LS vs New Holland vs Kioti vs Mahindra

[blb078]

I have been looking at getting my first tractor. Looked at Deere and Kubota and almost had my mind made up until I found out about Kioti, LS, and Mahindra. All 3 where cheaper than the orange/green tractors by a lot. I'm leaning towards an LS because the dealer is only about 15 minutes aways vs 90 minutes for the Kioti dealer. The Kubota dealer also deals with NH tractors. My concern with the LS the dealer has only been selling them for about a year. I'm looking at the xr3135hc or xr4140hc. With the dealer only selling them for about a year and LS not being as popular as Kubota or Deere another concern is getting part if this dealer decides to stop selling them or something happens with LS all together. It doesn't look like NH has a comparable to the 3100 and 4100 series yet as their Boomer's where more comparable to the 3000 and 4000 series LS tractors. So do you think NH will eventually have a LS equivalent to the 3100 and 4100 series tractors? Like I said, my main thing is thinking down the road 5-10+ years and getting parts if LS is re branded, no longer around, or something else. Thanks

Brian

 

[blb078]

PARAGRAPH.

Use Edit Post.

No offense but if you can't read that w/o needing paragraph breaks you should probably stay of the net. It's not a large paragraph to begin with. That or maybe you should spend the few hours posting the same thing in hundreds of other threads that have longer paragraphs than mine. So if you can't contribute to the answers I'm looking for or provide constructive info, don't post in the thread please. No need to reply as I already know your answer.

 

[paulfun9]

I am not one to keep track of all the models from each manufacture BUT my understanding is that LS builds tractors for NH. When I was last shopping I was able to find a NH that was basically the same as each of the LS models I looked at. Slight difference on some cosmetic parts and a different blue color but the same tractor under the cosmetics.

 

[chim]

The last part of your first post regarding the staying power would be a concern for me as well. A couple guys in our company decided to go tractor shopping about 8 years ago and bought a Montana (LS) because it was green sorta like a JD and they misread the specs. We had some electrical trouble. The loader is terrible to remove /reinstall and can't lift and curl at the same time. One numbskull broke the dash and it took months to get a replacement because parts weren't available in the continental US.

The dealer who is at least an hour away never seemed very professional nor helpful. I have never been to the dealership but get the impression it's a real shoestring operation. There are plenty of real dealers of various colored tractors much closer to us and they stock or can get parts quickly.

I've seen posts by LS owners who are very satisfied with their tractors so I assume the tractors bearing the LS badge are a cut above the Montana we have.

 

[coobie]

I have been looking at getting my first tractor. Looked at Deere and Kubota and almost had my mind made up until I found out about Kioti, LS, and Mahindra. All 3 where cheaper than the orange/green tractors by a lot. I'm leaning towards an LS because the dealer is only about 15 minutes aways vs 90 minutes for the Kioti dealer. The Kubota dealer also deals with NH tractors. My concern with the LS the dealer has only been selling them for about a year. I'm looking at the xr3135hc or xr4140hc. With the dealer only selling them for about a year and LS not being as popular as Kubota or Deere another concern is getting part if this dealer decides to stop selling them or something happens with LS all together. It doesn't look like NH has a comparable to the 3100 and 4100 series yet as their Boomer's where more comparable to the 3000 and 4000 series LS tractors. So do you think NH will eventually have a LS equivalent to the 3100 and 4100 series tractors? Like I said, my main thing is thinking down the road 5-10+ years and getting parts if LS is re branded, no longer around, or something else. Thanks

Brian

Out of those 4 tractors you have listed my choice would be Mahindra or Kioti.They seem to be doing well and have been established now for quite sometime.As someone else pointed out I think New holland & LS are somewhat the same tractor..

 

[Turbys_1700]

Your concerns are legitimate. LS is not going anywhere IMHO but dealership stability may be problematic. Kubota, Deere, New Holland, are the gold standard concerning dealerships and part support. Kioti and Mahindra are right there too. LS is a fine product and I would have no qualms in buying one if I had solid dealership close by. My local dealership took Kubota when the local Kubota-Massey-LS dealership closed shop. They did not take LS. They had added Mahindra several years earlier and did not need a 4th manufacturer to support.

It's you call. My personal preference would be Kubota and Deere. If I was set on a New Holland I would get the LS equivalent and save some $$$.

 

[CreekyB]

The machines you listed are all good machines, some have longer running good reputations than others. Either dealership proximity and reputation matters to you or it does not. Seems to be a personal choice.

