LS Tractor at Lowes

[Oaktree]

I'm not buying, but stopped at Lowes to do some damage to their "facilities" while on the road, ans i noticed they had 2 or 3 LS subcompacts for sale, next to the SxSs, ZTs, ect. Is this new?

Haven't noticed anything at Lowes, but some of the HDs around here are selling some off-brand UTVs. As has been noted by others, no idea where you'd get parts or service or even who makes them. I don't know how these compare price-wise to others.

 

[paulsharvey]

Haven't noticed anything at Lowes, but some of the HDs around here are selling some off-brand UTVs. As has been noted by others, no idea where you'd get parts or service or even who makes them. I don't know how these compare price-wise to others.

With those Rhino and whatever brand SxSs, after like a 90 day warranty you're on your own, so local small engine shop, or do it yourself, and order parts online. The difference is, the tractor, LS or whatever, has a warranty. I would be completely against it, IF there was significant savings, but Lowes/Cabales/TSC/Northern Tool, isn't going to be able to offer prices much (if at all) lower than others.

 

[paulsharvey]

I'm less worried about dealers than many on here, but still, I can see only couple reasons you would by a SCUT at Lowes;
1) there isn't another dealer around, in which case you like SOL
2) there is significant price savings
3) It exposes then to the general public. Frankly, with the price of ZTRs and regular riding mowers now, I could see people saying $4500 for a riding mower, vs $12,000 for a tractor with a loader, why not

I think reason 3 is what Lowes is counting on, and it might work as a business model.

 

[Hay Dude]

I pity people who buy tractors or mowers at HD, Lowes, TSC etc. The way things are now, Good luck with parts & service. You’ll pay all those “savings” back later.

 

[IndyIan]

I guess if its the same LS tractor that is sold by dealers, finding parts isn't going to be a problem, and you can order the service manual and send that along with the tractor to a local repair shop if it needs something beyond your skill set?
Would I recommend buying an LS at Lowes? No, but if you know what you are doing, I guess it could work.

Chinese mystery brand or rebranded machines are a whole different thing, and I've got no interest messing around with new or old ones of them. If you can't get a good service manual, then its clear the manufacturer doesn't have any interest in your machine once they have your money.
Maybe CFmoto is kind of a real brand now? I see lots of their stuff costs real money, but I'd almost always buy a good condition 10 year old japanese version of whatever, as it will likely be less hassle for the next 10 years...

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

I got an eye opener about 2 decades ago. Bought one of the disposable "john Deere" mower from Lowes. Lasted about 5-6 years I think it was about 2k. Found out when a bearing went bad that its not a real "deere" but a painted over murray I think it was. All those mowers are disposable if you ask me not good enough to last a decade, at least in my world.

 

[paulsharvey]

I've had two very used Deere riding mowers, and I won't say they are bad. One of them is like 13 years old, and still running. The other made it like 9 years. Both, I think the average home owner would have put out to pasture a long time ago, but I've redone bearings, belts, starters. No matter what, you will wear through the deck within a few years from sand, but that can sometimes be patched, or often, frankly ignored, for a Long time.

That's really same between all of the basic 24ish hp riding moweers.

 

[paulsharvey]

Maybe i should add. neither of those mowers were new. Both very used when I got them. 1st one, had no hood, but decent function till hydrostat went out. 2nd one, needed a starter, and something else? and I got it for free, in return for trailering their new Craftsman riding mower for them.


There is no way to change hydralic fluid, and I think that's a built in limitation. The engine, components are readily available. Decks, you can replace bearings, belts, even electric clutches, but once the deck is too far gone, a replacement deck costs 75% of what a new mower does.

 

[5030]

One, I believe the box store Deeres are made by MTD and Two, Cabelas tried the compact tractor sales a couple years ago and that lasted maybe a year or so and that ended that. I believe they were TYM's. The local store had them and implements too and all of a sudden they went on a deep discount sale that stated 'discontinued'. Should have bought one but didn't. Cabelas, like TSC and the box stores are incapable of fixing anything, warranty or not. That includes by the way, chainsaws. TSC has been selling Husky chainsaws forever but if you have an issue, they cannot address it. same with Hobart welders and IR compressors. You have an issue, don't bother with TSC as they cannot do anything.

Sometimes, the siren song of cheap price is outweighed by the lack of after the sale service...

 

[5030]

Maybe i should add. neither of those mowers were new. Both very used when I got them. 1st one, had no hood, but decent function till hydrostat went out. 2nd one, needed a starter, and something else? and I got it for free, in return for trailering their new Craftsman riding mower for them.


There is no way to change hydralic fluid, and I think that's a built in limitation. The engine, components are readily available. Decks, you can replace bearings, belts, even electric clutches, but once the deck is too far gone, a replacement deck costs 75% of what a new mower does.

Those cheaper hydrostats are sealed for life, whatever life is... Certainly not a Hydrogear. Life is a subjective matter today. Kind of like lifetime non greaseable ball joints on cars today Not greaseable my butt. Instead of metal they are plastic inside.

Far as decks go, I prefer fabricated steel decks but even a stamped steel deck, if you keep it free from wadded up damp grass on the underside, will last a long time. My wife's CUB which she bought from my Kubota dealer (he sells Cub as well) has a stamped deck and it's fine because I clean it underneath often. My Kubota F series front mount diesel mower had a fabbed deck and it weighs about 600 pounds and I keep it clean as well. Of course I prefer a diesel powered lawnmower anyway but my wife won't use it.