Trying to decide between S3010 or G3033

[dodger454]

Getting real close to buying a LS but not sure which one would be best? My concern is the engines.3010 has 4cyl Mitsu and 3033 has 3cyl LS motor.This will hopefully be a long term investment and I want to be able to get parts down the line.I plan on getting it equipt with,FEL,backhoe,6' finish mower,and a snow blade for the FEL,horsepower is lower on 3010 but not much.The "R" series is out of my price range,any opinions? I also thought about a G3038 but no one local has one in stock.:confused2: Thanks!

 

[Jhiphop72]

I myself am doing the something similar for my purchase but have decided to go gear G3033 the difference in the engines does not worry me since I now know the 3 cyl is an LS copy of an mitsu design. my gues it might have something to do with licsence rights for the engines, since the models that LS indicates are mitsu engines, LS would in turn pay mitsu for using the name in the marketing, and driving up the cost. Since the 3 cyl is made by LS there would be no extra cost, and that pricing structure would better fit the "value" line. Like you the R3039 is out of my price range and I actually prefer the smaller frame and turning radius for where I'll be doing the bulk of my loader work and the 3 point implements I would be running wouldn't change between the G series and an R3039.. ****edit also forgot to mention I prefer the 3 ranges vs the 2 on the S3010. (if the S3010 had 3 ranges I'd be getting it.)

 

[cowpatty]

I too am trying to decide between the s3010 and the g3033. Only a 600.00 difference. Any other noticable major differences you all have noted?

 

[Jhiphop72]

I have since learned the s3010 is being discontinued and the G3033's are hard to come by. Battleboro is out. The dealer I have been working with told me he wouldnt have any for at least a month. (thats what LS told him) He offered a G3038 for 600 over his qouted price for the 3033 since he had those in stock.. soon as my bank comes thru I will be placing my order.

 

[Solinski]

Getting real close to buying a LS but not sure which one would be best? My concern is the engines.3010 has 4cyl Mitsu and 3033 has 3cyl LS motor.This will hopefully be a long term investment and I want to be able to get parts down the line.I plan on getting it equipt with,FEL,backhoe,6' finish mower,and a snow blade for the FEL,horsepower is lower on 3010 but not much.The "R" series is out of my price range,any opinions? I also thought about a G3038 but no one local has one in stock.:confused2: Thanks!

dodger454, Have you purchased a tractor yet? :thumbsup:The details?
Solinski

 

[dodger454]

Solinski I bought the G3033,with FEL,grill guard,FEL,BH,6"finish mower,and snow-plow.It was delivered Late OCT.Got to mow once,did alot of FEL work. I have 23 hours so far and think it's a great tractor,lot's of power,will pick up a full bucket of gravel with no hesitation.No problems to report,did a little "pimpin".Front and rear rops lights,made a bracket that bolts to the frame on the back of the fuel tank and holds 2 ammo cans,bucket hooks and cupholder. The G was about $900 more than than the S and already had the BH attached.The BH did add about 7k to the price.

 

[Solinski]

Hi dodger454, Thanks for info on your LS G3033! Did you consider the HST trans.? I hear so much positive about HST but I really like the simplicity and fuel economy of a gear trans. So I'm still bogged down on deciding whether HST or gear trans.? Good luck!
Solinski

 

[Gary Fowler]

Probably best that if you are even contemplating the HST, go with it. You are either gear or not. Personally I prefer gear and wont consider an HST but if you are at the point of considering the two, go for the HST and you will surely like it.

 

[LittleBlueTractor]

Hi dodger454, Thanks for info on your LS G3033! Did you consider the HST trans.? I hear so much positive about HST but I really like the simplicity and fuel economy of a gear trans. So I'm still bogged down on deciding whether HST or gear trans.? Good luck!
Solinski

Unless you have some physical considerations, you might want to let the primary tasks you intend to use the tractor for determine which drive system to go with. FOR ME, hogging, plowing, skidding trees, etc..., points toward gear. Detailed loader/grapple work, snow removal (though I have no experience with snow), etc..., might have me considering HST.

Did read something weird in the upper forums about a guy the broke the crank shaft on his Kubota HST by bogging it down till it died doing loader work. Not sure whether HST had anything to do with it though.

 

[dodger454]

I never gave HST a thought,the dealer didn't have any in S or G series in HST and my old Allis and International BH were gear,guess that's what I'm used to.Plus the price difference allowed me to buy a snowplow for it. BTW I take full responsibility for little to no snow in Western Pa this year:laughing: If I wouldn't have bought the plow,we'd still be digging out.:thumbsup:

 

[Solinski]

Hi Gary,Dodger,Lil blue Thanks for input on HST or Gear. My primary use for the LS 3033 is cutting 9 acres of weeds(arid land with most weeds less than 18 inches tall). Yet to decide flail or rotary? I'm even considering the LS 2020 since I really don't need a tractor as big as LS3033. I could haul the LS 2020 on a trailer with my 1998 Toyota Tacoma V6 but not the LS3033. Keep them opinions coming!
Solinski

 

[joemd11]

I never gave HST a thought,the dealer didn't have any in S or G series in HST and my old Allis and International BH were gear,guess that's what I'm used to.Plus the price difference allowed me to buy a snowplow for it. BTW I take full responsibility for little to no snow in Western Pa this year:laughing: If I wouldn't have bought the plow,we'd still be digging out.:thumbsup:

No snow but lots of mud. Sure hope this Spring is a little dryer or I'll be offering a tractor and flail mower for sale - cheap!

 

[Solinski]

Hi joemd11, It seems the experienced tractor owners lean towards gear trans. Unless I hear some incredible glowing reports on how much better HST is than gear, I'm definitely leaning towards gear trans. The price difference on the LS3033 between HST and gear is enough to buy a rotary cutter or a good portion of a flail mower. Its been so dry here in Northern Ca. we would be glad to have some mud. What brand flail (& type cutters) do you have and how do you like it? Thanks for your input!
Solinski

 

[vwnotrunning]

I grew up on gear and thought that was all there was. Went with intentions of getting a gear / shuttle. Tried the HST. Loader work, matching a specific speed at full power, close quarters all seem alot better with the HST. I am very glad the local dealer did not have the shuttle in stock when I decided to pull the trigger. I got the I3040H and it has the cruise control, makes it nice to set ground speed and not have to keep a foot on the pedal.

 

[Solinski]

Hi vwnotrunning, Thanks for input! From gear to HST! What is the primary work you do with your LS I3040H? How many hours per year do you put on your tractors? What implements do you have? Good luck with LS I3040H!
Solinski (hobby rancher)

 

[LittleBlueTractor]

I got the I3040H and it has the cruise control, makes it nice to set ground speed and not have to keep a foot on the pedal.

So how does the cruise control thing work? I do something like cc by setting my throttle lever to turn the PTO at 540 rpms when using the cutter, but I have to change gears to vary my ground speed. Can you change your ground speed on the fly with the cc on your I3040H? Is the cc a lever, knob, dial, or something else entirely?