Fractured LS 3039 Frame

radios1 · Apr 24, 2019

Ford850 said:
Be sure to add the extra plates they use to add support now. See the long thread below about LS sometimes supplying those plates even when the tractors were out of warranty. This is a well know and widespread issue by LS.
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/ls-tractor-owning-operating/298742-ls-frame-issue-video.html

they should have designed the frame properly before they started manufacturing it, though!.. cost savings?..

ruffdog · Apr 24, 2019

Bentley Meredith said:
I just hope I think twice around mud next time.

They say pictures are worth a thousand words......after seeing the mud pictures, I only had MORE questions. Good you are getting it fixed.:thumbsup:

Ford850 · Apr 24, 2019

radios1 said:
they should have designed the frame properly before they started manufacturing it, though!.. cost savings?..

From reviewing the several threads and comments from dealers and manufacturer reps, it sounds like the loader frame focused stress on the tractor frame at a bad spot. The plates are really extending the loader frames out past that flex point. There was also a comment from a rep who said they have more issues with the 4xxx than the 3xxx models. Either way, those extension plates are welded on to the loader frames of several models, allowing for an extra bolt placement in the tractor frames.

Industrial Toys · Apr 24, 2019

An ag tractor had a loader added to move manure and bales. It was NEVER intended to be an earth moving machine. It's actually EXACTLY what the name implies, a "LOADER".

Look at tractor history books. The design is all wrong.

ruffdog · Apr 24, 2019

Maybe the frame break happened BEFORE it went in the mud! The break caused the OP to lose control of the steering at then he went in the mud hole. He was lucky to survive the ordeal. The manufacturer should be happy to cover the costs...........:stirthepot:

Bentley Meredith · Apr 24, 2019

If I was still drinking, I can guarantee you that would have been the rap I laid on the dealer!

ruffdog said:
Maybe the frame break happened BEFORE it went in the mud! The break caused the OP to lose control of the steering at then he went in the mud hole. He was lucky to survive the ordeal. The manufacturer should be happy to cover the costs...........:stirthepot:

radios1 · Apr 25, 2019

Industrial Toys said:
An ag tractor had a loader added to move manure and bales. It was NEVER intended to be an earth moving machine. It's actually EXACTLY what the name implies, a "LOADER".

Look at tractor history books. The design is all wrong.

but then you see the strong teeth on the loader, and realize they are for moving earth!..

PCABE5 · Apr 25, 2019

radios1 said:
I'd rather have a tractor from a manufacturer that is not known for making defective tractors. to each his own though..

Which manufacturer is that?

radios1 said:
they should have designed the frame properly before they started manufacturing it, though!.. cost savings?..

Is it a design or material issue? Cost savings, I doubt it.

You seem to come across with a lot of finger pointing with no RCA, root cause analysis. Where we're you when John Deere had a frame issue.

ovrszd · Apr 25, 2019

PCABE5 said:
Which manufacturer is that? Is it a design or material issue? Cost savings, I doubt it.

You seem to come across with a lot of finger pointing with no RCA, root cause analysis. Where we're you when John Deere had a frame issue.

I don't think the LA145 ever had frame issues.....

sd455dan · Apr 25, 2019

PCABE5 said:
Which manufacturer is that? Is it a design or material issue? Cost savings, I doubt it.

You seem to come across with a lot of finger pointing with no RCA, root cause analysis. Where we're you when John Deere had a frame issue.

Speaking of frame design...

Anyone know if any CUT's old or new have a cast steel / iron front cradle that mounts the front axle like many utility tractors?

Or are they all built using welded/fabbed up steel assemblies?

Caveman3250 · Apr 29, 2019

Wow! Looks pretty messed up. My LS almost broke in half once when using bucket to lift. Weak point there where yours broke. Was able to straighten out and add reinforcement to both sides to repair and prevent further problems. Had to replace fan, shroud where they hit. Then later the cross member that the axle front pivot was attached to broke causing the front axle assembly to tear loose breaking the drive shaft inside the axle and tearing fittings off of power steering cylinder. Fixed those and rewelded cross bar back and worked fine again. LS is a pretty weak tractor in my opinion. Won’t buy another. It’s broken now in shop with timing issue. Good luck!

