I am at the point of buying a tractor and I am considering LS because of price and quality of construction. What is stopping me is I dont know if the dealerships are reliable and if the company will be around in 20 years. Would like your opinion.
buying LS, smart or not
- Thread starter tjt35
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bp fick
Super Member
No one can answer you concerns about any company being around in 5 years, let alone 20 years.
As for dealerships, you'll have to ask some of their old customers, tour the place, interview the service manager and make your own best judgement.
As for dealerships, you'll have to ask some of their old customers, tour the place, interview the service manager and make your own best judgement.
rwork
Platinum Member
Well, I'll give you my point of view. I bought an LS R3039H, after looking at Kubota, Mahindra, Kioti, and Bobcat, and I've been more than pleased with my purchase. In case you are not aware, the LS Brand is fairly new (2009), but have been building tractors for a number of years for other Brands, i.e. New Holland Boomer Series, Branson, McCormick, Case International, and others. The company has been around for some time.
The parent company LS Mtron, is a subsidiary of LG.
I feel comfortable with my choice of tractor, and my dealer. They have been in business for 50yrs, and have carried most of the forementioned brands.
I had considered Bobcat, and just read this past week where Bobcat has chosen to discontinue their compact tractor line.
Nowadays most brands have a counterpart, so parts availability should be sustainable, even if a particular brand bows out.
Randy
The parent company LS Mtron, is a subsidiary of LG.
I feel comfortable with my choice of tractor, and my dealer. They have been in business for 50yrs, and have carried most of the forementioned brands.
I had considered Bobcat, and just read this past week where Bobcat has chosen to discontinue their compact tractor line.
Nowadays most brands have a counterpart, so parts availability should be sustainable, even if a particular brand bows out.
Randy
1fastbob
Bronze Member
buying LS, smart or not....I would say NOT. With that said, I do not own an LS or did I even consider buying one. The dealership will be EVERYTHING on an LS. No dealer, no service, no warranty, no deal.
Good answer fastbob you don't have to consider buying. I did, going on my second year with my LS and only seen or needed the dealer when I need filters. Can't say when if ever they quite selling tractors but they have been making them I would say at least 10 years in the US in other colors and there own blue.
1fastbob
Bronze Member
I forgot to mention....no dealer near me that I am aware of. I usually avoid off brands (yes that can cost me extra money). I hope your LS is trouble free.
houstonscott
Elite Member
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- Oglesby, Texas
- Tractor
- Kubota L3800, Kubota GR2120, Kubota RTV1100, Kubota 5100sc
You think buying a Kubota 35 years ago was smart? I think LS is in that same positions now. It's a no brainer, LS is an outstanding tractor, and I'd bet on the S. Koreans and LG (parent company) being around for a long time.
HS
HS
1fastbob
Bronze Member
I just noticed this is on the LS forum, missed that earlier. My post was not intended to irritate or offend any LS owners, just my opinion. LS dealer in Ponca City, Ok (135 miles away from me) is closing out his LS line at really good prices and advertising he is doing so cause he had a disagreement with LS and is getting rid of all his LS stuff. Just not interested in buying from a dealer involved in something like that no matter what the price. Who knows...LS might be a big player in the future or maybe not. My advise to the OP is check into the dealer. If you are confident in the dealer then by all means buy an LS if not maybe consider Kubota, John Deere, Mahindra or NH. My Kubota dealer is 12 miles away and that and Kubota's reputation were major influences in my decision to go Kubota. Mahindra dealer is 10 miles away but salesman was a jerk so I looked elsewhere. Best of luck to all you LS owners.
houstonscott
Elite Member
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2010
- Messages
- 3,674
- Location
- Oglesby, Texas
- Tractor
- Kubota L3800, Kubota GR2120, Kubota RTV1100, Kubota 5100sc
My son an I were in the same position in 2009, I am a car guy, did the heavy research with an open mind to find the best tractor at the 55hp level and bought a U5030. Fit, finish, weight, capacities, and quality of engine bubbled U5030 to top. Other tractors that impressed were MF1600's built by Iseki in Japan, outstanding small engines and quality of build. Nothing wrong with a Kubota either but not clearly superior in any category. The LS is over built, has a world class engine that is in equipment all over the world. Designed with modern CAD and assembled in a new automated factory. It's on the cutting edge of modern design quality assembly. The price is very attractive but going up as they establish in the market. There are two dealers close to us so that's not an issue. I understand the importance of service though, and it has to a factor unless you are going to do all your own work or can just order parts if needed.
