Buying Advice LS vs New Holland Parts Availability

[xmas2010]

Here is my situation. I am looking to purchase a gently used tractor in the 40 HP range. I have run across a good deal on a LS G3038, however I have seen a lot of horror stories about parts availability for LS tractors. I do not have a local LS dealer, but there is a New Holland dealer about 20 miles away. It looks like the NH Workmaster 40 is just a rebranded LS G3038. I compared the part numbers on various components (fuel filter, oil filter, various gaskets) and the part numbers match exactly other than New Holland throwing a 'MT' on the front. The assembly diagrams match as well. My question is this, is the parts availability from NH any better, or do you still have to wait months for Workmaster parts? I do all of my own maint and repair work so I am not concerned with the NH dealer working on it or not, just the parts availability. Since used LS run about $5k cheaper than the NH or Case branded equivalent I thought maybe someone has experience with a similar situation.

 

[ovrszd]

Welcome to TBN.

Very good question. Curious to hear responses from LS owners. I have two older Fords. I've found parts availability to be excellent thru CNH online parts site.

 

[mddorange]

:welcome:
To the TBN forum Xmas. Glad you joined.

You came to the right place to get answers.

 

[xmas2010]

Thanks guys, I have gotten a lot of good info off here by lurking around for years. :thumbsup:

 

[gersus]

These are solid units, the need for parts is limited.
Couldn't a LS dealer be able to get you whatever you needed?
If not I would go the NH route and give that a try.

 

[CMV]

I've only bought filters but Messick's seemed to have lots of stuff. At least for the filters I noticed a lot of overlap with NH and MF parts.

 

[rgr33]

I have a 2012 LS tractor. I do my own work on both my tractors because I like to. The LS has never needed anything done other than normal maintenance.

I have bought filters and fluids from Messicks, using Case-New Holland filters, as well as LS oem filters on eBay, and over the counter at the LS dealer about a 30 mile drive from home.
All arrived quickly, were about the same price, and worked fine after installation.

In my 5 years of owning an LS, there has been no problems with the tractor, or with getting any parts that are needed. I wasn’t sure what the LS owning experience would be, being a JD guy up to that point, but it has proved to be an excellent tractor.

 

[xmas2010]

Thanks rgr33, sounds like it has been a good experience for you. I just keep thinking that I am missing something. Why would anyone spend the extra $$ for a NH or Case. There is a significant price difference in the tractors and as far as I can tell the only thing that is different on the machines is the paint and stickers.

 

[ovrszd]

I wonder that sometimes too. It's a very complicated situation. Takes some very dedicated searching to truly figure out what tractor a guy is buying. Very few brands produce the entire tractor. Most "farm" out the components and assembly.

Not sure that matters much for the first few years of the tractor's life. Along about the second decade it begins to matter significantly. Regardless of brand, I expect the first 5 or 6 years and 2000 plus hours to be without major breakdown or events requiring extensive support.

Once an owner goes into the 4000 hr plus and/or ten year old plus machine range things begin to change. Parts availability becomes crucial. Availability of a technical mechanic to rebuild major components is also crucial.

What gets very confusing is when a company is offering a product at a cheaper price that competes with their primary product under a different brand name. Very difficult then to figure out who exactly produced the product.

CNH for example is a conglomerate are dozens of smaller companies that have been purchased. Where LS fits in this is beyond my ability to understand. But obviously it fits in there somehow. Otherwise you would see no duplication in parts, etc.

I was hoping someone much more educated than I in this subject would post with some hard data to explain the very, very muddy waters we are discussing here.

 

[tcreeley]

Tractors built by LS.
List of tractors built by LS for other companies | Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki | FANDOM powered by Wikia

History of LS,
LS Tractors | Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki | FANDOM powered by Wikia

 

[ovrszd]

Wow. Good stuff.

 

[MaximizerMatt]

Thanks rgr33, sounds like it has been a good experience for you. I just keep thinking that I am missing something. Why would anyone spend the extra $$ for a NH or Case. There is a significant price difference in the tractors and as far as I can tell the only thing that is different on the machines is the paint and stickers.

I run a NH dealership and once owned an LS J2025H tractor (prior to my New Holland involvement) and must admit that I was impressed with what that little LS could do. So, yes, the Workmaster and Boomer (2013+) line are built by LS and there's virtually no difference between the two brands from a technical point, except for FEL's used on the mid and larger NH units are not from LS and have higher reach.

Parts availability through New Holland will be better than from LS itself, from what I've seen and heard. NH stocks its own inventory of LS parts at its depots throughout the US and most parts can be had next day if needed, or 2-5 days on regular stock order.

