6168 CPS first 50 hours

[3Lfarms]

Got the first 50 hours under my belt and the tractor is working great. No problems whatsoever thus far. It had its first regeneration at 48.5 hours. The first 25 or so hours was mostly idling and light loader work that never got it hot. A day of mowing with the ditch mower made it work for its supper and the temp would sit on the middle line of the gauge. Normally the temp gauge sits below that. I found that at full PTO rpm(or more) it uses about 2 gallons an hour mowing. If I back the RPMS down about 200 under PTO speed, it uses much less fuel.

Thus far I have added an LED light bar on top and some LED work lights to the rear, a Bluetooth radio and upgraded the speakers to 5 1/4s. It sounds really good now.
I filled the rear tires with WW fluid. That took about 60 gallons per tire and gives around 800 lbs.
At this point I honestly can't think of any complaints and I have spent about 25 hours in the last two weekends mowing and dragging the old Ford subsoiler around my 10 acre field to get it ready to seed about 6 weeks from now.
Anyway, now I have to do the 50 hour service. We'll see how that goes.
Here is a picture with exactly 50 hours on the clock.

 

[Snowman87]

Thanks for sharing. You should share some of your light bar pictures at night

 

[3Lfarms]

I was going to use it the other night, and before it got really dark, I broke my last shear bolt for the subsoiler. Then I gave up and went inside. I have never driven it at night to see what it is like.

 

[Doofy]

3Lfarms, how would a single tooth subsoiler work for cutting roots and removing small(2-6") tree stumps? Our trees have no taproots and the roots they do have are right below the surface. Sounds like a subsoiler may be less work than digging out with a backhoe.

 

[3Lfarms]

I don't really know since I don't have any trees or big rocks. My three point hitch will lift over 4K lbs, so I do think if it couldn't cut through, it should lift it up.

 

[Doofy]

Thanks for the reply, 3Lfarms. I try to work smarter and since I'm new to the tractor scene, other people's opinions and experiences are very valuable to me. At any rate, a subsoiler looks to be a very useful implement and will be added to my wish list.

 

[3Lfarms]

I’m am going to keep adding to this thread since info is hard to come by on these larger LS machines.
Yesterday was the first good freeze, and it was in the high 20 s when I started her up yesterday morning. Apparently, there is a temperature sensor somewhere that prevents the power shuttle from going into gear when it’s cold. The neutral (N) light just flashes. That was the first time I had encountered that. There isn’t anything in the manual about it. After letting it idle for about 2 minutes, then bumping it up to about 1400 RPM for another 5 minutes and the light went to staying on steady and was ready to allow it to shift into gear.
The manual does talk about warm up times based on temperature. Between 30 and 50 degrees, it said idle it for 10 minutes before going to work. When it’s really cold, the manual said up to 30 minutes might be required. It just never mentions that it won’t allow you to put in in gear. No big deal. Just start it up and go back inside for a few minutes.

 

[rider7767]

Got the first 50 hours under my belt and the tractor is working great. No problems whatsoever thus far. It had its first regeneration at 48.5 hours. The first 25 or so hours was mostly idling and light loader work that never got it hot. A day of mowing with the ditch mower made it work for its supper and the temp would sit on the middle line of the gauge. Normally the temp gauge sits below that. I found that at full PTO rpm(or more) it uses about 2 gallons an hour mowing. If I back the RPMS down about 200 under PTO speed, it uses much less fuel.

Thus far I have added an LED light bar on top and some LED work lights to the rear, a Bluetooth radio and upgraded the speakers to 5 1/4s. It sounds really good now.
I filled the rear tires with WW fluid. That took about 60 gallons per tire and gives around 800 lbs.
At this point I honestly can't think of any complaints and I have spent about 25 hours in the last two weekends mowing and dragging the old Ford subsoiler around my 10 acre field to get it ready to seed about 6 weeks from now.
Anyway, now I have to do the 50 hour service. We'll see how that goes.
Here is a picture with exactly 50 hours on the clock.
View attachment 521355

That is a good looking tractor. Enjoy

 

[Deerherd]

I’m am going to keep adding to this thread since info is hard to come by on these larger LS machines.
Yesterday was the first good freeze, and it was in the high 20 s when I started her up yesterday morning. Apparently, there is a temperature sensor somewhere that prevents the power shuttle from going into gear when it’s cold. The neutral (N) light just flashes. That was the first time I had encountered that. There isn’t anything in the manual about it. After letting it idle for about 2 minutes, then bumping it up to about 1400 RPM for another 5 minutes and the light went to staying on steady and was ready to allow it to shift into gear.
The manual does talk about warm up times based on temperature. Between 30 and 50 degrees, it said idle it for 10 minutes before going to work. When it’s really cold, the manual said up to 30 minutes might be required. It just never mentions that it won’t allow you to put in in gear. No big deal. Just start it up and go back inside for a few minutes.

On my LS7030 CPS it will go into gear with the flashing (N) and operate but the manual says don’t run it hard. On really cold days (below freezing) a red light that looks something like a gear will come on also. The manual says not to operate the tractor under load while the red light is on, but can take over 30 minutes to warm up and for the light to go off.

Not sure if the operating differences are tied to the regeneration cycle on the newer tractor or not. Be safe and have fun.

