Looking to buy LS

rjohnson82 · May 27, 2012

Hey guys,
Until a few days ago, I've never heard of a LS Tractor. Is it true that LS makes some of the New Holland Tractors? I am in the market for a good used utility tractor for my small 6 acre horse farm. It will be used primarily for brush hoggin about 2 or 3 acres every few weeks and then just odds and ends FEL work. Ive been looking the Deere or Kubota route but just cant justify the $$$ right now. I came across a used LS on craigslist and am thinking about going to look at it. It is a 2009 LS R4020 Shuttle shift. I believe it is rated at 47 hp which is a bit more than what I was looking for but its better to have too much than too little right? I believe it has 280 hrs on it and it has a loader. The guy is asking $10,900. Seems like a pretty good deal? Is that price about right? Also, have there been any common problems, major or minor, that I should look for when testing it out? Thanks for all your help, guys!

Gary Fowler · May 27, 2012

I havent heard of any major or minor problems with LS so far other than standard small issues that are common to all. I had only one issue with the tach that sporadically worked till one TBN member got the fix which is a tyrap on a quick connect.

Gary Fowler · May 28, 2012

That 2009 should have another year of warranty on it also.
Not only does LS make models for NH but also for CaseIH and maybe others also. I dont keep up too much with the tractor manufacturers world like a lot of others here do.
Folks will say here dont buy chinese tractors because they dont hold up but in the same sentence say buy John Deere. JD has some deal with the chinese to make some of their equipment so is it the same shoddy materials. You bet, they arent importing steel to make them. Quality control might be better but poor quality steels are still used.
On petro-chemical construction sites, we accept Korean made products but do not use Chinese made steel as it has shown too many defective items made from their steel products. India, Korea, Japan all have good steel and modern facilities.

Gary Fowler · May 28, 2012

Just make sure the guys isnt some scam artist. See it in person and get the serial numbers, run them by the local law enforcement for trace or make him produce the original bill of sale for you. Tractors are easily stolen and resold as they have no title in most states.

rjohnson82 · May 28, 2012

does the price sound good on the tractor?

k0ua · May 28, 2012

rjohnson82 said:
does the price sound good on the tractor?

The price seems low to me for that much tractor,, be carefull. A lot of these craiglist tractor deals are scams. They cannot produce the tractor, or as Gary said if they can produce the tractor, get the serial numbers and give them to law enforcement, take your cell phone with you.. of course it could be someone just really hard up for money. But watch out, have your "spider sense" on overdrive, and your BS detector tuned to a high value. Might be a very good deal..or something fishy.. Gary do you have an idea of a price for a 47 horse late model LS with only 280 hours and a FEL? I am thinking that tractor sold for High 20's only 3 years ago.?

By the way is this your tractor?

2009 compact tractor 47hp

Here is another.. 2010 only 1 hour.. but note the price

Used 2010 LS R4020 for Sale in Gettysburg, PA Buy a LS R4020 Tractor with 1 miles

be carefull and check it out..

James K0UA

k0ua · May 28, 2012

Here is one with a hydro.. so worth about 1000 more..

2010 LS R4020 Tractor for sale in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

And a shuttle

Carroll Equipment

Don't know how many hours these have...of course.. but 280 hours if properly maintained is not all that many.

James K0UA

rjohnson82 · May 28, 2012

you got it. thats the one on craigs list. It looks somewhat legit. The guy gives his name and local phone #. I'm gonna call him tomorrow and see if he still has it. I'll let you guys know. How would I know if theres a major engine/transmission/pto problem? Any suggestions? I have been around farm tractors all of my life but these newer ones and a bit more complicated.
Thanks

20 20 · May 28, 2012

I noticed Carroll equipment was mentioned, be very cautious when dealing with them.

I have the LS and so far feel it is a straight forward deal, no problems as of yet.

k0ua · May 28, 2012

rjohnson82 said:
you got it. thats the one on craigs list. It looks somewhat legit. The guy gives his name and local phone #. I'm gonna call him tomorrow and see if he still has it. I'll let you guys know. How would I know if theres a major engine/transmission/pto problem? Any suggestions? I have been around farm tractors all of my life but these newer ones and a bit more complicated.
Thanks

The only thing I would suggest is if possible and he has an implement like a rotary cutter to ask him to hook it up and try it out a bit, run thru every thing on the transmission. see how it runs and plays.. if this thing is legit, it sounds like a heck of a deal to me. Be sure to ask about how it has been serviced.. If he starts talking about doing the 50 hour service. Ask about were the hydraulic and engine oil filters changed.. I don't know about LS but on a kubota they are painted the frame color, but the replacements are not. Ask if the fluid was changed.. again I don't know LS's schedule, but on a newer Kubota, they now call for hydraulic fluid change at 400 hours. My Kioti still calls for 50 hour change out of the fluid. Again just be all eyes and ears. and spend as much time with the machine as you can.. the price seems low..very low to me for such a nice tractor

James K0UA