l5030hstc ready to buy, I think

[SALVAGEGUY]

Hello everyone. This is my fiirst post here after observing for over 3 years. I currently own a BX-22 TLB and a RTV900. Since buying the BX we have moved from 3 acres to 50 acres. Of course now the BX isn't big enough.
I need a machine to pull a square bale baler, mower conditioner and hay rake as well as some serious landscape and road work.
I test drove a L5030HSTC yesterday and I loved it and so did my wife. It was a 2005 model with loader. The best price I could squeeze out of the dealer was $30,700. Does everyone think this
is enough machine? Any thoughts? Does price seem fair or should I be able to do better?
Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Todd

 

[LeadPoison]

Not a bad price and a great machine.

Are you sold on the hydro tranny?

If not take a look at the M4900. I got mine (2wd) with a loader for $20,500.

 

[LeadPoison]

Forgot to add I would prefer a gear tranny with all the bailing you plan on doing. Plus the M series is a bigger tractor and meant for more heavy duty applications.

 

[riptides]

I have the same situation as you. Added 50+ acres and outclassed my B7800.

I am looking at the new M's hard. A few posted here have added that while the 5030 is a great machine, for what your thinking of doing, you might want to move up a class. Browse the AG forum for more reading pleasure on this topic.

-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[slowzuki]

You don't mention how hilly your land is.

I baled about 4000 small squares with my 5030hstc last year and it did great but I had only the baler behind me.

It also ran the haybine well (9ft nh489) but both my tractor and the 52 pto hp international would huff a bunch when turning and mowing the uphill sections.

It will not run a discbine. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

If you need to pull the baler and a wagon, I'd move up to a M5700 or M6800.

 

[SALVAGEGUY]

My land is gently rolling. I really like the L5030 BECAUSE OF THE HYDROSTAT. mY WIFE AND 2 BOYS (12 AND 10) can use it safely.
Is is very similar to my BX22 in terms of layout. I really like the
M series but safety is a huge issue. I just don't want to make the
mistake of buying too little HP. Has anyone driven a M series with cab, such as M6800?

 

[SCDolphin]

I started looking at L3130 but very cramped by treadle pedal. Creeped to the 4330 because of the heavier L853 loader. I looked at JD 4120 because of the better leg room but the other day I made the mistake of trying a M5040 and I think that is the one I will buy. It is about 15-20 inches longer than the 4330 weights about 2-3 hundred more pounds but is about the same price of the 5330. It has a rear remote. No hst but I think the hydro shuttle will work fine with loader work.
I think the Kubota is a great machine. The JD are turbocharged but much louder. It's like comparing toyota or honda to an american car....just feels better. (I only have fords but you know what i mean).
Anyway good luck

 

[LeadPoison]

I would personally be leary of allowing my 10 or 12 year old using 50 HP tractor. If they can't operate a gear shift they should not be operating a utility tractor with a hydro tranny "because it's safer." I would get a 65 HP gear shift with shuttle shift and not look back.

 

[texasjohn]

I have a L5030 and it's plenty of tractor for my needs. You didn't say if what you are looking at/pricing is 4wd, with cab, FEL, Quick Attach, and what attachments come with it...all this dramatically influences price thus I can't comment on your price...

for me, the HST is just what I need. Agreed that you will have to be VERY careful with your kids operating any tractor... they gotta learn somehow and sometime but will need supervision. Weight is a MAJOR concern for me.... I move round hay bales, other heavy stuff with both front and rear attachments.... sounds like you may as well... Beware that a bare 5030 tractor WILL turn into a 2 wheeler very unexpectedly if unbalanced and doing heavy front/rear lifting.... and sometimes I am unaware that a heavy lift is coming up.... pulling a fence post with FEL/chain/hooks and no weight on rear for example if it is unexpectedly really stuck in the ground. I DO have all sorts of attachments for both front and rear weight balance... it is just that the tractor is so versatile that it isn't always possible to plan ahead for proper weight balance for the various tasks that come up while in the seat.

In this case, only the judgement of the operator keeps things safe and unbusted.

My net is that constant attention to careful operation and attention to speed (slow) of operation is critical to being safe.

And, the 5030 HSTC can be a very, very safe tractor.

The 5030 IS an amazing tractor and I love it... but it IS powerful and will take you to the edge and beyond of things you only dreamed of... but only if you approach its lifting limits carefully and with balanced weight.

 

[chilibit]

I use a bx2250, an RTV and the 5030HSTC. They complement each other pretty well. My boots get tangled up because of the tightness of the floor space on the bx and 5030 and the joystick makes the cab a one door deal. But I am not giving up the cab. I use the bx for finish mowing on steep hills. I am not keen on the larger tractor on those hills, but I only use it with a rotary cutter and the 853 loader and some minor ground engaging pieces. I think you will like it. Having said that, I would buy an M series if I had to do it again.