Looking at upgrading

[MESSMAKER]

My Bobcat tractor has been giving me some tough love so I am considering a replacement. Here is what I have looked at
LS XG3135 $17900
LS xg3140 $18,900
TYM t394hst $19,500
TYM354hst $20,999
Kubota3301hst $20,490
NH Workmaster35 $19,300

All these are outfitted about the same and are new with warranty. They all will do the job. I have dealer for all nearby. The Kubota dealer is a bit of an unknown but the rest have been around for years. What do you like?

 

[searcyfarms]

id probably go with the tym394 and hst, i woudl probably go with the 3140 but its not hst it doesnt look like or the w/m35 i like the hydros

 

[MESSMAKER]

id probably go with the tym394 and hst, i woudl probably go with the 3140 but its not hst it doesnt look like or the w/m35 i like the hydros

Sorry for the confusion. They are all hydro units with a loader.

 

[aczlan]

I would probably go with either the Kubota or the New Holland if you plan on selling at any time. You'll get back the extra money that they get for them when it comes time to resell. They will also probably sell quicker then a perceived off brand such as LS or TYM (yes I understand that both are fairly good-sized brands and are well-established. Just saying that your average person looking for a tractor would be more comfortable buying a used Kubota or New Holland than a used LS or a TYM).

Aaron Z

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Not sure if you know, but the NH workmaster 35 is the same tractor as the LS xg3135... Look at the tag/plate on the workmaster...it shows LS Mtron as the manufacturer. Just a different shade of blue and different decals...

 

[rScotty]

My Bobcat tractor has been giving me some tough love so I am considering a replacement. Here is what I have looked at
LS XG3135 $17900
LS xg3140 $18,900
TYM t394hst $19,500
TYM354hst $20,999
Kubota3301hst $20,490
NH Workmaster35 $19,300

All these are outfitted about the same and are new with warranty. They all will do the job. I have dealer for all nearby. The Kubota dealer is a bit of an unknown but the rest have been around for years. What do you like?

I'd say the first thing is to ignore the prices. Compared to what you want the tool to do, those prices are all so close that they simply don't make any difference.

Secondly, I'd go and at least sit on them. When I made up a list like yours years ago I found that one brand was more comfortable for me to sit on and work the controls than any tractor I'd ever operated. Another (had been my favorite brand) was so uncomfortable that I immediately struck it off the list.

And then I like to walk around the machine and see how well the manufacturer has anticipated routine servicing. How easy are the filters to access, the lubrication points, the oil changes. Can I get to the battery? Is the tool box handy? Is it easy to refuel?

Does the seat adjust?? It had sure better do so!

How convenient is it to lock/unlock the parking brakes? That's something often overlooked by designers, but never overlooked by someone who has actually operated a tractor. Do the 3pt arms telescope? Do the 3pt lift links have a handle to adjust or require tools? Convenient 3pt operation and adjustment is another thing that you only learn to value after doing it awhile.

Look with an eye to how it will weather. Is the dashboard & it's electronics protected against occassional rainshowers? Do the hydraulic hoses have that mesh over them that protects them from the sun? Is anything leaking? How is the finish? Are their anti-scuff areas and rubber mats where you are bound to wear the paint? Is there some finish or protection down underneath where tractors tend to build rust?

Now look underneath. A tractor has to be able to run over the the occassional rock or tree stump without taking damage. Are things well tucked up out of the way? Do vulnerable areas have some protection?

None of these are critical in themselves, and they are the kind of things that cost the manufacturer very little or nothing at all. But they are all the kinds of small details that tell a lot about the quality of things that you cannot see so easily.

Now run it around a bit. These are all hydrostats, so they share similarities. I've noticed that some HST make a definite whine while others do not. I prefer the ones that don't whine.... And BTW, just because the transmission is HST doesn't mean that the transmission can't have plenty of ranges to make it work better and ease the load on transmission and engine. Range shifting itself seems to vary from fingertip ease to levers that require back and shoulder force,

And the engine....all seem good to me. I kinda judge by how it sounds. Unscientific, but so are most of my decisions that have worked out well..... AND don't forget to have fun with the tractor search.
rScotty

 

[chim]

What rScotty said. A couple tractors eliminated themselves because I wasn't comfortable when I test drove them. Another important thing for me is how the FEL operates. The test for me is to see if I can raise the bucket while keeping it level.

