LS U5030 Gas Tank

Laurel Hill Man · Mar 29, 2012

Hello everyone, I just joined yesterday as I've enjoyed reading the different informational forums for a few months now. I'm in the process of buying my first tractor and one under consideration is the LS U5030. One thing that I noticed right away on this tractor that I have not paid attention to before in any other model/brand I looked at is the position and material (looks like it's plastic) of the gas tank in the left bottom.
Is this a unique gas tank position/material or are there any other tractors like this. My main concern, particularly in my case where I would be going through a recently logged environment with sticks everywhere, is that something hits up as a tire weights on it causing damage to the gas tank.
Any thoughts or enlightment?
Forgive me if I placed this question in the wrong place, I'm still trying to familiarized myself with the site.
Thanks LHM

Short Game · Mar 29, 2012

You might want to check out this thread: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/ls-tractors/217801-fuel-tank-leaking.html

Laurel Hill Man · Mar 29, 2012

Thanks, that was good information. I'll go back to the dealer to take a closer look:thumbsup:

Short Game · Mar 29, 2012

A new one should have the modifications if applicable to your model. Increasing the coverage of the skid plate should be easy in any event.

Missouri Pioneer · Apr 11, 2012

I've had no problem with mine.

tmeadows · Apr 12, 2012

I was loking at mine, I think it has the modifaction but I am not real sure. It is a 2011 model year.

Sublifer · Apr 12, 2012

All, I'm pretty sure the issue with the gas tank was limited to the P 7000 series.

ozley · Apr 12, 2012

Sublifer said:
All, I'm pretty sure the issue with the gas tank was limited to the P 7000 series.

The older 5030 had the same type of tank only smaller I am sure by now the new tanks have been changed it was how the shield was attached to the tank.

Missouri Pioneer · Apr 12, 2012

ozley said:
The older 5030 had the same type of tank only smaller I am sure by now the new tanks have been changed it was how the shield was attached to the tank.

Older being what?

ozley · Apr 12, 2012

Missouri Pioneer said:
Older being what?

2010 and younger birth
Edit: Maybe a dealer could answer that better. I said I am sure but I remember the Pinto.

Gary Fowler · Apr 15, 2012

There were some Montana models built by LS with the tank up under the hood that leaked also. Not sure of the cause on those but likely same issue with bolt attachments built into the tank. The mod puts in an additional support to hold the little skid plate. I still have it in the box with the new tank. My old repair to the tank using JB weld is still holding so my new tank is still setting in the shop awaiting the day the JB weld fails. I "adjusted " my tank mounting prior to the new tank arriving, buy welding an angle iron bracket with solid bottom of 1/8" plate from front of the tank to the back support for the tank. THere is still a little bit of the back part of the tank open but not much. I then put some 1/2" rubber mounts under the support positions and bolted it all back in place. If the old tank ever starts leaking, it will be a simple task to replace it by just removing the bands, unhooking the fuel gauge wire and putting in the new tank. Since I did all the work on my tractor, I kept the old tank. So far the dealer hasnt asked for it back even though when I picked up the replacement, the clerk said he needed the old one back just in case LS audited him. I guess no audit yet.

Laurel Hill Man · Apr 16, 2012

Hello again. I went to the LS site and asked the question about the plastic tank and the screws on the U5030. Here is the response from Mr. Ricky Marks, Service manager at LS USA:
"In regards to your question: All new U 5030 C's have a new style fuel tank. The plate no longer fastens to the bottom of the fuel tank and there are no more screws. If there is one on the dealer's lot with the old style fuel tank, we will send the dealer a new bracket and plate so it will not fasten to the bottom of the plate anymore."
Now, his response was for the U5030C, the one I'm considering is the 5030 without the cab. Are they really different? I thought the only difference was the cab.

Thanks, LHM

tmeadows · Apr 16, 2012

what about the tractors that are already out in the field, are they just going to wait until there is a warranty issue before fixing?

ozley · Apr 16, 2012

tmeadows said:
what about the tractors that are already out in the field, are they just going to wait until there is a warranty issue before fixing?

Just ask your Dealer to replace it.

roberth58 · Apr 29, 2012

Not sure if the new style mount makes a big difference. I received my 5030C yesterday and after 2 hours use the tank was leaking. It seems to just be a very badly designed tank.

Sublifer · Apr 30, 2012

roberth58 said:
Not sure if the new style mount makes a big difference. I received my 5030C yesterday and after 2 hours use the tank was leaking. It seems to just be a very badly designed tank.

Gary could probably tell you exactly where to look, but do you have the skid plate bolted to your gas tank? Just because you just bought the tractor doesn't mean the dealer has already swapped the tank and mounts out.

Laurel Hill Man · Apr 30, 2012

According to the LS representative that emailed me the information, the new design did away with the screws going into the tank. So if your tractor still has the plate under the gas tank with 4 screws into the plastic tank, you have the old design and the dealer is supposed to retrofit. I assume for free.
Thanks, LHM

Sublifer · Apr 30, 2012

Laurel Hill Man said:
According to the LS representative that emailed me the information, the new design did away with the screws going into the tank. So if your tractor still has the plate under the gas tank with 4 screws into the plastic tank, you have the old design and the dealer is supposed to retrofit. I assume for free.
Thanks, LHM

Yes, it is for free. Transport to and from the dealer would be at their discretion.