New to LS, looking for advice before buying

[RenoHuskerDu]

My business builds/maintains gravel driveways. I have a 21T lowboy dump trailer that can tailgate gravel at 2-5" of depth. Then if the customer wants it to last longer, I have a 3T compactor. Our soil around here is not given to deep erosion. But one of these days I will need to repair somebody's driveway or move it.

So I need a tractor/loader/backhoe. The economy is so good around here that decent used backhoes get snapped up in a day on Craigs List. Half of the listings are scams. So I'm looking new, shopping for heavy compact tractor with backhoe and loader. The Kubota L47 would be the bee's knees, as it were. But it's $57k which would take a while to amortize.

Tried the Yanmar, love the new i-tranny, but I don't fit. And the warranty barely covers business use. Tried the Solis, piece of crap imho. Mahindra, I heard about the wiring and dealer woes, no thanks. Deere lies about where there machines are made. America, my ***. Plus, no skid-steer standard bucket mount on a Deere and ISO controls.

Kub has the MX5200 for $40k and change. It's a contender. The L47 is a dream.

I know Zetors already from my time in Europe. Solid machines, heavy, rather simple, durable. But I found out today that the new Zetors (46-65 hp) are not Zetors at all. Rebadged TYM. I despise that shell game. He also proposed an LS tractor with a WoodMaxx backhoe, 3 point but has its own beefier top link. It also has an ISO/SAE switch.

Compact Tractor - XR4155HC-55HP | LS Tractor LS used to be LG. I ran an LG excavator for some time in Europe and it was great. So I'm considering this combo, which would save me $10k off the MX5200 price. I suppose in this forum there is a lot of experience with LS tractors. What would be your advise?

WM-86 9' Backhoe | Backhoe Attachment for Tractors - WoodMaxx兌/url] WoodMaxx is a vet owned company with several very interesting products. Is anybody running one?

 

[Croomrider]

Does LS not have their own BH for that machine? Three point hookups for BH's are not well spoken of. I just bought an XR3135H TLB and while I don't have a lot of experience yet, the system LS uses to hook up the BH to the tractor is very strong and rigid!

 

[RenoHuskerDu]

I agree about 3PT backhoes. I'll ask him if he can also offer an LS BH. Not sure why he didn't suggest it right off the bat. Very nice old school sales mgr in Texas.

 

[Diggin It]

That model uses this BH:

LB2105

Digging Depth (in): 89.8
Reach from centerline of swing Pivot (in): 125.2
Loading Height (in): 72.4
Swing Arc (deg.): 180
Transport Height (in): 83.5
Bucket Rotating (deg.): 180
Stabilizer Spread(Down position) (in): 68.7
Stabilizer Spread(Up position) (in): 46.5
Bucket Digging force (lbs): 2,673​

Compact Tractor - XR4155HC-55HP | LS Tractor



I'd imagine it would add $10K to the price though. My little one added about $5-6K

 

[shooterdon]

I have a new LS but without the BH. LS has a BH for the XR. My opinion is that LS seems like a good machine at a very competitive price...but...you need to be comfortable with the dealer. My dealer has been excellent and there is another good dealer not too far from me and a New Holland dealer (they sold rebranded LS) so I am covered.

A great machine that cannot be serviced is not that great when it breaks....and you are in business so reliability is more important.

I saved about $8k over a similar spec'ed Kubota. Deere and Mahindra dropped off my list very early in the buying process.

I would look at a Rural King as well but there were no dealers near me.

 

[fried1765]

My business builds/maintains gravel driveways. I have a 21T lowboy dump trailer that can tailgate gravel at 2-5" of depth. Then if the customer wants it to last longer, I have a 3T compactor. Our soil around here is not given to deep erosion. But one of these days I will need to repair somebody's driveway or move it.

So I need a tractor/loader/backhoe. The economy is so good around here that decent used backhoes get snapped up in a day on Craigs List. Half of the listings are scams. So I'm looking new, shopping for heavy compact tractor with backhoe and loader. The Kubota L47 would be the bee's knees, as it were. But it's $57k which would take a while to amortize.

