Help me decide on the LS I need.

[chas0218]

Sorry guys for another one of these threads.

I thought that the smaller HP LS XG3025 shuttle shift was going to be the perfect tractor for me. After driving my FIL's JD 3032e around and working our garden with a 3 point tiller I found the JD bogging down when it got into muddier end of the garden. Granted this is very heavy sticky clay but I was expecting a lot more from that tractor. Growing up on our farm we had a few different tractors over the years and I have become accustomed to 40hp and larger tractors but we also pulled a lot bigger equipment making those bigger tractors work. The 3032e was running a 5' tiller and I was less than impressed with the tractor, it is rated for 31 engine HP/25 PTO hp. The 3025 is rated at 25/19 and I fear that it will be worse in comparison to the JD. The JD is also hydro but I'm not sure that makes much of a difference. I have never owned/operated a hydro tractor other than a lawn mower and the 3032e so I don't really know how to compare it to other tractors. FWIW the XG3025 capacity wise can do more than the JD even having less HP. I just don't want to get into a tractor then have buyers remorse needing a bigger tractor or vise-versa. I just don't have the money to do this twice.

So I was thinking that I should step up to the XG 3027 or the XG3140. I don't need 50 hp it is just too big for my needs. My plan is to clear some land around our 40 acres for hunting and a little further down the road my own little hobby farm with some chickens and goats, maybe a couple pigs. But for now it is only going to be for clearing brush and low lying vegetation, plowing snow, and firewood.

I'm trying to keep it below $20k for tractor and loader. I will add a backhoe (approx $6k) at time of purchase and I'll install the 3rd function and wicked grapple myself.

 

[CMV]

Does it have to be LS? Nothing wrong with them, but why limit to one brand when there are a lot of good competing models in the size you're looking at?

If not adverse to crossing 25hp threshold, still a decent selection around your $20k target.

XG3135/3140, L2510/L3301, CK2610/3510, 2538, RK37, etc....lots right around or under that price.

 

[chas0218]

I've looked at other brands but no one compares when it comes to the capabilities of the machine. I looked into Kioti and around me there is only 1 dealer that is close and want 2k-3k more for a tractor that has the same capabilities as the LS. I'm not partial to any single brand but looking to get the most bang for my buck. I like Kubota and JD but they want a lot more for a machine that will do all the stuff the LS will do.

 

[chas0218]

The other thing that has me limited is not wanting hydro. I want the gears as adding "Cruise Control" is an added cost to the hydro units that are already more than a shuttle shift.

 

[CMV]

If you are set on that one brand, best thing to do is spend afternoon at dealer lot comparing the various models. Dealer should be able to help once you've told him all the different tasks you have for the machine. Sounds like an MT125 might be a little undersized, but you can get one of those with the backhoe for way under your budget. Lots of owners in the LS forum seem to really like theirs.

Is your tiller reverse rotating? Just wondering because my 6' forward rotating turns NC red clay to powder with ease. But I've only used on fairly dry ground so maybe that's the difference - but it seems to need very little HP

 

[donaldj]

I have the LS XR3135H. I have not run a tiller, but I will say that when the box scraper is full, this thing really works at keeping it going.

I have a low spot on my property with some 'muck' to go through. The tractor bogs down in these and once had to tow out with my Jeep. So, aside from a treaded machine, not sure what would help you other than ensure you have proper tires for that work (not the turf saver ones).

I think the 3135 or 3140 might be enough PTO HP for you... But this is just data sheet analysis.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I have never ran a reverse rotation tiller, but I find the forward rotating ones require very little power to turn and since you should be running very slow, power to pull the tractor thru mud should not be a problem unless you are running it in high range.
You should have no problem running even a 6 foot tiller with a 25-30 PTO HP tractor so you may want to bump up your size a bit from the 19PTO HP LS model if your budget can stand it.

By the way, you shouldn't be tilling in wet clay to begin with. You will succeed in making some very hard clay balls when it dries.

 

[ThirdMan]

LS is just introducing some new models that might be in the range you are looking at. The MT3 series has 45HP or 50HP in either hydro or synchro shuttle. They also offer a backhoe option. A post claimed the tractor-loader was in the 20k range, but I can't find any other pricing online.

 

[chas0218]

I have never ran a reverse rotation tiller, but I find the forward rotating ones require very little power to turn and since you should be running very slow, power to pull the tractor thru mud should not be a problem unless you are running it in high range.
You should have no problem running even a 6 foot tiller with a 25-30 PTO HP tractor so you may want to bump up your size a bit from the 19PTO HP LS model if your budget can stand it.

