Never buy a Korean Tractor!! Especially LS or whatever their name is this year.

[PCABE5]

My dealer had told me LS was expanding..... that was last October.

That would make sense. It's a $30B dollar company with growing sales so I see expansion not reduction. With only being in the US 10 years, as LS, they have done well. Maybe it will grow into more of a production facility vs just assembly.

 

[fried1765]

That would make sense. It's a $30B dollar company with growing sales so I see expansion not reduction. With only being in the US 10 years, as LS, they have done well. Maybe it will grow into more of a production facility vs just assembly.

"production facility vs just assembly"
Yah really think so?
Korean (production labor) is probably 40% less than US labor.
Who is willing to pay 40% more for the labor in a Branson tractor?

 

[PCABE5]

Yah really think so?

Don't know, that's why I said maybe. We'll all have to wait and see what they do in the future.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

The discussion that I had with the dealer started out talking about parts. That was where they were definitely making an expansion, increasing the distribution of parts availability. They also "divided" the parts department.... one section specifically designed to ship parts to dealers when they do their monthly orders. Those parts would cost less than specifically ordering a part and having it shipped "special" (the other side of the parts department).

For example: I wanted to purchase a BH thumb. If I just 'ordered' it, it would cost $425. If I waited and just had my dealer put it on his order sheet, then wait for his next 'dealer' delivery, it only cost me $300. That was a no brainer.... I waited a big 3 weeks. I didn't need it right away.

They were supposedly doubling the parts department size, keeping more of the common needed parts in stock.

Another "big surprise" was the actual reduction in price of the parts. Last time I ordered all the filters, the 'genuine LS' filters were less cost than aftermarket filters..... so, I'll stick with the LS filters. My last order was about 20% less for the LS filters than the previous order.

 

[fried1765]

The discussion that I had with the dealer started out talking about parts. That was where they were definitely making an expansion, increasing the distribution of parts availability. They also "divided" the parts department.... one section specifically designed to ship parts to dealers when they do their monthly orders. Those parts would cost less than specifically ordering a part and having it shipped "special" (the other side of the parts department).

For example: I wanted to purchase a BH thumb. If I just 'ordered' it, it would cost $425. If I waited and just had my dealer put it on his order sheet, then wait for his next 'dealer' delivery, it only cost me $300. That was a no brainer.... I waited a big 3 weeks. I didn't need it right away.

They were supposedly doubling the parts department size, keeping more of the common needed parts in stock.

Another "big surprise" was the actual reduction in price of the parts. Last time I ordered all the filters, the 'genuine LS' filters were less cost than aftermarket filters..... so, I'll stick with the LS filters. My last order was about 20% less for the LS filters than the previous order.

I like many Korean things!
Especially ....... my adorable 40 ish female Korean Rheumatologist!

 

[Bearsixty7]

The discussion that I had with the dealer started out talking about parts. That was where they were definitely making an expansion, increasing the distribution of parts availability. They also "divided" the parts department.... one section specifically designed to ship parts to dealers when they do their monthly orders. Those parts would cost less than specifically ordering a part and having it shipped "special" (the other side of the parts department).

For example: I wanted to purchase a BH thumb. If I just 'ordered' it, it would cost $425. If I waited and just had my dealer put it on his order sheet, then wait for his next 'dealer' delivery, it only cost me $300. That was a no brainer.... I waited a big 3 weeks. I didn't need it right away.

They were supposedly doubling the parts department size, keeping more of the common needed parts in stock.

Another "big surprise" was the actual reduction in price of the parts. Last time I ordered all the filters, the 'genuine LS' filters were less cost than aftermarket filters..... so, I'll stick with the LS filters. My last order was about 20% less for the LS filters than the previous order.

Now that is all good news! Hopefully it all happens.

 

[shooterdon]

I doubt LS is not going anywhere but up.

One reason I bought one is they also build many of the New Holland offerings.

Only 150 hrs on mine so too early to tell if it as good as 10 year old Kubota I could have got for the same $$. But the minor stuff has been handled very well by the dealer.

