LS MT225S vs LS MT342
Quick take: The LS MT225S costs $15,000 less; the LS MT342 has more engine power (42 vs 24.7 hp); the LS MT342 has more loader lift (2,633 vs 1,067 lbs).
| Spec | LS MT225S | LS MT342 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $18,500 | $33,500 |
| Rating | 4.3★ (380) | 4.6★ (170) |
| Category | Compact | Utility |
| Transmission | Hydrostatic | Hydrostatic |
| Engine HP | 24.7 hp | 42 hp |
| PTO HP | 19.3 hp | 33.6 hp |
| Loader Lift | 1067 lbs | 2633 lbs |
| 3-Point Lift | 1896 lbs | 2755 lbs |
| Hydraulic Flow | 9.3 GPM | 12.3 GPM |
| Drive | 4WD | 4WD |
| Engine | Yanmar | LS |
| Weight | 2094 lbs | 3869 lbs |
| Fuel Tank | 8.7 gal | 7.4 gal |
| 4WD | Yes | Yes |
| Loader | Yes | Yes |
| Cab | No | No |
| Hydrostatic | Yes | Yes |
| Power steering | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise control | No | No |
| Warranty | 6 yr powertrain | 6 yr powertrain |
Pros & cons
LS MT225S
- ✓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
- ✓Owners praise the value proposition, saying it does the same work as a Kubota for thousands less
- ✓The Yanmar engine and stout build make it a genuinely capable little workhorse
- ✗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
- ✗Brand awareness is low, so some buyers worry about long-term support even though the tractors are solid
- ✗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
- ✗Some owners report longer waits for parts than they'd get from Kubota or Deere
LS MT342
- ✓The LL4106 loader lifts 2,633 lbs - dramatically more than a Kubota L3901's loader - and takes skid-steer quick-attach buckets
- ✓2,755 lb three-point lift swings bigger implements than anything else near this price point
- ✓LS builds tractors for New Holland, so the engineering pedigree is real even if the badge is less familiar
- ✓Standard equipment list (tilt wheel, independent PTO, self-leveling loader option) reads like competitors' option sheets
- ✓At 3,869 lbs it's heavy and stable for its class, planted under a full bucket where lighter compacts get light in the rear
- ✓6-year powertrain warranty matches Kubota's coverage
- ✓Owners consistently report loaded quotes $5,000+ under equivalent Kubota L or Deere 3/4-series packages
- ✓The 1.9L turbo three-cylinder is torquey and fuel-sippy for a 42 HP machine
- ✗LS's US dealer network is the thinnest of the major value brands - if the nearest dealer is 90 minutes away, ownership gets harder
- ✗Resale value trails Kubota and Deere clearly - you save up front and give some back at trade-in
- ✗The 7.4-gallon fuel tank is undersized for a 42 HP tractor doing all-day PTO work
- ✗Parts can take longer to arrive than for CNH-supported Workmasters using the same platform
- ✗Fit and finish is functional but not refined - switchgear and plastics feel a grade below Kubota
- ✗No cruise control on the HST, a miss at this price
- ✗Emissions system (DPF) regens draw the usual complaints from low-load users
- ✗Brand recognition is low enough that some buyers struggle to get fair insurance and financing comps