buying LS, smart or not

[Guesseral]

My Montana is an LS tractor 2 1/2 years 250 hours one oils seal leak is all I've had early on. Love the tractor, my dealer has been selling tractors for years from Long all the way to the LS now, great people good service. Napa crossed my filters and that is all that I have needed well I guess I did have to get the rear tire fixed a tree branch cought the valve stem and ripped it off, but that would have been my fault. Many happy owners here on TBN, there are our share of concerns but no where neer as many as others but then again there aren't as many LS tractors out there. LS is a growing company the same as Kubota was what 15, 20 years ago, LS also has the backing of a parent company LG and they are a multi-billion company in S Korea.
Buying a tractor is just like anything else, companies have good ones and sometimes a bad one. Everyone thinks the color of tractor they have is the best, but if they had bought a different color than what they have then that color would be the best it just tractor nature!
As has been said previously look at as many as you can, sit on them, drive them if possible, buy what you like the best if price is a determining factor so be it, but it shouldn't be the only factor. I really don't in MHO think there really is a bad tractor (for the most part) out there these days, there is just to much competition to make sub standard tractors.

 

[LittleBlueTractor]

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.

So long as the guy (ex-LS dealer) is willing to order LS parts for me I wouldn't be too concerned. I am curious as why he dropped the LS line, but not too sure you would get an honest answer from him if you asked. It could be the LS units just weren't selling, but it could also be that Kubota was none to happy about the competition of two brands at the same dealership. Then again it could be something completely different. I have argued in the "Buying/Pricing/Comparisons" forum that a dealer shouldn't stock and sell a brand they don't believe in because that's unfair to people looking for an unbiased opinion across brands.

On a totally unrelated note, I drive by a bunch of Kubota dealers in my travels around the Houston area and am amazed by the number of tractors they have on their lots. Never counted, but looks like 40-50 or more units. I always wonder if they really move that much inventory or just have huge selection on hand. I see tons of older looking (sun faded?) Kubotas in use, but really can't remember noticing any bright shiny new ones. I bought my LS in 2009 and figure it'll be with me till they sell off my estate -- hopefully many years from now.... :laughing:

 

[KILWERBZZ]

Search this site for history of all tractors. This link takes you to the LS page.
LS Tractors - Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki - The classic vehicle and machinery wiki

Love my LS blue.

 

[tjt35]

Thank you all very much. If there was only one more LS dealership around I would feel more confident in owning one. Not sure what to do

 

[BlackDogTx]

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.

I really get amused with people who offer their opinion when they do not own an LS. I also remember when Kubota was introduced in the USA, and most people felt the same way about them as you are saying about LS and look what a good product they make and service. By the way, I love my G3038H, does the job, solid, and does have a 5 year warranty. My dealer has been there for anything I need. I would by another LS anytime..

 

[Guesseral]

To the OP, you should call or email LS and see if there is another dealer closer there web site doesn't always show all of the dealers there might be one tucked in some corner somewhere never hurts to ask.

 

[1fastbob]

I really get amused with people who offer their opinion when they do not own an LS. I also remember when Kubota was introduced in the USA, and most people felt the same way about them as you are saying about LS and look what a good product they make and service. By the way, I love my G3038H, does the job, solid, and does have a 5 year warranty. My dealer has been there for anything I need. I would by another LS anytime..

I don't own a Yugo either and I'm pretty certain I could offer a pretty accurate opinion on one of the worst cars ever made. Now that being said I did NOT say LS was a bad tractor, just that the dealer will be everything on an "off brand" and currently (like it or not) the LS is an "off brand", or less popular brand if that makes you feel better. Typically parts, repair and warranty services are harder to come by on less popular brands and this makes having a good dealer all the more important. I am happy to have amused you.

 

[20 20]

I really get amused with people who offer their opinion when they do not own an LS.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[BlackDogTx]

I don't own a Yugo either and I'm pretty certain I could offer a pretty accurate opinion on one of the worst cars ever made. Now that being said I did NOT say LS was a bad tractor, just that the dealer will be everything on an "off brand" and currently (like it or not) the LS is an "off brand", or less popular brand if that makes you feel better. Typically parts, repair and warranty services are harder to come by on less popular brands and this makes having a good dealer all the more important. I am happy to have amused you.

Have to agree with you on the Yugo Bob, and although it would beat walking, I wouldn't want one myself.. And obviously the LS is a less popular brand having been recently introduced as a stand alone brand, even though they were rebadged and sold originally for some other brands. I'm just saying, that you should remember that Kubota which makes a great product also, was also looked down on when they were first introduced in the USA with the same concerns mentioned, and now look how successful they are. LS seems to have a good distribution network in the US, and The list of dealers is showing positive growth. Also the adoption of the product has been steadily increasing. That weighed heavily in my decision to purchase an LS, and I am glad I did. It does the job and so far has been reliable. Service from my dealer has been good and I would not hesitate to buy another.

