Buying Advice Oh the choices

[Paramedic268]

Hi folks, I am looking to buy a tractor for my 10 acres of land at home, and I am so confused. I have done a lot of research, and looked at a lot of tractors. I know that a Deere, which appears to be a really nice machine, is not in my budget but I have looked at so many tractors I am not sure what I should pull the trigger on. I was pretty sure that I was going to get a New Holland, or a Kubota when my wife found the LS tractor, and we went and looked at it. I liked the price ($14,999) for the G3033. My needs are a front loader, and a brush hog. My wife feels that we should go ahead and buy the backhoe now and save the $1200. I drove it, my wife drove it and it seems to work fine.

I came home and started to research the product, I always go to complaints because that information gives me trends, and I cannot find any negative reviews. So my question to all you that are much more experienced than I is how is the LS for the NON-Farmer, homeowner who has never owned a tractor before? Financing deals are moot we are paying cash, and the price that I have been quoted is $21999. It breaks out as $14999 for the tractor and the loader, $999 for the brush hog, and $6000 for the backhoe. Is this fair? Is it like buying a car and can the dealer come down, or is the price the price?

Sorry to sound like an idiot, however, this is the first time I have done this, and not really sure on the value v. price, or the appropriate way to buy a tractor, (like haggling). Thanks

 

[KennyG]

Sounds like you are asking the right questions, but it will come down to exactly how you will be using the tractor. LS seems to be an up and coming tractor brand and I would be much more comfortable with a Korean tractor with a dealer network than a Chinese tractor, but that's a personal opinion. You will notice I have a JD, not a "rising import".

The dealer is important. Make sure you have a good feel about them. Also, don't dismiss John Deere if you haven't actually priced them. I found the John Deere that met my needs was cheaper than a Kubota or New Holland. People report both ways.

Backhoes depend on what you are doing. If you need to grub out a lot of stumps and clear land, you probably need it. If you think you may need to dig a ditch or put in a water line once in a while, think about renting. Call a local rental and see how many days you could rent a backhoe or mini-excavator for $6000.

Tractors are like cars. Haggling depends on the current local situation. 10 to 15% off retail seems like a good place to start. Many people report that we Midwesterners get bigger discounts than Easterners for some reason.

 

[Paramedic268]

I will be cutting the field, pulling stumps, clearing a drainage ditch, lots of heavy cleanup. Then everything the wife wants done. In the winter it will be used to move snow banks, because I currently use a 4 wheeler to plow, and it sucks when we get a lot of snow. I just want to get the right machine, and it seems that they are all really close.

 

[bckskin2]

I have 10 acres also. I have a New Holland with loader, finish mower, post hole digger and a 60 gallon sprayer. I mow, haul stuff, and move snow. I also have a JD X500 that we mow, move snow, and pull a harrow to break up the horse poo. I bought the New Holland because the NH dealer got it for me at less than a used JD. I am thinking of a compact to take over some of the mowing.

 

[Dillier23]

If you have a Case IH dealer nearby have a look at a Farmall 35B or C model. They are LS tractors with a great dealer network, unlike the LS. The B will be discounted overall, the C is a new model and 4B emissions compliant which makes it a touch higher priced.

 

[South NH]

You may want to try a Massey Ferguson. I was like you, new, and searched out everything. I found their product extremely very solid, easy to learn and use, along with being comfortable getting in and out of. Their GC series has great power and can be used for all your purposes. Their pricing is also very reasonable! Just my own opinion, but many that I've met that owned them, love them. Good luck in whatever choice you make.

 

[TSO]

Like Dillier23 mentioned, LS actually manufactures the Case and NH compact tractors, so either you get the cheaper LS pricing from an LS dealer, or you go with a Case or NH badged LS, based on network and name.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy an LS. I owned two of them and they were very good, tough tractors. I like my Massey better now (after putting some good hours on her), but the LS value is hard to pass up.

All the new tractors are good, buying any of them is just fine.

 

[Tompet]

Sounds like a good price for a full setup like you outlined. I went to the site and looked at the specs. Seems a good size range for your property. I doubt I would any smaller. I see it comes in HST or shuttle, what was your quote choice? An integrated loader valve would be nice, but not a biggie.

The SS QA is a nice feature, consider a set of lightweight forks...they are really handy.

Having a BH when you need it is nice. I originally had a Massey Scut and at the time justified the cost of a BH on a sore hip and figured some people spend more than that on a boat or some other recreational pursuit. Now I would have a hard time not having a BH at my disposal! Make sure you consider a BH thumb.

The LS seems to get positive reviews on this site as TSO has posted many times...I agree with him that Massey's are solid (and do win the look nice award). He is also right, IMO that most major brands are pretty good these days. What one was comfortable to you "in the seat" and did any dealer make a difference to you?

I just read the post by KennyG referencing LS is made in China. That would give me a little pause, but Is that correct? I pretty sure the company is Korean. What else have you looked closely at with quotes...maybe Kioti too? They also get positive reviews. No matter what you get I am sure you will enjoy it and the ability to move and do things is great therapy. Best of luck!

 

[TSO]

I just read the post by KennyG referencing LS is made in China. That would give me a little pause, but Is that correct? I pretty sure the company is Korean. What else have you looked closely at with quotes...maybe Kioti too? They also get positive reviews. No matter what you get I am sure you will enjoy it and the ability to move and do things is great therapy. Best of luck!

No, LS is made in S Korea.

 

[k0ua]

Since everyone is offering opinions.. I will offer mine.. Both LS and Kioti deserve a good hard look. I may be biased, I have a Kioti. I tend to like tractors with more features instead of the lower end examples in the lines. Things like SSQA (Skid Steer Quick Attach) and telescoping lower links and sway bars and at least one rear remote are must's have's in my book. I also greatly favor Hydrostatic transmissions especially for new tractor owners. For many reasons, if you are interested I can name them. As for the backhoe, I don't have much use for one around here, as our major crop is limestone rock ledges. But you might. The prices you were quoted did not sound bad. Most people haggle and get from 10 to 15 percent off of list price. And prices are regional, and you are not in the best region. The South is the best, and the midwest here is better than where you are. So look over specs carefully, decide what features you can't live without, take your time, and I suggest you start a spreadsheet or you will get confused.. Come back here and keep asking questions, and we will try to help. Good luck and don't be a stranger.