Buying Advice Buying a tractor
- Thread starter Flyboy712
- Start date
- Views: 5782
I finally bit and bought an LS MT125 last year.
I looked at several brands, narrowed it to LS and Kioti. I was pretty much committed to Kioti until I sat on the LS. Things I thought might bother me didn't, and getting on and off the platform was a breeze. With a few other tractors, my feet might catch a lever or knob, a lever might be sticking in the back of my calf, or my knees just didn't fit right around the wheel. I am a big guy, 6'4, 275lb, in good shape.
I went away from the 2025 because of the backhoe versus MMM interference.
I ordered the MT125 with the backhoe, the FEL with QT, the MMM, and a front end snow blower with hydraulic chute control. Also got a set of QT pallet forks.
Your driveway is a bit longer than mine, I'm at 900'. Plowing is impractical because of retaining walls along the sides of the driveway for several hundred feet. The LS replaces a JD GT235 with a 44" Bercomac snowblower, I used that for the previous 15 or so years for mowing and snow removal.
I did a lot of earth moving last summer. Dug a 6' deep cut into a slope, used that to fill in the lower part to level the area. I've moved maybe 50-60 tons of stone for stonewalls with the FEL. Dropped several trees, used the pallet forks to move the wood. Used the backhoe to dig out stumps.
I have a 12" backhoe bucket. The backhoe is small, but it gets jobs done. I knew it going in, but the limiting factor for me with the backhoe is the side-to-side swing. It's not 180 degrees like some others. It would have been nice, but again, once you get it, you work within it's limitations. I'd like to have a larger bucket, but it comes down to earth penetration, etc.
The QT for the FEL does cost me some lift capability as the bucket is a bit further away from the pivot points. But again, you go with the flow.
I've talked about the limitations. But it has abilities too. I've worked this tractor, I have zero regrets buying it.
One other thing that lead me to the MT125 was the MMM. It's easy ON/OFF, and I mow a couple of grass lawns on my property, so I a smaller tractor to minimize soil compaction. It mows quite well, and mowing is much quieter than with my old JD GT235. As soon as I mounted the front end snowblower, I stood back and remarked, "well, now that THAT is on, I've guaranteed no snow this year." And yup, nothing more than a couple of light dustings this year in southern CT, so I haven't used the blower to date.
The dealer did fill the tires. I've had no issues with imbalance or tipping with all the earth and stone moving I've done.
I had an very inexpensive "soft cab" on my GT235 for blowing snow. LOVED IT. I initially ordered the MT125 with the factory cab, but when I ordered, I found out the factory cab AT THAT TIME was not compatible with the backhoe. The dealer said they are working on a modification. IF they don't come up with something, I'll probably DIY a cab for winter use. Based on my experiences with the soft cab on the GT235, I don't need fancy. I just need a roof and walls to break the wind and to keep swirling snow off me.
I will remark that not having a cab makes it easier when driving around trees. No worries about a branch taking out a window.
Good luck with your search.
I looked at several brands, narrowed it to LS and Kioti. I was pretty much committed to Kioti until I sat on the LS. Things I thought might bother me didn't, and getting on and off the platform was a breeze. With a few other tractors, my feet might catch a lever or knob, a lever might be sticking in the back of my calf, or my knees just didn't fit right around the wheel. I am a big guy, 6'4, 275lb, in good shape.
I went away from the 2025 because of the backhoe versus MMM interference.
I ordered the MT125 with the backhoe, the FEL with QT, the MMM, and a front end snow blower with hydraulic chute control. Also got a set of QT pallet forks.
Your driveway is a bit longer than mine, I'm at 900'. Plowing is impractical because of retaining walls along the sides of the driveway for several hundred feet. The LS replaces a JD GT235 with a 44" Bercomac snowblower, I used that for the previous 15 or so years for mowing and snow removal.
I did a lot of earth moving last summer. Dug a 6' deep cut into a slope, used that to fill in the lower part to level the area. I've moved maybe 50-60 tons of stone for stonewalls with the FEL. Dropped several trees, used the pallet forks to move the wood. Used the backhoe to dig out stumps.
I have a 12" backhoe bucket. The backhoe is small, but it gets jobs done. I knew it going in, but the limiting factor for me with the backhoe is the side-to-side swing. It's not 180 degrees like some others. It would have been nice, but again, once you get it, you work within it's limitations. I'd like to have a larger bucket, but it comes down to earth penetration, etc.
The QT for the FEL does cost me some lift capability as the bucket is a bit further away from the pivot points. But again, you go with the flow.
I've talked about the limitations. But it has abilities too. I've worked this tractor, I have zero regrets buying it.
One other thing that lead me to the MT125 was the MMM. It's easy ON/OFF, and I mow a couple of grass lawns on my property, so I a smaller tractor to minimize soil compaction. It mows quite well, and mowing is much quieter than with my old JD GT235. As soon as I mounted the front end snowblower, I stood back and remarked, "well, now that THAT is on, I've guaranteed no snow this year." And yup, nothing more than a couple of light dustings this year in southern CT, so I haven't used the blower to date.
The dealer did fill the tires. I've had no issues with imbalance or tipping with all the earth and stone moving I've done.
