LS U5020

[Clint S]

Our Farm Trac is in the shop (my garage) more than it is out and it started making another noise from a different spot and I am through with it.
I am looking at a LS U5020. Looking at the good the bad and the ugly. We will be keeping the 3 pt backhoe from the farm trac to use on it. Owners and others chime in please. From what I have read using the search, button I will have to check the loader bolts and that is about it. Any one have one of these and have issues.
Thanks Clint

 

[Rainbody]

I've put 70 hours on my u5030 which is pretty much the same minus engine stuff.
I haven't had an issue. The only thing is lack of a cup holder. I'd like somewhere to put my drink. Besides that, I like my LS and would buy another.

 

[LittleBlueTractor]

Our Farm Trac is in the shop (my garage) more than it is out and it started making another noise from a different spot and I am through with it.

Hello Clint,

I believe most of the Farm Tracs sold in the US were actually rebranded LSs. If yours was one, how well did it do for you before you decided to give up on it?

 

[Clint S]

Hello Clint,

I believe most of the Farm Tracs sold in the US were actually rebranded LSs. If yours was one, how well did it do for you before you decided to give up on it?

It is a 555DTC the one that looks like a ford. The tractor itself ran good It has had a few little issues , but one big thing.
3 years ago 2 pinion retainer bolts came free and got in 4x4 case and cracked it and ruined the pinion. Fixed = bought new gear set and loctited everything. Brazed 4x4 box
2 years ago same thing happened. Pinion retainer bolts came out, pinion bearing ripped circlip groove out and shattered 4x4 box, bent lift and draft linkage a bit. Fixed = New 4x4 box , tacked new pinion bearing to end of shaft , tacked the pinion bolts via a piece of steel between the bolts so they could not turn out, straightened linkage.
This year making a grumbling sounds sounds like the pinion retainer bearings (which I replace 3 years ago) Will have to grind out welds to fix and the brake linings need to be replaces.
Thats 500$$ in bearings to replace, 600$$$ in brake linings and the fear of those freaking bolts again.
Also had to split to replace a broken spring internally on the clutch.
Time for some new iron. Saturday dealer (who I bought the trac from) offered 9k trade (I told him about the noise too) and 26k on a 5020. Dad went up today and told him to do the deal and now he said he has to talk to the sales person before he gives me a price. I hope he can stick close to the rough quote he gave me because I am done working on the Trac. I have had to split it 3 times in 7 years

 

[LittleBlueTractor]

It is a 555DTC the one that looks like a ford. The tractor itself ran good It has had a few little issues , but one big thing.
3 years ago 2 pinion retainer bolts came free and got in 4x4 case and cracked it and ruined the pinion. Fixed = bought new gear set and loctited everything. Brazed 4x4 box
2 years ago same thing happened. Pinion retainer bolts came out, pinion bearing ripped circlip groove out and shattered 4x4 box, bent lift and draft linkage a bit. Fixed = New 4x4 box , tacked new pinion bearing to end of shaft , tacked the pinion bolts via a piece of steel between the bolts so they could not turn out, straightened linkage.
This year making a grumbling sounds sounds like the pinion retainer bearings (which I replace 3 years ago) Will have to grind out welds to fix and the brake linings need to be replaces.
Thats 500$$ in bearings to replace, 600$$$ in brake linings and the fear of those freaking bolts again.
Also had to split to replace a broken spring internally on the clutch.
Time for some new iron. Saturday dealer (who I bought the trac from) offered 9k trade (I told him about the noise too) and 26k on a 5020. Dad went up today and told him to do the deal and now he said he has to talk to the sales person before he gives me a price. I hope he can stick close to the rough quote he gave me because I am done working on the Trac. I have had to split it 3 times in 7 years

So it sure sounds like you need a new tractor to me too, but you gave it one heck of a try. Turns out the 555 DTC isn't a rebranded LS. Found this on some wiki:

"The Farmtrac 555 DTC tractor was manufactured in India by Escort Agri. It was later rebadged as the Montana Limited 555 DTC. The tractor is powered by a 50 hp (37 kW) Perkins engine. It was sold in the USA under the Long banner."

Good luck with your new one!

 

[trac]

Are you running a front loader on the 555? Is the U5020 priced with a loader?

 

[Clint S]

Are you running a front loader on the 555? Is the U5020 priced with a loader?

Yes and Yes. Loaders are standard equipment on the LS. I was extremely happy with the Farm Trac Loader it held up well. We also have a Farm Trac 3 pt backhoe that we are keeping to use on the LS

 

[Clint S]

Well the guy said today that he needs to come up and look at our Back hoe to make sure it will fit and we should be pretty close on the price we talked about. I hope to go up on Wednesday to sign the papers.