Both sub-compact · John Deere against LS Tractor
John Deere 1025R vs LS MT125
| Spec | John Deere 1025R | LS MT125 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$18,764 | ~$18,632 |
| What that price is | MSRP, base build | dealer list, not MSRP |
| Size class | Sub-Compact | Sub-Compact |
| Transmission | Hydrostatic | Hydrostatic |
| Engine hp | 23.9 hp | 24.7 hp |
| PTO hp | 18 hp | 17.2 hp |
| Loader lift | 905 lbsat the pivot pin | 1,008 lbsmeasuring point not recorded |
| Three-point lift | 681 lbs24 in behind the lift points | 992 lbsat the ball ends |
| Hydraulic flow | 6.4 GPM | 6.7 GPM |
| Drive | 4WD | 4WD |
| Engine | Yanmar | Yanmar |
| Weight | 1,543 lbs | 1,444 lbs |
| Fuel tank | 5.4 gal | 6.6 gal |
| 4WD | Yes | Yes |
| Front loader | Yes | Yes |
| Cab available | No | No |
| Hydrostatic | Yes | Yes |
| Power steering | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise control | Yes | No |
| Warranty | 6 yr / 2000 hr powertrain | 6 yr powertrain |
A highlighted cell wins its row on the rule named above the table: more power, lift, capacity or flow, or a lower price. A lift row is left unwon whenever the two makers measured in different places, or where either of them did not say — a figure quoted at the pivot pin and one quoted 500 mm ahead of it describe the same loader and differ by roughly a third, so ranking them against each other would invent a result. Prices are typical list and move with dealer packages.
From owner discussion and long-term write-ups
What owners of each one say
John Deere 1025R
What they like
- The AutoConnect drive-over mower deck is genuinely a 5-minute on/off job you do without leaving the seat, unlike Kubota's BX where you crawl underneath to hook things up
- Dealer network is enormous - almost everyone has a Deere dealer within 30 minutes for parts and warranty, which is a huge deal when you break a hydraulic line
- Independent PTO with the flip of a lever means you can stop moving without killing the mower or tiller, something budget tractors fumble
- Resale value is legendary - people routinely sell used 1025Rs for 80-90% of what they paid after several years of use
- The hydrostatic transmission with Twin Touch pedals is smooth and forgiving, ideal for first-time tractor owners doing loader work
- Cruise control on the HST is a back-saver for long mowing sessions, and it's standard not an upcharge
What they complain about
- Premium pricing - you pay a real Deere tax versus a comparably specced Kubota BX2380 or Mahindra eMax that costs $2,000-4,000 less loaded
- Only 23.9 HP means it can bog down in heavy loader work or thick brush - it's a light-duty machine and owners who push it wish they'd bought a 2-series
- The 3-point lift of 681 lbs is modest, so heavier rear implements like a big box blade or post-hole digger max it out
- Deere locks you into their proprietary Quik-Park loader and AutoConnect deck, so third-party attachments are limited and pricey
- The small 5.4-gallon fuel tank means frequent refills during a full day of work
- Tier 4 emissions and the compact engine bay make some DIY maintenance more fiddly than older simpler tractors
- Ground clearance is low, so it struggles on rough or rutted terrain compared to a true compact like the 2025R or 3025E
LS MT125
What they like
- Yanmar 3TNV80F is one of the most widely serviced small diesels in the world, so parts do not depend on LS's own supply chain
- 24.7 hp sits just under the 25 hp Tier 4 Final line, which is what keeps a DPF and its regeneration cycles off the machine
- 1,008 lb of loader lift against a 1,444 lb tractor is a high ratio for a sub-compact
- Two-range hydrostatic with 4WD and power steering standard, with nothing on the base build sold as an upgrade
- 6-year limited powertrain cover with parts and labour and no deductible, which is longer than most sub-compacts in this price band carry
What they complain about
- LS publishes no price for any tractor it sells, so every figure has to be assembled from dealer books - the spread across dealers ran about $700 on this model alone
- 992 lb of 3-point lift at the ball ends falls to 728 lb once you measure 24 in behind, which is where most implements actually hang
- LS does not state where the 1,008 lb loader figure is measured, so it cannot be set against a maker that publishes a pivot-pin number
- 6.6-gallon tank and a 1,444 lb frame mean this is a light machine that needs ballast for serious loader work
- A canopy is listed but cab availability is not clearly stated on LS's own model page