HS
rwork
Platinum Member
yjt35, It's very easy for someone else to help you spend your money. It doesn't matter what color tractor you purchase. Just do your homework, find a machine that will do what YOU need to do, a dealer that you are comfortable with, and at a price that fits YOUR budget. Everyone's needs and tastes are different.
I first looked at different tractors to find the ones that met my needs and criteria. Then I decided which one gave me the most tractor for my money. A dealer that will be there if and when you need him is also very important.
That being said, spend some time looking at different tractors, and get a feel for the dealer. Hope you find one that will make you happy and give you lots of good service!
Randy
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I first looked at different tractors to find the ones that met my needs and criteria. Then I decided which one gave me the most tractor for my money. A dealer that will be there if and when you need him is also very important.
That being said, spend some time looking at different tractors, and get a feel for the dealer. Hope you find one that will make you happy and give you lots of good service!
Randy
Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet
Thank you Randy,
My specific difficulty is the dealer with which I am dealing is 2 hours away( im in Sandpoint Idaho). He makes trips approx. 2x/week for others and I am comfortable with him, but he is the only LS dealer around and that makes me nervous
My specific difficulty is the dealer with which I am dealing is 2 hours away( im in Sandpoint Idaho). He makes trips approx. 2x/week for others and I am comfortable with him, but he is the only LS dealer around and that makes me nervous
rwork
Platinum Member
That is understandable. I have a Kubota dealer about 15 minutes away ( I also own a Kubota by the way) but my LS dealer is about 60 miles away. Its not too bad, as I actually work about midway between home and the tractor dealer.
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rwork
Platinum Member
I forgot to ask, how long has you dealer been in business? Is he a new dealer?
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20 20
Elite Member
Well if your asking about LS tractors, I own one and feel it is a great little machine bought at a way better price then chosing a "name" brand.
Now if you're asking about a dealer, well I've seen "name" brand dealers that have been open for yrs that are the screwiest bunch around, quantity is the answer not quility. It's hard for a small time or 1st time tractor dealer to make it unless he has big corp backing him. Does this make the big guy a good dealer or just a shifty dealer that passes a lot of product?? I am not saying all dealers are bad but I will say (just like with walcrap) once the monopoly is victourious then where else does the consumer go? Does it make the product better because of the avaiblity of parts, or does it just mean that product will need parts? Things are not built to last, and IMHO the bigger the corp the faster the trade in(or wear out time) will happen. I Don't have a preference to any one "name" brand but I do have a preference in how much I'm being swindled out of. I allways ask myself if I'm paying for the product or paying for all the adverisement and BS hype?
Now if you're asking about a dealer, well I've seen "name" brand dealers that have been open for yrs that are the screwiest bunch around, quantity is the answer not quility. It's hard for a small time or 1st time tractor dealer to make it unless he has big corp backing him. Does this make the big guy a good dealer or just a shifty dealer that passes a lot of product?? I am not saying all dealers are bad but I will say (just like with walcrap) once the monopoly is victourious then where else does the consumer go? Does it make the product better because of the avaiblity of parts, or does it just mean that product will need parts? Things are not built to last, and IMHO the bigger the corp the faster the trade in(or wear out time) will happen. I Don't have a preference to any one "name" brand but I do have a preference in how much I'm being swindled out of. I allways ask myself if I'm paying for the product or paying for all the adverisement and BS hype?
Bob77064
Elite Member
Last December I got my LS R3039 gear, it was 2-3k cheaper than other brands. The dealer has been great, but I can't say what will happen down the road.
My local Kubota dealer sold LS for about a year, and has stopped carrying them. They looked like well made tractors, but if I had dropped serious money on one, and my dealer got out of them in a year, I'd be concerned and upset.
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