 

[Tennsawdust]

My Bobcat tractor has been giving me some tough love so I am considering a replacement. Here is what I have looked at
LS XG3135 $17900
LS xg3140 $18,900
TYM t394hst $19,500
TYM354hst $20,999
Kubota3301hst $20,490
NH Workmaster35 $19,300

All these are outfitted about the same and are new with warranty. They all will do the job. I have dealer for all nearby. The Kubota dealer is a bit of an unknown but the rest have been around for years. What do you like?

Those are close enough that it really comes down to which one you feel more at home on. It appears that you can get just a bit more tractor with LS than going NH, but then parts will be faster to get through NH. You are pretty much weighing dealers between those two. Other than that, is there any difference in how they are equipped? More remotes, extending lift arms, etc...? Looks like you are getting some good pricing any way you go.

 

[MESSMAKER]

Tested out the Workmaster and did not like it much. I guess that rules out the LS as well. I drove the Kubota 3301 and liked it quite a bit, but the hst had a very very loud squeal.Will that become quieter after it breaks in? My current tractor is quiet most of the time.

 

[MESSMAKER]

Checked out Kioti CK3510 and DK4710se. Both were fantastic. Leaning toward the DK.

 

[rScotty]

Tested out the Workmaster and did not like it much. I guess that rules out the LS as well. I drove the Kubota 3301 and liked it quite a bit, but the hst had a very very loud squeal.Will that become quieter after it breaks in? My current tractor is quiet most of the time.

There isn't any HST noise on our Kubota unless we ask too much of it when the range shifter is in too high of a range. Like starting up an incline in high range.....then it will squeal. Downshifting is the cure.
If the 3301 is in the running, I'd try the exact same move in a lower range or on a different 3301. Then you'll know.

In almost every instance when someone has told me that something will become "quieter when it breaks in" that has not been the case. Or if it was true it meant that something was wearing prematurely.

The one exception with HST noise that I know for sure happened is because it happened to me on our own Kubota. I stil can't explain what I happened and the dealer didn't want to hear it.
I had changed to a different HST fluid (one of Kubota's own trans-hydraulic fluids) and when I started it up the the HST definitely made more noise... not bad, but a sort of background whining noise that got louder when I gave it more throttle. . So I did the obvious thing - immediately panicked - and changed back to the old brand fluid. The noise went away as if it had never been. That was years ago & no problems.

If it hadn't happened right there to me where I knew exactly what had been done then I would have a hard time believeing it. My dealer still doesn't believe it happened ....
That's about all I know about HST noise, except I'd stay away from a noisy one myself.

rScotty

 

[chim]

......................................................... I drove the Kubota 3301 and liked it quite a bit, but the hst had a very very loud squeal.Will that become quieter after it breaks in? ............................

It won't become quieter, and the noise varies between models. My L3200 was noisy from day 1. It did get slightly better after changing the hydro fluid to Super UDT II. It was loud enough that I needed ear protection when wearing a wide-brimmed hat. The brim seemed to reflect the sound back to my ears. I could get by without ear protection when wearing a baseball cap or no hat.

The L4240 isn't obnoxious at any RPM / speed, or whether I'm using the PTO or not. There's a world of difference.

I had a B7500 before the L3200 and the hydro noise from it was somewhere between the L3200 and the L4240.

 

[MESSMAKER]

I think I am going Kioti for sure. I think I will end up with a DK4710se. Pretty nice machine. It checked all the boxes.

 

[coobie]

Checked out Kioti CK3510 and DK4710se. Both were fantastic. Leaning toward the DK.

I have had 2 DK 40 tractors first one 2008 with shuttle shift second one 2012 cab Dk 40 HST tranny.Both have been flawless.The only reason for the sale of the 2008 DK40 had my knee replaced and got sick of the clutch.

 

[Tractorable]

Those new Kioti DKXX10SE tractors are super nice, especially the cab models. I like the lever they have on the back for raising and lowering the 3pt. All tractors should have those.

 

[searcyfarms]

yes there are those buttons now on some of the large farm tractors for raise/lower 3 point arms it makes things easier to connect a creeper button for lining up drawbar pins would be excellent as well!!!

