LS or Kubota

[Xc97700]

My Kubota dealer is fighting for my business as I’ve purchased from him before.
Here’s the breakdown of each unit.

LS MT340 HST-Cab-Loader
Dual rear remote
Top and tilt
Heat/AC
Wipers front and rear
Lights front and rear
Third function
Draft control
Radio
Forks
Box blade

$$39,246 with 6% sales tax

Kubota Grand L3560-HST-Cab-L805 loader same as above

$46,422 with 6% sales tax

LS or Kubota

 

[rScotty]

People keep talking like there is going to be a major change in the world economy.
Having a reliable tractor isn't the worst place to put your money.

Which dealer do you think is most likely
1. To continue to exist
2. To have parts and service

That's the one I'd go with.

 

[pokey1416]

I’m biased Kubota’s HST+ is wonderful, especially for loader work. The throttle up on Grand L’s is nice and I like the response variables on the HST (mine I set to -2). From what I’ve read and comments on this forum, LS makes a great tractor.
Oh, the seat sucks on the Kubota IMO.

 

[RSR]

Don't forget you're also getting 3 more gross HP, and 4 more at the PTO with the LS.

I don't know if that matters to you, but it looks like it comes down to a difference (after tax) of $7,600 and 4 Hp at the PTO.

$7,600 is a lot of money, and can buy some really nice implements. Or, will add some financial stability in uncertain times.

I went through basically the exact same decision 2.5 years ago. I was looking at the L3560 and LS XR4140HC (predecessor to the MT3). I have a great Kubota dealer, and they did their best in price, but like you, it was a $6-7k difference. I went with the LS, moved up to a 45 Hp, and haven't regretted the decision once.

 

[Xc97700]

Don't forget you're also getting 3 more gross HP, and 4 more at the PTO with the LS.

I don't know if that matters to you, but it looks like it comes down to a difference (after tax) of $7,600 and 4 Hp at the PTO.

$7,600 is a lot of money, and can buy some really nice implements. Or, will add some financial stability in uncertain times.

I went through basically the exact same decision 2.5 years ago. I was looking at the L3560 and LS XR4140HC (predecessor to the MT3). I have a great Kubota dealer, and they did their best in price, but like you, it was a $6-7k difference. I went with the LS, moved up to a 45 Hp, and haven't regretted the decision once.

The 45hp machine was the next frame size up if I recall. For 3k more I can go to the MT342 which is a frame size larger.

I guess I’m just trying to justify the price difference for the Kubota.

Not that this is bad, but I rarely see used LS tractors for sale

 

[Xc97700]

Another thing to Add is 0% for 84 months with Kubota vs 4-6% with outside financing.

same or close money at the end of the day when financing is factored in

 

[rScotty]

I’m biased Kubota’s HST+ is wonderful, especially for loader work. The throttle up on Grand L’s is nice and I like the response variables on the HST (mine I set to -2). From what I’ve read and comments on this forum, LS makes a great tractor.
Oh, the seat sucks on the Kubota IMO.

I'd assumed that other makes also offer the fingertip dual speed of the HST+ by now, but maybe not.
In that case there isn't really any comparison.
Offhand I'd say that for everyday use the extra gears of the HST+ are worth about the same as increasing the HP by 50%...maybe more when you throw in auto throttle and adjustable attack rate.
rScotty

 

[RSR]

Another thing to Add is 0% for 84 months with Kubota vs 4-6% with outside financing.

same or close money at the end of the day when financing is factored in

You don't see them for sale because we like them so much, we hang onto them.

If you are financing the LS at 5% for 84 months, at the end, you will have paid $43k. Basically the exact same price as the Kubota at 0%.

From a financial standpoint, (no, I'm not a financial planner), and with the financial mess that is the global economy right now (can you say recession right around the corner?) I would recommend saving your monthly payments until you can pay cash for the tractor. LS gave me a $2k discount for paying cash, further increasing the difference in price with the Kubota. Kubota offered no cash discount.

If the bottom of the economy does fall out in the next 6-18 months, like it's looking like it very well may, you may find a lot of dealers happy to make a sweeter deal. As my dad always says, buy low, sell high. Right now, prices are at all time highs.

But, if you feel you have to have it now, if it's Kubota at 0% versus LS at 4-5%, the final dollar amount is going to be within a grand or so.

If I were in that situation, I probably would have gone with Kubota because of the good, established dealer in my area.

