Nothing brutal or unfair, just pointing out the obvious. Just take a look at the hose routing over the rear boom and down the back of the machine. One quick spin too close to a tree branch and those lines are ripped from the machine. So many obvious design issues makes me wonder about the rest of the machine.
New LS Skid Steer
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Nothing brutal or unfair, just pointing out the obvious. Just take a look at the hose routing over the rear boom and down the back of the machine. One quick spin too close to a tree branch and those lines are ripped from the machine. So many obvious design issues makes me wonder about the rest of the machine.
4570Man
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Yes, that’s bad too. This thing wouldn’t survive a day in the woods. Even if it was only ran on open dirt in a construction environment the visibility is essentially non existent for the sides and back. Then the first time you back it into something which won’t be long you’ll probably need a radiator. It looks like the size of a 95 Kubota. It wouldn’t take long to wad up the bucket either.
4570Man
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With just a few relatively small modifications it would be a lot better. Well that’s assuming the rest of it isn’t designed as poorly. Put a heavier duty bucket on it, re locate the high flow lines to inside the boom. Re locate the boom safety lock, relocate the fuel fill spout, Put a heavier duty back hatch on it. The screen on the back blocking the view is probably a hydraulic cooler. It needs re located too.
4570Man
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I figured the mirrors and the lights would sort themselves out pretty quick.
TSO
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Nope you guys are correct on most of the points... I agree that the mirrors will be snagged almost immediately but if you look closely at the pics, you'll notice that the mirror stalks/posts are bolted to the machine frame... So the user can choose whether or not to use the mirrors. In a construction yard or other places, the mirrors would be helpful and not necessarily at too much risk. I agree that the rear screen needs to have a tighter hole pattern, and that the quick connect area needs a metal loop for hose routing. I prefer cab doors that open UP vs swinging sideways, but I don't know how you can call the cab-door junk (from the pictures). I agree that the rear hose routing may be problematic, but I don't think it's anywhere near as dire as you guys claim. Rear visibility looks to be about as crappy as many of the other units out there with vertical lift configurations. Side visibility looks slightly worse than some others due to the boom arms appearing to be on the "chubby" side. The bucket looks fine.
But it's a gen 1 machine... There's a learning curve and based on how much they've adjusted their tractors in the last couple years, I don't see any reason why they wouldn't be as aggressive with making improvements to this machine. Besides, a fair live demo will be needed before you can pass judgment on the overall quality of the machine.
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Here's a couple of pics of the TR340 just for comparison on visibility and hose routing. Notice how everything is tucked tight and inside the frame and booms, visibility out the rear, rear door protecting the radiator, etc. Will be interesting to see how the LS unit evolves and would like to see some specs on it.
2019-10-16_10-28-38
2019-10-16_10-27-58
2019-10-16_10-28-13
2019-10-16_10-28-382019-10-16_10-27-58 2019-10-16_10-28-13
4570Man
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I wouldn’t be against a live demo but I’ve already seen enough to know I won’t be owning a blue skid steer. The side hinge door would be enough to turn me away. I can’t stand those. The loader arms look artificially over built to make a box for the hydraulic couplings. Just moving that safety brace would make it a lot better. As it is the side visibility looks almost completely blocked. Rerouting the hoses off the back and off the top of the boom would also help visibility. I don’t think it would take very long for a tree branch to remove the hose loop on the back The rear visibility looks pretty much non existent. The Kubota skid steers have a 3/4 thick plate that sticks past the door for a bumper that also serves as a tie down place. I don’t think the little stamped bumper would hold up as good. The back hatch needs a complete redesign. I don’t think a live demo would leave you impressed. They’ve already screwed up so much so far my expectations are pretty low for the rest of it. I saw a Kubota with an optional forestry guard in which I thought was a pretty nice option.
TSO
Elite Member
Oh don't get me wrong, I'm certainly not saying I'm heading out to the LS dealer to buy one! Just saying that before we condemn it as junk, we should be fair and see/use it in person.
I love my Terex/ASV machine but my next machine may be a Kubota SVL....
I love my Terex/ASV machine but my next machine may be a Kubota SVL....