10A10055)

Clutch

  • 10P1368 — 12" pressure plate assy, 3 levers, 12 springs
  • 10A13865 — Pressure plate, 11", three levers, 12 springs

Oil Filter

Seal

Valve Train

Browse vetted Minneapolis-Moline parts suppliers →

Surviving Examples (collector-reported census)

Owner-submitted survivors, reviewed before publishing. Collector-reported — these corroborate, but do not establish, the documented serial ranges above.

  • 4 known survivors
  • Serials observed: 1,100,99911,200,228

Add your 5 Star to the registry → Browse the full census →

Service Bulletins

Factory dealer service bulletins — supplements, field conversions, and fixes for this model. See the full reference.

  • C 137 335/445/5 Star Supplement, Gear Gang Attachment
  • D 336B 5 Star Operating, adjusting & Servicing Tel-O-Flo Lifts
  • D 339 5 Star Depth Limit Control Rods to install on tractors
  • D 345 5 Star Front End Weights
  • D 353 5 Star Shop specs, LP & gasoline models
  • D 359 5 Star Shop Specs for 5 Star Diesel
  • D 367 5 Star Converting Tel-O-Flo from internal to external

Sources & Verification Notes

Status: Verified

Primary source: TractorData — Minneapolis-Moline model listings tier 4

Last checked: 2026-06-01

Videos

Curated third-party videos — MinnieMo is not affiliated; links open on YouTube.

Owner Notes & Questions

Own one, restored one, or have a question about this model? Share it below. Notes are moderated before they appear, and owner-reported details are not treated as verified facts until cited.

Add a note or question

Submitted notes are moderated. Owner-reported details corroborate but do not establish verified facts.