Would you buy an LS again?

[danisiri]

I have owned a XR4040H since Mar 2015. I've only been able to put 35hours on it, because it keeps having problems - the worse of which is a problem with the DPF and ending up in limp mode. I've had it go to the dealer a few times and they've come out to my place before too. They're still trying to figure out what's wrong.

When it works, it's a great tractor. But, with the bumper-to-bumper warranty ending, I am leery of it failing again. The dealer has been fantastic in trying to help us reach a resolution.

Anyway, we are thinking we have a lemon and just want to trade it in. We would go for another LS, probably a XU6168CPS, but with the dealer 40 miles away and having to have it transported for service, I wonder if I should just pay 15-25% more for a major brand that has a dealer in town. In town, I can get pretty much every other brand and they are all about six miles from my farm.

But, I'm also thinking I would get more on a trade-in from a LS dealer than someplace else.

What is everyone's opinion?

 

[BoylermanCT]

I have a Montana 2844 which was made by LS. I bought it for $9K with 175 hours on it and have put on a hundred hours or so. It has been 100% reliable for me, only issue has been 2 hydraulic hoses that went. Mine was named the little giant by Montana, and that describes it nicely. It is larger than all of the other tractors in the 25-30hp range I looked at. It can lift over 2000 lbs with the FEL, much higher than the other tractors in its range. Of course, keeping the back end on the ground is a requirement, but the 3 point lift is 2600 lbs, so I can add a lot of weight if necessary.

Sorry your experience has been different. 40 miles vs 6 is a big difference, so I would take a look at the other brands. There are a lot of good tractors out there. LS happens to be at the top of the list for bang for the buck. I've heard similar things for Mahindra. Deere and Kubota will be more expensive, but they are good machines too. I would visit the dealers and buy from the one you like the most.

 

[cford36]

I have just over 20 hours on my 3135 so not too much experience with it, but I love it. Like anything mechanical, tractor, car, boat, etc. every manufacturer has had a lemon and a nightmare for a customer. You just hope you never get it. Look at it this way what are the odds that you could get 2 lemons? :thumbsup:

 

[George2615]

Sorry to hear of your limp mode problem.
I have the XR3037HC. Bought in Feb 2014 so, just over 3 years old now. I have about 190 hours on it and (Knock on wood) it has never gone into limp mode nor been to a dealer for any trouble or repairs. Has your dealer spoken with an LS rep about the problem with your 4040? I'd guess it is an ECU problem but I'm not a tractor mechanic. There have been very few electrical problems with LS that I've read about so maybe you're the unfortunate person to get one. I wouldn't hesitate to trade it in on an XU6168CPS but you're going to have to make that call. You mentioned you will have to pay the 15-25% for a closer major brand plus more loss trading the LS in at one of those dealers. At only 35 hours they should give a decent trade in on that XU.
I consider my LS on par with JD, Mahindra and Kubota but at a much better price. Once their reputation gets built up they will get closer in price.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I bought one of the first LS tractors out (2010 P7010) and other than some major mishandling on my part, nothing has needed repair. I did break a front drive shaft pulling a stump in L1 just creaping forward and the chain broke causing the front drive shaft to shear. Broke the drawbar belly mount bracket trying to pull out a stuck 18 yard dump truck. Both items were repaired under warranty by my dealer (more on this to follow). The fuel tank also leaked (I got a new tank still in the box that I have not installed ) but while waiting for the new tank to come in, I JBWELDed the cracked spots and did some re-engineering on the weed guard which LS also changed up with the new design. Other than that, a seat bracket broke, I welded it up but they sent me a new one anyway at no cost.

No problem ever with the powertrain or hydraulics (LS doesn't consider the front drive shaft to be part of the powertrain) but the dealer fixed it on his dime. All in, I would buy another one if I ever needed a new tractor.

 

[Cataclysm]

I would definitely buy an LS again. BIL is looking at a SCUT and we are looking hard at LS but that is his call.

I agree with what everyone above is saying. LS's call is bang for the buck. With tractors the higher price pays for the bigger dealer networks.

It is unfortunate that your dealer doesn't have the knowledge to fix the tractor. Something's wrong with it and it can be reparied. There are very few problems reported with those tractors. While I am not a certified tractor mechanic, I would love to have that tractor in my shop with a key to the computer software.

Seems like your not happy with the LS, sounds like it may be time for a change. Best of luck with your decision.

 

[alexsbuddy]

I have a 2015 model XG3037 (bought new in April 2015) and have 120 hours on it. Absolutely love it. Have past experience with Ford, Case, and JD, and my LS is every bit as good, if not better.

Only issue I have had is that it went into limp mode twice (both times while brush hogging tall grass). As it turned out, the screen on the front of the radiator was clogged causing the high water temp safety sensor to put it into limp mode to cool down. Figured it out from the pictures of the dashboard that I took each time it went into limp mode....didn't notice the temp gauge till I looked at the pictures.

Needless to say, I keep a better eye on the temp gauge and periodically stop and clean the screen when mowing. Have had no issue since.

Sorry your experience hasn't been the best. Tough decision to make and I wish you the best.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

(LS doesn't consider the front drive shaft to be part of the powertrain)

How is that possible?! Do you know if this is true of other manufacturers?

