Which LS to buy

Gdmorr · May 16, 2011

Need some expert advice. I am pretty new to tractors and getting ready to buy. I am wondering if an I3040 would have enough horse to do a good job pulling 6 ft brush hog. Dealer has a 38hp, 4 wd, LL3100 I series QA loader and bucket for $15,300. Not sure if that is enough to brush hog 40 acres. Any thoughts would be welcome.

kpbeddin · May 16, 2011

I am by no means an expert, but I have an I3030 (28-30 HP) and it pulls a 5 ft. brush hog with no problem whatsoever. I am certain the I3040 would have no problem with a 6 ft. mower. By the way, if $15,300 is the price for a new I3040 with a loader that is a great deal in this day and age.

Putter · May 16, 2011

Yup, that is a good deal.
Keep in mind this is an out of production model, but still a good deal.
40 acres will just take more time.

I have no memory · May 16, 2011

Personally I think your right on the edge of being able to do it. It's a big jump from 5-6'. It depends on what your going to be cutting too. If you just want to trimp up pasture you'll be fine. If you want to go into the bogs and cut heavy swamp grass good luck. Sometimes I go through grass six feet tall.

Gdmorr · May 17, 2011

Thanks for the comments. I am too worried that I'm right on the edge with that 6 ft cutter. I've got 40 acres of mostly open field with small saplings, sassafrass, thorny brush. Once I get it cut the first time, I'll be staying up with it so it will be much easier. The R4020 tractor is right at $18,000, so it's just a matter of economics during these trying times. Should I also be concerned about the I3040 being out of production or do the LS tractors pretty much have 'interchangeable' parts.

fenix · May 17, 2011

I agree with No Memory on it being a big jump from 5 to 6 foot brush mower.
If you happen to get in a bad place it will put the test to a 30 horse tractor
with a 6 footer. Why take a chance, stay with the 5 foot or go to the
larger tractor. I know what you say about the extra money but I
do think with that much land you need more tractor.

kpbeddin · May 17, 2011

Isn't the i3040 a 38-40 HP tractor?

mwb · May 17, 2011

kpbeddin said:
Isn't the i3040 a 38-40 HP tractor?

Yep, 38.5 hp. No problem with a six foot cutter. If you are in really heavy stuff just take a smaller cut.

fenix · May 17, 2011

My mistake on the 30-38 horse power. Thanks for catching it.

ProdaddyTX · May 18, 2011

The R4010 is a nice step up too, for not too much more money.... hp difference isn't great, but it may be enough to help you when you're pushing the envelope

avatar · May 18, 2011

I started out looking at the 3040 myself...GREAT TRACTOR...and I agree that it will handle a 6' cutter under most conditions, but if your having any doubts and can swing it the 4010 or 4020 gets my vote. A larger frame and tires and more hp never hurts when the going gets tough. It all depends on what you want to do with it.The price you were quoted sounds very reasonable for a3040 w/fel.

Sublifer · May 25, 2011

As others said, 38 hp should do a 6' bushhog without problem but if you can, I'd get an R series. The size as well as the remotes would be well worth it

Gary Fowler · May 26, 2011

You can rarely get too much HP and sometimes the extra equipment on the slightly larger tractor is well worth the money. Compare the standard equipment on each and see what they have that you may need in the future. As for HP on a 6 foot BH, 38 is plenty to pull it in normal circumstances. You can stall a 90 Hp tractor with a 6 footer if you get thick heavy material and go fast enough. Use common sense and lower your speed if it starts to stall. You could pull it with a 19 HP if you are willing to go slow enough. The thing to look at is the difference in how they are equipped. If the 40xx series has stuff on it that you think you could use like maybe extendable 3 ph lift arms and the 30xx doesnt, maybe rear hydraulic remotes or more of the compared to the smaller tractor then I would say get the larger one.
I went looking for a 50 HP and brought home a 72HP because of all the extra stuff it had. Now I am buying all larger equipment to use with it and still keeping my 50 hp for small under tree jobs etc. where the P7010 is just a little too awkward or when I dont want to screw up my cab

Missouri Pioneer · Oct 5, 2011

My short advice is to buy the most HP you can afford.

dwana7 · Oct 10, 2011

I see you listed a u5030c this is the tractor we are deciding upon are there any disappointments yet? are you using the 6' mower also from Ls any input will be appreciated

houstonscott · Oct 10, 2011

dwana7 said:
I see you listed a u5030c this is the tractor we are deciding upon are there any disappointments yet? are you using the 6' mower also from Ls any input will be appreciated

My son bought an U5030, no issues at all. I think it is the best buy in the LS line. It just plan beats everyone at price and quality.

HS

ozley · Oct 10, 2011

dwana7 said:
I see you listed a u5030c this is the tractor we are deciding upon are there any disappointments yet? are you using the 6' mower also from Ls any input will be appreciated

I have a U5030C I just finished mowing about 40 acres today with a 7' mower, 3 foot grass with no problems.
I could of gone bigger than the Woods 84 but any bigger you get into more gear boxes and thousands more of $. It's not like I am cutting everyday.

Missouri Pioneer · Oct 10, 2011

Although I have had the U5030C several months, I have used it very little since I have not yet gotten a gooseneck trailer with which to haul it to the farm. I am quite pleased with the tractor and look forward to using the implements which I have acquired, which are listed below.

I need to make an entry way (using the PHD), clear some roads (using the Bush Hog, box blade, and FEL), and get rid of some brush (using the grapple). It'll be great fun!

timebak · Oct 24, 2011

Personally, I wouldn't try to run a 6ft bush-hog behind the 3040. Not only do you have barely enough horsepower to do just very light grass, but a 6ft'er is going to be very physically large and heavy to handle with a tractor of that size. If you get on much of a slope and have to raise the hog to turn or go over something, you'll have very little control, even with the weight of the FEL.

I'm running a 6ft'er on my JD 2030 (65 hp) and MUCH larger frame size, and it's all that tractor wants, but I have to cut some pretty high and tough weeds and brush periodically.

On my LS R4020, I'm running a 5ft Modern Ag Products Super Sunshine Cutter which is a medium weight bush-hog, and it's perfect for that tractor. It'll chop up most anything that that tractor will ride down. I'm often in weeds and brush that is from 3ft to 6ft tall and tall fescue along the fence lines and ditches, and it takes running right at full PTO rpm (about 2400 engine rpm) to keep the power up and not bog down.

On the 3040, I'd run a light to medium duty 5ft'er, that's around 375 to 500 lbs or a heavier duty 4ft'er that's no more than 550 to 600 lbs.

Missouri Pioneer · Feb 3, 2012

dwana7 said:
I see you listed a u5030c this is the tractor we are deciding upon are there any disappointments yet? are you using the 6' mower also from Ls any input will be appreciated

In December I took delivery on a gooseneck and took my U5030 to the farm in January. I've put about 20 hours on it grading with the box blade, pulling trees, and using the grapple to move the downed trees and other brush. I have a 7' Bush Hog but have not used it yet.

I could not be happier with the tractor.

This morning, I read that the U5030 was the first tractor in decades of that size to be designed from scratch and that it has won numerous ag awards, well deserved in my opinion.

Buy it, you'll love it.