My method since I was having trouble making up my mind is to get package quotes from all the dealers with financing and what my payments would be.

I added up the payments and chose the cheapest one

Was Kubota for me due to the 0% financing.

 

[skidsareforkids]

I was worried about LS longevity when I bought my XR4040, however I still bought it. I'm glad I did it's a very capable machine and I'm happy with the dealer I bought it from. He is over an hour away, but I wasn't planning to need him that much and his shipping rates on parts is very good. Since then another dealer closer to me has started carrying LS. It's nice to see their dealer line growing.

LS and NH are the same tractor, I would assume the XR41** and XR31** series might have different engines than the comparable NH. The difference between the XR41** and XR40** is simply the engine. My 4040 has a shibaura engine. The 4140 has a new design LS engine. Be interesting to see if NH picks those up. My dealer had been to Korea on a factory tour. He's got a really neat picture of a NH coming down the line right after a LS.

 

[N2DFire]

As others have stated already - LS builds tractors for other manufacturers, including New Holland. Therefore even if you lost direct dealer support - parts should still be available via NH.

When we were tractor shopping, one of the big issues we ran into with both NH and Massey (and I can only assume it would be the same with LS) was that the operator station size & geometry was such that my father (over 6 Ft tall & neuropathy in his lower legs & feet) was unable to operate the clutch pedal without a good bit of struggling. Both Kioti & Mahindra were much more comfortable to him( So be sure to seat test & test drive if possible before you decide).

Subsequently those were our final two picks & Kioti won on price.

 

[Piston]

I wouldn't let the proximity of the dealership sway your decision on which make to go with. A lot of people stress the importance of the relationship with your dealer, or rather "over stress" the relationship.

There are always exceptions, but it is highly unlikely that you will need to visit the dealer very often.

I wouldn't hesitate to go with any of the brands you mentioned, and I don't think there is any better/worse chance of not being able to find parts for Kioti or LS.

Buying a tractor today is a tough decision, mostly because any new tractor is going to be a great one, and you really have to split hairs and study/research the heck out of all of them just to find nit picks and reasons not to choose one over the other.

I think the easiest way to rule out a manufacturer, is to use the dealer excuse of not being close enough. It's an easy excuse, but more of a justification verse actual importance.

 

[rgr33]

From what I have read, LS has deep pockets and are in it for the long haul. I bought mine four years ago, and there was only one dealer in the area, now there are four within a 90 minute drive. My g3033 has never been back to the shop, but I buy filters and such off the internet with no trouble.
We all like different things, but of the brands you mention, I didn't love the Mahindra, but I think any of them will serve you well.

 

[PJSprog]

I've looked at most of those brands as well over the last few months, except Kioti (no dealer near me), as well as a couple of others. They all seem to make fine tractors, and all seem to have about the same warranties (except Mahindra, who just upped theirs to 7 years). My exhaustive reading has lead me to the conclusion that whichever tractor you ask about, people who own them generally like them, and people who own something else probably do not. No different than cars/trucks, guitars, home electronics, and pretty much everything else.

As for the longevity issue ... LS has been building tractors for over 40 years now, and seem to be steadily growing. It doesn't look to me like they're in any more danger of going under than any other company.

I am also probably going to buy an LS, likely the XR3135HC ... in spite of others who always try to talk me into spending more for a green or orange tractor, not one of whom have even so much as looked at an LS, much less had any real experience with one.

 

[blb078]

Thanks for the info everyone. I'm not necessarily worried about LS or going under which is still the way I'm leaning. It's more what if they stop making under the LS name and make different tractors. Kind of like what they've done with Montana and some other brands. I'm curious how easy it is for people who have these other tractors LS made under different names is for them to get parts or service. I'd feel a lot more comfortable with the purchase if New Holland had one Similar to the 3100 or 4100 series, which I guess their Boomers are just different engines in the newer LS ones. From what I can tell everything else seems the same. I'm probably still going to get the LS because the savings is so much and the dealer is only 15 minutes from me and hopefully he continues to keep the LS line but the NH dealer is only about 20 minutes away in the other direction so I guess worse case I can maybe try to convince them to help me out if something goes wrong in the future or I need something.

 

[CreekyB]

I've looked at most of those brands as well over the last few months, except Kioti (no dealer near me), as well as a couple of others. They all seem to make fine tractors, and all seem to have about the same warranties (except Mahindra, who just upped theirs to 7 years). My exhaustive reading has lead me to the conclusion that whichever tractor you ask about, people who own them generally like them, and people who own something else probably do not. No different than cars/trucks, guitars, home electronics, and pretty much everything else.

