Lets talk about the MT5 Series

[mkadyz]

I'm in the market for a new tractor and I've narrowed my search down to an LS MT573, Kubota 7060, and a New Holland Powerstar (T4) 75. I've done a TON of reading and have looked at all of them. The MT573 is definitely my favorite. It has everything I'm looking for, its the most comfortable, and the price is good. Everything I have read about LS has been pretty positive, but the MT5 series is so new I haven't heard a lot about them.

Does anyone here actually own one? If so,what do you think about it? Does anyone know what engine and injection pump it uses? I read somewhere its Mitsubishi design. Maybe the same engine or design is installed in more high volume applications. That would help with parts availability down the road. Same with the transmission and axles.

So post up if you've had experience with one or have any other good info. I'm sure there are a lot of other folks in the same boat I'm in. :thumbsup:

 

[3Lfarms]

There are a couple people here that have one.
IIRC, LS makes all of their engines larger than 25hp.
I have a XU6168CPS coming up on two years now and it has been flawless. I would expect the same from an MT5 model. They sure do look nice. Some real nice upgrades from mine and not that much more expensive than mine was.
There seem to be quite a few horror stories about the NH T4s though. The Kubota sure seems like a good machine, but when I looked, it was $12k more than a similar LS.

 

[mkadyz]

Yes I thought the Kubota was nice as well, but like you said, the price difference is significant. I was quoted 49K for a similarly equipped 7060 39K for the LS. I'm willing to pay more for better resale, proven reputation etc. but I don't know if I'm willing to pay that much more. The other sticking points I have with Kubota is they are light, and it uses a DPF where the other two just use a catalyst.

I've read some bad stories about the NH's as well. However, I see NH utility tractors all over the fields around me so I figure they must be doing something right.

I combed over the MT5 for a long time looking for something/anything where they cut corners and I couldn't find much. Everything looks solid. The plastics on the interior are cheap, but so are the other tractors plastics. The engine is a smaller displacement (153 vs 203 and 207) but once you hang a turbo off one the displacement doesn't matter as much.

I will do most of the repairs myself so one of my concerns is I'll end up with a unicorn tractor that no one knows anything about and is hard to get parts for. LS seems to sell a lot of the smaller tractors, but not too many of the bigger ones.

 

[Avenger]

I love my tractor. It does everything I want it to do. But if I had to do it over again, I would take a very serious look at the LS MT573CPS. Similar frame size, but with more features and power. If that tractor is anything like my XR, it is an awesome tractor.