Is a XU5055C or XU6158C Adequate for my Needs?

[wjb-49]

In shopping for a new tractor, I, like moat, must have one that will operate specific pieces of equipment. I am replacing a 1985 Ford 340B (inherited from family business) industrial tractor which has a quick attach skid steer compatible front end loader. The front end loader is fitted with third function auxiliary hydraulics to operate a 72" grapple. Initially I considered a Kioti NX5510 HST Cab but now I am seriously considering a LS XU5055C 55 HP OR XU6158C 58 HP. In addition to the grapple, the heaviest pieces of equipment I currently use are a Hardee 1198W Heavy Duty Dual Spindle Rotary Mower, which weighs approx. 1,525 lbs. and a Massey Ferguson 8 disc mower, which weighs approximately 965 lbs. and requires a minimum 50 PTO HP. Complete mower specifications are here. I currently use a Ford 4610 with the Hardee mower and a Ford 4630 with the MF disc mower.

Will either the 55 HP or the 58 HP LS machine handle my equipment, or should I move up to a 60 HP model?

In looking at the XU5055C and the XU6158C, as well as the XU5065CPS and the XU6168C, I find the primary differences to be the horsepower, the engine manufacturer and alternator capacity. What am I overlooking? Do the XU50** and XU61** have different intended uses?

One final question: The nearest LS dealer has both 2017 and 2018 models listed on his website. Does a major difference exist between the 2017 and 2018 models and should last year's model have a lower price?

Like any shopper, I am attempting to gather as much information as possible before visiting a dealer. I want to thank everyone for providing answers to my questions.

 

[3Lfarms]

The XU6158 should just meet your 50 hp requirement. The 6168 has 60 PTO hp and would give a little more margin so you aren’t working it as hard.
I’m not really sure what the difference is between the the 50 and 61 series machines.
I do know the 2017 was the first year for the rear three point control (which is worth it weight on a cabbed tractor). I don’t know if there are any more upgrades for 2018.

 

[SGTDuckButter]

In shopping for a new tractor, I, like moat, must have one that will operate specific pieces of equipment. I am replacing a 1985 Ford 340B (inherited from family business) industrial tractor which has a quick attach skid steer compatible front end loader. The front end loader is fitted with third function auxiliary hydraulics to operate a 72" grapple. Initially I considered a Kioti NX5510 HST Cab but now I am seriously considering a LS XU5055C 55 HP OR XU6158C 58 HP. In addition to the grapple, the heaviest pieces of equipment I currently use are a Hardee 1198W Heavy Duty Dual Spindle Rotary Mower, which weighs approx. 1,525 lbs. and a Massey Ferguson 8 disc mower, which weighs approximately 965 lbs. and requires a minimum 50 PTO HP. Complete mower specifications are here. I currently use a Ford 4610 with the Hardee mower and a Ford 4630 with the MF disc mower.

Will either the 55 HP or the 58 HP LS machine handle my equipment, or should I move up to a 60 HP model?

In looking at the XU5055C and the XU6158C, as well as the XU5065CPS and the XU6168C, I find the primary differences to be the horsepower, the engine manufacturer and alternator capacity. What am I overlooking? Do the XU50** and XU61** have different intended uses?

One final question: The nearest LS dealer has both 2017 and 2018 models listed on his website. Does a major difference exist between the 2017 and 2018 models and should last year's model have a lower price?

Like any shopper, I am attempting to gather as much information as possible before visiting a dealer. I want to thank everyone for providing answers to my questions.

Check out 3Lfarms other posts, he has posted the most on his machine. His posts talked me into the my XU6158, although it isn’t a cab model like his.

I also checked out the Kioti, the real plus I like about Kioti is the hydraulic pump, it pumps a lot more gallons per minute. The minus, it isn’t worth 5 grand more, to me.

 

[wjb-49]

Thanks to both 3Lfarms and SGTDuckButter for your replies. I can already see that I probably should go with the XU6168. If the dealer still has 2017 XU6168 available, I will have to see if the 2018 XU6168 is worth the higher price.

 

[3Lfarms]

I think you will find that the dealers don’t really discount last years models. The upside is when it’s time to sell model year doesn’t mean anything. All anyone cares about is how many hours are on the clock, condition, and installed options.
The only exception to that I can think of would be the the years on either side of mandatory emissions standards. I.e if tier 4 was mandated in 2015, I can see the 2014 model being worth more at resale.

 

[wjb-49]

I think you will find that the dealers don’t really discount last years models. The upside is when it’s time to sell model year doesn’t mean anything. All anyone cares about is how many hours are on the clock, condition, and installed options.
The only exception to that I can think of would be the the years on either side of mandatory emissions standards. I.e if tier 4 was mandated in 2015, I can see the 2014 model being worth more at resale.

Thanks. I'm learning that buying a new tractor is not like buying an automobile.

 

[SGTDuckButter]

I ordered mine with backhoe and did not expect to see the few extra’s I got, LS over delivered. My open station XU6158 came with Cruise Control, Three rear remotes, backhoe on detect rear remote, also a creeper gear and the lever in the back for the rear three point. I thought I was buying the stripper model in the XU61 series. Compare that to the Kioti and it’s even, except for the more GPM pump and the 5 g up charge because Kioti is the second best seller in S Korea, after LS.

 

[wjb-49]

SGTDuckButter, it's good to hear that you had so many unexpected goodies included with your LS. I can only hope I will be as lucky when I buy my LS XU61 tractor. When you were ordering your tractor, did you have cause to inquire about the price of a third function hydraulics option?

In your last reply you said, " the 5 g up charge because Kioti is the second best seller in S Korea, after LS." It seems that Kioti would cost less if it is trying to catch-up to LS sales.