 

[Username Taken]

"production facility vs just assembly"
Yah really think so?
Korean (production labor) is probably 40% less than US labor.
Who is willing to pay 40% more for the labor in a Branson tractor?

Labor costs aren't what you think. Nowhere near what you think. If you believe the propaganda put out by the UAW and propagated through the media, shame on you.

Know how many Man-Hours it takes to build the average car in the US?? 21.13 in 2007. https://www.autonews.com/assets/PDF/CA2018861.PDF
Are tractors any worse?? Seriously doubt it.

Even if, and that's a big 'if' Korean labor cost is 40% less than American (doubtful) think about this......

They have to import their steel. Unless they just discovered iron ore somewhere south of Seoul. Our Iron ore comes mosty from Minnesota, a short freight train ride away, and into Cleveland, Gary, Pittsburgh..... (remember the big run on junk cars? It was China buying up the steel)

Then, once they've imported all the raw materials and most of the finished products, they have to ship it to us when they're done with it. Not cheap.

There are three reasons why automobile production left the USA.

They are:
U
A, and
W

Factories, OEM types, can put up with higher labor costs. Doesn't really bother them. In fact, if you take a nominal hourly American Wage (and benefits) of $50 an hour and cut that by 40%, we're talking about a huge, gigantic, massive savings of --

Just over $400 US. Wowee-zowee, batfink. Wonder how much it costs to put that thing on a ship and sail it 6,000 miles to kaliforny?? Or 11,000 miles to Columbia, SC?

What US Factories can NOT put up with is -- Shut Downs. And the UAW LOVES to shut factories down. Not the UAW, but remember Carrier? Or even worse, Hostess?

But if you choose to get your information from Rachel Madcow and Don Lee-Mon, go right ahead and believe it. Your choice.

But it's not true. Not a word of it is true.

Labor costs have next to nothing to do with competitive pricing on vehicles. Just ask the Germans, who are more productive and get paid WAY (double, in fact) more than Americans.

Deere survives because -- Well, let's not get into that. But they're a well-run organization without a lot of competition

 

[PCABE5]

Good points. I seem to remember GM at one point was paying more for retired workers than current wages. That was UAW that drove that ship to ground.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Number one problems, humans just can't be honest. Many don't even recognise this fact. They are also never happy, and are rarely objective about what they are worth.

I think a large company could be doing well in all regards and then the union wants more, or the sharholders want more. That's the beginning of the end.

 

[fried1765]

Good points. I seem to remember GM at one point was paying more for retired workers than current wages. That was UAW that drove that ship to ground.

Perhaps you forget: Unions came about because management frequently abused workers.
Companies who WILLINGLY treat their workers fairly, year over year, have no need to be concerned about unions.
Companies who have a "union problem" have that "union problem" because THEY created it, and (perhaps unwittingly now) promote it.

 

[Macinnis]

Perhaps you forget: Unions came about because management frequently abused workers.
Companies who WILLINGLY treat their workers fairly, year over year, have no need to be concerned about unions.
Companies who have a "union problem" have that "union problem" because THEY created it, and (perhaps unwittingly now) promote it.

Completely disagree. Friend of mine works for a beer distributor...they recently bought a non union shop where everyone was happy. They will now all be union because the owners are a union shop.

unions are evil.

 

[Bearsixty7]

I think Unions were a good idea initially but over time most have forgotten what they were there to do and became something too big, unreasonable and out of control.

 

[deezler]

Labor costs aren't what you think. .....

There are three reasons why automobile production left the USA.

They are:
U
A, and
W

Dude. The UAW definitely has a lot of issues and clearly adds cost to US/Nafta manufactured vehicles. But your entire world view is pretty distorted here. Labor costs are most certainly a very real and substantial part of the calculation for where to produce (assemble) an automobile. Notwithstanding your made up number of saving "just" $400. Shipping, taxes and tarrifs are also huge factors.

But, automobile production hasn't "left the USA". Not at all. For the last 20-30 years US production has hovered in the 10-12 million units/year range quite consistently, aside from the few year dip when George W's administration completely tanked our economy.

