LS Looks Good but Dealers and service?

[5030]

If something goes wrong, and many, many neophyte tractor operators prang their tractors in the first year, delivering the tractor will require a 484 mile round trip and a second 484 mile round trip to pick tractor up after service. If you trailer the tractor your cost has to be at least $1.00 per mile. If the dealer trailers the tractor your cost will be $2.00 per mile.

A quality dealer, reasonably close, available for coaching, is important for tractor neophytes. Most new tractors are delivered with a glitch or two requiring correction. My kubota dealer is six miles away. I feel my local dealer continues to add value to my equipment after seven years. Dealer proximity is less important for those experienced with tractors and qualified to perform their own maintenance.

That covers it quite well. Never used the term 'prang' before but it works.

 

[jeff9366]

KTAC insurance:

KTAC Insurance Agency - Home

 

[Diggin It]

Jeffy simply doesn't get that the guy ain't buyin' orange or that there are places in this country where it can be 50 miles to a gas station or grocery store. 100-150 miles or more to some businesses are the norm. We don't all have a selection of tractor dealers at the end of our driveway.

 

[ericm979]

If you're somewhat mechanically inclined, being far from the dealer is no big deal.

I've been working on cars and motorcycles since I was a kid. I'm not a super talented mechanic but I've done halfway decent restorations and a bunch of successful engine rebuilds, so I'm not a hack either. My first tractor was a used Kubota B7100. I had to do some small jobs on it like replacing a PTO shaft seal and some hydraulic hoses. Those were not hard to do. I went to the dealer only to buy transmission fluid. Three years ago I got a Branson 3725 to replace the Kubota. The Branson dealer is 250 miles away. I've been there once since I bought the tractor, to pick up a used backhoe for it. The dealer is used to supporting far off customers and has no problem shipping parts. So far in 220 hours, all I have needed to do is routine maintenance.

I'd never run a tractor before I bought that Kubota. I didn't prang it. If you're the kind of person who is often wrecking their cars you might, but if you're paying attention and are reasonably cautious you should be fine.

Your new home may have local independent tractor mechanics.

 

[Jchonline]

A local dealer is important to me. Sure I can do my own service but if something really goes wrong that proximity and commitment to service is important. If this is your first machine I would recommend you have those things. Jeff is correct. You can be as mechanical as you want but now days you have lots of electrical components as well. If you are confident the LS dealer can provide these things then I see no reason to go with another brand.

 

[shooterdon]

If something goes wrong, and many, many neophyte tractor operators prang their tractors in the first year, delivering the tractor for dealer service will require a 484 mile round trip and a second 484 mile round trip to retrieve tractor after service, 968 total miles. If you trailer the tractor your cost has to be at least $1.00 per mile plus hotels plus food. If the dealer trailers the tractor your cost will be $2.00 per mile.

A quality dealer, reasonably close, available for coaching, is important for tractor neophytes. Most new tractors are delivered with a glitch or two requiring correction, often safety/cutout switches which require adjustment to operator weight. My kubota dealer is six miles away. I feel my local dealer continues to add value to my equipment after seven years. Dealer proximity is less important for those experienced with tractors and qualified to perform their own maintenance.

If something goes wrong, and many, many neophyte tractor operators prang their tractors in the first year, those that have Kubota's KTAC insurance are grateful. My Kubota is six years old and has 1,700 engine hours. I maintain KTAC insurance. Except for fueling and greasing my dealer does service. This is my third tractor, second new Kubota. I am age 72.

I have shopped LS at the SE Ag Expo and consider LS a good competitor to Kubota but dealer quality and dealer proximity are especially important to tractor neophytes.

All good points....so is an $8000 savings and getting a tractor with more features. I am an old man too (69) and cautious about using my "toy". It could still break if I do something dumb so the risk remains. But my dealer is just over an hour away and my tractor is not a necessity. As to trailering, one option is to find someone with a large enough trailer and rent/borrow/barter to use it. In a few minutes I found this....only $2000

PRE-OWNED! (215) Appalachian 7 x 18 Equipment Trailer

IMHO, $8000 is too much to walk away from.

 

[nards444]

All good points....so is an $8000 savings and getting a tractor with more features. I am an old man too (69) and cautious about using my "toy". It could still break if I do something dumb so the risk remains. But my dealer is just over an hour away and my tractor is not a necessity. As to trailering, one option is to find someone with a large enough trailer and rent/borrow/barter to use it. In a few minutes I found this....only $2000

PRE-OWNED! (215) Appalachian 7 x 18 Equipment Trailer

IMHO, $8000 is too much to walk away from.

Agreed, people make to much out the dealer thing. I know people that continue to go to the same car dealer over and over because they have this dealer fantasy even though they pay thousands more for their stuff. If you are able to change fluids, tighten things, and do basic troubleshooting, taking care of a tractor should be easy. But taking into account a way to get parts or service if needed is a consideration though.

 

[Diggin It]

If you are able to change fluids, tighten things, and do basic troubleshooting, taking care of a tractor should be easy. But taking into account a way to get parts or service if needed is a consideration though.

A TBNer turned me on to the faulty part when my PTO failed to engage. Dealer confirmed it, then took one off another tractor he had on the lot. I drove the 80-90 miles to pick it up the next business day. He could have (and would have ) shipped it, but there are a few other stores near him I could stop at to make the trip worthwhile. He ordered the part and had his machine back in operation a few days later instead of making me wait.

 

[jeff9366]

At 74 years, reminds me of Christmas as a little boy! Toys are great!

It is OK to suggest servicing a tractor at age 74, but at age 72-1/2 I find it impossible to loosen many tractor fittings. Recently had a piece of barbed wire in a front tire. Too hazardous to remove wheel/tire over dirt. Probably impossible to lift repaired wheel/tire onto wheel studs single handed. Called the dealer. Kubota mechanic was here in 24 hours.

When you have reached the mid-70s your Testosternone production is down and you are fortunate to have 1/3 of the strength you had in your 20s.
One is also fragile. Something that would produce a bruise in your 20s will break a bone in early old age, perhaps imposing severe physical limits for one to two years. Not worth it.

 

[fried1765]

Agreed, people make to much out the dealer thing. I know people that continue to go to the same car dealer over and over because they have this dealer fantasy even though they pay thousands more for their stuff. If you are able to change fluids, tighten things, and do basic troubleshooting, taking care of a tractor should be easy. But taking into account a way to get parts or service if needed is a consideration though.

Here is a good "dealer" example;

I just bought a 61,000 mile 2014 Mercedes E350 Sport.
Took it in for a MB dealer "free inspection".
Recommended item: Spark plug change!
3.8 hours labor=$735.98 ($193.68/hr.) + parts + tax = $1034.89

6- long reach Platinum Bosch plugs cost $52.60 on internet w/free ship + $7.48 spark plug grease -Amazon.
Labor = free = mine... even at 79!
$60.08 v/s $1034.89 ?????
I steer clear of ALL dealers, if at all possible.
Dealer shop pricing and parts are absolutely insane!

If either of my tractors should need work that I cannot do, or will not do, I have a trailer to take it to ANY local shop.
Never a dealer.
I would never buy a tier IV tractor.