windcatcher
Gold Member
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2014
- Messages
- 282
- Location
- North Carolina
- Tractor
- Farmall Cub, John Deere 322 w/ scrape blade & 48" mower, JB JR bucket, Simplicity LandLord DLX, Haban 3 pt hitch Sickle bar Mower, Lemon LS XR3032H
Hi folks. I did take my plant tour of the LS tractor factory located at Battleboro, NC - just outside of Rocky Mount, NC. The night before was spent in restless anticipation, and I was up getting ready at 4:45AM! So much for a day off. But, it gave me plenty of time to take my time and just enjoy the ride. The weather was beautiful, with temperatures in the high 60's here. Nice flowers to look at from time to time, and for me, not a care in the world.
My local LS dealer had called before hand and made sure I could take the plant tour. I did arrive a bit early, but it proved to be no problem. The LS tractor folks were more than obliging, and gave me all the hot coffee I could stand. There were some sweets to eat too, but I refrained. Trying to keep away from too many sweet delicacies.
I met with the receptionists first, then the plant manager, and then chief production engineer for the tour. All were good, down home friendly folks, who seemed to genuinely enjoy their jobs. I've always thought that if someone was in a manufacturing facility and they had a good outlook on life, then the products they were working on should be better. Remember the "Monday or Friday" automobiles that everyone wanted to avoid? None of that stuff was going on with the LS factory.
I was told that from the time a tractor was taken from the shipping crate, that it took about an hour to get it up and running on all four wheels. This did not include options like FEL, backhoe, etc. Just a four wheeled running tractor that had its initial inspection.
Some tractors like the larger ones were only two to a shipping crate. While others like the G3033/G3038 could be packed four tractors to a crate. All crates were designed to fit inside a standard shipping container.
The facility working conditions were clean - very clean. I didn't see any sign of piles of dirt, heavy dust, etc. This place was really impressive. Yes, the tractors did pick up some dust layering as the day went on because of the steady in and out of tractor traffic. That's to be expected especially since the parking lot was gravel just beyond the outside the warehouse doors. But, when a tractor was ready to go for shipping to a dealer, it received a good goodbye washing and cleanup. These people took a lot of pride in putting these tractors together.
I have some photos of the tractors outside. However, I agreed to not post anything from inside where the tractors were being assembled. I feel fortunate LS allowed me to come visit with them and take the tour, and I'm going to honor their request.
Oh, some details: The R3039 telescoping lift arms will fit on a G3033H. They can be ordered through your LS dealer, but you cannot send the other arms back for exchange. Cab for the J series tractor. LS has looked into this. They feel it would be cost prohibitive right now to try to introduce the cab to the US. If enough people clamor for cabs, and the number would have to be high, they might would reconsider. But, current costs because of shipping would put a cab at around 5 grand.
There is actually a LS tractor "K" series IIRC, that is a 55 HP tractor. Gear drive, non-synchronous transmission. It runs bare bones just under 16K. You have to stop the tractor to shift gears, like the old Farmall Cubs, A's, Super A's, etc. This tractor is an economy line tractor for the farmer looking for no frills, no thrills tractor that gets the job done.
New J series tractor supposed to be available late July or August. J2025 is the designation. Little more HP than the J2023, and also has the upgraded hydraulic pump and dual hydro pedals.
That's about it for now. Photos attached. (We know how you love photos).
My local LS dealer had called before hand and made sure I could take the plant tour. I did arrive a bit early, but it proved to be no problem. The LS tractor folks were more than obliging, and gave me all the hot coffee I could stand. There were some sweets to eat too, but I refrained. Trying to keep away from too many sweet delicacies.
I met with the receptionists first, then the plant manager, and then chief production engineer for the tour. All were good, down home friendly folks, who seemed to genuinely enjoy their jobs. I've always thought that if someone was in a manufacturing facility and they had a good outlook on life, then the products they were working on should be better. Remember the "Monday or Friday" automobiles that everyone wanted to avoid? None of that stuff was going on with the LS factory.
I was told that from the time a tractor was taken from the shipping crate, that it took about an hour to get it up and running on all four wheels. This did not include options like FEL, backhoe, etc. Just a four wheeled running tractor that had its initial inspection.
Some tractors like the larger ones were only two to a shipping crate. While others like the G3033/G3038 could be packed four tractors to a crate. All crates were designed to fit inside a standard shipping container.
The facility working conditions were clean - very clean. I didn't see any sign of piles of dirt, heavy dust, etc. This place was really impressive. Yes, the tractors did pick up some dust layering as the day went on because of the steady in and out of tractor traffic. That's to be expected especially since the parking lot was gravel just beyond the outside the warehouse doors. But, when a tractor was ready to go for shipping to a dealer, it received a good goodbye washing and cleanup. These people took a lot of pride in putting these tractors together.
I have some photos of the tractors outside. However, I agreed to not post anything from inside where the tractors were being assembled. I feel fortunate LS allowed me to come visit with them and take the tour, and I'm going to honor their request.
Oh, some details: The R3039 telescoping lift arms will fit on a G3033H. They can be ordered through your LS dealer, but you cannot send the other arms back for exchange. Cab for the J series tractor. LS has looked into this. They feel it would be cost prohibitive right now to try to introduce the cab to the US. If enough people clamor for cabs, and the number would have to be high, they might would reconsider. But, current costs because of shipping would put a cab at around 5 grand.
There is actually a LS tractor "K" series IIRC, that is a 55 HP tractor. Gear drive, non-synchronous transmission. It runs bare bones just under 16K. You have to stop the tractor to shift gears, like the old Farmall Cubs, A's, Super A's, etc. This tractor is an economy line tractor for the farmer looking for no frills, no thrills tractor that gets the job done.
New J series tractor supposed to be available late July or August. J2025 is the designation. Little more HP than the J2023, and also has the upgraded hydraulic pump and dual hydro pedals.
That's about it for now. Photos attached. (We know how you love photos).