Tried the Yanmar, love the new i-tranny, but I don't fit. And the warranty barely covers business use. Tried the Solis, piece of crap imho. Mahindra, I heard about the wiring and dealer woes, no thanks. Deere lies about where there machines are made. America, my ***. Plus, no skid-steer standard bucket mount on a Deere and ISO controls.

Kub has the MX5200 for $40k and change. It's a contender. The L47 is a dream.

I know Zetors already from my time in Europe. Solid machines, heavy, rather simple, durable. But I found out today that the new Zetors (46-65 hp) are not Zetors at all. Rebadged TYM. I despise that shell game. He also proposed an LS tractor with a WoodMaxx backhoe, 3 point but has its own beefier top link. It also has an ISO/SAE switch.

Compact Tractor - XR4155HC-55HP | LS Tractor LS used to be LG. I ran an LG excavator for some time in Europe and it was great. So I'm considering this combo, which would save me $10k off the MX5200 price. I suppose in this forum there is a lot of experience with LS tractors. What would be your advise?

WM-86 9' Backhoe | Backhoe Attachment for Tractors - WoodMaxx兌/url] WoodMaxx is a vet owned company with several very interesting products. Is anybody running one?

You might consider looking for a good, low time, used Kubota L48, the slightly older cousin (2000-2009) to the L47 that you love.

They out there, but many may have been used hard, and have lots of hours.
I bought a private party, original owner, 2006 Kubota L48 with 250 hours last month on Craigslist (SearchTempest).
Had to haul it home 350 miles, but well worth it.
Even commercial hauling of 1000 miles or more could be cost effective.
As you suggest: L47 = $57K
My 250 hour L48 = $32K... with 4 remotes, QA hoe bucket, hyd. actuated skid steer loader type bucket attach (love it), hyd. thumb, 3pt. hitch, PTO.
$25K is a BIG difference!
My L48 - Perfect condition, except for some sun damage (fading).
11' dig, sub-frame mount, quick disconnect hoe, and NO pollution control/Tier IV crap!

5908 lb. hoe bucket force.
3968 lb. dipper stick force.
A medium size, REAL backhoe!

 

[RenoHuskerDu]

Thanks guys, good advice as usual. That LS LB2105 backhoe is exactly what the salesman suggests, btw.

 

[Avenger]

I have an LS XR4145 cab with shuttle shift. I recently purchased a used Woods Backhoe for it. A Woods BH90-X, the largest one they make. I had to get a bit creative with the mounting (video of that will be up this week sometime.) but this thing is a BEAST!
Product Details

This backhoe does not have a control type switch, and is stuck in SAE. I am looking to fix that. I prefer ISO. I am also looking to actually fill the front tires of the tractor with juice. This BH is heavy! When going up a steep hill, with the BH all folded up, there is not much pressure on those front tires. Typically, if I can, I just take a scoop of dirt or something with me. But sill.

The mount I used is a 4 point solid mount.

There is much information out there about backhoes being hooked up to a three point. Growing up on the farm, that's what we had, and we used it all the time without issue. But apparently it can really reek havoc on your tractor. With the solid 4 point, hooking up to it (and removing it) is simple. And the mount is very solid. I can pick the loaded rear tires up off the ground with the stabilizers several inches. and is rock solid. Highly recommend looking at a 4 point.

And yes, you do have to remove the three point linkages, but that is simple enough, and they go right back on after the BH is removed.

The Titan Attachements 'make' a backhoes as well. Search results for: 'backhoe'
Apparently they are very similar, if not the same, as LS, but for a lot less $$

Good luck on your journey. Let us know what you decide

 

[mred2]

I have a LS XR4150 with backhoe. You do not remove the 3 point linkage to mount the hoe. Solid mount.

 

[Avenger]

I have a LS XR4150 with backhoe. You do not remove the 3 point linkage to mount the hoe. Solid mount.

Really? Is it a latter style mount? or 4 point?

I have to take mine off when hooking up to the BH. Then simply add them back when I want to take off the BH to use something like the box blade. Kind of a pain, but its only 3 pins per side.