By the way, you shouldn't be tilling in wet clay to begin with. You will succeed in making some very hard clay balls when it dries.

The problem was the surface looked fine but as soon as it dug down a little the softer layer of clay underneath allowed the tiller to sink down more allowing it to get more bite. I was going quite slow about as slow as the tractor would let me go in low range the other parts of the garden it didn't do too bad just that one section really made it bog down. I am thinking that I should step up to the next size tractor so I could run a 5' tiller.

I have the LS XR3135H. I have not run a tiller, but I will say that when the box scraper is full, this thing really works at keeping it going.

I have a low spot on my property with some 'muck' to go through. The tractor bogs down in these and once had to tow out with my Jeep. So, aside from a treaded machine, not sure what would help you other than ensure you have proper tires for that work (not the turf saver ones).

I think the 3135 or 3140 might be enough PTO HP for you... But this is just data sheet analysis.

It definitely wasn't muck, but it was wetter than we had figured. The tractor I buy will have AG tires as I will need to be able to get around in some light mud.

If you are set on that one brand, best thing to do is spend afternoon at dealer lot comparing the various models. Dealer should be able to help once you've told him all the different tasks you have for the machine. Sounds like an MT125 might be a little undersized, but you can get one of those with the backhoe for way under your budget. Lots of owners in the LS forum seem to really like theirs.

Is your tiller reverse rotating? Just wondering because my 6' forward rotating turns NC red clay to powder with ease. But I've only used on fairly dry ground so maybe that's the difference - but it seems to need very little HP

It was a forward rotating taylor way tiller, in the dryer section of the garden it was better but still didn't expect it to bog as it did.

A 40hp tractor wouldn't fit for the majority of my needs my 40 acres. Most of the property is wooded with about 3 acres around the house that are clear. The main reason for the XG3025 was the size of the tractor being full framed it could run cat 1 implements and give me a little more stable footprint. My property is slightly sloped with some diversion ditches to help route water away from the house and some that have collapsed and need to be fixed. I know the backhoe is a large added cost but it is needed for maintenance around our home and cottage. I think the XG3032, XG3037 or equivalent tractor in another brand would all be contenders. In all honesty the 3032 seems like the best with all the same capabilities but more HP. I'll have to look at other brands and get final price quotes from the dealers in my area to figure out my best deal.

 

[chas0218]

LS is just introducing some new models that might be in the range you are looking at. The MT3 series has 45HP or 50HP in either hydro or synchro shuttle. They also offer a backhoe option. A post claimed the tractor-loader was in the 20k range, but I can't find any other pricing online.

Good to know, I'll have to look into it. I haven't seen anything yet but I haven't been looking for it either.

EDIT: I looked yesterday and there wasn't anything on there but today they have the MT3 series on there.

 

[LightningCamaroGuy]

First off great choice thinking LS. Great series of motors. Maybe the best ever. I think the best way to decide on what LS you are wanting is ask yourself what do you want out of it. If you were to say I want high HP, low cost to build, and high reliability, I would tell you to pick 2 of those options.

If you want to build a powerful motor for not too much $ while keeping it very streetable and reliable I would recommend going boosted. Probably a smaller displacement, iron block truck motor like a 4.8L or 5.3L. If you're wanting to stick with a factory block these are the strongest by nature as they have the smallest bore diameter and the 4.8L being a little stronger than a 5.3 due to the shorter stroke. Still both motors are very strong and are great platforms to build a good budget boosted motor off of.

If you're like me on what you want from a LS motor, and money is no option then build you a large displacement, aluminum GEN4 motor. Any GEN4 block will work. LS2/LS3, LS7 is generally pretty pricey, any aluminum GEN4 truck block regardless of displacement is fine. Send the block off to get it re-sleeved to use some large diameter pistons. Maybe a 4.200" stroke with say a 4.25" stroke and that right there will give you a 471ci SBC that weighs less and is physically smaller than many of these modern V6's with under 4 liters. Combine that with some aftermarket LS7 based heads that flow 440+ CFM's, a good intake manifold/TB setup, large headers with 2"+ primaries, etc. Good stuff.

One of the beauties of the LS platform is it's versatility. There's so many different things in different applications that they excel at, and many different ways of going about modding big power out of them. Few if any motors can match their versatility.

Good luck with whatever route you go.