Why buy NH over LS? Couple of reasons...stronger dealer support network from New Holland which translates into better parts and service availability, warranty coverage. You won't find a NH dealer who can warranty an LS tractor, even though it's the same thing. Better financing from CNH vs. LS. Talking zero to 2% rates vs. 6-10% rates from LS's third party lenders. When you factor that in, you're about the same money or a little less for the NH when interest expense is totalled up. Lastly, I think the NH versions just look better with their deeper blue hue and iconic cat eye grille/light front end and will undoubtedly have a bit higher resale value than their LS counterparts for reasons stated above. I was a huge fan of the older Shibaura-built New Holland tractors but will admit the LS units have sold well and been pretty reliable. Just my two cents.

 

[PCABE5]

Parts availability through New Holland will be better than from LS itself, from what I've seen and heard. NH stocks its own inventory of LS parts at its depots throughout the US and most parts can be had next day if needed, or 2-5 days on regular stock order.

Why buy NH over LS? Couple of reasons...stronger dealer support network from New Holland which translates into better parts and service availability, warranty coverage.

Better financing from CNH vs. LS. Talking zero to 2% rates vs. 6-10% rates from LS's third party lenders. When you factor that in, you're about the same money or a little less for the NH when interest expense is totalled up.

I will agree with you on parts availability. I've ordered some already and the longest I've had to wait is 5 days but usually less. I ordered a part from LS, one that NH doesn't use, and I waited 3+ weeks for it to come in.

Dealer location and reputation we're also deciding factors for me.

Now your financing part I cannot agree with. I bought my Boomer 40 in November and 0% was available from CNH but my credit union was the better option for overall cost. IMO CNH has a long way to go when it comes to financing.

 

[fried1765]

I run a NH dealership and once owned an LS J2025H tractor (prior to my New Holland involvement) and must admit that I was impressed with what that little LS could do. So, yes, the Workmaster and Boomer (2013+) line are built by LS and there's virtually no difference between the two brands from a technical point, except for FEL's used on the mid and larger NH units are not from LS and have higher reach.

Parts availability through New Holland will be better than from LS itself, from what I've seen and heard. NH stocks its own inventory of LS parts at its depots throughout the US and most parts can be had next day if needed, or 2-5 days on regular stock order.

Why buy NH over LS? Couple of reasons...stronger dealer support network from New Holland which translates into better parts and service availability, warranty coverage. You won't find a NH dealer who can warranty an LS tractor, even though it's the same thing. Better financing from CNH vs. LS. Talking zero to 2% rates vs. 6-10% rates from LS's third party lenders. When you factor that in, you're about the same money or a little less for the NH when interest expense is totalled up. Lastly, I think the NH versions just look better with their deeper blue hue and iconic cat eye grille/light front end and will undoubtedly have a bit higher resale value than their LS counterparts for reasons stated above. I was a huge fan of the older Shibaura-built New Holland tractors but will admit the LS units have sold well and been pretty reliable. Just my two cents.

I restored a 1989 4x4 Ford (Shibaura) 1920 FEL (1056 hrs) two years ago.
Fantastic little tractor. I love it!

 

[Diggin It]

Tractors built by LS.

History of LS,

I'm guessing a lot of those are for other countries and I'm not sure it's complete. Aren't the smaller NH WMs that same as the smaller LS ?

 

[Diggin It]

Parts availability through New Holland will be better than from LS itself, from what I've seen and heard. NH stocks its own inventory of LS parts at its depots throughout the US and most parts can be had next day if needed, or 2-5 days on regular stock order.

Why buy NH over LS? Couple of reasons...stronger dealer support network from New Holland which translates into better parts and service availability,

I'm not sure I have an NH dealer much closer or accessible than my LS dealer. The NH is sold at a huge multistate conglomerate dealer network and I try to avoid those if possible. MY LS guy is a wholey owned independent; the type I prefer to spend money at. NH was considerably higher priced than LS, not by just a little bit.

Parts and service? Not sure what will happen there if I need something major.

 

[Diggin It]

I run a NH dealership ... .

Maybe you can do something for this guy ....

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/new-holland-owning-operating/407320-tn75da-top-new-post.html

 

[hebren]

Been waiting on new top for tn75da since 12/28/2018. Dealer doing repair work has received three different tops supposed to fit and none will fit. New holland north america at this time has no answer as to why or what top to get, suppose to send someone to measure my old top but have no date as of yet. My local new holland dealer has been great just cannot get new holland to remedy this issue so far and at times not very fast to reply.

 

[TheMan419]

I bought a NH because I liked the dealer better than Orange or Green. No LS dealer near me.... or would have considered it. Also the NH had better specs than the comparably priced Orange or Green tractor. Now I am NOT a NH fanboy. If Orange or Green (or Red or....) makes more sense to you go for it.

For me it comes down to the local dealer. I liked the NH one better than the local Orange or Green. Those were the three close to me or close enough for government work as it were....

 

[hebren]

Just a update on tn75da waiting on top since 12/28/2018. My dealer informed me today he is going to have to put my old top on my tractor and patch it because new holland can not provide him a new top or give him a date when or if one will be available. I have been patient but this is poor customer service out of a major tractor manufacturer, but why choice do i have.