 

[steig]

My LS MT225S was 4300 cheaper than Kubota B2601. I prefer dual pedals over the treddle peddle also.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

The 45hp machine was the next frame size up if I recall. For 3k more I can go to the MT342 which is a frame size larger.

I guess I’m just trying to justify the price difference for the Kubota.

Not that this is bad, but I rarely see used LS tractors for sale

i noticed you were comparing the same "size" tractor, just different HP.

LS sizes the frames in each of the 'series' .....

example: MT3 --- all are the same frame size... MT3-40, MT3-42, MT3-47, MT3-57

MT2 series is smaller, but available in 25, 30, 35, 40 HP. All of them are the same frame size. Example: MT2-35, MT2-40 etc...

MT4 series is bigger than the MT3 series. The first number is the frame series, the last 2 numbers are the HP.
I hope this clarifies some of the confusion of size / HP.

I have had 2 different series of the LS tractors, the first was the MT1 25, now I have the MT2 25. Both trouble free after a few years and now over 330 hours. If I ever need to get another tractor, it will be an LS.

Considering I just saw the President visiting S. Korea yesterday, working on increasing trade and also to expedite shipping to and from, I wouldn't hesitate buying any of the S.Korean tractors.

 

[Xc97700]

The MT3 35 and 40 are a little bit smaller and lighter than the MT 3 42, 47, 52 and 57.
Same cab and engine
Different Loader, Frame and Front tire size

The MT3 35 is $1,000 cheaper than the 40

 

[Cycledude]

Two years ago when shopping I checked all the different brands within about a 100 mile radius. Didn’t like Kubota price but the treadle pedal was probably the biggest thing that ruled them out for me, I am generally a Kubota fan but definitely don’t like that pedal. Wound up buying LS XR4155 and now have 195 trouble free hours on it, my LS came from the factory fully equipped with options other brands charge a lot of extra money for.

 

[Xc97700]

Two years ago when shopping I checked all the different brands within about a 100 mile radius. Didn’t like Kubota price but the treadle pedal was probably the biggest thing that ruled them out for me, I am generally a Kubota fan but definitely don’t like that pedal. Wound up buying LS XR4155 and now have 195 trouble free hours on it, my LS came from the factory fully equipped with options other brands charge a lot of extra money for.

I agree, they come with everything

 

[Williy]

How do the warranties match? We offer a six-year limited powertrain warranty, including parts and labor, on most of the tractors we sell—along with the two-year bumper to bumper* protection that comes with every LS.
LS Tractor is proud to announce special discounts for military members and seniors.PLUS, when purchase a new LS tractor, you immediately quality for the BLUE ADD IMPLEMENT PROGRAM. This gives you the ability to save on multiple units.

Here's a tired Kubota its so tired it just
turned over on its side taking a nap hope this don't happen to anyone and you have to be careful how you use your tractor as you can tip them over faster than you can think!

willy

 

[Xc97700]

How do the warranties match? We offer a six-year limited powertrain warranty, including parts and labor, on most of the tractors we sell—along with the two-year bumper to bumper* protection that comes with every LS.
LS Tractor is proud to announce special discounts for military members and seniors.PLUS, when purchase a new LS tractor, you immediately quality for the BLUE ADD IMPLEMENT PROGRAM. This gives you the ability to save on multiple units.

Here's a tired Kubota its so tired it just
turned over on its side taking a nap hope this don't happen to anyone and you have to be careful how you use your tractor as you can tip them over faster than you can think!

willy

Same 6 year warranty without looking at details

 

[Thomas]

Indeed a hard choice...go with your gut feeling.

 

[Xc97700]

Indeed a hard choice...go with your gut feeling.

My gut tells me go with LS. The dealership seems to be hands down customer oriented. They answer the phone 7 days a week up to 10pm. I heard other good things about them on this site

 

[drumminj]

Kubota offered no cash discount.

If you haven't, look at the Equine discount (20%). You can't do it with any of the financing incentives (0%), but likely gives a greater discount than what the dealer would offer on its own.

 

[Forky]

Hands down go with Kubota. You will be happy that you spent the few extra bucks for quality and dependability.

 

[RSR]

You will be happy that you spent the few extra bucks for quality and dependability.

Yeah, because LS tractors are held together by bailing wire and chewing gum, and are guaranteed to break down whenever Mercury is in retrograde.