 

[Trikejay]

I have the LS XG3135. I started out with the XG3025H. It seemed to be a great tractor(lots of power) but I just didn't like the Hydro transmission. In the past I have only used gear tractors and shuttle shift tractors. So I traded up to the 35hp shuttle shift and haven't looked back. It has been an awesome tractor. Have had zero issues. I would recommend the XG3135 or the XG3140. For the money they are the best deal out there. I looked at nearly all brands when I bought mine. If you have any questions let me know.

 

[Ffphil]

I have the LS XG3135. I started out with the XG3025H. It seemed to be a great tractor(lots of power) but I just didn't like the Hydro transmission. In the past I have only used gear tractors and shuttle shift tractors. So I traded up to the 35hp shuttle shift and haven't looked back. It has been an awesome tractor. Have had zero issues. I would recommend the XG3135 or the XG3140. For the money they are the best deal out there. I looked at nearly all brands when I bought mine. If you have any questions let me know.

When I was looking at tractors the 40-60hp we're all the same size. So buy the most HP you can afford. I also looked at LS and liked them very much. Can't weigh in on hydro vs shuttle as this is my first tractor. But so far the hydro seems to work great.

 

[searcyfarms]

I have a 6 cyl diesel running a 78 inch tiller with forward rotating tines and if I sink it, it will flat kill that engine in nothing flat in 1st gear so running a tiller takes some guts......a 5 foot tiller on 25pto hp would be a handful for sure no matter which way the tines were rotating if you had it deep - kind of like saying a 70hp tractor is enough for a 15 foot batwing mower - REALLY !!!! what are you mowing ? yards? put 70HP on a 15 ft batwing in CRP that has been growing for 2 yrs and see how much you like that LOL - as with any wise person here, get the most hp you can afford in the size you want to turn around and drive in the tightest area you have - there is never a perfect tractor for everything so test a lot of them and try lots before you pull the trigger

 

[chas0218]

I have a 6 cyl diesel running a 78 inch tiller with forward rotating tines and if I sink it, it will flat kill that engine in nothing flat in 1st gear so running a tiller takes some guts......a 5 foot tiller on 25pto hp would be a handful for sure no matter which way the tines were rotating if you had it deep - kind of like saying a 70hp tractor is enough for a 15 foot batwing mower - REALLY !!!! what are you mowing ? yards? put 70HP on a 15 ft batwing in CRP that has been growing for 2 yrs and see how much you like that LOL - as with any wise person here, get the most hp you can afford in the size you want to turn around and drive in the tightest area you have - there is never a perfect tractor for everything so test a lot of them and try lots before you pull the trigger

Yeah I'm thinking the xg3025 might be a little small hp wise but it should do everything i need it to. Might struggle with a 5' brush hog and tiller i'll have to look into it more.

When I was looking at tractors the 40-60hp we're all the same size. So buy the most HP you can afford. I also looked at LS and liked them very much. Can't weigh in on hydro vs shuttle as this is my first tractor. But so far the hydro seems to work great.

Yes the tractor i get will have gear shift, i grew up on gear tractors and don't enjoy pressing a pedal all the time.

 

[George2615]

I've looked at other brands but no one compares when it comes to the capabilities of the machine. I looked into Kioti and around me there is only 1 dealer that is close and want 2k-3k more for a tractor that has the same capabilities as the LS. I'm not partial to any single brand but looking to get the most bang for my buck. I like Kubota and JD but they want a lot more for a machine that will do all the stuff the LS will do.

Instead of an XG look at the XR series if you want the most bang for your buck. They come with more features such as rear remotes, extendable lower links, cruise etc. Probably cheaper to buy an XR than to add features to an XG.

I also grew up on gear tractors but since I went HST 14 years ago I'll never go back to gear.

 

[MESSMAKER]

I can't think of one reason to go gear over a shuttle shift. If you can live with the power drain and fluid changes, the hydro is better still. If you want to sell or trade. A gear tractor is frequently a deal killer.

 

[chas0218]

Looking like I might be getting a blue tractor but in the form of a ford if it is as nice as the owner says i might be a new owner of a ford tomorrow.

 

[Tractorable]

Give us the details man! What Ford are you looking at?

 

[chas0218]

Give us the details man! What Ford are you looking at?

Looking at an old Ford 3000 diesel. I grew up on the 4000 gas and 9N. I have a soft spot for those Fords. Has a loader and almost double the hp of the LS I was looking at but only 2wd. For me the 2wd isn't a deal breaker as I can get some chains and just use good judgement. Really hoping the tractor is in good mechanical shape I can make her look good.