 

[SGTDuckButter]

SGTDuckButter, it's good to hear that you had so many unexpected goodies included with your LS. I can only hope I will be as lucky when I buy my LS XU61 tractor. When you were ordering your tractor, did you have cause to inquire about the price of a third function hydraulics option?

In your last reply you said, " the 5 g up charge because Kioti is the second best seller in S Korea, after LS." It seems that Kioti would cost less if it is trying to catch-up to LS sales.

I did two years of research before this **** city boy bought his first tractor. I looked at every video in every country ever produced and posted on LS Tractors. I’m confident that if I wanted I could be the best salesman LS ever had. And could teach their salesman on how easy it is to sell this tractor brand. But don’t take my word for it. I believe the XU series is the most trouble free tractor LS offers. They did have a problem with the power shift some years ago. Like I said this is my first and only Tractor I don’t feel like I can really give great advise. But I compared LS to everything and I believe I got the most tractor for my money...

 

[3Lfarms]

I think it has a lot to do with advertising. I have never seen or heard an advert for LS, even in a magazine.
I see and hear JD and Kubota most, followed by Mahindra and Kioti. I think its more than coincidence that when I was shopping, I found pricing pretty mush followed that same order. LS seems to have a word of mouth thing going on, and the only way to grow using that method is to have an outstanding product at lower cost.

 

[SGTDuckButter]

I did two years of research before this **** city boy bought his first tractor. I looked at every video in every country ever produced and posted on LS Tractors. I’m confident that if I wanted I could be the best salesman LS ever had. And could teach their salesman on how easy it is to sell this tractor brand. But don’t take my word for it. I believe the XU series is the most trouble free tractor LS offers. They did have a problem with the power shift some years ago. Like I said this is my first and only Tractor I don’t feel like I can really give great advise. But I compared LS to everything and I believe I got the most tractor for my money...

No they advertised three remotes on the LS website. Another surprise though. Their website advertised the XU 61 series, says 72 inch bucket, it’s 78 inches....

 

[wjb-49]

Re: Is a XU5055C or XU6158C OR MT573C Adequate for my Needs?

Another in the mix!

This afternoon I called the dealer nearest me and described the equipment I need to operate. He said the XU6168C is borderline adequate and with the options I want the price of the MT573C is near in price, if one considers $5,000.00 near. The MT573C is tempting with its included extras. I simply need to drive to the dealer and see for myself.

 

[3Lfarms]

I really like those MT573s.
When I bought my 6168, I needed a backhoe, and the literature said the 6168 was the biggest tractor with a subframe hoe as an option.
If LS offered a 10’ hoe for the MT573, I could see myself trading up in a couple years.

 

[wjb-49]

I really like those MT573s.
When I bought my 6168, I needed a backhoe, and the literature said the 6168 was the biggest tractor with a subframe hoe as an option.
If LS offered a 10’ hoe for the MT573, I could see myself trading up in a couple years.

I was beginning to think no one on TBN is familiar with the MT573. The dealer said it was first introduced in the USA in 2017. I have yet to find a YouTube video featuring this tractor. On first look it appears the major difference between a 6168 and the 573 would be five HP, but there is much more. One example is that third function hydraulics is an $1,800.00 option on the 6168 but is standard on the 573. I've got to sit down with the salesman and compare the cost and options cost line by line.

 

[3Lfarms]

It’s about 1000 lbs heavier, has a much nicer seat, and has the pats style quick hitch three point arms, creeper gear, and several other niceties. If you don’t need a backhoe, it seems like a great deal.

 

[MickeyDBC]

I wanted to look at a MT573 before I bought my Kioti 7320 but none of the local dealers had one in stock. It does look like a nice tractor and I really like the swivel seat.

 

[wjb-49]

It痴 about 1000 lbs heavier, has a much nicer seat, and has the pats style quick hitch three point arms, creeper gear, and several other niceties. If you don稚 need a backhoe, it seems like a great deal.

I am not familiar with the Pat System. Will it be necessary to modify my implements?

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[3Lfarms]

You should not have to modify your implements. You will have to put bushings on any cat 1 implements though.
With practice, you should be able to back up and raise the three point to grab the lower pins. Then you just have to get off and hook up the top link.

Here is a link to the cat 1 version of the Pats quick hitch.
Pat's Quick Hitch, 3 Point Quick Hitch, Tractor Hitch

 

[MickeyDBC]

You should not have to modify your implements. You will have to put bushings on any cat 1 implements though.
With practice, you should be able to back up and raise the three point to grab the lower pins. Then you just have to get off and hook up the top link.

Here is a link to the cat 1 version of the Pats quick hitch.
Pat's Quick Hitch, 3 Point Quick Hitch, Tractor Hitch

I looked at a tractor with that system and the sales guy said that they can be a little sensitive to dirt and if you want to use them like a quick hitch you will probably have to modify older implements that have the pins attached on just one side. Newer stuff should be fine. A lot of my equipment is old enough to collect social security so I went with a tractor with regular extendable link arms because it gave the most flexibility and would be easier for me to hook up. A winter project for me is to take most of my old stuff and straighten out the hitch mounts and make them regular quick hitch compatible.

 

[dtaylorusa]

Guys, I'm new to the forum and looking hard at some LS tractors. I own 30 acres, give or take, with 20 of it in pastures with fencing and 10 in timber. I'll need to bush hog the 20 and I want to gently clear the 10 of timber. I also will be using it for general work, moving dirt, etc... I'm leaning towards a XU6158 due to weight of the tractor and value in the options. Local dealer has one with a loader and he's asking $30,500. Is this a reasonable number?