Considering a LS4047

ZonaDawg · Oct 11, 2013

I am a newby when it comes to tractors but I need one for some land that I just bought in Alabama (71 acres). I need to do a lot of bush hogging (lots of cudzu) and I need a front end loader for other things we will need to do. I am considering buying a LS 4047 but would like some feedback on how reliable and durable they are. Also, the dealer first showed me 4041 and told me the only difference between the two was a screw that controlled the amount of fuel flow to the engine. Is that right? For the $1500 difference in price that seems like an expensive screw. I am hoping to get a 6' to 7' bush hog to go with it, any recommendations? FYI - I won't be doing any cultivating work, just bush hogging and we have a lot of trees that we will be cutting to make our own lumber for a hunting cabin. Any advice would be appreciated.

k0ua · Oct 11, 2013

I have a Kioti, but I can tell you the guys on this forum that have the LS 4047 seem to like them a lot. They seem to be a good value for the money, and I haven't heard anything bad about them.

nybirdman · Oct 11, 2013

Most manufacturers will use the same basic engine for different Horse power rating. "Turning up the fuel" is only part of it...bigger injectors tuning ect.Don't know a lot about LS but the sound like a nice tractor.They do build tractors for others,New Holland for one.

Agilly · Oct 11, 2013

I purchased a new R4047 in July. I have put about 80 hours on it so far, mainly brushhogging! I run a Modern 6ft. Brushhog and the mower is heavy! You could possibly run a lighter 7ft Brushhog, but I would not recommend it with this tractor! I have broken the adjustable sway bars and the dealer said it was my fault for leaving them to loose, however his shop was the one that did the set-up so he backed off that quickly! He then wanted to say it is the way I handle the tractor, making turns to fast and so on! Ultimately the sway brackets are poorly designed and don't hold up to the capabilities of the tractor, not covered by warranty due to operator - error! The tractor does drink the diesel and I cannot mow a full 8 hours without having to re-fuel. I have not used the loader much at all so I really cannot comment on that aspect. Overall, the tractor is solid and mows down fields with ease! The 4 wheel drive is impressive and all the controls are comfortably placed in my opinion! I am a wide body at 5'10" and 235 lbs so leg room is sufficient. I am pleased with the value of the LS, just wish my dealer was as good as the tractor.

ZonaDawg · Oct 11, 2013

Agilly,
Thanks for the excellent insight. Good to know about the sway bars since I will also be doing a lot of bush hogging. If I do get this tractor I will have to adjust the seat further back since I am also a wide body (6'3" and 275). I understand there is a procedure to shift the back further than factory settings.

GManBart · Oct 11, 2013

I have an R4047H, and have to say that my experience has been different than Agilly's. I'm at something over 135hrs now, and it's never done anything wrong. Wait, I take that back...I lost one of the rubber HST pedal covers a while back! I pulled the other cover off, and put skate tape on both pedals, which I like better...not slippery when wet. I'm running a heavy 6' Rhino rotary cutter, and absolutely want to move up to a 7' model. I hardly know that the 6' cutter is there (800lbs or so), and the tractor easily powers it through the pretty heavy stuff that I've been clearing. Also, I can run mine all day on roughly a half a tank....I haven't timed it to the hour while brush hogging, but it's never been an issue. The tank is actually on the small side (9.5gal) for a tractor this big, so I don't think the usage is all that high. I did break a sway bar, but it was totally my fault...turned, and the mower moved sideways into a stump...and it was a sharp hit. I cut the bent part out of the sway bar, welded the halves back together, and it's still going strong. I bought a replacement set for less than $100 so that I would have a spare for both sides, just in case. I don't like the pin they use in the sway bars, so I put grade 8 bolts in mine.

There are only a couple of things I would change, and none are deal breakers for me. I'd like the loader to go higher than it does....some competitive models offer 10" or so more lift. I can just barely load a 30yd roll off dumpster, and that extra height would be handy. I would add some foot space in the operator's station, or at least find a way to make more of a pathway between the fender and the brake pedals. I'd probably increase the fuel tank to 15gal or so. Oh, I'd make the cup holder a little smaller, or add an insert since my water, or gatorade bottle wobble around too much

That's really it...I'd buy another LS in a heartbeat.

TSO · Oct 11, 2013

Love my R4047 HST. Originally bought a R4041 Shuttle, but traded up to the 4047. The engine seems to run a little smoother on the 47... My opinion anyhow

Gary Fowler · Oct 12, 2013

Agilly said:
The tractor does drink the diesel and I cannot mow a full 8 hours without having to re-fuel. .

I was just wondering what you would consider proper fuel usage on a 47 HP tractor. At 9 gallon capacity (assuming you don't run it out of fuel), I would not expect it to run 8 full hours on 8-9 gallons of fuel. I would think that fuel usage would be closer to 2 gallons per hour for that tractor under heavy load, heck my 23 HP lawnmower engine burns about 1 gallon per hour and not under heavy load.

A larger tank would be nice of LS to install as most tractor tanks should be designed to run a full 10 hour day of heavy usage and have fuel remaining. My LS P7010 has a 25 gallon tank which is more than plenty for a full day of use and then some. I suppose that the CUTs have limited space for tanks so they put as big as they can fit in.
Your dealer is obviously not the best in the world as many folks have broken parts (including myself) and been warranted by LS. I broke the belly mount drawbar mounting bracket off mine and they replace the whole assemble including the back drawbar swing bracket which wasn't damaged, replaced the seat bracket with new designed one after if broke from bouncing my 240 pound around for a year.

Agilly · Oct 12, 2013

You are right! My previous Tractor ( TAFE 3840) had a 12 gallon tank and I could mow all day. I could probably run 8 hours without refueling but I don't want to risk running out of diesel. My mower is heavy and I know that affects fuel usage also. I love my 4047 and it is a big step up from my previous tractor! I just wanted to share my experiences with a potential buyer. Overall I am very pleased with my choice, and I know that all brands of tractors have issues from time to time. I bought mine to work it and make some money and that will result in mechanical set-backs every now and then, but I would not own it if it just sat in the shed looking pretty! Solid Tractor, great price = happy owner. Sorry if I came off disgruntled!

GManBart · Oct 12, 2013

Agilly said:
You are right! My previous Tractor ( TAFE 3840) had a 12 gallon tank and I could mow all day. I could probably run 8 hours without refueling but I don't want to risk running out of diesel. My mower is heavy and I know that affects fuel usage also. I love my 4047 and it is a big step up from my previous tractor! I just wanted to share my experiences with a potential buyer. Overall I am very pleased with my choice, and I know that all brands of tractors have issues from time to time. I bought mine to work it and make some money and that will result in mechanical set-backs every now and then, but I would not own it if it just sat in the shed looking pretty! Solid Tractor, great price = happy owner. Sorry if I came off disgruntled!

I should have said my fuel usage experience was different....not the whole post

I probably haven't run at PTO speed more then 4-5 hours in one day, and that's a lot different than your 8hr comment. Still, I'd like a 12-15gal tank just to save time.