They have only been out a couple years and none have the amount of hours to have problems. When commercial applications buy them if they don't work out they sell and buy something else. They seldom take the time to express their feelings on preference. Its cost per performance. Why are dealers back shelfing them ? I have inquired at several NH dealerships and they never give a reason... just this is what we have left. I believe training new employees on repair, special tools, and stocking parts may have an effect on the sales volume. I don't think they received much positive advertising and the north - south Korea conflict don't help.
For the hours I use a machine it would last a lifetime but I choose to have New Holland and John Deere in my building. Just a personal preference and my two cents.
*** On a personal note. I have had more repairs on old Corvettes than any other vehicle. Does that mean I won't continue to stack them in my garage ? No, I am just a slow learner !
I'm having a difficult time understanding the point of your post. You seem to elude to the notion that there are problems with LS tractors, but that no one takes the time to fix them. Ironically, I've been thinking about the same topic for the last week or so. This forum is a bit boring, because no one seems to have problems with them. Granted, it is true that we are a relatively small community here on this forum. But it does seem to suggest that these are solid tractors.
I am around 100 hours on my r4047h. The tractor has been perfect so far. Not a single problem. Wait, I take that back, I did blow a fuse for the headlights.
Now, I should point out that I previously had an r4041 shuttle before I traded in for this tractor, and I had complained on the forum about the loader acting weird. After using this new tractor for a while, I have come to the conclusion that it was not an issue with the tractor, but it was an issue with me. I've noticed that when I have the RPM's up to a higher level, all of those issues go away. It does not present itself as much with the hydrostat because the RPM's are usually higher anyhow. I think I noticed the issues with the shuttle because I ran the shuttle at a continuously lower rpm. I think the problem was exacerbated by my previous tractor that I owned, which was a Kioti hydrostat. I think I was used to having the RPM's up higher and therefore the loader was always ready to work.
Speaking of that Kioti, I put around 200 hours on it in a year. That was a fine Tractor 2. However, it did have to go back to the dealer twice in that time. Once for a blown seal in the steering shaft, which was leaking fluid all over the place, and once for an O ring gasket in the quick couplers for the loader hydraulics.
Based on my experience, and the lack of complaints of LS tractors compared to the Kioti forum, in which you will find many complaints..., it seems to suggest that LS makes a better tractor.
Similar to your Corvette analogy, stocking your barn with a John Deere over an LS, due mostly to blind loyalty or incorrect assumptions of quality... Suggests that you are more interested in having something flashy as opposed to something that works.
Lol, my Prius is rock solid dependable, but you sure have to put your ego aside when you drive around in one. It saves a heck of a lot of money verses a Corvette though, and it's definitely more reliable.
(although the bend helped as I can now open the hood without disengaging the guard)
