XG3025 Recall

[Trikejay]

I started a new thread with pics of all my shims. Way more extensive than I thought it would be. I am hoping mine is fixed for good but we will see with a bit of time. I do have to say though I am not very happy. That is some bad engineering if it needed that many shims all over the place to fix the misalignment of the motor and frame.

 

[flingwing1969]

I started a new thread with pics of all my shims. Way more extensive than I thought it would be. I am hoping mine is fixed for good but we will see with a bit of time. I do have to say though I am not very happy. That is some bad engineering if it needed that many shims all of the place.

Certainly makes one nervous, huh?

 

[Big Blue Florida]

Some one is going to read that tread who is not a tractor guy & think what are you talking about.
After all aren't tractors alway looking ugly & covered w/ crazy miss matched parts.

But it will still do the 1/4 mile in 10.749 minutes

Remember tractors are not fast & the only flash is inside their engines......but we love them as we do our strange looking but faithful dogs.

If you really don't like them, I'll gladly take both off your hands.

 

[Big Blue Florida]

Just off the phone w/ LS rep in NC.

Here'e an up date on what is headed towards our XG3025H.
The motor is the big ticket.
Engine sub frame.
FEL mounts.

At this time the engine sub frames & the FEL mounts, all are not in this country.......

 

[Trikejay]

Just off the phone w/ LS rep in NC.

Here'e an up date on what is headed towards our XG3025H.
The motor is the big ticket.
Engine sub frame.
FEL mounts.

At this time the engine sub frames & the FEL mounts, all are not in this country.......

That is exactly what I was saying. The geometry of the FEL was off and causing stress to the engine block. The shims really seem like a bandaid.

 

[stump020500]

I bought a new XG3025 April 2017. Subsequently, 4 months later in August, it was buried under 5 ft of flood water (brackish salt / fresh mix) for several days. Due to several factors related to the enormity of the flood impact, it was delayed (insurance) getting to the dealer for tear down and estimate. After a significant amount of (illogical) insurance back and forth, the decision was made to total this week. No tractor for 8 of the first 12 months. I am concerned about the long term efficacy of the shim fix. I spoke to LS. Future XG3025 production models will have a new frame. Current dealer and LS USA inventory has all been repaired as per the recall. I expressed concern with this and LS assured me that the shim fix was a valid long term fix and explained how the frame issue was stressing the engine block, Great explanation and well appreciated. LS the suggested that I upgrade to the XR4135 because of the difference in basic frame / loader design. This also has its drawbacks for us. First an additional $5 - $6 thousand cost and the DPF / regen system (long term).
Our choice is the lesser of 2 evils. The pontential of the XG3025 ruining an engine post warranty or the XR4135 (40) more cost, an even longer delay in getting a usable tractor on property, and long term parts availability and costs on a DPF system.
The only positive thing in the equation has been support and patience for John at RCO.

 

[MickeyDBC]

I bought a new XG3025 April 2017. Subsequently, 4 months later in August, it was buried under 5 ft of flood water (brackish salt / fresh mix) for several days. Due to several factors related to the enormity of the flood impact, it was delayed (insurance) getting to the dealer for tear down and estimate. After a significant amount of (illogical) insurance back and forth, the decision was made to total this week. No tractor for 8 of the first 12 months. I am concerned about the long term efficacy of the shim fix. I spoke to LS. Future XG3025 production models will have a new frame. Current dealer and LS USA inventory has all been repaired as per the recall. I expressed concern with this and LS assured me that the shim fix was a valid long term fix and explained how the frame issue was stressing the engine block, Great explanation and well appreciated. LS the suggested that I upgrade to the XR4135 because of the difference in basic frame / loader design. This also has its drawbacks for us. First an additional $5 - $6 thousand cost and the DPF / regen system (long term).
Our choice is the lesser of 2 evils. The pontential of the XG3025 ruining an engine post warranty or the XR4135 (40) more cost, an even longer delay in getting a usable tractor on property, and long term parts availability and costs on a DPF system.
The only positive thing in the equation has been support and patience for John at RCO.

When I started looking at tractors last year after we bought a little ranch John at RCO was one of the first that I talked to and I really liked the guy. My original plan was to buy a new 25HP non-dpf tractor and take my time and get a good older 100HP tractor when I found it. Put this plan in a spreadsheet and between the high price of good used equipment and not being able to share implements between the two (who wants to pull a 5 foot mower behind a 100hp tractor?) I went a different route. If you like dealing with John you should go talk to Jordan over at Paige Tractors over near Giddings. I finally pulled the trigger on a Kioti and have been very happy with it, but just as important I really have been happy with the dealership. They have both Kioti and Yanmar (wish Yanmar made a 75hp class tractor) and almost as important a big selection of new and used implements.

 

[Big Blue Florida]

Just an up date on our XG3025H that the dealer picked up & at first believed there was a crack & that's why the shim could not be fitted.
The manager this morning (by phone) told us there is no crack in the block.
Motor is still going to be replaced w/ a new unit. CYA on LS part.
However there is a leak from the front out & inner seal (crank) due to stretching of the metal.

