Comparison Looking at buying new tractor, LS vs Kubota

[bigbull338]

ok let me try to wrapp my mind around this 1.i take it some1 tryed to pull a stuck truck out tieing to the drawbar lift arms.if so then sure that will tear the lift arms up no q.you tie on to the tractors belly bar when your trying to pull something thats stuck out.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

ok let me try to wrapp my mind around this 1.i take it some1 tryed to pull a stuck truck out tieing to the drawbar lift arms.if so then sure that will tear the lift arms up no q.you tie on to the tractors belly bar when your trying to pull something thats stuck out.

Not the drag links, He was pulling with the draw bar and the bracket that holds the draw bar failed. He also noted that there was a casting flaw that could be seen at the break. The thread is in the LS forum under " broke my tractor today"

 

[houstonscott]

I wouldn't have tried that with a 7000 or even an 8000 series JD.

HS

 

[SPYDERLK]

This is true, but the manufacturer has no way of knowing how severe the operater will push the capacity, so I'm sure that there is a safety factor figured in, but just how far does one go? 2-1, 3-1, 4-1? Momentum can do a lot of damage. In the Nebraska tests, I don't think that you will find any tractor that will dead pull it's own weight. So just how strong does something need to be built? :confused3:

A tractor with AGs on decent level ground will pull about 110% of its weight. I have measured this on my 2wd 2010 JD.
larry

 

[SPYDERLK]

Give someone a block of steel and it shouldn't break, but if you drop it off a cliff it will leave a mark on itself.

No tractor in this class is designed to pull against 40K pounds, let alone bounce around when doing it.

The weak point caved and saved alot of money. Too mouch strength there and you start tearing up tires, trannys ect. I will choose the draw bar weak link any day. I highly doubt that "normal" usage includes pulling on loaded dump trucks.

If we were seeing dozens of these failures I would be concerned. But were not.

I was just out at the LS dealer and like he said "if you need a commercial wrecker get one, no mid size utility tractor is made to replace that".

You are saying that the tractor must be babied or it will break itself. I have not found that to be true. Settling for that level of mechanical competence will become an excuse for lower and lower design margins as manufacturers learn they can get away with it.
larry

 

[Solinski]

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.

Hi Northpolefolks, You certainly did your homework! I have also researched most of the tractor brands you listed but I'm in a smaller(30hp.) catagory of tractor. My current favorite is the LS 3033 but I just can't decide on gear shuttle shift or HST? :confused2:At first I was all about gear but after hearing so much positive concerning the HST I am starting to lean in HST direction. I've been shopping for over a year and have almost given up on a clean used tractor since here in Northern Ca. used tractors sell at a real premium. Keep posting the positives and negatives on your new LS U5020! I hope that you have many positives! Good luck!:thumbsup: Solinski

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Solinski, since you are in Redding, have you checked out both LS's and Mahindra's West coast distributors. I am curious what your thoughts are regarding both manufacturers.

 

[northpolefolks]

Hi Northpolefolks, You certainly did your homework! I have also researched most of the tractor brands you listed but I'm in a smaller(30hp.) catagory of tractor. My current favorite is the LS 3033 but I just can't decide on gear shuttle shift or HST? :confused2:At first I was all about gear but after hearing so much positive concerning the HST I am starting to lean in HST direction. I've been shopping for over a year and have almost given up on a clean used tractor since here in Northern Ca. used tractors sell at a real premium. Keep posting the positives and negatives on your new LS U5020! I hope that you have many positives! Good luck!:thumbsup: Solinski

Solinski,

If I were down where you are I would look at the Mahindra pretty hard. For me the only down side was what I would get for the price, the price including getting it shipped up to Alaska where I live. I was down to the Mahindra and the LS. There was no Mahindra dealer up here so that sealed the deal for me.

I would stop by and check out Daves Tractor in Red Bluff California if you can. He is the west coast distributor for Mahindra. He was the most open and up front dealer I spoke with in the country, bar none, and I spoke to dozens in the different brand categories.

Dave gave me a great quote on a Mahindra and people from across the country speak highly of his service and integrity. The one trait that I respect the most is integrity, if they have it all esle will fall in line.

Dave has over 300 tractors in stock so I would think he can give you a good deal on a new one, or even find you a used one in your price range.

I am really excited about my LS. I have gone with the shuttle tansmission based on the weather issues. From what I have found with all the extra hydrualic fluid it takes to operate the HST cold weather is a challenge getting things warmed up (by cold I mean below zeros), but that should not be a challenge for you I wouldn't think.

I too looked at used tractors, but I really like the ability that if something breaks in the first 5 years I can make a call to my dealer and get it fixed if it's under warranty. I keep my tractors for a long time so paying a little more for a new one seems worth it.

LS is really well equipped for the price so I have no regrets. I will keep you informed as to how the tractor works out.

 

[Canada_CT230]

What? Kioti has no feedback from the owners?

We are here on this forum in th Kioti Section and the Bobcat Section. All the tractors (Kioti & BC) are made by Daedong and are well made and dependable. You'll find very satisfied owners in there. I blew past the JD, Case, NH and Kubota dealers after their no service, high prices and lame excuses.

I bought a Bobcat CT230 in 2008 and have over 260 hours on it so far.

 

[TripleR]

What? Kioti has no feedback from the owners?

We are here on this forum in th Kioti Section and the Bobcat Section. All the tractors (Kioti & BC) are made by Daedong and are well made and dependable. You'll find very satisfied owners in there. I blew past the JD, Case, NH and Kubota dealers after their no service, high prices and lame excuses.

I bought a Bobcat CT230 in 2008 and have over 260 hours on it so far.

Maybe had something to do with the name of the thread LS and Kubota.