Buying Advice TYM vs LS?

[tdkg]

Hello,
I have just recently joined, and as of yet have no tractor. I have been actively reading threads here and doing research online, and know that I want a 30-40 hp tractor.
I don't have a lot of land (under 2 acres). If it was all cleared, I could get by with a smaller tractor, but I need to clear lots of brush, move debris from an old homesite, dig out some stumps and then get lots of fill dirt and gravel and move it to where it's needed, plus maintain 3 separate gravel driveways.
I live in an area with only one tractor dealer within 30 miles. This dealer carries TYM and LS. I am looking at a TYM 353 HST or and LS i3030HST or an LS R4010H (HST). Which is the better route to go? Or should I consider other brands (this would mean going 75-150 miles to buy JD, Kioti, Kubota, or Mahindra).
I have heard that it's best to go with a dealer nearby if possible, but should this dictate what I get or is it worth my while to travel and hope I don't need lots of service?
Thanks for your input!
TDKG

 

[bp fick]

If you never have issues, then the dealer being 300 miles away would be pretty meaningless. You only need to stop by and get filters and such once a year or so.

BUT.... should you have any issues, you'll be glad to have your dealer nearby.

Now, how are you going to keep this dealer honest with his pricing? You have to have a comp from another matching dealer to compare.

LS is selling/ has sold under many names which makes their parts broadly available, I guess. If New Holland chose them, that says something positive to me, anyhow. Have you compared the two? Features, creature comforts and operation? I'd start there.

 

[ChuckinNH]

Around this area, a couple of reputable dealers have picked up the Tym line, but I see nothing of LS. Based on the reputation of these dealers I guess I would go with their choice. All but one of the dealers around here are 30-45 miles from me, and only one can tell me when a delivery truck might be headed my way with attachments/ implements that I want to buy, or have bought. I'm kind of glad that the dealer I bought my tractor from always seems to know when that will happen. You might want to use that kind of probe when dealing with unknown dealers, and see what their response is. Distance makes little difference if the dealer has the facilities, and equipment, and desire to support their customers. My dealer, for example, has a service truck, or two that are all set up for service in the field so the one time I had work that needed doing they just sent that over, and did the work in my driveway.

 

[bp fick]

Another thought, FWIW.

I have no dealer, of any color, within 50 miles. Soooooo, I took a different tack, perhaps. Orange is 75-90 miles either direction and Green about the same. The lesser brands are even farther, although there is run down, messy Mahindra dealer an hour away.

So, I bought quality. Right or wrong, I figured the better the tractor make, the fewer the possible issued anyhow. So far, it has worked out pretty well. I guess what I am saying is that even though dealers may be an hour or more away, don't discount the reality that you gotta be happy with your purchase and one day, there might be a re-sale issue and for sure, there is a life-time of reliability to consider. For sure, check out at least 3 or 4 "colors" before you plunk down big bucks on any tractor.

 

[tdkg]

Thanks to all who have responded so far. I appreciate it!
I certainly do plan to check out several other brands before purchasing. Most of the tractors I have been looking at are in the same price range ($18K-$20K) with loaders. That seems to be the going price in western Oregon for a 30-40 hp HST tractor no matter what the brand. I'm sure in some areas there are better deals, but since I need to finance, I have a bit less negotiating power.
I do plan to price the tractors my local dealer carries at another dealer's store to see if my local dealer is offering me a reasonable deal if I decide to go with a TYM or an LS.
I have been leaning towards going with proven quality vs local availability. There is a Kubota dealer a couple of hours away with a L3700 HST with Loader for $19K, and I am very confident Kubota will still be around many years from now.
That being said, the new line of LS tractors are essentially the same tractors that New Holland is selling. They are the exact same color blue. They seem to be very sturdy and have a quality finish. I'm fairly confident that even if the local dealer stopped carrying LS, I could go to the New Holland dealer for parts.
The TYM is appealing as well, because parts are readily available in Oregon, since their western headquarters is in Redmond, Oregon. The local dealer said that they could usually get parts in by the next day if they didn't have them in stock.
I am planning to go drive 4 or so brands next week. Hopefully that will help with my decision.
Thanks again for the advice.

 

[myyaz33]

I would print out the spec sheet for both tractors and loaders and compare that side by side. You will see things like both have Mitsubishi engines but the TYM has more HP according to the specs. The LS loader has more lift capacity. Doesn't look like the LS has a rear standard remote hydraulics but the TYM has one. Other things are sure to pop up.

Not sure what the price difference is between the two. I think both machines would suit you well and provide an excellent value for your dollar.

-Edit
If the cost difference is little to none on the Kubota vs the TYM or LS. That would be my choice.

