make the call on a LS R3039

[pigs]

Guys/Gals.

Saw my LS 2039 tractor today. sat in the seat etc. Was not pleased at the fit/fhinsh of the final product. Drivers area was cramped, (I am 6ft 230lb) and my feet when pushing the gas pedal down were locked under the brake pads. The seat could not move back anymore. I tried to adjust the seat higher and the knob broke off. There were several spots of rust on the corners of the bucket/lift arms. There was one spot where the weld was exposed and rust developed and pitting showed. The tractor drove nice and really like the features but too many lil things to make me unhappy with it.
It was the only R3039 on the lot and not sure how long it sat there. But it had 2hrs on the meeter.

I know i shouldn't rush into a major purchase and I won't so I had to back off on this deal. Stoped by the kubota dealer.. L3800 with loader / box blade and few less features (lift capacity and no remotes) for 3k more. But better financing options than with the LS.

Kubota has the same warranty as LS. 2 year bumper to bumper 3 year drive train.
I do think LS will make a very good tractor their mechanics appear to be solid but the final fit/finish quality is subpar. This is just my own .02 I really wanted the tractor and sad to say I had to let it go.

 

[droptop]

Not a bad thing, actually good. You now are going out and re-evaluating what you want and what is most important to you rather than getting locked in to one tractor. Look at them all Kubota, Deere, Massey, Kioti (Bobcat), and Mahindra. You will find something that you will want.

 

[dodger454]

Remember if it isn't green or orange it's crap,the dealer will be out of business next week, the company will fold ,you won't be able to get parts,and it will be worth 3-5 grand less when you trade it(although you will pay 3-5 k more for green or orange)Best you go out try them all,check the reputation of the dealer and buy what fits you the best and is in your price range.
Good Luck! shopping is the fun part

 

[temba]

pigs,
I too have been contemplating the R3039. With hydro, FEL and BH.
Loved the ride, FEL capacity, 2 remotes...the specs in general seem above average. Was not thrilled with fit and finish of dash, also noticed some surface rust and fittings starting to oxidize. The BH attachment looks beefy, but eats up a lot of the ground clearance. The dealer is within 15 miles and we hit it off real well. A good guy. Small outfit.... I think its just him and his wife. I want to pull the trigger and give him the business, but I'm not confident LS is going to stick around. The lack of dealerships (in the northeast), questionable fit and finish, and average financing have turned me away as well.

I have MF, Kubota and Kioti dealers in the area, so will end up with one of those...likely Kioti CK30.

Good luck on your search!

 

[droptop]

One more that you might want to check out is Yanmar, their tractors are top notch and pricing is competitive. If you don't know, they make the engines for Deere compacts and still make some complete tractors for them. Until the late 90's they made all of the Deere compacts. Real nice tractors.

 

[pigs]

Remember if it isn't green or orange it's crap,the dealer will be out of business next week, the company will fold ,you won't be able to get parts,and it will be worth 3-5 grand less when you trade it(although you will pay 3-5 k more for green or orange)Best you go out try them all,check the reputation of the dealer and buy what fits you the best and is in your price range.
Good Luck! shopping is the fun part

Dodger.. Like your LS3033 are u enjoying it? would really like to know how you grown to love it.. problems etc.

 

[pigs]

pigs,
I too have been contemplating the R3039. With hydro, FEL and BH.
Loved the ride, FEL capacity, 2 remotes...the specs in general seem above average. Was not thrilled with fit and finish of dash, also noticed some surface rust and fittings starting to oxidize. The BH attachment looks beefy, but eats up a lot of the ground clearance. The dealer is within 15 miles and we hit it off real well. A good guy. Small outfit.... I think its just him and his wife. I want to pull the trigger and give him the business, but I'm not confident LS is going to stick around. The lack of dealerships (in the northeast), questionable fit and finish, and average financing have turned me away as well.

I have MF, Kubota and Kioti dealers in the area, so will end up with one of those...likely Kioti CK30.

Good luck on your search!

There were other tractors on the lot a R5059 ( and it had the gas tank issue.. gas was leaking) and there was a J series that had a pool of hydrolic fluid under the lift arms where the hoses connect.
...just had to walk away ..

 

[blucoondawg]

I too started out looking at the LS line mainly the 3039 and 4041. The dealer is close by but he was a Montana dealer and closed up his shop a couple years ago and is now carrying LS out of his front yard out in the country, seems like a nice enough guy but buying a new tractor out of someone's front yard makes me wonder about future service. Also his prices seem a little high, the price you mentioned seems decent from what I have seen esp with the filled tires and box blade. I have now been looking at Bobcat and Kioti, Bobcat is closer but also pricier, I can get a lot more tractor from Kioti for the same price, I'll gamble on the 2 hour drive to the dealer, hopefully I don't end up with a lemon that needs a ton of warranty work.

 

[dodger454]

Pigs,

I'm at 50 hrs,mostly loader work.I did use the BH once to dig a hole to bury my dog when she passed away.I've had one issue,with a pin in the clutch linkage.I don't know if the pin broke or if the keeper fell off and the pin fell out.But pushing in the clutch and nothing happening does get your attention.A 3/8 bolt,nut and locktite and I was back in business.I do check underneath before I start the tractor,NOW. I changed the engine oil at 25 hrs as recomended by the dealer. Did the 50 hr maint last week.Which was mostly check and cleaning,plus changing hydraulic oil filter.
I am still happy with my purchase,the tractor has done everything I asked it to do. For now I'll blame the clutch linkage issue on me for not being diligent about checking underneath.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I am still happy with my LS P7010C and am surprised at the fit and finish remarks on the R models. One of my reasons for me buying LS was the fit and finish and all the extras for a very cheap price. Now it seems that the price is not as cheap as more dealers get in the game. I wouldnt worry too much about them going away any more than NH who has changed names and owners more in the last 20 years than a Hollywood actress. LS has dedicated $$$$$millions into a brand new factory just for making tractors. They are new to the game in comparison to JD BUT they do make their own tractors unlike ALL of the other tractor companies except Kubota and I suppose have to include Yanmar in there even though it has fewer dealers in my area than LS. None of the what we call USA branded tractors make their compact line as far as I know, they contract them with Korean, Japanese, Indian and even Chinese companies to make for them and at most "assemble" them here which is bolting on the wheels and if a loader is ordered putting that on.
THere is one fairly recent model of small MF that was obsolete in less than 10 years as no parts were available, probably others as well but I'm only aware of that one model because you can find it for sale on Craigslist cheap.

I would be more afraid of not being able to get parts for my "US made" MF, JD or NH than my LS.