 

[danisiri]

Sorry to hear of your limp mode problem.
I have the XR3037HC. Bought in Feb 2014 so, just over 3 years old now. I have about 190 hours on it and (Knock on wood) it has never gone into limp mode nor been to a dealer for any trouble or repairs. Has your dealer spoken with an LS rep about the problem with your 4040? I'd guess it is an ECU problem but I'm not a tractor mechanic. There have been very few electrical problems with LS that I've read about so maybe you're the unfortunate person to get one. I wouldn't hesitate to trade it in on an XU6168CPS but you're going to have to make that call. You mentioned you will have to pay the 15-25% for a closer major brand plus more loss trading the LS in at one of those dealers. At only 35 hours they should give a decent trade in on that XU.
I consider my LS on par with JD, Mahindra and Kubota but at a much better price. Once their reputation gets built up they will get closer in price.

The dealer's mechanics have plugged in their computers and tested all the wiring. They keep ordering part after part from LS to get it fixed, but it is still giving problems.

I so want to give LS another chance (who wants to pay more money). But, I also want piece of mind, lol. It's a tough choice. If I stayed local, I'd probably go Kubota. I know a lot of the guys at the NH dealership, but aren't most of the NH tractors just more expensive LS tractors with NH skin?

 

[George2615]

The dealer's mechanics have plugged in their computers and tested all the wiring. They keep ordering part after part from LS to get it fixed, but it is still giving problems.

I so want to give LS another chance (who wants to pay more money). But, I also want piece of mind, lol. It's a tough choice. If I stayed local, I'd probably go Kubota. I know a lot of the guys at the NH dealership, but aren't most of the NH tractors just more expensive LS tractors with NH skin?

Yes, The Boomer and some Workmaster series have LS roots.

 

[danisiri]

Yes, The Boomer and some Workmaster series have LS roots.

Does anyone know if the T4 is also built by LS? The T4.75 would likely be the one to which I would upgrade if I went NH.

 

[PJSprog]

Like cford36, my XR3135HC is relatively new (7 months, and less than 20 hours). However, it's been great so far. Sorry your experience has been otherwise. If I had to buy another compact utility tractor, it would probably be another LS.

 

[George2615]

Does anyone know if the T4 is also built by LS? The T4.75 would likely be the one to which I would upgrade if I went NH.

No, its built by NH

 

[Underdog57]

I like my 2013 LS and would definitely buy another one, but mine has no anti-pollution junk on it and it seems that most of the complaints I read about here are with the regen cycles and / or limp mode.

I don't read the other tractor specific forums to know if the other manufacturers are having this problem also.

I would hope that they could find a better way of meeting the emission rules without those stupid regen cycles.

So glad I bought mine before they put this crap on tractors!

 

[JhnMhn]

4140 gear with cab bought last June & have put just under 200 trouble free hrs on it. Have worked it hard with dirt moving, road building, tree/log moving, and snow plowing and blowing. No Tier 4 problems and love not breathing diesel stink. Have owned a Deere, and used Kubotas. I love this tractor and would buy it again in a heartbeat.

 

[rgr33]

After reading of your issues with your LS, I'm not sure whether the problem is the dealers service dept. inability to find the core problem, or it is possible you just bought the dreaded lemon.
I have a 2012 g3033h, that has never been back to the dealer shop since they day I bought it. The only thing that ever needed to be fixed was an o ring that leaked, which I did myself.

This is one of 2 tractors that are operated in my commercial vineyard by many different employees over the years, which increases the odds of some kind of product failure. Yet so far, nothing needed other than regular servicing, which I do myself.
I wouldn't blame you for going with a different brand next time, but if the financially, the deal favors LS, I am certain you won't see the same issues on the next model.

 

[danisiri]

After reading of your issues with your LS, I'm not sure whether the problem is the dealers service dept. inability to find the core problem, or it is possible you just bought the dreaded lemon.
I have a 2012 g3033h, that has never been back to the dealer shop since they day I bought it. The only thing that ever needed to be fixed was an o ring that leaked, which I did myself.

This is one of 2 tractors that are operated in my commercial vineyard by many different employees over the years, which increases the odds of some kind of product failure. Yet so far, nothing needed other than regular servicing, which I do myself.
I wouldn't blame you for going with a different brand next time, but if the financially, the deal favors LS, I am certain you won't see the same issues on the next model.

I've thought about that as well. The dealer said they have only seen one other LS have the exact same regen issue, which was also the same model (XR4040H). Ironically, it was originally purchased by one of their diesel mechanics. But, what they did to fix his tractor is not working for mine. Supposedly they have changed every possible component except the ECU, to no avail. They have a new ECU on order.

I do suspect I have a lemon, though, and am quite leery to take it back home if they think they have it "fixed".

 

[danisiri]

I wouldn't blame you for going with a different brand next time, but if the financially, the deal favors LS, I am certain you won't see the same issues on the next model.

Therein lies my dilemma. On paper, LS is the best value - specs, features, etc. I've read great things on LS from members of TBN. I bought an LS because of those high accolades. As I said in a previous post, I so want to give LS another chance, but man, is it worth the risk?

 

[George2615]

One question no one asked is, if you do decide to trade it in what are your reasons for such a big jump to an XU6168CPS?
The XU series are not hydrostatic like the 4040. The XU does have greater loader and 3 pt lift. The XR4145, 4150, 4155 are available in hydro with more HP than the 4040 with the same loader and 3 pt. capacities.
Hopefully replacing the ECU your Dealer has ordered will solve the problem.
Have you asked the dealer what happens if the ECU doesn't solve the problem. At that point the Dealer or LS should be willing to take it back or offer you full value on a trade in or propose some other solution.

 

[Budlight592]

What dealer are you working with? I am getting close to pulling the trigger on a XR4155HC but having communication issues with some of the local dealers.