Looking at purchase of P7030C

aggies9798 · Dec 2, 2012

Hi all. I have really enjoyed reading up on LS and I appreciate all of the LS owners out there who have taken the time to post issues and how well the trectors work. I am looking at a P7030C from a dealer here in Texas. Any thoughts or comments on the 7030 and/or what I should be asking the dealer for on the initial purchase for on the tractor? He is offering to add a 'slime' type sealant on the tires (lots of mesquite that needs to be removed). I will be running a shreader and box blade for now, but I plan to look (in about 6 months) for a used cutter and bayler for our 60 acres.

I have a lot of work to do on the place, and I am really looking forward to using the FEL. Being here in Texas where it doesn't freeze too many nights, do I need to look at wheel weights or loading the tires? We have an old Ford 3000 w/ a 5' bush hog that has the wheels loaded (4x2) and it does just fine, but the 7030 has (I think) a weight of over 6,500lbs w/FEL and I am thinking at that GVW I may not need any additional weight. and I only plan to run the 7' box blade and 7' shredder - and the cutter/round bayler.

Any thoughts would be apprecieated. Thanks.

rwork · Dec 2, 2012

Welcome to the forum! I'm sure you'll be happy with an LS tractor, as soon as I finish my coffee, I'll be headed out to grt on mine. I'm sure Gary Fowler will be around to give you some advice on the P Series tractor, as he has one, and is a very knowledgable fellow. Ii's a beast of a machine!

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2bugtony · Dec 2, 2012

Hello
Just bought a r3039H the otherday and got to run it some yesterday.
I live in WV and With the hills around here I'm going to need to load the tires. I had my tractor on three wheels several times yesterday with not much weight in the bucket.
I know your tractor is bigger than the one I bought but I would think about having the tires loaded

Bob77064 · Dec 2, 2012

Welcome

Gary Fowler · Dec 2, 2012

Yes I have a P7010C(same tractor as 7030 minus turbo and intercooler) and it is a beast for power. It is heavy BUT without wheel weights or loaded tires, it is a bit tippy. I have yet to put water in my tires and dont have any wheel weights on it so it spins the tires pretty easily when loading up the FEL with dirt or rocks. Once that is done, without some very heavy rear end weight, the tractor is literally running on the front tires.
If you are worried about thorns, I would maybe look at foam in the tires rather than slime just for the weight OR get at least 300# or more of wheel weight per rear tire. I bought mine for mowing and FEL work so I dont to a lot of other ground engaging work like discing or subsoiling hence no water in the tires. I havent loaded the tires mainly because I dont have a trailer or tow capacity to haul it with loaded tires. Bare tractor with FEL is close to 9000 pounds and my trailer weighs 2800 so I am at or above my towing limit now and dont want to get a bigger truck or trailer.
I use my 8 foot disc or 7 foot bush hog for counterweight and can then haul an impressive amount of dirt with the FEL. Due to my limited movement of my neck, I cant look behind me as well as I should and mirrors dont alway show you what you need so I have backed over some pretty big trees with mine and not even knew I hit them. Before I got my backhoe, I dug up some pretty big trees and rocks with the FEL and it is pretty tough, but now I just use it to haul away the spoils when using the B26 backhoe. Mine is straight gear but I think I would like the powershift even though my dealer doesnt recommend them. I had a Yanmar with powershift and it was a great transmission but I dont know if the LS transmission is a copy of that one on not.
I dont think you will be disappointed with the LS. I run my 7 foot bush hog in 750 RPM PTO mode at about 1400-1500 RPM and the engine hardly knows it is back there and it cuts the fuel consumption in half. I rarely run my engine more than 1800 RPM and has plenty of power to spin the wheels at just above idle when using the loader.
Feel free to PM me if you need more info.
OH, almost forgot, I did lift the front of my Chevy crew cab truck so I could get under it to change the oil using the FEL without anything on the 3 PH so it handles every bit of the weight that the factory says it will lift. I didnt move with it on which is where the instability comes in with heavy FEL loading.

MtnViewRanch · Dec 2, 2012

I would say to use it as is and if you are happy-satisfied with it, then you are good to go. I can assure you though, that if you were to fill the tires you would think that you just bought a much more capable machine. There is a world of difference in how the tractor performs when the tires are loaded.

Gary Fowler · Dec 2, 2012

I assure you I know the value of loaded tires, just havent gotten to it or seen the need as it does anything I need it too as it is. Maybe next year I will have a go at it to put in water with some antifreeze. As I told my wife, dont rush me< I will do it. You dont have to remind me every year or two.

MtnViewRanch · Dec 2, 2012

Gary Fowler said:
I assure you I know the value of loaded tires, just havent gotten to it or seen the need as it does anything I need it too as it is. Maybe next year I will have a go at it to put in water with some antifreeze. As I told my wife, dont rush me< I will do it. You dont have to remind me every year or two.

Gary, sorry, :sorry: my post was not intended for you. I should have quoted the OP as he had asked here.

have a lot of work to do on the place, and I am really looking forward to using the FEL. Being here in Texas where it doesn't freeze too many nights, do I need to look at wheel weights or loading the tires? We have an old Ford 3000 w/ a 5' bush hog that has the wheels loaded (4x2) and it does just fine, but the 7030 has (I think) a weight of over 6,500lbs w/FEL and I am thinking at that GVW I may not need any additional weight. and I only plan to run the 7' box blade and 7' shredder - and the cutter/round bayler

Gary Fowler · Dec 2, 2012

The OP said dealer agreed to slime the tires which means that no water ballast can be put in so he has to go with wheel weights if he wants the slime for thorn resistant tires. If money was not an object, I would go with wheel weights which can be removed if needed or maybe both weight and water ballast if you need the traction and stability for FEL work and ground engaging activities. Max tire spacing is about 84" and that will help on hillsides also.
TO OP, FYI: tractor weight is over 6500 then add FEL weight best guess and it is around 8500-9000 . I really cant find FEL weight listed.

MtnViewRanch · Dec 2, 2012

Gary Fowler said:
The OP said dealer agreed to slime the tires which means that no water ballast can be put in so he has to go with wheel weights if he wants the slime for thorn resistant tires. If money was not an object, I would go with wheel weights which can be removed if needed or maybe both weight and water ballast if you need the traction and stability for FEL work and ground engaging activities. Max tire spacing is about 84" and that will help on hillsides also.
TO OP, FYI: tractor weight is over 6500 then add FEL weight best guess and it is around 8500-9000 . I really cant find FEL weight listed.

Yes slime = no water in the tires at the dealer. He does not have the tractor yet. He asked if he should fill the tires, did he not? He will not get as much weight with wheel weights and the cast iron costs a lot more than filling them with liquid. And lets be honest, how many people that have wheel weights actually take them off and on. They get put on and the only time they come off is if tire work has to be done.

Just my :2cents: based on my own experience and that of the many TBNers.