Newbie trying to pick the right LS for our needs

[danisiri]

So there are two tractors available - either a XR4046H for $24795 or a XU5055 for $28495. There are ones available with a cab, but that adds another $4800 to the price. I can wait for a XR4040H and save $1300 over the 4046H. I'm in no rush and it has been raining anyway....so maybe I should wait.

I do wish the LS dealership was closer. It is 40 miles away, while the big boys (JD, Kubota, NH, Mahindra) are in town about five miles away. I have to have the tractor transported anyway though.

 

[GManBart]

So there are two tractors available - either a XR4046H for $24795 or a XU5055 for $28495. There are ones available with a cab, but that adds another $4800 to the price. I can wait for a XR4040H and save $1300 over the 4046H. I'm in no rush and it has been raining anyway....so maybe I should wait.

I do wish the LS dealership was closer. It is 40 miles away, while the big boys (JD, Kubota, NH, Mahindra) are in town about five miles away. I have to have the tractor transported anyway though.

That's a tough call, but the XU is a lot more machine.

 

[BlessedMess]

So there are two tractors available - either a XR4046H for $24795 or a XU5055 for $28495. There are ones available with a cab, but that adds another $4800 to the price. I can wait for a XR4040H and save $1300 over the 4046H. I'm in no rush and it has been raining anyway....so maybe I should wait. I do wish the LS dealership was closer. It is 40 miles away, while the big boys (JD, Kubota, NH, Mahindra) are in town about five miles away. I have to have the tractor transported anyway though.

Last year I was in the same position (with ~40 acres of similar composition), also debating between XR, XU and the Kioti equivalents... ended up with XU5065CPS because it offered most bang for buck, tow-ability, maneuverability, and a factory backhoe option compared with competitors. So far I've principally been digging up bamboo roots and tree stumps, and moving said bamboo/roots and dirt around with the loader. I also used the backhoe to establish vegetable gardens and plant trees (overkill, but it is the only implement I've got for now). In close quarters to a house, pool, and 4' retaining wall... it really has been a great TLB and 100% reliable.

Looking forward to doing some PTO work soon... fence post auguring, plowing, tilling, and brush hogging. The learning curve has been minimal, including the power shuttle transmission. I'd prefer hydrostatic too, but think PS is the next best thing and I like the 16x16 versatility for aforementioned jobs plus possible haying.

My 2 cents: get the cab. You'll only pay the cost once, but it will pay you back every use with increased safety (esp. If allergic to stinging insects) and isolation from noise, fumes, dust/debris, manure or fertilizer you may be broadcasting, temperature extremes, and precipitation. Plus my cab and tools stay rain and pest/varmint/bird poop free. The only downside so far is that it is too tall to fit in the 8' doors of a detached garage, and I have to maneuver around tree limbs. Best wishes in making your decision.

 

[danisiri]

Last year I was in the same position (with ~40 acres of similar composition), also debating between XR, XU and the Kioti equivalents... ended up with XU5065CPS because it offered most bang for buck, tow-ability, maneuverability, and a factory backhoe option compared with competitors. So far I've principally been digging up bamboo roots and tree stumps, and moving said bamboo/roots and dirt around with the loader. I also used the backhoe to establish vegetable gardens and plant trees (overkill, but it is the only implement I've got for now). In close quarters to a house, pool, and 4' retaining wall... it really has been a great TLB and 100% reliable.

Looking forward to doing some PTO work soon... fence post auguring, plowing, tilling, and brush hogging. The learning curve has been minimal, including the power shuttle transmission. I'd prefer hydrostatic too, but think PS is the next best thing and I like the 16x16 versatility for aforementioned jobs plus possible haying.

My 2 cents: get the cab. You'll only pay the cost once, but it will pay you back every use with increased safety (esp. If allergic to stinging insects) and isolation from noise, fumes, dust/debris, manure or fertilizer you may be broadcasting, temperature extremes, and precipitation. Plus my cab and tools stay rain and pest/varmint/bird poop free. The only downside so far is that it is too tall to fit in the 8' doors of a detached garage, and I have to maneuver around tree limbs. Best wishes in making your decision.

How much did you pay for the XU5065CPS? The dealer has one for $35995.

If it was just me, I would get whatever I wanted....but the wife doesn't want to spend more than necessary. I guess the irony is we can buy whichever one we want, but she would really prefer that I spend zero, lol.