U.S. motor vehicle production| Statista

In 2024, the auto industry in the United States produced approximately ***** million motor vehicles.

www.statista.com

New assembly plants continue to be built in the US almost every year. Most of which do not start under UAW (until people there may voluntarily VOTE to be in the UAW). Blame the UAW all you want, but when the workers themselves vote to be included, it's not because they want their plant to fail and get shut down. It's to protect their rights, compensation and safety on the job.

 

[Username Taken]

Let's hope the UAW doesn't do for the rest of America what it's done for Dee-Troit. And no, Virginia. It is not an accident.

Buy what you want, Korean, Japanese, Indian.... Whatever. The UAW could not care less about you. At all. They care about -- Nothing

BTW, most new car production in the US is non-US-branded production. Nice going, UAW. Half of all US Auto Workers are non-Union now.

 

[uphere]

Sort of coming in late to read this thread but nothing I have read so far would stop me from buying an LS tractor?

 

[Industrial Toys]

Labour cost goes far beyond the hours to build whatever. Like someone said, paying employees that are retired, and oh yeah "injured'. An old friend at Ford Oakville Assy plant, says they would stick a hardened punch in the assembly line chain, shutting it down and it would take a long time to find the punch. Why? Because a Hockey game was on. Yeah, those people sure valued their high paying jobs. Guy lived in a monster house, with three new vehicles and a few hundred thousand dollars of FORD tools! I'm thinking that doesn't so much happen overseas.

I'm not saying I'm against organized labour. I have been around enough management and employees to know, both sides are often looking to take avantage of the other.

 

[deezler]

Let's hope the UAW doesn't do for the rest of America what it's done for Dee-Troit. And no, Virginia. It is not an accident.

Buy what you want, Korean, Japanese, Indian.... Whatever. The UAW could not care less about you. At all. They care about -- Nothing

BTW, most new car production in the US is non-US-branded production. Nice going, UAW. Half of all US Auto Workers are non-Union now.

Geez man, show us on the doll.... where did the UAW hurt you?

Your picture is the ancient Packard plant that they started building in 1903. Ceased producing Packards in 1956 and had a couple years making Merlin engines for P51 mustangs to help win WWII. Has ziltch to do with the UAW.

What they did to Detroit was not an accident? You mean the UAW intentionally wants to put themselves out of existence by hurting the automakers?

Anyway. I will probably buy a Korean tractor this year myself, unless I can get a Japanese one quoted low enough.

 

[Username Taken]

Geez man, show us on the doll.... where did the UAW hurt you?

Your picture is the ancient Packard plant that they started building in 1903. Ceased producing Packards in 1956 and had a couple years making Merlin engines for P51 mustangs to help win WWII. Has ziltch to do with the UAW.

What they did to Detroit was not an accident? You mean the UAW intentionally wants to put themselves out of existence by hurting the automakers?

Anyway. I will probably buy a Korean tractor this year myself, unless I can get a Japanese one quoted low enough.

There's no point. You only know what you know.

 

[Macinnis]

Dude. The UAW definitely has a lot of issues and clearly adds cost to US/Nafta manufactured vehicles. But your entire world view is pretty distorted here. Labor costs are most certainly a very real and substantial part of the calculation for where to produce (assemble) an automobile. Notwithstanding your made up number of saving "just" $400. Shipping, taxes and tarrifs are also huge factors.

But, automobile production hasn't "left the USA". Not at all. For the last 20-30 years US production has hovered in the 10-12 million units/year range quite consistently, aside from the few year dip when George W's administration completely tanked our economy.

U.S. motor vehicle production| Statista

In 2024, the auto industry in the United States produced approximately ***** million motor vehicles.

www.statista.com

New assembly plants continue to be built in the US almost every year. Most of which do not start under UAW (until people there may voluntarily VOTE to be in the UAW). Blame the UAW all you want, but when the workers themselves vote to be included, it's not because they want their plant to fail and get shut down. It's to protect their rights, compensation and safety on the job.

George W didn’t tank the economy...muslim extremists crashing planes into the countries financial district did.