LS Looks Good but Dealers and service?

[MotoDog]

I really like the LS MT225HE with loader and backhoe. I see it here in So. Cal where I am living for under $23K.
But I am moving to Utah next month and there are no dealers close to where I will be?
If I got a lemon, the big savings with the LS over Kubota would not be worth it.
The L2501 as quoted in Utah near me was $29,945. Plus more for Tax and insurance to get Free Financing.
Sure paying a lot for the Big Orange one!

I guess there probably is no easy solution for Service under warranty I a dealer is far away?

Mike, in Yucaipa Ca. for another month... Wanting "LS MT225HE TRACTOR FOR SALE WITH A FRONT LOADER AND A BACKHOE" at Yucaipa Trailer Sales

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Check out “ Hobby tractor “ in Pleasant Grove Utah. They might be able to help you out.

 

[MotoDog]

Thanks !!!! I emailed them - Hobby Tractor. They have LS and others.
I would rather buy it in Utah, even though the dealership is a long way from where I will be.
Tax will be a little less and easier to do?

They even have some used ones, not LS though.
Mike

 

[shooterdon]

You want a servicing dealer unless you can do the work yourself. One reason the RK tractor came off my "buy list" when I started shopping.

 

[Roadworthy]

You may wish to check dealerships in the area of Utah where you plan to settle. They may have new or used tractors they can support. If the tractor breaks you either haul it to the dealer or shop or have them come to you. If they come to you they may charge by mileage, hours, or both.

 

[MotoDog]

The dealer Hobby Tractor is 242 mile north of where I will be in Utah. There are no LS dealers around where I am. A Kubota is $8K or more than the LS.
The LS has more stock features than the L2501. Hobby Tractor has offered a good price to match any, and will deliver for free. The have been there 40 years.
So far, I am READY! 2 Weeks more and I may have the LS MT225H with backhoe and loader!
At 74 years, reminds me of Christmas as a little boy! Toys are great!
I like the L2501 too, but it is really expensive. LS has a quick bucket as standard, a level rod, and not as much hump at the floor board.
Come with nice Lights to make me street legal going to my friends house.
We will see what happens!
Mike

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

242 miles is not that far away.... my first LS (Mt125 TLB) , I purchased from a dealer 550 miles away from me. Actually went on a road trip and picked it up. I was very impressed with the LS, so much that when it was time to upgrade larger, I did not even think about looking at other brands. They could not come anywhere near the price and features. I purchased my second LS (XG3025) from a dealer even father away! 650 miles.... they had it delivered. I did not have any issues with either one. There are no LS dealers in NM.

The first one I put on 220 hours in just under 2 years. So far I have 110 hours on this one in 9 months. I do my own maintenance, so distance is not really a problem. I do get all the filters and stuff from the dealers, delivered to my door.

I did have one issue that was my fault, I crushed a BH hose between the bucket cylinder and the dipper stick on the BH. I did not notice it was stuck there when I took off the BH. It stayed that way for about 2 weeks. When I used the BH again, I noticed the hose. Called the dealer and he had one sent to me directly from LS parts, saved me the dealer markup and delay... cost me $25. I surely cannot complain!

An $8000 difference can buy a few implements, maintenance stuff, and more!

Good luck with your decision, IMHO, you cannot go wrong with the LS.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Oh, if you are going to get the BH, there are 2 ways they plumb it in. Mine is plumbed through 2 rear remotes, the one used for the BH has a detent to turn on flow to the BH. Dealer charged me $700 for both remotes. The BH only has 2 hoses. Plus, there are now 2 remotes that can be used for T&T, or other rear hydraulic stuff.

The other way, the BH has 3 hoses, and when removed, one hose on the tractor has to get plugged back into the tractor. Apparently, one of those fittings is located under the right side of the seat, difficult to get to (where the rear remote levers would go if equipped). If possible, work the remotes into your deal. My dealer discounted the price by $100, and installed them for free (since I was getting the BH).

Just thought I would let you know about this... to me it does make a difference in how easy the BH goes on / off.

 

[tradosaurus]

I really like the LS MT225HE with loader and backhoe. I see it here in So. Cal where I am living for under $23K.
But I am moving to Utah next month and there are no dealers close to where I will be?
If I got a lemon, the big savings with the LS over Kubota would not be worth it.
The L2501 as quoted in Utah near me was $29,945. Plus more for Tax and insurance to get Free Financing.
Sure paying a lot for the Big Orange one!

I guess there probably is no easy solution for Service under warranty I a dealer is far away?

Mike, in Yucaipa Ca. for another month... Wanting "LS MT225HE TRACTOR FOR SALE WITH A FRONT LOADER AND A BACKHOE" at Yucaipa Trailer Sales

If that L2501 comes with a backhoe that's not a bad price. Better to buy once, cry once.

 

[jeff9366]

The dealer Hobby Tractor is 242 mile north of where I will be in Utah.

If something goes wrong, and many, many neophyte tractor operators prang their tractors in the first year, delivering the tractor for dealer service will require a 484 mile round trip and a second 484 mile round trip to retrieve tractor after service, 968 total miles. If you trailer the tractor your cost has to be at least $1.00 per mile plus hotels plus food. If the dealer trailers the tractor your cost will be $2.00 per mile.

A quality dealer, reasonably close, available for coaching, is important for tractor neophytes. Most new tractors are delivered with a glitch or two requiring correction, often safety/cutout switches which require adjustment to operator weight. My kubota dealer is six miles away. I feel my local dealer continues to add value to my equipment after seven years. Dealer proximity is less important for those experienced with tractors and qualified to perform their own maintenance.

If something goes wrong, and many, many neophyte tractor operators prang their tractors in the first year, those that have Kubota's KTAC insurance are grateful. My Kubota is six years old and has 1,700 engine hours. I maintain KTAC insurance. Except for fueling and greasing my dealer does service. This is my third tractor, second new Kubota. I am age 72.

I have shopped LS at the SE Ag Expo and consider LS a good competitor to Kubota but dealer quality and dealer proximity are especially important to tractor neophytes.