Buying Advice Help: Choosing between two used LS tractors

[DaddyFlip]

Thought Orange was the way to go, but after reading about LS here, I decided to shop around. I have three or four small dealers within an hour of my house. One of these dealers has an XR4046 shuttle shift with 200 hours at $17k and a XR4140H HST with 50 hours at $19k. Both of these have loaders with QA and 6-foot buckets and the same R4 tires. I thought I had 100% decided on HST, but trying a Green PowerReverser opened up my options. I am aware of the engine differences. What should I consider or look for when evaluating these two tractors? Does the engine or the hours or the price say that one is a better deal than the other? Any reason to skip these used ones and buy new?

This is my first tractor. I'm a little nervous buying a lesser known brand from a small dealer and even more nervous buying a used one. The dealer says he will take care of me. Right now I'm just a homeowner with 3 acres to mow and some lifting and grading maintenance chores. But I hope to add 20-40 acres in the near future to just play on. I'm wanting one tractor to last me 20 years.

 

[RayfromTX]

If I had seen that deal when I was shopping for a 4140 I would have bought it.

 

[dragoneggs]

Did the dealer sell the tractors new? Was there any repair/maintenance done? By them? If so, ask for the records. Might give you some piece of mind. I think that first maintenance interval is important.

Of course, the dealer says, 'he will take care of you'. What does that mean? Warranty? Find out a little history if you can. Good luck. Stressful buying a tractor especially when it is your first and hoping it is the 'one' for you. Good luck... ask questions.

 

[DaddyFlip]

Thanks for feedback guys. Yes, these were sold new by this dealer. I don't know the history of the 4046 yet because I didn't look at it the first time I visited the dealer (it's a 2015), but the 4140 was traded back for a smaller tractor when the owner moved to different property. On this one, the 50hr service has not been done yet, but the dealer will include it in the price. It also has warranty remaining (it has the 6 year stickers still on the hood and it has 1 year left on the bumper to bumper).

 

[mred2]

The 4046 is a shutter, but not a power shutter. You must clutch it. I have a XR4150 with the dry shutter and like it. If they have had a HST, I might have purchased it. Good luck, I know I am happy with my LS so far.

 

[3Lfarms]

All things being equal, homeowner says HST, but mowing 20+ acres says get more power and shuttle shift.
The shuttle should get the power to the PTO more efficiently than an HST. That means a lager mower can get the mowing done faster.

 

[strantor]

This is my first tractor. I'm a little nervous buying a lesser known brand from a small dealer and even more nervous buying a used one.

If you're worried about a "lesser known brand," Go look at the New Holland Boomer 40 and the Case IH Farmall 40C. They are the exact same tractor as the XR4140H that you're looking at, because they are made by LS. The differences you will note, are that the LS comes standard with the FEL, rear remotes, draft control 3-pt, and a few other bells/whistles that the other guys make you pay extra for. LS is not "lesser known" globally, just in the USA. Until recently they haven't sold direct to the public here, they've sold to bigger name brands. If you're worried about the availability of parts (or the existence of the company) in 20 years, keep in mind that even if LS stops selling tractors here and pulls out from the USA, there should still be parts available at your nearest CNH dealership.