LS MT225S problems - is this normal?

[weehu72]

I've had my LS MT225S for 2.5 years, and it has been a great little tractor. Well, until this summer. In July, the loader valve started leaking whenever the lift cylinders were pressurized (so any time the tractor was running, because one must lift the loader to go anywhere). While waiting for parts, I ended up taking the loader off so I could at least brush hog. Then the parking brake stopped working - the little metal tab that engages the ratchet mechanism cracked and corroded on the inside of the bend and it just started unfolding. Finally got the loader valve fixed (after months of waiting for parts - apparently LS moved warehouses this summer), so I was moving some piles of dirt and rocks when I noticed the tractor slightly lurching when going forward or backward. The rear front axle mount had completely broken off! I wasn't being hard on it - kept it in low range, just scooping dirt and rocks and dumping them in a pile.

So by my count, that's 3 problems in less than 4 months. And of course the tractor is now outside of the 2-year warranty. It has less than 150 hours on it. This is the first tractor I've owned, so maybe my expectations are off, but it sure feels like a lot of problems all at once. I'd like to get some of your thoughts - is this just par for the course with a 25-hp tractor?

 

[alexpops]

I would argue (to the point of getting a lawyer involved if necessary) that the front axle mount should be covered by the 6-year drivetrain warranty. Other stuff, yeah, part of normal maintenance IMO. Mine has been pretty reliable for the 8 years I've had it. Replaced a starter, battery cables, terminals & main fuse, have a sticky parking brake that triggers the beeper when I engage forward/reverse, the brush guard is weak at the base & prone to bending, and had to replace crush washers on the loader banjo bolts for a leak. Also, the rear-end dipstick sticks due to the o-ring drying out & fusing to the housing (MY Fault, for not checking/re-lubing often enough). LS offers a lot of value for what you paid (at least a few years ago), but to get there, they do take some short-cuts that can be easily rectified when necessary if you are mechanically inclined.

 

[GS650GL]

Of the many MT 225S tractors sold, this is only the second time I have heard of a front axle rear bracket breaking, so it is not a wide spread problem. Still a problem though that LS is aware of now and will probably investigate and issue a bulletin. My dealer had one out of the hundreds of MT225S he sold. The leaking loader valve is more common and I think they have a bulletin on that, so the cause has probably been solved by now. The o-ring seals around the spools blow out. LS was requiring dealers to return the valves that were replaced under warranty so they could figure out why it was happening. The park brake is a weird one, never heard of that issue before. The warranty states that power train coverage up to 6 years covers internal failures that are completely enclosed inside a housing such as internal engine, axle, and transmission parts. No external parts are covered after the 2 year warranty. Not worth getting a lawyer for the price of a $45 bracket.

 

[polarred21]

^^^ Curious, where is this dealer that is selling hundreds of these? Have yet to hear of a high volume LS dealer.

 

[GS650GL]

Multiple locations east of Lake Michigan. Sells well over 500 tractors a year. What do you consider high volume?

 

[weehu72]

Thanks, sounds like this isn't terribly abnormal. Maybe just some unfortunate timing. The frustrating part is how long it has been taking to get parts, but hopefully that will improve.

The warranty states that power train coverage up to 6 years covers internal failures that are completely enclosed inside a housing such as internal engine, axle, and transmission parts.

That's helpful info - the warranty definitely would not cover the axle mount bracket.

 

[polarred21]

Multiple locations east of Lake Michigan. Sells well over 500 tractors a year. What do you consider high volume?

If a single dealer is selling 500+ LS tractors a year, that's impressive.

 

[Harry in Ky]

Somehow I find those sales numbers hard to believe. I have no facts to dispute the claim, but 500+ LS tractors a year is more than I wrap my head around. How many outlets does this dealership have? Sounds like they must be bigger than Walmart.

On the loader valve oil leaks. If it's a common problem with these units, I have to ask. How many lines do these valves have? Six or seven? Spool valve seals are indeed a common problem on valves with only six lines.

 

[weehu72]

On the loader valve oil leaks. If it's a common problem with these units, I have to ask. How many lines do these valves have? Six or seven? Spool valve seals are indeed a common problem on valves with only six lines.

Here's the old one from my tractor:

 

[Harry in Ky]

I see four work ports, and one probable return port. Assuming the pressure in line is on the left side (out of sight) and the protrusion on the right side may be a power beyond sleeve with another port (also out of sight) ? If that's the case, that would be a total of seven ports. Yes/no? If so, the plumbing is probably not the source of the problem, more likely the quality of the valve.