I answered your question with real answer, and because it is correct and promotes the bigger companies it is then considered 'ducking'. Deere is pioneers of the industry in every facet. Therefore they are going to have much more R&D, costing more. Once Deere innovates, other companies follow. Sure Kioti has a lever to lift the 3 point hitch behind the seat, but that's a gimmick compared to solving industrial diesel emissions regulations. I want leaders, not followers.
I travel the globe frequently for work and often visit China (FWIW I'm traveling to S. Korea tomorrow, where LS are made). While there I have purchased multiple knock off Rolex's for $50-100. The same Rolex's in America would be $5-10k. They look the exact same, down to the etching and "Made in Switzerland". The average eye would never know. But you can hear the watch wind and when looking at the second hand you can watch it tick. Something a real Rolex would never do. Rolex invents, China imitates. Just like how LS tries to imitate Deere/Kubota.
Your LS might be a fine machine, but compared to a Deere it is much, MUCH more comparable in features to a 15 year old John Deere 4600. And when you look at the price, the Deere is cheaper
http://www.tractorhouse.com/list/list.aspx?ETID=1&catid=1110&Manu=JOHN+DEERE&Mdltxt=4600&mdlx=exact
I spent 12 hours bucking around on my tractor yesterday, and I cant tell you for a fact that the most important quality aspect between tractors is ergonomics. The perfect example is a 1969 Peterbilt 359 versus a 2013 Peterbilt 359. To the average eye these tractors look EXACTLY the same from the outside. However one is almost 45 years older. The difference comes in the interior and the ERGONOMICS. The engineering of the truck is COMPLETELY different. Air ride suspensions, cabs, seats, air assist fifth wheel, make the ride better but then when you turn to the inside you couldn't write down all the changes in a 30 page book. These tractors WILL do similar work, and haul similar loads. However after making a 6,000 mile round trip from NY to California and back I can guarantee that the operator in the 2013 will experience less fatigue and therefore be more efficient.
1969

2013
I hope you feel fulfilled that I have not skipped out on anything that I have mentioned as I have made examples of everything and clearly spelled it out. Failure to read through my reasoning would mean that you simply do not understand.
By the way, if I am an unqualified person making acquisitions, what does that make you?
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The reason why they make a unserviceable transmission is pretty easy to understand. Price. Do you honestly expect the D series lawn tractors sold at home depot for less than $2,000 to be the same overall quality and performance as a diesel powered x7XX series that's $12-15K? Don't be silly. The market demands an entry level tractor and Deere delivered it. It's perfect for someone in the suburbs who have less than an acre of lawn and won't but 200-300 hours on in 20 years. If you plan to exceed that, your only hurting yourself buying a lower grade mower. You should be aware and not buy something to small for your needs.