LS MT225S problems - is this normal?

[weehu72]

I've had my LS MT225S for 2.5 years, and it has been a great little tractor. Well, until this summer. In July, the loader valve started leaking whenever the lift cylinders were pressurized (so any time the tractor was running, because one must lift the loader to go anywhere). While waiting for parts, I ended up taking the loader off so I could at least brush hog. Then the parking brake stopped working - the little metal tab that engages the ratchet mechanism cracked and corroded on the inside of the bend and it just started unfolding. Finally got the loader valve fixed (after months of waiting for parts - apparently LS moved warehouses this summer), so I was moving some piles of dirt and rocks when I noticed the tractor slightly lurching when going forward or backward. The rear front axle mount had completely broken off! I wasn't being hard on it - kept it in low range, just scooping dirt and rocks and dumping them in a pile.

So by my count, that's 3 problems in less than 4 months. And of course the tractor is now outside of the 2-year warranty. It has less than 150 hours on it. This is the first tractor I've owned, so maybe my expectations are off, but it sure feels like a lot of problems all at once. I'd like to get some of your thoughts - is this just par for the course with a 25-hp tractor?

 

[alexpops]

I would argue (to the point of getting a lawyer involved if necessary) that the front axle mount should be covered by the 6-year drivetrain warranty. Other stuff, yeah, part of normal maintenance IMO. Mine has been pretty reliable for the 8 years I've had it. Replaced a starter, battery cables, terminals & main fuse, have a sticky parking brake that triggers the beeper when I engage forward/reverse, the brush guard is weak at the base & prone to bending, and had to replace crush washers on the loader banjo bolts for a leak. Also, the rear-end dipstick sticks due to the o-ring drying out & fusing to the housing (MY Fault, for not checking/re-lubing often enough). LS offers a lot of value for what you paid (at least a few years ago), but to get there, they do take some short-cuts that can be easily rectified when necessary if you are mechanically inclined.

 

[GS650GL]

Of the many MT 225S tractors sold, this is only the second time I have heard of a front axle rear bracket breaking, so it is not a wide spread problem. Still a problem though that LS is aware of now and will probably investigate and issue a bulletin. My dealer had one out of the hundreds of MT225S he sold. The leaking loader valve is more common and I think they have a bulletin on that, so the cause has probably been solved by now. The o-ring seals around the spools blow out. LS was requiring dealers to return the valves that were replaced under warranty so they could figure out why it was happening. The park brake is a weird one, never heard of that issue before. The warranty states that power train coverage up to 6 years covers internal failures that are completely enclosed inside a housing such as internal engine, axle, and transmission parts. No external parts are covered after the 2 year warranty. Not worth getting a lawyer for the price of a $45 bracket.

 

[polarred21]

^^^ Curious, where is this dealer that is selling hundreds of these? Have yet to hear of a high volume LS dealer.

 

[GS650GL]

Multiple locations east of Lake Michigan. Sells well over 500 tractors a year. What do you consider high volume?

 

[weehu72]

Thanks, sounds like this isn't terribly abnormal. Maybe just some unfortunate timing. The frustrating part is how long it has been taking to get parts, but hopefully that will improve.

The warranty states that power train coverage up to 6 years covers internal failures that are completely enclosed inside a housing such as internal engine, axle, and transmission parts.

That's helpful info - the warranty definitely would not cover the axle mount bracket.

 

[polarred21]

Multiple locations east of Lake Michigan. Sells well over 500 tractors a year. What do you consider high volume?

If a single dealer is selling 500+ LS tractors a year, that's impressive.

 

[Harry in Ky]

Somehow I find those sales numbers hard to believe. I have no facts to dispute the claim, but 500+ LS tractors a year is more than I wrap my head around. How many outlets does this dealership have? Sounds like they must be bigger than Walmart.

On the loader valve oil leaks. If it's a common problem with these units, I have to ask. How many lines do these valves have? Six or seven? Spool valve seals are indeed a common problem on valves with only six lines.

 

[weehu72]

On the loader valve oil leaks. If it's a common problem with these units, I have to ask. How many lines do these valves have? Six or seven? Spool valve seals are indeed a common problem on valves with only six lines.

Here's the old one from my tractor:

 

[Harry in Ky]

I see four work ports, and one probable return port. Assuming the pressure in line is on the left side (out of sight) and the protrusion on the right side may be a power beyond sleeve with another port (also out of sight) ? If that's the case, that would be a total of seven ports. Yes/no? If so, the plumbing is probably not the source of the problem, more likely the quality of the valve.

 

[weehu72]

I see four work ports, and one probable return port. Assuming the pressure in line is on the left side (out of sight) and the protrusion on the right side may be a power beyond sleeve with another port (also out of sight) ? If that's the case, that would be a total of seven ports. Yes/no? If so, the plumbing is probably not the source of the problem, more likely the quality of the valve.