Bentley Meredith · Jun 9, 2019

Well, $4200 and 9 weeks after I got it stuck my RS is running again!

ovrszd · Jun 9, 2019

Awesome. Thanks for the update!!!

VIEWQUEST · Sep 1, 2019

The reason IMHO that these tractor frames are cracking and breaking is because of a poorly designed/engineered loader frame mount. The frame mount as shown in blue in your picture should have extended all the way to the top of the front axle area. Anything shorter than this will act as a fulcrum point on the frame at the lower edge of where the mount is bolted. It doesn't matter if the tractor is "smaller" or "bigger", a poor design is a poor design. The Korean engineers need to go back to physics class and study up on lever arms.
In fact I've noticed that LS has started to change this mounting system on some of their newer models.

Bentley Meredith · Sep 1, 2019

I will state it again. This frame broke because this 39hp tractor was pulled out of 3 feet of mud at a bad angle by a 150hp JD tractor. Period. Maybe there are LS frame issues, but this had nothing to do with a bad frame, this had to do with a bad, rushed extraction, plain and simple. I don't like to see a Manufacture get blamed for something that was not there fault.

Having said that, my starter went bad 2 weeks after this was fixed. I called to find out how much OEM was, they said $1567. I seriously laughed and ask them again what the price was. They said that is a correct price for the part. Got one on Amazon new for $137. For this reason alone I would never buy an LS tractor again. And I love mine.

jaydee325 · Sep 1, 2019

Ridiculous priced parts are not an exclusive to LS. Look across this website and you will find many examples!:2cents:

Bentley Meredith said:
I will state it again. This frame broke because this 39hp tractor was pulled out of 3 feet of mud at a bad angle by a 150hp JD tractor. Period. Maybe there are LS frame issues, but this had nothing to do with a bad frame, this had to do with a bad, rushed extraction, plain and simple. I don't like to see a Manufacture get blamed for something that was not there fault.

Having said that, my starter went bad 2 weeks after this was fixed. I called to find out how much OEM was, they said $1567. I seriously laughed and ask them again what the price was. They said that is a correct price for the part. Got one on Amazon new for $137. For this reason alone I would never buy an LS tractor again. And I love mine.

lilranch2001 · Sep 1, 2019

I HAVE TO CHUCKLE EVERY TIME I READ A POST FROM ONE OF THE GREENIES OR ORANGES THAT ACT LIKE THEIR "FAVORITE COLOR" NEVER HAS MADE A MODEL WITH A POOR DESIGN OR BAD PARTS....

i GUESS THEY DO NOT READ MUCH ON THE TBM SITE REGARDING THEIR OWN COLORS!
:laughing:

Bentley Meredith · Sep 1, 2019

A moot point I guess. Having seen your post...I guess I am glad this will be the last tractor I ever purchase.

jaydee325 said:
Ridiculous priced parts are not an exclusive to LS. Look across this website and you will find many examples!:2cents:

goeduck · Sep 1, 2019

Bentley Meredith said:
I will state it again. This frame broke because this 39hp tractor was pulled out of 3 feet of mud at a bad angle by a 150hp JD tractor. Period. Maybe there are LS frame issues, but this had nothing to do with a bad frame, this had to do with a bad, rushed extraction, plain and simple. I don't like to see a Manufacture get blamed for something that was not there fault.

Having said that, my starter went bad 2 weeks after this was fixed. I called to find out how much OEM was, they said $1567. I seriously laughed and ask them again what the price was. They said that is a correct price for the part. Got one on Amazon new for $137. For this reason alone I would never buy an LS tractor again. And I love mine.

I do not know if I would throw in the towel on LS tractors given what I see in this thread. The tractor clearly was broken by an incorrect attachment/pull direction. As to the starter, someone had to be looking up the wrong thing if they quoted $1567 unless that was an installed price with a slower than book installer (not sure what book would be, but it seems high). I do not have an LS but I have formed a positive opinion based on the many happy LS owners out there. Every brand has pros and cons.

Bentley Meredith · Sep 2, 2019

Yes, just as I have stated several times in this thread.

You obviously don't believe me, I called 3 different dealers. I encourage you to call one up and ask them yourself.

goeduck said:
I do not know if I would throw in the towel on LS tractors given what I see in this thread. The tractor clearly was broken by an incorrect attachment/pull direction. As to the starter, someone had to be looking up the wrong thing if they quoted $1567...