I had an very inexpensive "soft cab" on my GT235 for blowing snow. LOVED IT. I initially ordered the MT125 with the factory cab, but when I ordered, I found out the factory cab AT THAT TIME was not compatible with the backhoe. The dealer said they are working on a modification. IF they don't come up with something, I'll probably DIY a cab for winter use. Based on my experiences with the soft cab on the GT235, I don't need fancy. I just need a roof and walls to break the wind and to keep swirling snow off me.
I will remark that not having a cab makes it easier when driving around trees. No worries about a branch taking out a window.
Good luck with your search.
Well I drove around all morning checking several different models. One dealer also sold yanmars and I drove a SA324 didn't like it much but it had a roomy operators station. Lots of plastic on it though and the loader seemed pretty flimsy.
I ended up getting the Kioti. The one thing I don't necessarily like about it is the treadle for the HST I played around with it for about 30min or so and after a little seat time I felt I could get used to it. Some of the others were nicer in some areas and not so much in others. The thing that stood out to me the most on the Kioti was it felt much tougher and more solid. It is built a lot heavier in a lot of areas. The other thing was the loader control. It was a lot smoother and more refined and could be feathered easier to lift and curl at the same time. Most of the others it was either or and they also seemed to take a lot of finesse to prevent the all or nothing when moving the bucket.
The dealer had come down quite a bit on price since last month which was also a contributing factor. I got the tires loaded, a cutting edge for the bucket and all the filters for the first service. Out the door cost before tax was $14,500. Total with tax and insurance (@$10mo) was $16,400. Darned taxes! It includes free delivery and free implement rental 5 times a year for up to 10days for 5yrs. That'll give time to see what I'll need without be pressured to buy a lot of stuff right away.
Should be here tomorrow or Thursday depending on when they get it back from getting the tires filled. Just in time to break it in this weekend!
Thanks everyone for the input! This is great resource!
I ended up getting the Kioti. The one thing I don't necessarily like about it is the treadle for the HST I played around with it for about 30min or so and after a little seat time I felt I could get used to it. Some of the others were nicer in some areas and not so much in others. The thing that stood out to me the most on the Kioti was it felt much tougher and more solid. It is built a lot heavier in a lot of areas. The other thing was the loader control. It was a lot smoother and more refined and could be feathered easier to lift and curl at the same time. Most of the others it was either or and they also seemed to take a lot of finesse to prevent the all or nothing when moving the bucket.
The dealer had come down quite a bit on price since last month which was also a contributing factor. I got the tires loaded, a cutting edge for the bucket and all the filters for the first service. Out the door cost before tax was $14,500. Total with tax and insurance (@$10mo) was $16,400. Darned taxes! It includes free delivery and free implement rental 5 times a year for up to 10days for 5yrs. That'll give time to see what I'll need without be pressured to buy a lot of stuff right away.
Should be here tomorrow or Thursday depending on when they get it back from getting the tires filled. Just in time to break it in this weekend!
Thanks everyone for the input! This is great resource!
scaredychicken
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2012
- Messages
- 1,919
- Location
- Salmon Arm BC, Canada
- Tractor
- John Deere 160 (1988), Arctic Cat 400 ATV (2006), Kubota BX23S (2018), Jacobsen Super Chief 1450 (1969), Cub Cadet RZT S50 zero turn mower (2012)
Kubota and the Dealership has served me well, including some specific modifications for my particular needs. They have a loyal customer in me. Prior to my purchase, I looked at many other brands also, but once you decide on Brand, then required features and resulting Model(s), ... the rest is easy. All the best.
Kioti was comparative, but you hit gold with this ... "It includes free delivery and free implement rental 5 times a year for up to 10days for 5yrs. That'll give time to see what I'll need without be pressured to buy a lot of stuff right away."
That's awesome
Kioti was comparative, but you hit gold with this ... "It includes free delivery and free implement rental 5 times a year for up to 10days for 5yrs. That'll give time to see what I'll need without be pressured to buy a lot of stuff right away."
That's awesome
Last edited:
Diggin It
Super Star Member
That's a perk I haven't heard of before. Guess it depends on the items available when I would need them.
scaredychicken
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2012
- Messages
- 1,919
- Location
- Salmon Arm BC, Canada
- Tractor
- John Deere 160 (1988), Arctic Cat 400 ATV (2006), Kubota BX23S (2018), Jacobsen Super Chief 1450 (1969), Cub Cadet RZT S50 zero turn mower (2012)
jeff9366 - BRILLIANT RESPONSE, I agree
aaronrkelly
Member
- Joined
- Sep 17, 2019
- Messages
- 42
- Tractor
- LS MT573cps, LS MT 225HE and NH TC26DA
Ive never heard of such a thing.....but its a GENIUS move.
Implements are sturdy and not easily broken.....so they are going to be able to use them and sell them as used - lose very little on resell but gain the rental income.
Plus a nifty perk to give new buyers.....you get to try, they get MORE chances to sell you something.
Someone at that dealership needs a "thattaboy" for such an idea.
dodge man
Super Star Member
Congtarts on the new tractor, post up some pics when you get it.