 

[pete-mi]

Taking them for a test drive is a great idea. You want one that fits you well and your jobs well as you will likely own it for many years. I have a early TYM T330hst and love the dual hst pedal. The rocker pedal hst I am not very fond of. That is where driving them you will find what fits you best. Bucket visibility from the operators seat is another point to look at if you will do a lot of loader work. After the test drives you will find it easy to narrow your choices down.

 

[DmansPadge]

Hello,
I have just recently joined, and as of yet have no tractor. I have been actively reading threads here and doing research online, and know that I want a 30-40 hp tractor.
I don't have a lot of land (under 2 acres). If it was all cleared, I could get by with a smaller tractor, but I need to clear lots of brush, move debris from an old homesite, dig out some stumps and then get lots of fill dirt and gravel and move it to where it's needed, plus maintain 3 separate gravel driveways.
I live in an area with only one tractor dealer within 30 miles. This dealer carries TYM and LS. I am looking at a TYM 353 HST or and LS i3030HST or an LS R4010H (HST). Which is the better route to go? Or should I consider other brands (this would mean going 75-150 miles to buy JD, Kioti, Kubota, or Mahindra).
I have heard that it's best to go with a dealer nearby if possible, but should this dictate what I get or is it worth my while to travel and hope I don't need lots of service?
Thanks for your input!
TDKG

Welcome to TBN! I certainly wouldn't limit my choice to only those brands because that is the closest dealer. I am of the belief that if you buy a quality tractor, most likely, the times you need service will be few and far between. I have always owned Kubota... I'm not trying to push them on you as there are many quality built tractors out there. I have never needed service of any sort. If you do your own preventative maintenance, chances are you wouldn't either. If you would prefer to take your tractor in for things like oil changes, etc. it might be different. I know a lot of people preach dealer, dealer, dealer... but the only time I've ever needed one was to buy a tractor. It may be worth it to you to ask some of the further away dealers about getting service and potential charges. I also would look at the possibility of hiring out the bigger, initial jobs you need to do. Even dozers can have a hard time removing stumps. A 40 HP tractor on 2 acres may be a "bull in a china shop" once the big work is done.

 

[Gittyup]

I too would test drive and price a lot of models (but then I do that with about every thing I buy). And I wouldn't necessarily let distance be the primary determining factor. I bought from over 250 miles away and saved thousands. I've also had a couple of issues. But, the dealer came to me to fix and only charged for travel time in a service van - much cheaper than pick up and delivery.

Now on size, why do you think you need as much as 40 HP? HP is needed when running power hungry attachments like mowers and tillers. It isn't needed all that much for brush, digging, or other ground engagement stuff. Your situation sounds a little like mine: small acreage but heavy dirt/brush work. This lead me to look for heavy instead of HP. You could do quite well with something like a Kioti CK20 or its Bobcat twin CT220. Lots of weight and excellent hydraulics/pump. Or go up one size to the CK27/CT225(?), which adds a lot more weight on a bigger frame. The latter is what I did. I've moved close to 900 tons of dirt and stone, dug trenches all over the place, put up fences, dug out stumps, piled and chipped a lot of brush, and so on. Have never needed more HP. Either of these is more than you'll need, and should be less way less than $18K.

There's nothing wrong with TYM or LS, nor many other brands. The quality of the dealer is most important.

 

[BleedGreen]

A 40 HP tractor on 2 acres may be a "bull in a china shop" once the big work is done.

This might be off topic, OK completely off topic, but has anyone else seen the Mythbusters episode where they actually put a bull (and then multiple bulls) into a "china shop"??? If I remember correctly, the bull(s) did not break any china!!!

 

[jlsmith]

It may cost you alittle more but its best to go with a major name brand. JD,MF,Kubota. You know theese brands will always be around and you can get parts. One never knows about these cheeper brands, will they still be around when you need them and how hard will it be to get parts if they close down. And as far as a HST tractor i would do some checking around i personally do not like the HST. More maintance and the filters are higher and u do not get the full horsepower that yo think ur getting.

 

[tdkg]

Thanks for the advice DmansPadge. I know what you are saying about hiring out some of the bigger work initially. I have been considering that already, but I also have the time to peck away at it myself. I have dug out several stumps already with a shovel, pick axe, pry bar and chain saw. It's too hard on the body to keep that up though!
I still may need to break down and hire someone with a piece of large equipment for some of the work, but first I need to clear out a bunch of brush to expose the stumps and provide access to that part of the property. I did this once by hand a few years ago so the tree fallers could get to the trees, but it would be much easier with a tractor. I have many blackberries and salmon berries and other brush, and big clumps of some kind of nasty grass.
I get what you are saying about about a 40 hp possibly being like a bull in a china shop on a small acreage, but I am still hoping to get a bigger piece of property someday, plus I have an older neighbor who needs some work done. I would like to purchase a tractor for both current and future needs.
Thanks again for your advice!