 

[snowbelt geauga]

3Lfarms does your tractor have a lever on the outside by the 3pt arms to raise and lower the arms from the outside ? If so could you post a picture of the linkage ? My XU6158C doesn't have the lever want to see if the lever will work with my linkage. Thank You

 

[3Lfarms]

3Lfarms does your tractor have a lever on the outside by the 3pt arms to raise and lower the arms from the outside ? If so could you post a picture of the linkage ? My XU6158C doesn't have the lever want to see if the lever will work with my linkage. Thank You

It does have the lever, but the tractor is in winter storage at the farm. I won’t pull it out until March or so.

 

[snowbelt geauga]

Thank you for replying.

 

[3Lfarms]

3Lfarms does your tractor have a lever on the outside by the 3pt arms to raise and lower the arms from the outside ? If so could you post a picture of the linkage ? My XU6158C doesn't have the lever want to see if the lever will work with my linkage. Thank You

I got the tractor out today to move some large rocks for an upcoming landscaping project. I took some pictures of the rear three point control lever assembly. The backhoe is on, so it’s a little tight back there.

The whole handle assembly bolts to a small vertical tab welded onto the cab upright with the two gold colored bolts.
The last two pics show the rod with the three point handle in the full up and down positions. The rod moves the lever on the rock shaft housing forward and back about 1”.






On a separate note, the tractor started with no problems after sitting in the barn for two months and went into regeneration mode at 98.9 hours on the clock while moving rocks. No problems to date with the tractor.

 

[snowbelt geauga]

3L Thank You for the pictures. Everything is there on the tractor to mount the external control lever. My has started up with no problems with the temperatures in the single digits. Thanks again.

 

[SGTDuckButter]

LS should cut you a check, you have done more to sell their machine than any of their media. Thank You for taking the time.

 

[3Lfarms]

Funny you say that. I have thought about that, but now that I own one, it’s in my best interest for LS to succeed to be around to provide parts and service when I need it.
I even wrote LS a letter and praised them for a quality product, but critiqued their website for not listing available accessories and not providing much info other than a slick brochure. No pics or videos of the backhoe installed on a 6168. I had to purchase out of state (as recommended by the area rep) because the dealers nearest me had never sold a tractor larger than 55hp (no XU or P series machines). No one even had an XU on a lot. The dealer arranged for me to drive a customers 6168 CPS before I put a deposit down.

 

[SGTDuckButter]

I used to be a Traveling Fool, I was a Regional Sales Manager for a defunct company, product still survives. Google, Vac-All. We were not nearly as big as LS Mtron and had to be frugal. I started out the Demo Driver for the Vac/All and the truck would sell itself. These guys are still building a Dealer Network and it’s obvious the company stands behind their dealers and the dealers have voted the company best in customer service. Through out my life I have had a number of different jobs, I also worked in a manufacturing plant that made electronic bread boards for any customer that would need electronic parts built. LS Mtron makes the seriously complicated and heavy machines that but the tiny electronic components on a breadboard. Just looking at one of those machines in action makes me want to buy anything they manufacture. Also I was in the Army for most of the 1980’s and I was posted to Camp Humphreys, Korea for two years, I was one of the very few that owned and drove a car while I was there. The Korean people are very hard working people, I have seen them build cement houses as fast as the cement dries. We (the US)gave them the Germany/Japanese treatment and help them boost up their economy and now they build quality products. Although I have been around heavy equipment I have never owned a Tractor, so a test drive would not tell me anything. I depend on guys like you to rate the tractor, Thank You again for your time.

 

[3Lfarms]

Had my first issue with the the tractor. Has 133 hours on it and was backfilling a 400’ irrigation trench. The red exclamation point light and the light that looks like a gas pump illuminated, would not rev past 1400 RPM, and gave an error code of F02 and 97.
Quick search in the owners manual showed that the gas pump light means the fuel filter needs service. The 97 code means water in fuel sensor.
I drained the filter and water separator then pressed the primer button a dozen times and went back to work with no problems.
I fuel the tractor from a transfer tank in my pickup with a goldenrod filter/water separator. I know I had to drain a little water out of the goldenrod last time I filled the tractor, but I guess it doesn’t remove all of the water.
So just a self inflicted wound. The tractor never faltered so I think the tractor water separators did their job.

 

[Doofy]

Had my first issue with the the tractor. Has 133 hours on it and was backfilling a 400’ irrigation trench. The red exclamation point light and the light that looks like a gas pump illuminated, would not rev past 1400 RPM, and gave an error code of F02 and 97.
Quick search in the owners manual showed that the gas pump light means the fuel filter needs service. The 97 code means water in fuel sensor.
I drained the filter and water separator then pressed the primer button a dozen times and went back to work with no problems.
I fuel the tractor from a transfer tank in my pickup with a goldenrod filter/water separator. I know I had to drain a little water out of the goldenrod last time I filled the tractor, but I guess it doesn’t remove all of the water.
So just a self inflicted wound. The tractor never faltered so I think the tractor water separators did their job.

I would use a water-block filter in your Goldenrod on your transfer tank. Will not pump fuel through when full of water.

 

[SGTDuckButter]

I would use a water-block filter in your Goldenrod on your transfer tank. Will not pump fuel through when full of water.

Hey Doofy Iam in your backyard. I can only imagine how much it cost you to get your LS. Beautiful day up here today. Mt McKinley Wilderness Lodge