I liked the kioti when i looked at the deere and it was the closest i got from any other manufacturer trouble is the closest dealer for me is over an hour one way - and resale i dont plan to keep my deere for many years - daedong has been around for a while so no fly by night company - they didnt make a 72inch MMM tho for the 30+ hp chassis - from what i know of them they sound like great machines

 

[MESSMAKER]

yes there are those buttons now on some of the large farm tractors for raise/lower 3 point arms it makes things easier to connect a creeper button for lining up drawbar pins would be excellent as well!!!

I liked the kioti when i looked at the deere and it was the closest i got from any other manufacturer trouble is the closest dealer for me is over an hour one way - and resale i dont plan to keep my deere for many years - daedong has been around for a while so no fly by night company - they didnt make a 72inch MMM tho for the 30+ hp chassis - from what i know of them they sound like great machines

When I was at my local Kioti dealer this week. The regional sales guy was there. He said the ck35 and the DK42 were selling above expectations. He said he felt like they had turned the corner and were on near equal footing with a few of the big boys now. He said that thy no longer had to just sell on price. He said he thrilled with the amount of repeat buyers that go Kioti, He also said that engineering has helped as well. He said several of the major players are putting out good tractors that have not kept up with the times. He claimed that Kioti had been more innovative and responsive to customers.

 

[grm61]

When I was at my local Kioti dealer this week. The regional sales guy was there. He said the ck35 and the DK42 were selling above expectations. He said he felt like they had turned the corner and were on near equal footing with a few of the big boys now. He said that thy no longer had to just sell on price. He said he thrilled with the amount of repeat buyers that go Kioti, He also said that engineering has helped as well. He said several of the major players are putting out good tractors that have not kept up with the times. He claimed that Kioti had been more innovative and responsive to customers.

How about a cab? now is the time to give that serious thought
And a backhoe to save even more money

 

[Ricn]

RScotty has it right. I did just that when looking to replace my old tractor, ended up with the Kubota HST mostly because of operator room, comfort and dealer I felt cared about me afterwards. Price was my least concern and my dealer has been great.

Ricn

 

[searcyfarms]

every HST/hydro drive i have owned is noisy under heavy load in a higher gear, I have owned 7 been around 2 others my dad ( country clipper ) and best friend ( grass hopper ), two fords, one mont ward, one deere, a Scat Trak, and 2 Volvo. In low they are not very noisy under load like in high - WOT negates that noise as well to some degree.

Think about it like power steering on your car, when you hit the stops on the steering, it gets noisy, pump/oil is under max load/pressure. Hydraulics/oil have to make noise so its normal. Do you make more noise when you are under stress? Same principle.

Its a gentle reminder HEY, you might want to gear down OR speed up engine OR get another angle.............or stop and relax and ponder things a bit instead of blowing your top

i see so many folks run their tractors/pumps at idle and expect things to work - ever wonder why when you move a Skid Steer they go to WOT on their own? Yes i know hydraulic motors/pumps are a little different however flow is flow and when you are pressing things you need it.

It will cause extra stress to not have pressures that are needed when stressing drive especially on clutch packs etc.....

Tractors are designed a little different i get that but starving anything hydraulic results in poor operation and to some degree a bit of extra wear.

I would rather hear some noise than no noise its an indication that things are working ;-)

out of ALL of those machines, and all the hours I put on them, ONLY ONE failed - a Sundstrand/Sauer 3 section pump in the Skat Trak, spun a drive coupler between one of the sections and ruined the shaft splines so it had to be replaced. AS you can see, HST/Hydro drives are usually VERY reliable if given care and kept clean. Do the maint just like you should. The fords were Eaton/Tecumseh, not sure about the wards, Skat/Volvo both Sundstrand/Sauer, not sure about the deere never looked, grasshopper G2 drive pumps/motors, country clipper i believe are parker.

Super loud noise at all times is one thing, noise of varying degree depending on load is another.

I am a firm believe that maint/operator make a HUGE difference in a machine especially when it comes to the life of it.

Make sure you keep the cooling fans working as well, hot oil is not good - some have oil coolers, some have electric fans, some have fans driven off PTO shafts, etc......keep them in good working order.