LS U5030C or P7010C

Mike1369 · Dec 20, 2012

Hey guys new to the tractor world and need a little help.

My father in law has a 10 acre palm farm that he can no longer work on, due to health reasons, so he has decided to pass it over to the idiot son in law (that's me if you ask him...:thumbsup

About 20 years ago I used to broker palms but it was only has hobby, I am now left with the task of getting this farm either to produce $$$ or get it ready for sale.
My question is, my so called genius of a father in law left me 4 tractors ( Kubota 7950DT, Ford 5600 and 2 Kubota 5200. Oh none which work really well). Since I don't have much free time and will be doing the work on weekends I need to buy a reliable tractor that I don't have to spend 1 hour just getting it ready to start.
These are the choices I have been able to come up with.

2011 brand new LS U5030C with front end loader, brush mower and tree boom for around $31000

2012 brand new LS P7010C with same attachments for around $42000

Is there anything I should know about either of these units to make me worried about buying either one. They will be used to be pulling palms out in the weight of about 2000lbs then lifted on trailers.

Any and all help will be appreciated.
Sorry for the long story....

Mike

rwork · Dec 20, 2012

Mike, there are several owners of both of these machines here on the forum. I'm sure Gary Fowler will be along shortly and fill you in on the P series. He seems to be the local authority on the big machines. He gets a lot of serious work out of his. Reliability on any LS machine; you just don't hear of any real issues.
Randy

Mike1369 · Dec 21, 2012

90 views and not one opinion. Come on guys, we are Americans, we ALL have opinions...:laughing:

Good or bad, I'm a big boy, I can take it.

Bring on the comments.

Thanks
Mike

rwork · Dec 21, 2012

They'll be along soon, there's a helpful bunch on this forum.

MtnViewRanch · Dec 21, 2012

Well, here's mine, without any research done at all, just experience. You will need the capacity of the bigger machines loader to do the work easily. You say that you will be a weekender. You don't have time to fool around, you need to get work done, get the P7010C and be done with it.

Bob77064 · Dec 21, 2012

Brian is right, the P7010C is a bigger heavier more powerful machine. It will make things easier to do.

bullbreaker · Dec 21, 2012

Mike1369 said:
90 views and not one opinion. Come on guys, we are Americans, we ALL have opinions...:laughing:

Good or bad, I'm a big boy, I can take it.

Bring on the comments.

Thanks
Mike

If your in the Miami/Redlands/Homested/Fla -hitty area I know that area well. I'am about 140 miles NW of you.
Opinions / like some one else said bigger always better for that line of work.
If you don't mind the asking what are you going to do with your existing tractors,what are there conditions ? And where is an LS dealer in SE Fla ? Closest one to me is in Alva . Fla. Those other tractors could be "trade bait" towards a new LS. Or flat out sold outrite even though I'd keep one extra at least around fpr pto water pump or genny. Also don't forget to mount a fire extinguisher on it and a good side arm on your belt. Like I said I know that area well and have dealt with some of the local natives around there in past.

Just my :2cents: !

Boone

tmeadows · Dec 21, 2012

Mike, I have a U5030C that I really like. I pull a 8' disc mower, 10 rotary cutter, and a 4x5 hay roller with it. The tractor does a good job with these attachments. What I do not know anything about is a palm farm, from what you have said you will be doing with the tractor I would suggest the P7010C simply because of the higher HP and more weight. Tim

Mike1369 · Dec 23, 2012

Boone, the tractors are for sale in the classified section here. Ive been offered $9000 for all of them and Im kind of holding out just a bit. Had the guy from homestead tell me they where worth closer to $12 so Im waiting just a bit.

Closes LS dealer to me is indiantown about 100 miles north. So far they told me the P7010 with bucket $37K, also holding on to see if I get a little better price. Boone, all the tractor work but have been rigged by my father in law over the years and I don't have time to spend an hour figuring it out every time I need one. So I would rather get a new one just to save that extra hour and headache ( I will only be working the palm farm on weekends so time is precious)
With regards to the side arm. Glock 40 on the wait and a 38 in the cab... I don't trust anyone that works in and around that area.:biggrin:

Rainbody · Dec 24, 2012

Put me down for P series. It's easy to under estimate your tractor requirement. While I enjoy my 5030, I find myself needing something bigger just to run larger/wider implements.

Gary Fowler · Dec 25, 2012

You wont have any problem lifting 2000-3000 pound loads with the P 7010 when you properly ballast the rear end. Without rear ballast it will lift more than it is rear end stabil with. I have lifted full buckets of wet clay or wet shale and it gets really light on the back, like the rear wheels will come off the ground without something heavy on the rear. I have yet to load the rear tires on mine so I use my 8 foot disc (bought it for my 50HP tractor and havent upgraded to larger) or 7 foot 305 BH (app. 1500#) with 1/4" plate deck for ballast . This works well for it but does stick back a good bit so you need lots of room. I really like the short turning radius of the 7010. A cab is nice on it for those cold or hot or rainy work days.
I am not familiar with the U50xx series and lift capacity so I wont comment on them.

Price on the 7010C with FEL hasnt gone up much since I bought my 2010 for $35,500

fenix · Dec 25, 2012

I have had my u-5030 for two years now and five hundred hours. It does a great job in the hay field with mower and bailer. I brush hog about thirty acres twice a year, it does great. Will have to say I agree with the others that say go bigger. For me the 7010 would be more that I need, but from what you have said you need the extra power. Good Luck.

bullbreaker · Dec 25, 2012

Mike you probably have one or know this but thought I'd mentioned it too you. My cousin had a nursery business for years in Homestead, about 20 years ago he moved his operation to Naples,Fl. Anyway when he ordered his new Kubota tractor he ordered from Kubota a type of tree boom attachment to load and or unload big palms. I believe when he has this attachment on he has to remove the bucket on his FEL. If you need to sell your palms when you get your operation rolling PM me and I will put you in contact with him.

Boone

DavidBR · Dec 25, 2012

I have a U5030C and think it is an excellent tractor. However for the work you have described I would think a P7010 would be a better choice for you. Let us know what you decide to get. They are both great machines.

Mike1369 · Dec 27, 2012

Boone I will contact you beginning of the year.
Let him know I'm blowing out prices. My goal is to clear the farm in 1 year.

To everyone else, thank you for your support and knowledge. Looks like I will be going with the P7010c. Just having a little bit of difficulty selling the used tractors. But hopefully for my birthday, mid January, it's up and running.

I will start another post as soon as I sign the papers... ;-)

bullbreaker · Dec 27, 2012

Mike1369 said:
Boone I will contact you beginning of the year.
Let him know I'm blowing out prices. My goal is to clear the farm in 1 year.

Mike sending PM w/contact info.

Boone

Mike1369 · Dec 27, 2012

replied
thanks again

Ralph Copp · Dec 28, 2012

Mike, I have a 7010 and live in NB Canada. Payed 41k for mine here in Canada. Have not had any issues, works fine. Just recently studded the front tires with Maxigrip studs. Something you don't have to worry about. You should compare the specs. on all the tractors and I think you will find the LS series will beat most or be very competive. Take your time, ask questions, and you will make the right decision. Good luck.

Mike1369 · Dec 28, 2012

Well tomorrow is the deciding day. Someone is coming to look at the other 4 tractors. If I get at least $10k for all 4 then Monday I'm calling the LS dealer.
Wish me luck

Ralph Copp · Dec 28, 2012

I agree, although I still have my 135 MF for the woods I am not sorry for purchasing the 7010 for everything else. No regrets for getting the extra power.