R4041 buying advice

Billy Bee · Jan 26, 2014

Thanks for the info. I know some of these questions can be answered by the dealer, but I like to hear it from people who own them to get an honest evaluation. Upwards of 20,000 is a lot of money and I would like to make sure I don't regret my decision. Little things like the seat not tipping forward [no big deal] but nice to know. Do you have to set the parking brake to get off the tractor while it is running? Quite often on my NH I just drop the bucket or back blade. If the 4047 is the same size and weight as the 4041 I may be interested in one of those, a few more horses is always nice to have

TSO · Jan 26, 2014

Billy Bee said:
Thanks for the info. I know some of these questions can be answered by the dealer, but I like to hear it from people who own them to get an honest evaluation. Upwards of 20,000 is a lot of money and I would like to make sure I don't regret my decision. Little things like the seat not tipping forward [no big deal] but nice to know. Do you have to set the parking brake to get off the tractor while it is running? Quite often on my NH I just drop the bucket or back blade. If the 4047 is the same size and weight as the 4041 I may be interested in one of those, a few more horses is always nice to have

I had started with a 4041 shuttle, put 50 hrs on it but didn't like the shuttle, so traded in & up to the 4047 HST. Had a HST prior, and will likely always go with HST. But like you, figured the extra HP was worth it!

The LS tractors are very good machines. Mine blew a headlight fuse early on, no biggie, and that's been it for 140+ hrs. Like I said I'm looking to upgrade to a cab, so that means I have to jump up to the XR series (tier 4) or look to another brand.

The ONLY complaint I really have about my LS is that I would like more loader lift height & dump clearance. This is likely not an issue for most people, but I have found enough times that for my work, I want more height. Also, in comparing different factory cabs, the new LS cab didn't impress me as much as some other brands.

But anyhow, that won't effect you since you're not looking for a cab.

Parking brake location: I didn't like it at first, but like anything, once you get used to it it's a non issue.

Seat: it doesn't fold up because it's a suspension seat, much better than one of those standard spring folding seats.

Brake to get off: nope, as long as the tractor isn't moving (pushing the HST pedals) you can get off without doing anything else. Otherwise, the seat safety switch will shut the tractor off if you're butt isn't in the seat while pushing the pedals.

Billy Bee · Jan 27, 2014

TSO said:
I had started with a 4041 shuttle, put 50 hrs on it but didn't like the shuttle, so traded in & up to the 4047 HST. Had a HST prior, and will likely always go with HST. But like you, figured the extra HP was worth it!

The LS tractors are very good machines. Mine blew a headlight fuse early on, no biggie, and that's been it for 140+ hrs. Like I said I'm looking to upgrade to a cab, so that means I have to jump up to the XR series (tier 4) or look to another brand.

The ONLY complaint I really have about my LS is that I would like more loader lift height & dump clearance. This is likely not an issue for most people, but I have found enough times that for my work, I want more height. Also, in comparing different factory cabs, the new LS cab didn't impress me as much as some other brands.

But anyhow, that won't effect you since you're not looking for a cab.

Parking brake location: I didn't like it at first, but like anything, once you get used to it it's a non issue.

Seat: it doesn't fold up because it's a suspension seat, much better than one of those standard spring folding seats.

Brake to get off: nope, as long as the tractor isn't moving (pushing the HST pedals) you can get off without doing anything else. Otherwise, the seat safety switch will shut the tractor off if you're butt isn't in the seat while pushing the pedals.

Are you still thinking about the cab tractor? If so I may be interested in yours

YardBikeBob · Jan 28, 2014

I own an LS4041H, purchased new in September '13, with the Tier 3 motor and have no complaints. Just turning 50 hours.

The tractor with loader weighs about 5,100 pounds. My tires are not loaded. Pulling a 700 pound box blade, all 4 wheels will spin if it gets hung up. Turns a 12" PHD at 1,500 RPM no problem. Swinging a 6' rotary cutter through very tall grass was no problem (2,400 RPM ~ 540 PTO RPM), now maintaining is a breeze.

4-cylinder Mitsu motor is 2.5L; note that is a larger displacement than competitors. I like it being 'only' 41 horse as would seem the motor is under-stressed. Hydraulic GPM figure is identical to 47 horse so I'm glad I didn't bother; would just spin the tires faster? Loader rated at 2,500 pounds, 3pt 2,750 pounds (same as 47HP); seems well balanced for chassis. Really like the larger tires over R3039. Really like the HST tranny. 3 speeds have been enough for me. Cockpit is tight. Get used to it. Brakes on left natural for HST. Fuel tank could be a little more than 9+ gallons.

Paid $19,500 at Webster Country Tractor, Missouri. Would buy from them again. $3.5K cheaper than DK45, $5K cheaper than L series Kubota with much weaker specs. Better warranty.

Wish it was mechanically quieter (no sound deadening under hood). Wish cockpit was roomier (Simple mod to get an extra inch of seat adjustment - thx TSO). Wish it had articulated loader arms to keep the bucket parallel to ground when lifting (e.g. Kioti DK55). Wish bucket had more curl. Wish it had a tool box and a reasonable cup holder. Wish I was skinnier & just as pretty.

Thrilled I avoided the Tier 4 motor.

YMMV!

Bob

ProdaddyTX · Jan 28, 2014

YardBikeBob said:
I own an LS4041H, purchased new in September '12, with the Tier 3 motor and have no complaints. Just turning 50 hours.

The tractor with loader weights about 5,100 pounds. My tires are not loaded. Pulling a 700 pound box blade, all 4 wheels will spin if it gets hung up. Turns a 12" PHD at 1,500 RPM no problem. Swinging a 6' rotary cutter through very tall grass was no problem (2,400 RPM ~ 540 PTO RPM), now maintaining is a breeze.

4-cylinder Mitsu motor is 2.5L; note that is a larger displacement than competitors. I like it being 'only' 41 horse as would seem the motor is under-stressed. Hydraulic GPM figure is identical to 47 horse so I'm glad I didn't bother; would just spin the tires faster? Loader rated at 2,500 pounds, 3pt 2,750 pounds (same as 47HP); seems well balanced for chassis. Really like the large tires over R3039. Really like the HST tranny. 3 speeds have been enough for me. Cockpit is tight. Get used to it. Brakes on left natural for HST. Fuel tank could be a little more than 9+ gallons.

Paid $19,500 at Webster Country Tractor, Missouri. Would buy from them again. $3.5K cheaper than DK45, $5K cheaper than L series Kubota with much weaker specs. Better warranty.

Wish it was mechanically quieter (no sound deadening under hood). Wish cockpit was roomier. Wish it had articulated loader arms to keep the bucket parallel to ground when lifting (e.g. Kioti DK55). Wish bucket had more curl. Wish it had a tool box and a reasonable cup holder. Wish I was skinnier & just as pretty.

Thrilled I avoided the Tier 4 motor.

YMMV!

Bob

HaHa! That's a great write-up, Bob. The bigger R's (41 & 47) have been a big winner, but they do have a couple little Nits to Pick IMO, which you mentioned....would be nice if the seat could be moved back a little farther for more leg room, the engine is a little louder than some of the other Mitsu's, and OH HOW I wish they'd integrate a toolbox in there somehow. Some of those other issues are being addressed on the XR's, such as hand brake placement and bucket rollback.

To the O.P., we haven't tried running a 7' tiller on an R series either, but I wouldn't be nervous about trying it....especially on the 4047. Another dealer hooked a few of them up to their dyno and they all made 3 or 4 more HP than claimed.