 

[danisiri]

Last year I was in the same position (with ~40 acres of similar composition), also debating between XR, XU and the Kioti equivalents... ended up with XU5065CPS because it offered most bang for buck, tow-ability, maneuverability, and a factory backhoe option compared with competitors. So far I've principally been digging up bamboo roots and tree stumps, and moving said bamboo/roots and dirt around with the loader. I also used the backhoe to establish vegetable gardens and plant trees (overkill, but it is the only implement I've got for now). In close quarters to a house, pool, and 4' retaining wall... it really has been a great TLB and 100% reliable.

Looking forward to doing some PTO work soon... fence post auguring, plowing, tilling, and brush hogging. The learning curve has been minimal, including the power shuttle transmission. I'd prefer hydrostatic too, but think PS is the next best thing and I like the 16x16 versatility for aforementioned jobs plus possible haying.

My 2 cents: get the cab. You'll only pay the cost once, but it will pay you back every use with increased safety (esp. If allergic to stinging insects) and isolation from noise, fumes, dust/debris, manure or fertilizer you may be broadcasting, temperature extremes, and precipitation. Plus my cab and tools stay rain and pest/varmint/bird poop free. The only downside so far is that it is too tall to fit in the 8' doors of a detached garage, and I have to maneuver around tree limbs. Best wishes in making your decision.

How much did you pay for the XU5065CPS? The dealer has one for $35995.

If it was just me, I would get whatever I wanted....but the wife doesn't want to spend more than necessary. I guess the irony is we can buy whichever one we want, but she would really prefer that I spend zero, lol.

 

[BlessedMess]

That seems to be the going rate (with loader) on the cab models. With the incentives in effect at the time and backhoe purchase, my dealer was able to discount the tractor. If you're able to claim a business/farming deduction on the tractor when filing income taxes, you may find as I did that the "net" investment is easier to justify to the spouse. Of course, now I want to take refund check and go implement shopping!

 

[danisiri]

That seems to be the going rate (with loader) on the cab models. With the incentives in effect at the time and backhoe purchase, my dealer was able to discount tractor so the grand total was just north of $40 + tax. If you're able to claim a business/farming deduction on the tractor when filing income taxes, you may find as I did that the "net" investment is easier to justify to the spouse. Of course, now I want to take refund check and go implement shopping!

Yes, we have a farm business so we can depreciate the tractor, plus we are exempt from sales tax on the tractor purchase.

 

[k0ua]

Grinding noises when changing from forward to reverse in a HST tractor? Oh wow, that is the first time I have heard of that ever. i would suggest the one you drove had a major manufacturing defect in it. Hydrostatic transmissions are EXTREMELY reliable, and do not normally make grinding noises, hot or cold. They do make whining sounds under load, but never grinding noises. I would agree that Hydrostatic equipped tractors are not the very best choice for a field tractor, due to the pointed out power loss etc. But for a loader tractor, landscaping, working around people on the ground (safer) etc, they are the top choice. Of course there is no learning curve to operating them. A good smart monkey could operate one. I have no trouble operating mine at all.

 

[danisiri]

Grinding noises when changing from forward to reverse in a HST tractor? Oh wow, that is the first time I have heard of that ever. i would suggest the one you drove had a major manufacturing defect in it. Hydrostatic transmissions are EXTREMELY reliable, and do not normally make grinding noises, hot or cold. They do make whining sounds under load, but never grinding noises. I would agree that Hydrostatic equipped tractors are not the very best choice for a field tractor, due to the pointed out power loss etc. But for a loader tractor, landscaping, working around people on the ground (safer) etc, they are the top choice. Of course there is no learning curve to operating them. A good smart monkey could operate one. I have no trouble operating mine at all.

The grinding could have been the HST pump trying to warmup. But I don't think I would buy that exact tractor. I would get a different one just in case.

 

[AaronS]

My 2 cents: get the cab. You'll only pay the cost once, but it will pay you back every use with increased safety (esp. If allergic to stinging insects) and isolation from noise, fumes, dust/debris, manure or fertilizer you may be broadcasting, temperature extremes, and precipitation. Plus my cab and tools stay rain and pest/varmint/bird poop free. The only downside so far is that it is too tall to fit in the 8' doors of a detached garage, and I have to maneuver around tree limbs. Best wishes in making your decision.

I agree 100%. Buying the cab hurts once at purchase. Not buying it hurts every time you use it in hot or cold weather.