 

[BleedGreen]

It may cost you alittle more but its best to go with a major name brand. JD,MF,Kubota. You know theese brands will always be around and you can get parts. One never knows about these cheeper brands, will they still be around when you need them and how hard will it be to get parts if they close down. And as far as a HST tractor i would do some checking around i personally do not like the HST. More maintance and the filters are higher and u do not get the full horsepower that yo think ur getting.

Look at FarmTrac and Montana...

 

[BleedGreen]

There's nothing wrong with TYM or LS, nor many other brands. The quality of the dealer is most important.

Yes, the quality of the dealer is very important, but I don't think you can say that TYM or LS equipment quality, parts availability or after sale service is the same as Deere, Kubota, New Holland, etc. - Just my opinion.

 

[tdkg]

The local dealer used to carry Montana tractors most of which he informed me were made for Montana by LS. According to the dealer there was a big falling out between LS and Montana recently, and LS is no longer going to provide tractors to Montana just to New Holland. Anyone know if that's true?

 

[tdkg]

I realize the HST models have less Hp than the gear models, that's another reason I wanted to go a bit bigger. The other main reason is I want a machine my wife will feel comfortable using as well, and we have an HST mower which she loves.
A friend who has had lots of equipment advised us to go for an HST for ease of use with loader work.

 

[Gittyup]

Yeah, go HST. But, you still don't need 40 HP for your needs. Bigger also means bigger and more expensive implements, more space required to store, and a bigger trailer to haul it on. And smaller is much more maneuverable. That to me is what is appealing about some of the TYMs, like the T293: very short wheelbase with good weight and HP. Nobody else quite has anything that small with so much power and weight. Now, for the heaviest (which is advantageous for ground work), I think Kioti/BC have every one beat in this size machine.

BTW, I own both JD and Kioti. Even though the JD is, all things considered, a little better total quality, for the cost difference, I'd take the Kioti every time. Then invest the difference and let it grow. This is the never-ending arguement on here. But many fail to recognize that brands like Kioti have already been on the U.S. market for over 20 years. And yes, you can still get parts for those older tractors. Take this and then consider that Bobcat is now behind the same platform. Hard to imagine there's a lot of risk getting one serviced or spare parts for it. The degree to which this is true certainly varies from mfr to mfr, and by model.

Now, way back when I bought my JD I was considering a Honda tractor. Honda.....can't go wrong. Right? NO!!! Honda dropped the tractor line and if you have one, getting parts is near impossible. Same is starting to take shape for Gravely and Wheel Horse. Point is, you just don't know. I could easily see New Holland or MF disappearing in the CUT market. It's almost as likely as it is for TYM or Kioti to drop out. One might could argue that NH already has by rebadging LS tractors.

With the lower prices of the so-called second tier machines comes some increased risk. Just not enough to sway me, at least for certain second tier companies. And I'll take an excellent Kioti dealer every time over a subpar JD dealer that over charges and under services just because he can get away with it. Dealer is absolutely vital, no matter the make.

 

[tdkg]

What size machine would you recommend?

 

[Gittyup]

Not sure who you are asking, but if it's me: It sounds like you are leaning to the bigger tractor options. So, I'd say go for 27 to 35 HP. But, as I said, it isn't really as much about HP as it is about weight, Hydraulic pump flow rates, dimensions, and other features (like electric PTO vs live PTO) for your tasks. HP is only of paramount importance when using the rear or mid PTO to run power hungry attachments like a big mower, tiller, or snowblower, or when pulling huge discs or cultivators. And if you use this criteria and then add in money as a consideration, the Bobcat's are about as good as any deals going right now: CT225, CT230, CT23, CT335. Really unmatched in weight and hydraulics, and far less money than the big 4. Now if money is no object, consider the JD3520 or a grand L bota or a NH supersteer. But, these are all larger platforms.

Why is hydraulic flow important? Speed of operation for a backhoe, log splitter cycle time, and loader operation without starving the power steering or loader speed.

The big advantage of the TYMs T233/T273/T293 is that they are over a foot shorter in wheelbase or even more depending on what models being compared to. The T293 would be a perfect size for you. The shorter wheelbase lets you fit and turn in much tighter spots. You will not want for more tractor with any of these. Even the CT220/CK20 or a B3030 or JD 2520 are all plenty of tractor for your needs. Mahindra and MF also have models in these size ranges too that all would work.

Ground clearance and underside protection are other things you might also want to consider. Most dealers can add an underside cage, and if you are working in the woods a lot, I highly recommend it.

 

[tdkg]

Thanks Giddyup, I was asking the question of you. I appreciate the response! I will check out the models of tractors you listed. 27-35 hp does seem reasonable.
Again, thanks for the advice!