New XR4145 In The Barn!

Supraman0614 · Jul 17, 2015

I looked at many used, "low hour" tractors that were questionable. I figured that the only reason someone would sell a decent, low hour tractor is that they bought too much tractor for their needs (who really does that?), they had some issue with it and want to get rid of it, or, they have a lot of extra money laying around to buy a new tractor every few years. I'm sure there are legitimate reasons people get rid of tractors but the choices are rather limited in the used 40-50hp CUT market for the features I wanted.

I stumbled onto LS tractors during my search and began to dig into them a little more. What I found was that they seem to be as well built as Deere and Kubota, offer all of the "premium" features as standard (rubber floor mat, extendable links, remotes, etc.). Went to my local dealer with the intention of just looking them over and trying one out. I ended up buying one. 2015 XR 4145, loader, backhoe, R1's with loaded rears, and a 6' rotary mower.

I have only put an hour on it so far, but this thing is a beast! I grew up on Deere and Kubota but this is by far the most comfortable tractor I have ever operated. I moved a few things around with the loader, but haven't done any real work with it yet. I suspect it will do everything I need it to and more. The new LS engine is very quiet and spools up pretty quickly with the turbo. We'll see how it does skidding logs. My dealer tells me that it will regen every 50 hours so that isn't too bad. Definitely better than every 4. As I was reading through the manual, it said that the regen could be stopped in process if necessary and that if you turn the tractor off in regen, it will just start again when you warm it up the next time. I'll see how that goes. Hopefully, I hit 50 hours while I'm in the middle of something so it will just run it's course.

BlueToy1 · Jul 18, 2015

Congratulations on the new tractor. It looks good, I like it. Is it a hydro or manual?

haulnash · Jul 18, 2015

Congratulations on the new machine! Been looking at them as well.

George2615 · Jul 18, 2015

Congrats on the new tractor.

Jesse Shoemaker · Jul 19, 2015

Congratulations that's a nice machine. Watch your seat placement on your hoe. All the way back and you might bust out your rear work light. I did that on mine the other day. It bucked up when I was digging a stump and the seat broke the lens on my light.

Supraman0614 · Jul 21, 2015

Sorry for the late reply. It is a manual trans, 16-spd shuttle. More gears than I'm used to but I like the synchronized gear change. If I'm in low range, I can start slow and then shift through all four gears while moving, just have to clutch in between. Works nice for FEL work. I noticed the rear work light interference when I used the hoe for the first time over the weekend. I folded it back and it cleared ok but I may move the light. It's not in the best spot.

The only thing I don't like about it so far is that there is no cup holder. Really? All of those features included, but no cup holder.

1stDeuce · Aug 10, 2016

How about an update on this tractor? Did the range shifter ever "loosen up"? How is it on fuel now that you've had it for a while?

Still liking the shuttle? Oh, that reminds me, can you shift ranges while moving, or only 1-4 gears? It says "fully synchronized", but I've only seen reference to being able to shift 1-4 gear, not between ranges... Seems on the Shuttle MF1533 I've used, nothing is synchronized, but I could shift up in gears OK while moving, just not down gears, or between ranges.

Any issues with it at all?

I'm perhaps 6 months to a year from a new tractor, and an XR4145 is my current first choice... I'll likely be opting for R1's as well, and possibly also a backhoe if the price is right. My tractor's first job will be helping me develop a property and build a house. Just wish the LS backhoe was an 8' or 8.5' unit instead of the 7' one they use on the 3000/3100 series... (Same specs, anyway...)

Supraman0614 · Aug 11, 2016

Sure! I love talking about it. I have about 100 hours on it so far. No problems except a smoking issue around 30 hours which I believe was related to poor fuel. The loaded rear tires definitely make a difference with loader work, logging in the woods, and stability on a side hill. The shift range lever definitely loosened up but it is still a little difficult to tell if you are in gear or between them. Once you get the feel for it, it isn't too bad. I don't generally change ranges in the middle of a chore anyway, so it's not a big deal. Fuel economy seems to be the same as it was. I've had two regens in 100 hours. Still waiting for the third to happen. The first was a little strange, I detailed that in another post somewhere. The second I didn't notice until I looked at the dash and the light was blinking.

I've always had shuttle transmissions in tractors. I like to be able to set it in a gear and keep the speed constant. I guess it depends on what you want to use it for. A hydro would be nice for mowing lawns, loader work, etc., but I get along fine with the shuttle. You can only shift on the fly through the 4 gears in each range. The 4th gear is a little longer so you can do your work in the lower gears and then shift into 4th to transport a little quicker. I do most of my work in 3rd range, 1st or 2nd gear. I haven't really used the 4th range, no need to go that fast. I used 1st range for pulling logs a few times but I didn't really need gearing that low. The engine puts out plenty of power in higher ranges to move logs. This transmission is very similar to what you have described with your Massey.

The backhoe takes about five minutes to mount or dismount. I bought a 12" bucket for drain tile work. The 18" bucket that came on it is too wide for that. I've not run into any issues with having a backhoe less than 8'. I have nothing to dig that deep. The only thing I will say about the backhoe in general is that it moves around in the mounts a little without the toplink in place. There is a provision for it on the backhoe frame and everyone I talked to said it wasn't necessary. I've used it with and without and I prefer to have it installed. It really solidifies the mounting.

I've had no leaks, hub issues, or anything like that. I added one of those marine cupholders that self-levels. Pretty handy for holding water bottles, etc. Implement changeover is pretty quick with the extendable draft links. Overall, I would say it has been great so far. It does everything I ask of it and doesn't give me any trouble. If I needed two tractors, I might buy another with a cab for winter work and summer mowing in my pastures. I have the open station for woods work. The trees in my woods would ruin a cab.

1stDeuce · Aug 11, 2016

Nice! Thanks for the update! The MF only has two "ranges", so 8F/8R, and the difference between high and low is significant... I was always shifting ranges if I was doing scoop and carry work... Sounds like the LS is much better! Good to hear there's no issue with regen's too. :thumbsup:

BlessedMess · Aug 18, 2016

Supraman0614 said:
I figured that the only reason someone would sell a decent, low hour tractor is that they bought too much tractor for their needs (who really does that?), they had some issue with it and want to get rid of it, or, they have a lot of extra money laying around to buy a new tractor every few years.

Who does that? Me!! I bought a XU5065CPS + the LS BH 2 years and 135 hours ago.
* BEFORE: For ~$7k more [than an XR4046] I could roll small round or square bales, run bigger Cat 2 implements that need 50HP+ at the PTO, and benefit from the increased weight/wheelbase. Plus no DPF, regens, or urea on those XU Shibaura engines.
* REALITY: For some chores like bush hogging, finish mowing, plowing, FEL work, and digging stumps and bamboo -- ok, almost everything -- it was awesome having an XU. But the sticker shock on 7-10' implements kept me from buying them, and the tractor is too heavy for safe towing with my truck, too much for large garden work, and almost too wide and/or overpowered for less costly 6' implements that don't cover the full tire width.

Bottom line: The XR and its other color equivalents is the sweet spot. I just sold the XU and thinking there may never be a better time to get into LS's 4000 series, esp. now that they have the 4150 and 4155 and tier 4 regen cycles sorted out. Will be following your and other new owners' posts closely, and thank you in advance as I plan my next steps.

P.S. Congrats on the tractor and positive ownership experience. It looks great!