Some pictures of the sides:

 

[GS650GL]

I'm not going to name the dealership or exactly where they are located, that's not what this forum is about. It's to share information about the tractors and our experiences, to help each other out. I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea and think I am promoting them in any way. They have many locations, and have won many sales awards from LS. The sales numbers are real, you can believe or not believe whatever you want, it doesn't matter. Moving on to the important stuff:

The ports on the loader valves have nothing to do with the leaks. Yes, sometimes a bonded seal on the banjo fitting connections might leak and need to be replaced, but that's minor and can be fixed without replacing the valve. The o-rings that leak are under the silver colored metal plate on top of the valve where the lever linkages move the spools up and down. The pictures in the previous post show where the ball joints (or Heim joints if you prefer that term) connect to the spools. The leaks come from around the spools between that silver plate and the top of the valve. If the mounting screws come loose on that plate, it can cause the leaks also. You can sometimes see the blown o-rings sticking out when that happens. There is no parts breakdown for the valve, so the valves are being replaced. If the valve was taken apart, maybe the o-rings could be replaced if the size could be matched, and possibly the valves could be fixed. Don't know for sure, never tried. Maybe could save alot of money if it's out of warranty.

The delay in parts is a big pain in the butt for all of us. According to LS, moving the parts dept. into a different building was only supposed to take a couple of weeks, but complications extended that to a couple of months. Now with the hurricanes and tornados that hit NC, just makes things worse. The port strike only lasted 3 days, but has not been fully resolved and could hit again in January affecting shipments from Korea.

 

[weehu72]

The o-rings that leak are under the silver colored metal plate on top of the valve where the lever linkages move the spools up and down.

That's exactly where mine was leaking. Started taking the leaky valve apart and found the magic o-ring. You can see it sticking out:

Now I just need to figure out what size it is.

 

[GS650GL]

Cool, glad you found it. I'll bet that piece came loose and unscrewed from the spool. There is a bulletin on that problem now, and it should be fixed after tractor serial 2351002914. Not sure how to figure out what size o-ring, and it has to be a perfect match. Close isn't good enough or it will fail right away. And it also needs to be the correct durometer, which is the stiffness of the rubber. If it's too soft or too stiff it won't last either, even if it's the correct size. It's probably a metric o-ring, but since there's no information for it, I hope you have good luck finding a match. The bulletin does not tell the size of the o-ring, only how the manufacturing process of the valve has been improved to prevent this. And the valve is not made by LS, it comes from a hydraulic supplier. Make sure you clean and Loc-tite the parts when you assemble it so this doesn't happen again.

 

[weehu72]

I'm trying to plan ahead for replacing the rear front-axle pivot bracket. The front driveshaft will need to go through the bracket. I'm thinking the easiest approach will be to disconnect the steering hydraulic lines from the front axle, disconnect the front axle bracket, scoot the front axle forward and off the drive shaft and then slide the bracket on (while keeping the front of the tractor supported by a jack and the front axle supported as well so it doesn't flip upside-down). Is that the best way to do it or am I missing something obvious?

 

[GS650GL]

Slide the drive shaft shield rearward and remove the snap rings and pins from the universal joints and coupler on the driveshaft. You should be able to remove the drive shaft which might be easier than moving the axle forward.

 

[rodneyn]

That's exactly where mine was leaking. Started taking the leaky valve apart and found the magic o-ring. You can see it sticking out:
View attachment 1664129Now I just need to figure out what size it is.
View attachment 1664128

Can you access the actuator while the spool valve block is mounted on the tractor. Must the spool valve come out completely. By the way you answered my leaking issue. I have 300th unit produced mt225s. My unit will be 5 years old on April 2025. Very reliable tractor. Have 475 hours to date.

 

[weehu72]

Can you access the actuator while the spool valve block is mounted on the tractor. Must the spool valve come out completely.

I think it might be possible, but probably more difficult. There's a bit of a gap between the seat and the fender where you can get to the top of it, but there are plenty of obstacles in the area. When the dealer replaced my loader valve, they said it only took 20-30 minutes to swap it out. I assume they took off the rear wheel of the tractor to access it more easily, although I don't know for sure.

 

[rodneyn]

I think it might be possible, but probably more difficult. There's a bit of a gap between the seat and the fender where you can get to the top of it, but there are plenty of obstacles in the area. When the dealer replaced my loader valve, they said it only took 20-30 minutes to swap it out. I assume they took off the rear wheel of the tractor to access it more easily, although I don't know for sure.

Rear wheel was removed.

 

[MC-MT225]

Bumping this to the top has anyone be able to figure out the O-ring size for replacement? I have the same issue the o-ring blew out of the top of the spool valve as pictured above. I have tried a few metric and standard o-rings but they only last a few hours. I rather not buy a new valve that seems like such a waste of money. Has anyone third part sourced the valve?

Thanks