LS or Kubota

[Torvy]

A Kubota HST+ has a low/high of every gear. I don’t think anyone else does that.

TYM HST has 3 ranges, Branson's 4820H has a 4 range. So, I suppose it is true if you are making the case that the Kubota has fewer gear ranges.

 

[4570Man]

TYM HST has 3 ranges, Branson's 4820H has a 4 range. So, I suppose it is true if you are making the case that the Kubota has fewer gear ranges.

The Kubota has 6 ranges.

 

[Torvy]

The Kubota has 6 ranges.

So the Hi/low is on top of a 3 range? That is unclear on the website. Don't know that it makes up for the price difference, but it is a feature that could be useful.

 

[jyoutz]

So the Hi/low is on top of a 3 range? That is unclear on the website. Don't know that it makes up for the price difference, but it is a feature that could be useful.

I think it depends on the model of Kubota. My MX has 3 ranges, and it’s more than sufficient for my uses. I think the grand Ls have more than 3 ranges, but I’m unfamiliar with those models.

 

[Hozzie]

Who runs the lines outside the loader arms??
I've looked a lot of different brands and I don't recall ever seeing that

I feel like I should clarify. By outside the loader arms I mean physically outside and not internal to the loader arm, not technically on the outer side of the loader arm. Kioti is one example and I believe LS is another meaning just on the outside, even if it is the internal side of the loader arm. The lines on my Kubota are run internal to the loader arms themselves. I prefer that. My third function lines are on the "inner" side of the outside of the loader arm. I wish they were also internal.

 

[rScotty]

So the Hi/low is on top of a 3 range? That is unclear on the website. Don't know that it makes up for the price difference, but it is a feature that could be useful.

Yes, and it beats me why why HST+ doesn't get more attention. It's just another mystery from Kubota I guess. From the company that also gives us a nifty double thick & insulated canopy...but, no toolbox.

HST+ is a game changer. Worth every penny and more for FEL work. Having twice the gearing available without having to stop or even let up on the throttle is something that every tractor operator can use.
No downside; it's instant fingertip control over how much torque the tires are putting to the ground.

And if twice the gears wasn't enough, HST+ also has a special control panel to adjust other features of HST like attack rate, auto throttle, & stall guard.

Now, about that missing toolbox......
rScotty

 

[jyoutz]

Yes, and it beats me why why HST+ doesn't get more attention. It's just another mystery from Kubota I guess. From the company that gives us a nifty double thick & double insulated canopy...but, no toolbox.

HST+ is a game changer. Worth every penny and more for FEL work. Having twice the gearing available without having to stop or even let up on the throttle is something that every tractor operator can use.
No downside; it's instant fingertip control over how much torque the tires are putting to the ground.

And if twice the gears wasn't enough, HST+ also has a special control panel to adjust other features of HST like attack rate, auto throttle, & stall guard.

Now, about that missing toolbox......
rScotty

This is how I replaced that joke of a factory Kubota toolbox:

 

[plastikosmd]

Other than motoring down my long driveway in high, I have used one single “range” for 10+ years.

I never “struggled” for power or have had difficulty with loader, flail, work etc.

I guess if it makes that much difference on those machines, then they need it. ( especially if used to thinking that mashing hst=more “power” and thus stalling?)

Don’t add more pedal pushing into the pile.

 

[jyoutz]

Other than motoring down my long driveway in high, I use one single “range” for 10+ years. I never “struggled” for power or have had difficulty with loader, flail, work etc.
I guess if it makes that much difference on those machines, then they need it. ( especially if used to thinking that mashing hst for more “power” and thus stalling)

L = loader (or ground engagement)
M = mowing
H = highway

All I need

 

[TMGT]

Other than motoring down my long driveway in high, I have used one single “range” for 10+ years.

I never “struggled” for power or have had difficulty with loader, flail, work etc.

I guess if it makes that much difference on those machines, then they need it. ( especially if used to thinking that mashing hst=more “power” and thus stalling?)

Don’t add more pedal pushing into the pile.

Has more to do with your usage, if you only need 1 range for your use then great. But I bet if you had the hst+ feature you would be using it regularly.

Sent from my SM-G715U1 using TractorByNet mobile app

 

[plastikosmd]

Doubt it
I have load match and have never used it

might be a nice feature for some but as far as a “game changer” ymmv

 

[s219]

LS lift capacity is usually higher than any competitor in its power/weight class.

CT

I noticed the same thing when I shopped LS many years ago, but then I realized their loader arms were much shorter, and that definitely affects the rating. You really need to compare the loader curves to get an honest assessment across the different brands. And if reach/height is important, factor that in too. There can be as much as 12-16" variation in max height between the different brands.

 

[s219]

I read through all the pages and I sincerely hope the OP has driven both tractors to get a feel for each. If not, you really need to do this to make an informed decision. I don't think you can go wrong with either LS or Kubota as a brand, but for sure you will gravitate towards one or the other after a thorough test drive. It will make the decision for you, independent of the specs or what people here say.

 

[Mud2Money]

If I would have went with a similar spec Kubota and options. I would have been well over 65k on the kubota and still less features. My ls with loaded rears an 4200# forks delivered was 54,800. So far a happy problem free 60 hours on my mt5 and no signs of letting up. Loader specs actually show a higher lift on the ls.
If I’m buying a premium expensive tractor it should be loaded not a la carte. Air ride seat , extra remotes , whippers etc should be standard. The ls was a slight bit more hp and at least 600# heavier. Nothing seems cheap or cheesy. I just moved 22 lead loads of materials with out a gripe.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I noticed the same thing when I shopped LS many years ago, but then I realized their loader arms were much shorter, and that definitely affects the rating. You really need to compare the loader curves to get an honest assessment across the different brands. And if reach/height is important, factor that in too. There can be as much as 12-16" variation in max height between the different brands.

That is not a valid way to check them out, because a small change in the lift cylinders, or hydraulic pressure can and will easily make up for the difference in length!

SR

 

[Williy]

I have the L M H hst usually in H for every job.
I can't see all the extra gears for us small hp tractor
owners so we really need them or more problems???

Does the Kubota have all the bells and whistles that
the LS has for that price or are some extra money???
LS is looking for more good dealers I believe I read that
they want over 200 more new dealers before the year end???

willy

willy

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I have the L M H hst usually in H for every job.
I can't see all the extra gears for us small hp tractor
owners so we really need them or more problems???

Does the Kubota have all the bells and whistles that
the LS has for that price or are some extra money???
LS is looking for more good dealers I believe I read that
they want over 200 more new dealers before the year end???

willy

willy

Well willy willy, the extra gears are very useful when you are trying to get a certain ground speed, at engine "pto" speed.

SR

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

Another thing to Add is 0% for 84 months with Kubota vs 4-6% with outside financing.

same or close money at the end of the day when financing is factored in

This is the part of buying a tractor nobody seems to understand and admittedly it took me too long to figure it out myself. There is no such thing as zero percent financing. When you figure out what the cash price is versus the finance price that's when you understand how much interest the manufacturer is really charging you to finance through them versus an outside lender. You are exactly right, at the end of the day it is exactly the same in most cases. You didn't really save any money buying the value brand other then getting more standard features. Not saying that isn't worth anything because it is but they come out about the same.

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

My LS MT225S was 4300 cheaper than Kubota B2601.

This was before financing costs were factored in unless you paid cash.

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

If you have a weak dealer, the LS may not be your best option.

This ^ was enlightening.