Korean tractor dilemma

[MoCoHogHunter]

Initial build quality is certainly important, but so is parts availability. My LS 4040HC has been down since mid April waiting on a back ordered fuel solenoid. Local dealer said it’s mostly an issue on the older models with the shibaura engines, so probably not an issue for you shopping new tractors now (but maybe if you keep it 10 years).

Either way LS makes a very capable machine and I still love mine - it’s done everything I’ve asked of it. When the solenoids are back in stock I’ll probably drop an extra $1600 on a spare so I don’t get stuck like this in the future.

 

[Dftodd]

I cant find any thing out there that says this.

O couldn't either, and I own one.

 

[D&D]

Initial build quality is certainly important, but so is parts availability. My LS 4040HC has been down since mid April waiting on a back ordered fuel solenoid. Local dealer said it’s mostly an issue on the older models with the shibaura engines, so probably not an issue for you shopping new tractors now (but maybe if you keep it 10 years).

Either way LS makes a very capable machine and I still love mine - it’s done everything I’ve asked of it. When the solenoids are back in stock I’ll probably drop an extra $1600 on a spare so I don’t get stuck like this in the future.

Try adding MT in front of the part number and check New Holland

 

[MoCoHogHunter]

Try adding MT in front of the part number and check New Holland

Thanks for the info. I found that out while tracking down the new part numbers in mitron. The New Holland and Case parts are in the same boat (maybe quite literally?).

Local dealer and the nearby Case/NH franchise both said the solenoids with the integrated sensor have been problematic to source for the past year or so. Solenoids without the sensor for other models aren’t an issue.

Not a huge deal for me as I don’t use the tractor every day, but it would have been nice to use the grapple for cleanup after Beryl. I don't want to highjack OP’s thread, just wanted to mention long term parts supply as a potential issue.

 

[caleb90]

O couldn't either, and I own one.

IT would say on the vin tag some wheres

 

[DieselBound]

OP, were those tractors bought through different dealers (or same one)?

I think that smaller tractors might get less QA than larger ones and likely so across the board. There's also dealer prep that is to be considered. My Kioti dealer isn't real great (I'd prefer to work on my tractor than them) but they were pretty good about dealing with warranty stuff. My Kioti has been working really good for a long time now; I have just clicked over 1,000 hours. One can poke around in the various forums here and find issues with all manufacturers.

I'll note that NO manufacturer's production can be 100% free from issues. Unfortunately someone will always find this out first hand.

 

[caleb90]

OP, were those tractors bought through different dealers (or same one)?

I think that smaller tractors might get less QA than larger ones and likely so across the board. There's also dealer prep that is to be considered. My Kioti dealer isn't real great (I'd prefer to work on my tractor than them) but they were pretty good about dealing with warranty stuff. My Kioti has been working really good for a long time now; I have just clicked over 1,000 hours. One can poke around in the various forums here and find issues with all manufacturers.

I'll note that NO manufacturer's production can be 100% free from issues. Unfortunately someone will always find this out first hand.

Different dealers. I know they all have issues. Just seems the korean built ones have more of them.

 

[TractorTYMe]

I think stuff built after corona has a higher risk of being chit in QC? My TYM T474 built among the 1st of the series in 2019 has been an absolute champ for me at now 534hours.

 

[ptsg]

I think stuff built after corona has a higher risk of being chit in QC? My TYM T474 built among the 1st of the series in 2019 has been an absolute champ for me at now 534hours.

I agree 100% and applies on just about everything in this world, regardless of what product it is or brand quality. It's amazing the amount of issues we've been getting on brand new stuff, even from reputable brands. It's hard to trust anything these days, really.

 

[DieselBound]

Different dealers. I know they all have issues. Just seems the korean built ones have more of them.

Data tells all and your data points tend to suggest this to/for you. Buy something else and remove this from your concern list.

Lower-cost units will always tend to be of lower quality (via materials or labor or support or all three).

I once worked for a global leader in their field of production. The company's warranties weren't all that lengthy and the reasoning was that due to the quality they didn't feel they needed to offer what effectively was a meaningless extended warranty. Every decision one makes has risks associated. Predicting the future is challenging...

