Compact against Sub-Compact · same LS Tractor lineup
LS MT225S vs LS MT125
| Spec | LS MT225S | LS MT125 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $20,100–$22,851 | ~$18,632 |
| What that price is | dealer list, not MSRP, spread across dealers | dealer list, not MSRP |
| Size class | Compact | Sub-Compact |
| Transmission | Hydrostatic | Hydrostatic |
| Engine hp | 24.7 hp | 24.7 hp |
| PTO hp | 19.3 hp | 17.2 hp |
| Loader lift | 1,067 lbsmeasuring point not recorded | 1,008 lbsmeasuring point not recorded |
| Three-point lift | 1,896 lbsmeasuring point not recorded | 992 lbsat the ball ends |
| Hydraulic flow | 9.3 GPM | 6.7 GPM |
| Drive | 4WD | 4WD |
| Engine | Yanmar | Yanmar |
| Weight | 2,094 lbs | 1,444 lbs |
| Fuel tank | 8.7 gal | 6.6 gal |
| 4WD | Yes | Yes |
| Front loader | Yes | Yes |
| Cab available | No | No |
| Hydrostatic | Yes | Yes |
| Power steering | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise control | No | No |
| Warranty | 6 yr 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
LS MT225S
What they like
- It's powered by a proven Yanmar diesel, so the core engine has an excellent reliability reputation despite the value price
- The 1,896 lb 3-point lift is remarkably strong for the price, beating a Kubota L2501 and Deere 3025E
- LS builds the New Holland Workmaster tractors too, so the engineering is proven and mainstream, not fly-by-night
- It's one of the lowest-priced legitimate compact tractors with a loader you can buy new
- Comes loaded with standard features - telescoping stabilizers, quick-attach loader, and 9.3 GPM hydraulics
- The 6-year powertrain warranty gives budget buyers solid peace of mind
What they complain about
- The LS dealer network is the thinnest of the major value brands, so service and parts can be a real challenge in many regions
- Resale value is the weakest in this group - LS depreciates hard because brand recognition is low
- Fit and finish trails Kubota and Deere, with cheaper plastics and switchgear noted by owners
- Only 19.3 PTO HP, so it's modest on wider PTO implements
- The loader lift of 1,067 lbs is lower than the impressive 3-point figure, creating a capability mismatch
- The owner community is small, so online troubleshooting help is limited
- LS has far fewer US dealers than Kubota or Deere, which lengthens the parts pipeline
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