Now I have never known cast iron to stretch unless a **** of a lot of heat was applied.
But I am not in the ''know'' about this engine.

New motor was ordered four days back, Monday & approved.

There is still the other stuff to be received & installed before the tractor is back in service. Still this is a good step forward.

 

[Jarv]

Is this same recall needed for a 2018 XG3025? Anyone know if they re-engineered the frame and motor mounts?

 

[Freep]

Is this same recall needed for a 2018 XG3025? Anyone know if they re-engineered the frame and motor mounts?

Those are excellent questions.I was just about to buy one of these, but am now holding off to learn when new models will be shipped.

 

[Big Blue Florida]

An update on our now in the shop, in two major parts, XG3025H, 2016.

We drove over to Trenton, FL, our now LS dealer. This was to put eyes on the progress.
This first pix is of the back half of the LS & the front part is marked by its left front wheel.
Standing tall & shiny black is the new replacement frame & next to that is the new blue FEL mounts bolted together fresh out of the shipping crate.
Behind all that is the rear half of the tractor. Motor is just sitting on the deck. Will show a better angle of the black frame in another pix.
Hope this better shows the new frame.

This third & fourth pix should show the addition of the highly reenforced frame section

 

[Big Blue Florida]

This is a new addition to the tractor.
It's called the Motor Subframe. It is very thick plate & could be nearly called a protection skid plate, for two locations down under.

Another pix of the triple flat bar used & the cross member. This is the super beefed up area.

Old frame, note cross member area.

 

[Trikejay]

Wow that is massively thicker than the original frame. It just tells me that the previous one was under engineered. This bothered me so much I traded mine for a XG3135 which has a much heavier frame and FEL mounts. I just wasn't willing to have to deal with these issues later so I just got out. I'm glad yours is being repaired the right way.

 

[Big Blue Florida]

Here is the shim that was going to be used if there had not been a leak &/or ''stretch'' taken place.
Otherwise things would be a WHOLE LOT cheaper.


Trikejay, you bring up another direction we are considering.
The Trenton LS Dealer (Derrick) has a 2017 NEW, XG3037 in their lot. Thinking about a swap plus some more from my end.
Just know nothing about this years tractor, concerning its possible issues.

Sure it's 50% more HP but note, there's the smog bender. The tech guy (Stan) said the frame is stronger on the XG3037.
But it is not an H. Wife drove a few of their new LS rigs around & all were non H. She said, just a couple more things to operate but all learnable.
Boy do I like this lady.
I notice it still had the H-M-L selection plus the 1-2-3-4 gear selection.
We both preferred the bucket control knob over the XG3025.

Will say that this LS dealership sure is a lot friendlier than the selling dealer.
These guys have been answering all of our questions or we are directed (w/ a phone #) to the factory rep.

Didn't mean to get side tracked here.

 

[Trikejay]

See that shim is completely different than what they did to mine. I don't know. The only model I have heard of any other frame problems was the 3039. Which I believe to me looks like exactly the same as they 3025 frame. The 3039 was discontinued when the emissions crap started. Here's a thread on that. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/ls-tractor-owning-operating/298742-ls-frame-issue-video.html

I know most people will disagree but I prefer the shuttle shift transmission over the hydrostatic. I haven't looked at the XG3037 I would assume it
would have the heavier frame like the 3135. Mine has the joystick control for the loader. It puts it in a much more comfortable position. It's basically where your arm naturally lays. Another nice thing about shuttle shift transmission is you can keep it at idle all the time and use the foot throttle. It'll save you fuel since it's not staying at higher RPMs all the time. I've had mine about a week now and I can't find anything I don't like about it. I originally bought the 3025 because I didn't want to deal with the emissions garbage but with these models there's no DEF fluid or anything so there's really nothing more to maintain. And yeah of course it did cost me a bit to trade up but in the long run I think it'll be worth it plus the extra horsepower is nice.

 

[Trikejay]

Here is my new XG3135.

 

[Big Blue Florida]

That doesn't appear to be much larger.
Are those front tires a bit shorter than the 3025 or it it that the back tires are much taller ?

 

[Trikejay]

No I think it's an optical illusion. I believe they all have the same size tires until you get into the 40 horsepower tractors. If it were me and if if they were replacing my engine and beefing up the frame the way they're beefing yours up I would just stick with the 3025 if your happy with it.

 

[Trikejay]

size-wise the tractor is I believe 3 in longer. Other than that I believe almost every Dimension is about the same.

 

[Big Blue Florida]

Thanks, we do enjoy working w/ our XG3025H.
Sure more power or strength is always better to have when needed. & then you always think you (we) need just a little more....
But usually we are able to work around whatever limitations this tractor has.

Much of our tractor activity is giving a hand to others. It just cuts down on the back breaking task that seem to expand the older we get. YES, talking from this end of the key board.

Good tractor, good chain saw & good foul weather gear....WE really have nothing to complain about.