MT125 LS service bulletin CS18-002

[mslisaj]

Last week I receieved a phone call from my dealer advising me of a "recall" service bulletin on my Yanmar engine. Apparently as these engines are being built for various applications the lower coolent drain had a 3/8" hose bib on it that was capped with a rubber cap. I would guess in some applications there would be a hose hooked up to this "joint" as Yanmar calls it. Well the fix is to remove this pipe fitting and install a pipe plug supplied by LS/Yanmar.

The fix calls for draining the cooling system to accomplish this but if you're fast you can swap the fittings without losing a tablespoon of coolant. I did loosen the engine cowling and shifted it forward so I would have an easier access to this plug/fitting. But the entire job took about 20 minutes. I'm super impressed with my dealer who is literally cross country from me calling to inform me of this recall and then they shipped me the parts and instructions. Certainly gives me great confidence in my new LS MT125.

These certainly great machines.

Lisa

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Thanks for posting this info. I have not heard of this service bulletin yet. I'm starting to loose faith in my dealer, I was just talking to them last week, and also had email contact with the regional service manager regarding the issue w/ the 3 point hitch and backhoe that has now been going on since last November. They keep blaming each other (dealer vs. LS). Nobody mentioned this bulletin however. I'm going to call them today.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

If I may ask, who was your dealer? Also, did they say why the fitting needed to be plugged? You would think it would make draining the coolant easier if needed.

 

[mslisaj]

If I may ask, who was your dealer? Also, did they say why the fitting needed to be plugged? You would think it would make draining the coolant easier if needed.

Bruno's Power Sport in Arkansas is my dealer. Extreme nice people to deal with. Plus, they are a long way from me in Oregon; very easy for them to forget about me as they will never see the tractor again. But instead I get a phone call advising me of this minor issue and they send me the parts. Impressive in my opinion.

Now on the reason to change it makes sense. The fitting has a barb connection on it for a hose. On the MT125 there is no need for this but as the engine was built (I am assuming) they just put a rubber cap over this fitting. Over time this rubber cap could become brittle and crack and leak. So the fix is to just remove the fitting and put a pipe plug in there. You mentioned the original fitting would make draining the coolant easier. Well actually not, the hole in this pipe barb is maybe an 1/8" or 3/16" hole and it would take for ever for coolant to drain. It's really a very accessable location and a socket with an extension and you will have the plug out in seconds for a good drain. You could put a drain cock in there like a radiator petcock too that would work. But LS supplied a pipe plug with "special" pipe dope applied so I just used that.

Simple "fix"/precaution that makes sense. This fitting is located on the left side by the oil filter. Right next too the oil pressure sending unit. While the engine is in the tractor "backwards" this plug/fitting is just forward of the oil pressure sending unit. This "recall" is by serial number and I have an early tractor I guess and LS is making this change in later tractors as they are built. But if you look you will find this fitting and if it has a rubber cap on it I would replace it with a straight plug.

Hope this helps..........

Lisa

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Did you every come up with a fix for installing the 3 point hitch w/o removing the tire? As I stated in my earlier reply, the dealer and LS have been going back and forth about the actual fix. There is a part # 20147916, which is a "upgrade part". LS says owners can buy it....Really? They are sending me one. I was just curious if you did something different.

 

[mslisaj]

Did you every come up with a fix for installing the 3 point hitch w/o removing the tire? As I stated in my earlier reply, the dealer and LS have been going back and forth about the actual fix. There is a part # 20147916, which is a "upgrade part". LS says owners can buy it....Really? They are sending me one. I was just curious if you did something different.

Well I thought I had an idea before my tractor was delivered. When I I got the tractor and removed the tire and install that long bar I realized it didn't move enough to utilize my idea. So I don't have any magic either.

Now a question to you. How much is that "upgraded part"? I have seem most all of the idea's and workarounds to this issue on this forum that creative folks have come up with and while they are good I personally don't use that three point enough to go through the build. But if I could buy it reasonably I would just to have the updated parts. Good for you to get one of the new systems out of your dealer. You'll have to post pictures of it when you get it so we can see the factory workaround.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

I actually never got a price...pretty much was too mad (not the way I really felt, but can't use those words here). Anyway, between the dealer and LS, they are just sending me one after I raised a big stink. I frequently have to change between the BH and implements, and the jacking of the tractor, removing the tire, and the reverse is just too time consuming and really, to be honest, the procedure is intrinsically unsafe. Then, doing it multiple times, is just asking for trouble. I really love this little tractor, but have seriously considered trading it in because of this issue. Only problem with that is loosing about $3 grand, something I'm not willing to do.

Spoke to the dealer and he is sending the parts for the service bulletin, we'll see.. He also gave me other bad news, the 3 point parts "are on back order", 1-3 weeks out. I'm again getting frustrated. I will post pics when, and at this point "if" I get them.

 

[mslisaj]

Well "LS mt125 owner" I so agree with everyone that it's just a hassle and as you point out could be a safety issue too. To use a jack safely you need level and solid ground and maybe you can't have that in the field or where you store your hoe. What I did notice was that the actualy hangars for the Hoe are nice and thick. Don't know if those mounting hangars weren't there you could slip in the parts and arms for the three point. If the real interesting point you raised is of safety. If someone got hurt installing the three point and made the point that is was a poor design to begin with LS could be liable. There can't be that many MT125's sold last year they they could not upgrade everone for the cost of one law suit. Will be interesting to see what you get when you get it and thank you ahead of time for posting the pictures when you get it.

One other point to all this. The LS MT125 is being rebranded for the "brand new" New Holland Workmaster 25 tractor. This machine should be coming to a New Holland Dealer near you very soon. Will be interesting to see what kind of three point that machine has on it. Maybe that is where the current production of that LS #20147916 kit is going right now. I have a very nice New Holland Dealer close to me and I am watching their stock when they get one in.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Just an update on the 3 point hitch fix kit, after speaking to the dealer, and expressing my dissatisfaction again, the LS parts warehouse in NC miraculously found a kit on the shelf. They have provided a tracking number and it should be here next Wednesday. I will keep everyone posted when it does.

I have not seen the NH workmaster25 at the local dealer yet. On the NH website, they specifically mention that it is made by LS, referring to the MT series. Would be very nice to have parts available locally.

 

[mslisaj]

Just an update on the 3 point hitch fix kit, after speaking to the dealer, and expressing my dissatisfaction again, the LS parts warehouse in NC miraculously found a kit on the shelf. They have provided a tracking number and it should be here next Wednesday. I will keep everyone posted when it does.
I have not seen the NH workmaster25 at the local dealer yet. On the NH website, they specifically mention that it is made by LS, referring to the MT series. Would be very nice to have parts available locally.

Can't wait to hear the description of the hitch repair and better yet, PICTURES. Thanks for your work on leaning on the dealer and LS.
I don't have a local LS dealer but I have a very big New Holland dealer. While I wouldn't expect warranty work from them the parts availability will be nice when needed