Having A Hard Time Deciding Between LS Or Kioti

[Threepoint]

Love my Kioti NX4510HST Cab (and I've also been a very happy Kubota guy for many years). Can't say enough good things about Kioti's engineering and fit and finish, at least on my tractor so far. But both LS and Kioti are well-respected brands, and since you have dealers of both within a reasonable distance, I'd focus on the cab issue. If you don't want to go up in frame size to where Kioti offers a factory cab, and if your expected uses permit room for a cab, I'd sure lean toward that LS with cab. Especially with recent winters in your area. Don't know how young and tough you are, but speaking as someone who's operated an open-station for 22+ years in the best and worst weather, a cab is easily worth the $5 to 7K more to me! As for the next-nearest LS dealer, can't you look that up pretty quick? Also, as for the mom-and-pop dealership concern, remember that termination can work both ways. A large, well-established, multi-brand dealer is less beholding to a particular brand and can just as easily decide it wants to drop an orange, green, blue or red one for any of a variety of reasons.

 

[George2615]

Both LS and Kioti have been around for a long time whether building their own tractor or tractors for other companies. The LS XR series is their premium line up which come with many features and options others charge extra for. I'm guessing due to the price difference you've noted that the Kioti does not have a cab. Either brand you choose will give you many years of service and I think they both will be around for a long time. My LS dealer is also a small Mom and Pop dealer but have been in business a long time. I haven't had to take my LS in for any work yet but have no doubt they could do any repairs needed. They have been great getting basic parts (filters, etc.) when I need them.

 

[TJP89]

I just remembered that there have been a few parts supply issues with Kioti as well. I think it was Eric the Oracle who had a long delay (couple of weeks) to get a few parts for his NX...I think a tree limb took out a cab part that was the slowest replacement, but I'm just going off memory.

I wouldn't let that sway me either way, but point it out that any company can/will have delays getting some parts.

I think Eric's problem was that he had already burned through all the readily available parts for is Kioti by then:laughing: He was at about a part a day there for a while.

Although I don't think a cab top is something Kioti, or any other company, keeps a lot of on hand.

 

[GManBart]

I think Eric's problem was that he had already burned through all the readily available parts for is Kioti by then:laughing: He was at about a part a day there for a while.

Although I don't think a cab top is something Kioti, or any other company, keeps a lot of on hand.

LOL...probably true on both counts!

I only mentioned that incident because it was sort of like the situation where the log rolled down the loader arms on JPM1 and wiped out the dash, etc. I doubt some of those parts are kept readily available for most brands.

 

[TomSeller]

LOL...probably true on both counts!

I only mentioned that incident because it was sort of like the situation where the log rolled down the loader arms on JPM1 and wiped out the dash, etc. I doubt some of those parts are kept readily available for most brands.

I'd be worried about any company that stocked a lot of the rarely needed items. It just isn't good business practice and these days every company needs to be smart about what they stock.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

So take away that expensive cab then all the sudden the ls can become the better deal $$ wise again, gotcha

Gotcha? I wasn't advocating the Kioti. I was just explaining the price difference. In fact, if I had to choose between those two tractors, I'd probably pick the LS just because of the cab and the extra goodies on the XR series.

 

[GManBart]

Gotcha? I wasn't advocating the Kioti. I was just explaining the price difference. In fact, if I had to choose between those two tractors, I'd probably pick the LS just because of the cab and the extra goodies on the XR series.

I think he meant "gotcha" as in okay, that makes sense, etc.

 

[Hdoilcan]

After reading this
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/ls-tractors/337126-looks-like-ls-rolling-out.html
I have some concern with the LS. I'm worried about the regen every 4 hours...... Are other teir 4 engines doing it this often? I'm also concern with LS using the Shibarau engine for one year..... I've read Shibarau are great engines but are parts going to be available for THAT engine in 5-10 yrs if needed? I thought I also read that Shibarau is no longer making tractors?? Is this true? I haven't been in n the tractor world that long so I don't know much about these companies and what to expect.
I would really like to have a cab but I'm more concerned with having a tractor that's going to be reliable and one that will be able to get parts for if something goes wrong.
Here are the prices for the two tractors.
Kioti CK35hst $19,281 w/ free loader
Kioti Backhoe KB2475 $5750 after rebate
1st rear remote $318
2nd rear remote $375
Total $25,724

LS XR3037hc w/loader $25,000 ($5,719 difference)
LS Backhoe $6,800 (identical to Kioti, made by the same comp) ($1,050 difference)
Total $31,800 (total difference $6,769)

I'm not sure what exactly the price of the LS was with out the cab but it was a little over $21k so we're looking a little under $4,000 for a cab. The LS was a couple thousand more for tractor with out cab than the Kioti but to me that couple thousand was worth it for the extra capacity in the loader, two petals vs one on the Kioti, independent pto vs live, there might have been a couple other small things that I thought about b4. With this all said I would go with the lesser (loader capacity) Kioti if I thought I was getting a better tractor.
Like I said I'd like to have a factory cab if possible so that's why I'm thinking the LS .....

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I just remembered that there have been a few parts supply issues with Kioti as well. I think it was Eric the Oracle who had a long delay (couple of weeks) to get a few parts for his NX...I think a tree limb took out a cab part that was the slowest replacement, but I'm just going off memory. I wouldn't let that sway me either way, but point it out that any company can/will have delays getting some parts.

I had a delay getting rear remotes on what was, if not the very first, one of the very first NXs to get sold in North America. The cab top arrived within a week but due to packaging, arrived slightly damaged. The second top was also damaged. Kioti has since changed how they are packaged and I have a spare cab top for my trouble.

Overall, Kioti has been prompt getting me parts and I'm pleased with the ability to drop-ship to me everything I've asked for.

 

[houstonscott]

I think you will be surprised to know LS is a much larger company and sells more tractors in Korea, and is not going away.
My sons LS U5030 is very nice, really high quality fit finish and components. The Mitsubishi S4s engine is simply world class diesel power. HS