LS Frame Issue Video

hutchman · May 26, 2015

scorpion16 said:
I have a 2011 LS i3030 with a cracked subframe also. It all started with a load noise when my fan was rubbing the fan shroud. It only did this when picking up a load with the bucket. Then I noticed the crack right above the cross member weld. I called my dealer and he is going to call LS tomorrow to see if theres a reinforcement kit available for my tractor. It only has 220hrs on it and I use it to clean out horse stalls and chicken pens. Seems like a weak design which causes this to crack.

Fan hitting the shroud is the dead giveaway. Let us know what happens. You might be the first to report it on something other than a R3039.

scorpion16 · May 27, 2015

hutchman · May 27, 2015

scorpion16 said:
View attachment 426720

Wow, thats a pretty good crack! Mine never made it that far but it was in the same spot. Hopefully your dealer/LS will fix you up.

scorpion16 · May 31, 2015

Ok the dealer said good news. LS is going to cover the parts cost for the frame, updated loader brace, fan, and shroud. The engine frame will be the same it turns out the loader bracing is the root cause of the problem. They wont cover shipping or install since its out of warranty. I should get all the parts this week except updated loader brace which is on back order.

scorpion16 · Jun 2, 2015

Picked up my parts today. The dealer said no charge at all. Thats a great dealer that stands to his product 100%. If your in CT or new england and looking for a great tractor please call Guy @ LS tractors in waterbury ct 203 525-8114 You will be very happy with the sales and service.

Hinomotoman · Jun 2, 2015

Great news!

Eugene

gkess2 · Jul 26, 2015

Hinomotoman said:
Great news!

Eugene

Thanks for the info. I have a 3039H and had the same problem with the fan hitting the shroud and a problem with a drive gear that wore out.He fixed the gear problem and also found a crack in the frame as you all have described and he said he welded it as a repair. Thanks to the information provided I will now ask him to order the reinforcing kit and fix the problem properly.

HandyDanny · Aug 15, 2015

gkess2 said:
Thanks for the info. I have a 3039H and had the same problem with the fan hitting the shroud and a problem with a drive gear that wore out.He fixed the gear problem and also found a crack in the frame as you all have described and he said he welded it as a repair. Thanks to the information provided I will now ask him to order the reinforcing kit and fix the problem properly.

What year is your 3039? I've got the same model and figure I need to do some heavy lifting with it before the 2-year warranty runs out.

clan de boye · Sep 19, 2015

Add another one to the list. Mine was purchased in 2012 and is approx. 700 off the serial/chassis number of the one depicted in Manguss' picture.
I have 303 hrs on it and don't believe it has been abused. The dealership I purchased it from no longer sells LS tractors and the only new dealer in the province started in may of this year and IMO are not yet up to speed. They only order in parts as needed and don't tell you that they add extra to your previous quote for shipping until you drive an hour to pick them up. I didn't complain but the next time I needed to order parts
( brackets for the anti sway assembly) I ordered them from Iowa farm equipment who ships for free to a parcel service in North Dakota. Same price ( after dollar exchange) and its cheaper to drive the car( but not the truck LOL) there to pick them up than what they charged me for shipping here.
I have been unable to talk to anyone here who knows of this issue and the only distributors' page I can find in Canada is in Quebec and Je suis desolee Je n'est parle pas francais. I sent an email to ls tractor usa on Thursday but they hadn't replied by Friday so I guess it's phone calls on Monday. I wish I had the dealer support here that some of you appear to have down there. I know my warranty on the frame is up as its 2 years on it so I am not very hopeful but I will see what they have to say. I don't want to have to pay for it and if I do I think I'll just gouge out the crack have it welded and ground flush and weld a fish plate onto it. I also think that I shouldn't have to pay for it. LS appears to have known that there was issues prior to peoples 2 year bumper to bumper warranty expiring and did not take the proper action by issuing a recall. I know that I was annoyed when I had a car and a boat recalled but at least the manufacturer in those cases did the right thing and recalled them all rather than just fixing them on a case by case problem as the defects popped up. Sorry for the rant but I have work I need to get done before the greenback run happens. I can't go fishing if my work isn't done LOL