Buying advice

[jrouss28]

Thanks all, I ended up deciding to go with going with the LS MT 242H, seems like it will give me what I need plus a little for the future.

 

[airbiscuit]

FYI: I had an old Kubota (~1980) with 4500+ hrs, no problems. Bought new B2910 20 years ago. Had more problems in the first 100 hrs with new tractor than the 1500 hrs of my older model. Now I am replacing the B2910 since Kubota did not have a high pressure relief valve on the 3 pt hitch hydraulics. I have been told if I am backing up and hit something (tree stump?) with a 3 pt impliment, it will fail. Has failed three times to date (NOTE: I do not know when I could have hit something when reversing so...) with each failure placing metal fragments into the hydraulic fluid in the rear axle. The metal casting with the height control is located under the seat in the differential casting "explodes" the ears off the control module. Kubota factory rep at trade show was contacted; did not give a flip just like the dealer. Not an easy repair (remove rear tires, seat, open differential). The tractor now has nearly 1000 hours on the clock (mostly due to being down for repairs). NOTE: in 20 years!

I have been told the larger models are well engineered are better manufactured, and their owners loved them. For mine, the casting for the middle 3 pt hitch broke (had to install backhoe steel bracket, the front wheel hub (that attached to the tire) fell off (only welded a little over half way around), the 3 pt hitch is not functional (see above), I have had repairs to the steeing tie rods since they are located in front of the front axle (others have on top or behind axle casting) the first two years; do I need to go on? Of course, none were covered by warrantee.

Just wanted to let you know, since you are looking for a similar sized tractor.

That's tough luck, but I bet you have a lot of demolition derby trophies to show for it

 

[Aquabird]

Two points. 1. When I bought, I was concerned about getting pollution control on my tractor. Zero problem. I bought the tractor I needed and the pollution control is not a big deal. 2. Though a tractor company lists how much the loader Will lift, the tractor has to be made strong enough to handle that weight. I had an older Ford 1520 that I had a dealer install a loader on that lifted a more weight than most compacts will lift. Thankfully the dealer(not me) knew that the 1520 would handle that heft..with some rear implement.