 

[4x4moses]

I really can't speak to the dependability of anything other than Ford, Landini, John Deere, and Kioti. Ford is long gone, Landini no longer sells in the US, and John Deere is way overpriced for most utility tractor owners. I've had my Kioti DK4510 for six years, and it has been problem-free. My brother-in-law has a Kioti RX7320, and has had issues with the electrical system almost from the beginning - and Kioti USA has abysmal parts availability. For me, I'm satisfied with my Kioti; but for parts availability and resale value it's hard to beat John Deere (NOT 3E series) and Kubota.

 

[tacticalturnip]

LS is building the Massey compact now in many cases. Iseki builds the subcompact, or used to.

Not sure if it is still Iseki now.

Negative; the I believe the GC and 18E are made by AGCO in Indonesia. If I recall the 18M are made by Iseki still. I have no knowledge on the 2M/E machines.

LS builds NH and Case IH sub compacts and compacts.

 

[Yander]

Negative; the I believe the GC and 18E are made by AGCO in Indonesia. If I recall the 18M are made by Iseki still. I have no knowledge on the 2M/E machines.

LS builds NH and Case IH sub compacts and compacts.

I'm sorry, I meant LS is building them for Case IH, not Massey. My mistake. The new Farmall 40C has an LS Mtron engine in it, built by LS. I just sold a 2012 Case IH Farmall 40B and had a placard on it that said made by LS.

 

[paulsharvey]

I didnt read much, first handful, and last two or three replies, so.

It's called Infant Mortality or repair bell curve. You will have a high initial likely hood of problems, break in, miss manufactured, material defects, ect; once past those; you will have increasing reliability to a point, were parts start failing from age/use/wear, at maybe 2500 hours to 4000 hours.

My point; I would get the LS fixed and keep using it worry free.

 

[tacticalturnip]

I'm sorry, I meant LS is building them for Case IH, not Massey. My mistake. The new Farmall 40C has an LS Mtron engine in it, built by LS. I just sold a 2012 Case IH Farmall 40B and had a placard on it that said made by LS.

I figured that's where your mind was.

 

[Yander]

I didnt read much, first handful, and last two or three replies, so.

It's called Infant Mortality or repair bell curve. You will have a high initial likely hood of problems, break in, miss manufactured, material defects, ect; once part those; you will have increasing reliability to a point, were parts start failing from age/use/wear.

My point; I would get the LS fixed and keep using it worry free.View attachment 1169444

I agree with keeping it. I think LS makes a good tractor. You will lose your shirt to try and trade/sell it and you could be trading into more problems.

 

[paulsharvey]

I'm happy with my Kioti, but on your list you have the MF1825E. Might be worth looking at the MF 1835M, it's a more premium machine, and priced like one, but was some pretty nice features compared to the 18E series.

Also; 3 months for an HST repair, I assume under warranty? That seems like a Very long time for the repair.

 

[caleb90]

I didnt read much, first handful, and last two or three replies, so.

It's called Infant Mortality or repair bell curve. You will have a high initial likely hood of problems, break in, miss manufactured, material defects, ect; once past those; you will have increasing reliability to a point, were parts start failing from age/use/wear, at maybe 2500 hours to 4000 hours.

My point; I would get the LS fixed and keep using it worry free.View attachment 1169444

Depends on how it looks when i get it back.

 

[caleb90]

I'm happy with my Kioti, but on your list you have the MF1825E. Might be worth looking at the MF 1835M, it's a more premium machine, and priced like one, but was some pretty nice features compared to the 18E series.

Also; 3 months for an HST repair, I assume under warranty? That seems like a Very long time for the repair.

Im guessing on the worst. The worst being there isnt one in stock at the warehouse

 

[D&D]

I really can't speak to the dependability of anything other than Ford, Landini, John Deere, and Kioti. Ford is long gone, Landini no longer sells in the US, and John Deere is way overpriced for most utility tractor owners. I've had my Kioti DK4510 for six years, and it has been problem-free. My brother-in-law has a Kioti RX7320, and has had issues with the electrical system almost from the beginning - and Kioti USA has abysmal parts availability. For me, I'm satisfied with my Kioti; but for parts availability and resale value it's hard to beat John Deere (NOT 3E series) and Kubota.

I’ve got a JD 5205 that wished parts availability was that good. Another JD 3032 that needed some no longer available electrical parts.
Lemons exist everywhere across all brands and all brands have short comings (more so after 2019).
Turn the clock back a few years and you might see that some parts were more universal and there was a bunch of people that knew how to McGiver stuff. Now that most of those guys are gone and things have become more complex, we become somewhat forced to bite the bitter pill called planned obsolescence.