Comparison Kubota vs. LS

[Cookie Monster]

Hi all,

We're looking to update one of our utility tractors. We priced a Kubota M6060 with loader & cab and LS XU6168. We run two other Kubota's around the farm and love them, but these LS machines have an attractive price tag. Priced at local dealers we're looking at about 38,500 on the LS and 48,500 on the Kubota. Does anyone have some insight on the LS units? Love the Kubota's we have but a 10k difference is worth looking into at-least.

Thanks!

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

LS makes some great tractors. I would suggest you post in the LS section / forum, you will get some specific replies from LS owners that might have that specific tractor and give you some better information. Lots of really happy LS owners there.

 

[hks003]

I have a 2014 LS G3038 that I bought used, which is a different class tractor than what you're looking at, but I really like it. I've put about 10 hours on it in the last 6 weeks piling up limbs and pine straw, bush hogging, and cleaning up a couple trees that fell during a storm. I compared it to new and used Kubotas L3301 or similar tractors. The LS is definitely all business with no cup holders, no canopy, and a shuttle shift instead of HST, but it's a very solid machine. The ergonomics of the Kubota were slightly better, but as a less than 50 hours a year user, that wasn't a deal breaker for me. Coming from dad's 1983 L340, any of the newer machines are a vast ergonomic improvement though!

 

[bullbreaker]

Howdy CM knowtice its your first post . Welcome to TBN . You mind me asking more or less what part of the country your in ? Or state ? Some of us have it on our profiles . Tractor colors can be a region thing , and 10K price difference on comparible models ? at least gets my attention like you have posted . Thank you ...

 

[3Lfarms]

I bought an XU6168CPS two years ago. It’s been great thus far with a little over 200 hours on the clock. With the cab and power shuttle, it came in about $15k less than a similar Kubota, and that included three SCVs, mirrors, front and rear wipers, lights, etc.
It’s a very strong machine that is also very comfortable for me and I’m 6’3” and 3 bills.
I paid $42,500 for the tractor, loader and backhoe. A similar Kubota was close to $60k. I spent $10k at Everything Attachments and still spent less than a JD or Kubota. Still very happy with my decision.

 

[Cookie Monster]

Hi, thank you! We’re in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. I just haven’t had the chance to get profile stuff done yet. The price tag is pretty awesome, just trying to figure out why the price gap. Driven both and like them both, just seems too good to be true.

 

[GSVette]

I shopped all the major brands before getting my XR4155HC-possibly from an LS dealer you’ll go to (Ernst Tractor). I was sold on a Yanmar but couldn’t get the price below $40k-the LS had been my second choice-mostly because, as an engineer, I was totally geeked out by the Yanmars iHMT drive. The LS definitely has more features for the money than all of the competitors.

I am at 50+ hours on mine and am completely satisfied with my choice

 

[riptides]

Hi, thank you! We’re in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. I just haven’t had the chance to get profile stuff done yet. The price tag is pretty awesome, just trying to figure out why the price gap. Driven both and like them both, just seems too good to be true.

Marketing, penetration and customer base. I think LS is trying to make a push into the markets and price point is an obvious factor.

It appears in the compact to utility lineup, a comparable Kubota is indeed 10k more.

 

[rgr33]

I have a 2012 g3033. I put about 120 hours a year on it, mostly spraying and mowing in a vineyard.

Mine is a tier 3, so not directly comparable to what you are looking at. Never have had any issues with it so far, just do the regular servicing, and keep it stored inside the barn when not in use.
They are getting more popular around here, I almost never see any used ones on the market.

 

[nards444]

Hi, thank you! We’re in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. I just haven’t had the chance to get profile stuff done yet. The price tag is pretty awesome, just trying to figure out why the price gap. Driven both and like them both, just seems too good to be true.

