Comparison Looking at buying new tractor, LS vs Kubota

[houstonscott]

LS is a division of LG.

HS

 

[k0ua]

As near as I can tell they are not a part of LG any more:

LS (Leading Solutions) Cable Company, Ltd. (Korean: LS전선, 엘에스전선) is a South Korean cable, chemical and engineering company and a manufacturer of electric wire and cable for power distribution which separated from the LG Group in November 2003 to lead an independent brand power. It was established as its own cable company on March 2005 as a part of the newly formed LS Group

LS Tractors is an engineering company. It is a division of LS Cable in South Korea. The group was originally part of the LG conglomeration, and was known as LG Tractors and LG Cable, respectively.

James K0UA

 

[SPYDERLK]

I looked at every brand from Mahindra, Kubota, Kioti, JD, Case, NH and Branson to LS. I was looking in the 45-55 HP range and for 4wd.

I looked hard and read endlessly. I found the following-

Mahindra is a well made tractor that is no frills but will get the work done and keep ticking. Not alot of extras for the price.

Kubota is a well made tractor, capable of being set up with all the bells and whistles but it's going to cost you, and does not have the lift ratings of similar sized tractors in other brands.

Kioti, doesn't have alot of feedback out there, but either did the cummins or duramax diesel when they showed up so time will tell.

JD basic design and spendy. Great dealer network and you could probably find parts for one after a nuclear war.

Case, well, I couldn't get a quote from the local dealer so that was a negative start. They seem to have a good design and quality in workmanship. Strong front end according to alot of reviews I found.

NH-good dealer network on a whole, but just a littel basic and not entry friendly for drivers due to narrow opening between fenders and dash.

LS, just about all the bells and whistles for the "base price", but no HST in the model I wanted. High lift ratings and heavy casings, similar to the Mahindra.

I just ordered the LS U5020 with shuttle with no hesitation.

Lincoln said "If I had an hour to chop down a tree I would spend the first half hour sharpening my axe". Time spent researching, for your specific needs, is priceless.

I am sure that 10 guys could look at all the same tractors as above and see them differently. Got to admit though, for the price LS is right there. The mitsubishi diesel doesn't hurt either.

LS is currently the best bang for the buck overall IMO. Some of your findings have me really confused as far as what models you had looked at though. Not that it matters now, I'm sure that you will be very happy with your LS U5020. :cool2: It should serve you well.

You might want to take a close look at general ruggedness. The drawbar on at least some LS tractors is not fastened well. The bracket that holds it to the tractor has been reported to fail. Not a problem on the Mahindra. There may be other such inadequacies that will show when they are worked hard.
larry

 

[eagle107]

It is know as LS Mtron Ltd now; seems to be a division of LS Group still and has no affiliation with LG Group anymore. This company has a convoluted history. Pictures below shows the company's mission statement and history.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

You might want to take a close look at general ruggedness. The drawbar on at least some LS tractors is not fastened well. The bracket that holds it to the tractor has been reported to fail. Not a problem on the Mahindra. There may be other such inadequacies that will show when they are worked hard.
larry

Larry, while there was a failure with the draw bar bracket on the LS P7010, it very well could have been from abuse in that particular instance. I believe that LS is still currently the best bang for the buck. I AM NOT saying that it is the best tractor, just the best tractor for a certain amount of money.

 

[houstonscott]

I did the same research and ended up with a U5030. Really nothing that can touch it for price. The funny thing is I don't think it was just the best bang for the buck, I really didn't find any brand that was of higher quality. LS is not really known, that doesn't mean they don't already have a better tractor. It just means you don't know yet.

HS

 

[northpolefolks]

You might want to take a close look at general ruggedness. The drawbar on at least some LS tractors is not fastened well. The bracket that holds it to the tractor has been reported to fail. Not a problem on the Mahindra. There may be other such inadequacies that will show when they are worked hard.
larry

Spyderlink,

Thanks for the info. I will keep an eye on that in case any problems start to show. I had not heard of that problem before, thus the benefit of this forum.

I agree that LS is not the best tractor out there in all situations but it fits into the mold I have. Will things break some day? Yip. That's why I also ordered a set of shop manuals (real shop manuals) with my tractor.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I did the same research and ended up with a U5030. Really nothing that can touch it for price. The funny thing is I don't think it was just the best bang for the buck, I really didn't find any brand that was of higher quality. LS is not really known, that doesn't mean they don't already have a better tractor. It just means you don't know yet.

HS

LS has a good tractor in my opinion, as far as being the best quality, I suppose that it may be debatable. :confused3: There are other makes that I prefer.

 

[DieselnHooters]

i am a kubota owner----------------------------- who doesnt respond to baiting, i have had years of problem free years of service from my tracror and secure in having huge long standing dealerships every 30 miles.

 

[houstonscott]

i am a kubota owner----------------------------- who doesnt respond to baiting, i have had years of problem free years of service from my tracror and secure in having huge long standing dealerships every 30 miles.

Reading the thread on Kubota not honoring their warranty.
Hummm

HS