As for the longevity issue ... LS has been building tractors for over 40 years now, and seem to be steadily growing. It doesn't look to me like they're in any more danger of going under than any other company.

I am also probably going to buy an LS, likely the XR3135HC ... in spite of others who always try to talk me into spending more for a green or orange tractor, not one of whom have even so much as looked at an LS, much less had any real experience with one.

I bought a Kubota, but was very interested in the LS. I think the LS and Kiota offerings were as good as the Kubota I wound up with. The only thing that made my decision was my pocket, the more expensive Kubota wound up being cheaper over the life of the loan due to the 0% financing. Had I been paying cash then it would have been a different color in my barn now.

At the end of the day it is a tractor, it does a job, does not need to be a specific color to do that(those) jobs.

 

[Threepoint]

blb078, I agree with Piston on dealer proximity. Proximity is nice, but I sure wouldn't decide on brand based on it, unless all other factors were a push. Test drive them all and see what suits and fit you. All the tractors you're considering are very well made these days. There's a good chance you won't even have to use the warranty. :thumbsup: If the tractor does have to go into the shop for warranty work, many dealers will arrange to pick it up for a pretty reasonable haul charge. Ask about that when you're looking at tractors. The Kioti dealer where I found my tractor is 100 miles from me, and the Kubota dealer I use is 45 miles. And parts can be shipped (or drop-shipped) anywhere.

 

[Piston]

FYI, Kubota has 0% for 84 months up through the end of the year.

 

[dickfoster]

I have been looking at getting my first tractor. Looked at Deere and Kubota and almost had my mind made up until I found out about Kioti, LS, and Mahindra. All 3 where cheaper than the orange/green tractors by a lot. I'm leaning towards an LS because the dealer is only about 15 minutes aways vs 90 minutes for the Kioti dealer. The Kubota dealer also deals with NH tractors. My concern with the LS the dealer has only been selling them for about a year. I'm looking at the xr3135hc or xr4140hc. With the dealer only selling them for about a year and LS not being as popular as Kubota or Deere another concern is getting part if this dealer decides to stop selling them or something happens with LS all together. It doesn't look like NH has a comparable to the 3100 and 4100 series yet as their Boomer's where more comparable to the 3000 and 4000 series LS tractors. So do you think NH will eventually have a LS equivalent to the 3100 and 4100 series tractors? Like I said, my main thing is thinking down the road 5-10+ years and getting parts if LS is re branded, no longer around, or something else. Thanks

Brian

Which ever you buy just make sure the dealer you choose is one that will support you and help you to keep your tractor running. No matter how much you spend after the sale, the dealer can either make or break the whole deal for you.

 

[JLwoodworks]

Also note that compared to similar NH machines, you'll find the LS has more features standard. Like rear remotes. Rear lights. Draft control. To name a few

Jay

 

[blb078]

Yea i've noticed they have a few more things that are standard and a lower price tag to start with.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Thanks for the info everyone. I'm not necessarily worried about LS or going under which is still the way I'm leaning. It's more what if they stop making under the LS name and make different tractors. Kind of like what they've done with Montana and some other brands. I'm curious how easy it is for people who have these other tractors LS made under different names is for them to get parts or service. .

I think you are looking at this backward. LS Mtron is the parent company and thinking that they would stop making LS tractor brands and just make a rebadged tractor is like thinking that GM is going to stop making Chevy's and start making Kias or Fords.

LS didn't stop making Montana because they went to a different branding. Montana company went under and they were buying their tractors from LS just like New Holland so when Montana USA went under, no longer did LS badge the tractor but parts can be ordered for the Montana if you know the equivalent LS model. I would be more concerned about parts from NH, Massey, Case etc who badge their tractors made by LS. LS Mtron isn't going anywhere with their models but might not see any reason to support the other dealers if they drop their contract (like Montana did).
If you buy and LS tractor, LS is going to support it and dealers are on the rise not on the fall. When I bought my LS 6 years ago, there was only one dealer within 100 miles, now there are 3 that I know of and maybe more. I haven't kept up with pricing of the other tractors of similar HP to LS but when I bought mine, I got 20 more HP (70) for the same price as MF and Kubota 50 HP models AND got more standard equipment. Compared the Mahindra to the LS when I bought and it was like comparing a Chevy to a Mercedes in fit, finish, ergonomics AND accessories.