Sometimes price gap is because you are getting more in terms of machine, quality, warranty and or service. But often times name brands cost X percent more just because they can, also name brands spend millions on marketing and thus pass that cost onto you

 

[hks003]

Sometimes price gap is because you are getting more in terms of machine, quality, warranty and or service. But often times name brands cost X percent more just because they can, also name brands spend millions on marketing and thus past that cost onto you

I'd never thought of the marketing aspect. I've never seen a commercial, paid ad, or billboard for LS, just local flyers and free ads on the community website from our local dealer. Kubota and deere on the other hand, have several professionally produced commercials and such.

 

[Ortimber]

I consider parts support as a relevant factor when buying any big ticket item. It’s my experience that bigger names generally have better parts networks/distribution. That might be something worth considering.

 

[Teachu2]

I consider parts support as a relevant factor when buying any big ticket item. It’s my experience that bigger names generally have better parts networks/distribution. That might be something worth considering.

Especially important when it's a commercial application, although if the dealer has loaner equipment it is less troublesome.

 

[nards444]

I'd never thought of the marketing aspect. I've never seen a commercial, paid ad, or billboard for LS, just local flyers and free ads on the community website from our local dealer. Kubota and deere on the other hand, have several professionally produced commercials and such.

Yeah anything that company does to produce that machine goes into the cost, larger companies have more overhead, now often times they can spread that out across more machines sold lessening the burden.

This is just a guess but I would take a gander that any name brand item cost anywhere from 5-20% more just because they can and had nothing to do with really anything.

 

[nards444]

I consider parts support as a relevant factor when buying any big ticket item. It’s my experience that bigger names generally have better parts networks/distribution. That might be something worth considering.

Very true. But the internet is a huge factor these days and can be leveraged in your favor. Take for instance my boats different world I know yes. I could do down to my favorite dealer and get parts, sometimes they have them sometimes they dont. Or I can do online and order the same part for usually 30% less often times 50% less, again for the same part. Dealers are important. But if your a person that can do a little work, dealers are not as critical as some make them out to be.

 

[Diggin It]

Brand name is not the same as name recognition. LS is not a lesser quality brand simply because fewer people know the name. Many people may own LS products without even being aware of it since they make machines for other brands in other colors. LS is one of the largest companies out there worldwide and is connected to the LG Group monolith.

 

[Trillium Farm]

LS makes good tractors and if you are a homeowner or someone who doesnt need the tractor/part fixed immediately it is well worth considering. If you make a living with it then it's another story. Most LS dealers are Mom & Pop or small implements dealers and may or may not have the equipment & know-how to do good repair, but if you do have a good dealer close to you I'd have a go $10K is a lot of dough.

 

[Geotech]

Kubota will look like lesser machine on paper. In the field they will be comparable. After purchase network and support, whether it be warranty, service, finding advice online, OEM parts, aftermarket parts, etc., etc., for Kubota is light years ahead of LS. Just way more of them out there. I'm sure LS is okay, but I got a Kubota and am glad I did. Specs on a sheet of paper are not the end all be all.

 

[Donnyncarol]

Bought a Kubota M5-111 just about 2 years ago. It's been to the shop 4 times. twice for the DEF pump. They had it for well over 2 months they planned on keeping it from 9-19-18 until late January 19. Got my state attorney general's office involved and they **** a DEF pump they swore wasn't available. And now yesterday about 2 pm when it was nice and hot. Baling hay had the rear hatch open when replacing string rolls. Went to shut the hatch, just touched it and it exploded. Even better Kubota sells insurance when you finance with them. The deductible is 250. Any guess what the glass costs ? 260 . So as of this tractor I will probably not buy orange again. I have 2 Kubota's my dad has 3 Kubota. 2 of which are probably 30 years and 20 years old. The newest it a 2013? 70 hp. Seems the newer tractors are getting cheaper made and cost tons more. All in all my M5-111 was 75,000

 

[Donnyncarol]

Most places around here do not stock crap. 8/10 times I call Kubota, Cat, they say we can get it in 2-3 days. Deere I will say usually has cutter parts I need on hand.