Comparison Looking at buying new tractor, LS vs Kubota

[two4spooky]

Wow, I thought this thread had faded away.

two4spooky, just wondering, have you looked at any of the LS tractors in person?

Yes I looked at the Korean made Farmtrac(LS) at a local dealer in 2004 while shopping for my current tractor. I was not impressed with the machines. Unfortunately the dealer, Farley Tractor off of 18th Street in Bessemer, AL, along with the brand are no longer around. On a brighter note Farley Tractor's other dealership in Jasper is alive and well, selling Kubota now it seems. I looked at pretty much every brand available when I was shopping for and bought a tractor seven years ago. In hindsight, I am very glad I chose the model and especially the brand I have now. And my next purchase, which will soon be working along side my first, will be the same color. An really excellent local dealer, Cahaba Tractor, has played a big part of that satisfaction. And so you know I also do all of my own mechanical work, included basic fabricating and welding. I would rather have manufacturer and especially dealer support available if needed though. I guess some people perceive value differently. A couple of posters spoke of the "future value of the LS". Had I originally bought the LS(Farmtrac) seven years ago I wonder what it's value would be today? Comparatively speaking as a percentage or dollar amount of original price I would bet you a cup of coffee the LS machine would now be even less attractive. If the criteria for choosing a machine is only based on more weight, more power and less money Right Now! why not just by a Chinese tractor? Would not the Chinese machine be the epitome of your search? :thumbsup: To each his own I suppose. If you bought the LS and are happy with it, GREAT! I do not doubt you have a good tractor for the money you spent. However to claim of getting a tractor(LS) just as good or even better than some of top brands(Deere, Kubota, ect.) is in my opinion flawed to say the least. I just feel some posters are doing a disservice to those viewers new to tractors who come here looking for advise. Just my two cents and my change purse is closed now.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Wow, I thought this thread had faded away. Yes I looked at the Korean made Farmtrac(LS) at a local dealer in 2004 while shopping for my current tractor. I was not impressed with the machines. Unfortunately the dealer, Farley Tractor off of 18th Street in Bessemer, AL, along with the brand are no longer around. On a brighter note Farley Tractor's other dealership in Jasper is alive and well, selling Kubota now it seems. I looked at pretty much every brand available when I was shopping for and bought a tractor seven years ago. In hindsight, I am very glad I chose the model and especially the brand I have now. And my next purchase, which will soon be working along side my first, will be the same color. An really excellent local dealer, Cahaba Tractor, has played a big part of that satisfaction. And so you know I also do all of my own mechanical work, included basic fabricating and welding. I would rather have manufacturer and especially dealer support available if needed though. I guess some people perceive value differently. A couple of posters spoke of the "future value of the LS". Had I originally bought the LS(Farmtrac) seven years ago I wonder what it's value would be today? Comparatively speaking as a percentage or dollar amount of original price I would bet you a cup of coffee the LS machine would now be even less attractive. If the criteria for choosing a machine is only based on more weight, more power and less money Right Now! why not just by a Chinese tractor? Would not the Chinese machine be the epitome of your search? :thumbsup: To each his own I suppose. If you bought the LS and are happy with it, GREAT! I do not doubt you have a good tractor for the money you spent. However to claim of getting a tractor(LS) just as good or even better than some of top brands(Deere, Kubota, ect.) is in my opinion flawed to say the least. I just feel some posters are doing a disservice to those viewers new to tractors who come here looking for advise. Just my two cents and my change purse is closed now.

Since you quoted me, I am assuming that you are talking to me. There is a misunderstanding, I am not looking for a tractor. When I asked if you had looked at the LS tractors in person, I was talking about the new tractors, not the branded for others of years past. The new LS tractors are not the same as the old Farmtrac machines. Just as Kubota and others have made improvements and refinements over the years, so has LS. And to compare these to the Chinese machines, well for some they are certainly a viable option.

 

[northpolefolks]

I looked at every brand from Mahindra, Kubota, Kioti, JD, Case, NH and Branson to LS. I was looking in the 45-55 HP range and for 4wd.

I looked hard and read endlessly. I found the following-

Mahindra is a well made tractor that is no frills but will get the work done and keep ticking. Not alot of extras for the price.

Kubota is a well made tractor, capable of being set up with all the bells and whistles but it's going to cost you, and does not have the lift ratings of similar sized tractors in other brands.

Kioti, doesn't have alot of feedback out there, but either did the cummins or duramax diesel when they showed up so time will tell.

JD basic design and spendy. Great dealer network and you could probably find parts for one after a nuclear war.

Case, well, I couldn't get a quote from the local dealer so that was a negative start. They seem to have a good design and quality in workmanship. Strong front end according to alot of reviews I found.

NH-good dealer network on a whole, but just a littel basic and not entry friendly for drivers due to narrow opening between fenders and dash.

LS, just about all the bells and whistles for the "base price", but no HST in the model I wanted. High lift ratings and heavy casings, similar to the Mahindra.

I just ordered the LS U5020 with shuttle with no hesitation.

Lincoln said "If I had an hour to chop down a tree I would spend the first half hour sharpening my axe". Time spent researching, for your specific needs, is priceless.

I am sure that 10 guys could look at all the same tractors as above and see them differently. Got to admit though, for the price LS is right there. The mitsubishi diesel doesn't hurt either.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

LS is currently the best bang for the buck overall IMO. Some of your findings have me really confused as far as what models you had looked at though. Not that it matters now, I'm sure that you will be very happy with your LS U5020. :cool2: It should serve you well.

 

[robert koch]

sorry whats LS stand for what brand of tractor is it?:confused2:

 

[Martian]

JD basic design and spendy. Great dealer network and you could probably find parts for one after a nuclear war.

:laughing::laughing::laughing:

Sounds like you got yourself a good tractor though, congrats!:thumbsup:

 

[MtnViewRanch]

sorry whats LS stand for what brand of tractor is it?:confused2:

LS tractor website is right here. Maybe that will help you out.

 

[houstonscott]

Leading Solutions

Ever hear of LG, it's one of the biggest companies on the earth. LS is a part of them. Don't be the JD guy of 1970's that said, Kubota what's that?

HS

 

[k0ua]

Well they are not a part of LG any more, separated in 2003, and they are now a part of LS cable a large cable manufacturing firm in S. Korea. By the way LS bought out the Huge US cable manufacture Superior Essex a while back.

James K0UA

 

[Gary Fowler]

I am not too sure that the statement "no longer a part of LG" is totally correct. Sure they divided the company into different divisions, but I am quiet sure that the profits all go back to the parent company in some form or other. Many businesses are doing that today for tax protection or limiting the liability incurred by a company and other reasons that only a corporate lawyer would know.