 

[Bob77064]

Have to agree with you on the Yugo Bob, and although it would beat walking, I wouldn't want one myself.. And obviously the LS is a less popular brand having been recently introduced as a stand alone brand, even though they were rebadged and sold originally for some other brands. I'm just saying, that you should remember that Kubota which makes a great product also, was also looked down on when they were first introduced in the USA with the same concerns mentioned, and now look how successful they are. LS seems to have a good distribution network in the US, and The list of dealers is showing positive growth. Also the adoption of the product has been steadily increasing. That weighed heavily in my decision to purchase an LS, and I am glad I did. It does the job and so far has been reliable. Service from my dealer has been good and I would not hesitate to buy another.

A man walked into an auto parts store and said "I would like to get a rear view mirror for my Yugo" The clerk thought about it for a minute and said "I guess that would be a fair trade"

 

[rwork]

A man walked into an auto parts store and said "I would like to get a rear view mirror for my Yugo" The clerk thought about it for a minute and said "I guess that would be a fair trade"

Now that's funny!

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[1fastbob]

@blackdogtx

Certainly correct......Honda, Toyota, Nissan (Datsun) were looked down upon many years ago even by me and now I own an Infiniti. Things change and who knows maybe one day LS will be right up there (popularity wise) with the big boys. Best of luck to you with your LS.:thumbsup:

 

[BlackDogTx]

For sure! I am hoping that in five to ten years LS will be right up there with the other mainline brands. Time will tell the story..

@blackdogtx

Certainly correct......Honda, Toyota, Nissan (Datsun) were looked down upon many years ago even by me and now I own an Infiniti. Things change and who knows maybe one day LS will be right up there (popularity wise) with the big boys. Best of luck to you with your LS.:thumbsup:

 

[houstonscott]

I wouldn't by a Yugo either Bob, but when I see a Mercedes I don't care if the dealer is few miles away. MB's are not popular either, but quality is the most important thing in my book.

HS

 

[flusher]

Dealers come and go no matter the brand.
My first tractor was a new 2005 Kubota B7510HST that I bought in May 2005 from a Bota dealer about 40 miles away. The guy had been selling Kubota's for over 30 years. In Dec05 I get a letter from the dealership saying that he's going out of business (family problem, Father passed away, kids divided on keeping the dealership going or closing it, legal hassle, lawsuits, dealership closes).

Three years later I traded that 7510 for a new 2008 Mahindra 5525. Dealer is about 20 miles away and is the West Coast distributor for Mahindra (big parts and service departments, huge inventory). He's been in busines 10 years or so and will probably be selling Mahindra's when I'm pushing up daisies.

 

[Bob77064]

When the first Hyundais came over to this country they were very crude and did not last long. Now they build them at a huge factory in Alabama and they are high quality vehicles.

 

[rwork]

When the first Hyundais came over to this country they were very crude and did not last long. Now they build them at a huge factory in Alabama and they are high quality vehicles.

Know about that all too well, Bob. I'm actually a new car manager for Hyundai! We now sell $ 70,000 luxury vehicles that are right there with the big Mercedes, Lexus, and BMW!

 

[art]

I guess we can worry about tractors for longeveity as for most people here at 50 to 100 hours a year that would mean some are built for 100 years for the hours we have seen put on them. So for the most part we should make sure that when you buy the tractor should get the job done for you in a way that you can get your work done in the least costly and convienent way. After all, there are no gaurentee in life but three things.
So look at the operator compartment and make sure it might fit you well, with the fact of the usable life of the tractor you should make sure that the controls you need the most aren't mounted behind you! You should make sure that you have a nice level deck with no levers hanging out to later catch your pant cuffs so when your getting off, you don't land on your face!
The internet has made ordering parts or just getting information on how to fix your tractor easy if you are so inclined. You can see here that it happens daily! Do make sure that the tractor can handle the job well, we often see different makes with bent steering linkages from being in front of the axle and below it from being in mud in the woods and catching a stump or rock. We also see that tractors that turn tighter often are found not to need the brakes to turn! The other thing with this is for those that feel compelled to use the brakes the front hubs and wheels only seem to break from to heavy of loaders and hitting objects and it is rare that they break under warrantee!
Do make sure that you order it with the attachments that you need, within two models you won't be able to buy them other then through parts, and we all know about parts prices!

As far as reliability, I've seen people that keep buying different makes that I thought they had bad luck with as far as the number of times they are down. They felt fine as long as they could get the parts they needed when they were down even if it was often! There are brands out there that are proven, and there are some to yet prove themselves! The market will still change and there is always someone new as well as somethings that are old and still going on.
One thing I've seen is some have the determination to build a better product and some just run off the cuff's of others. Those with the desire to build the best normally do and those that desire to just build for market share put more money into advertising then the product. For some on sales just pick up qwhat they might call their largest advantage, it might really be a fault, that is why nobody else is doing it! They all go on till profit or desire goes away. After all the original S&P 500 only has 13 original companies still there!!!!

 

[Bob77064]

Know about that all too well, Bob. I'm actually a new car manager for Hyundai! We now sell $ 70,000 luxury vehicles that are right there with the big Mercedes, Lexus, and BMW!

Randy, they make a fine car now.

 

[Bob77064]

I wouldn't by a Yugo either Bob, but when I see a Mercedes I don't care if the dealer is few miles away. MB's are not popular either, but quality is the most important thing in my book.

HS

You are right sir, quality is very important.