Compact against Sub-Compact · same LS Tractor lineup
LS MT225S vs LS XJ2025H
| Spec | LS MT225S | LS XJ2025H |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $20,100–$22,851 | ~$21,308 |
| 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 | 24.4 hp |
| PTO hp | 19.3 hp | 18.5 hp |
| Loader lift | 1,067 lbsmeasuring point not recorded | 1,091 lbsmeasuring point not recorded |
| Three-point lift | 1,896 lbsmeasuring point not recorded | 1,433 lbsat the ball ends |
| Hydraulic flow | 9.3 GPM | 8.5 GPM |
| Drive | 4WD | 4WD |
| Engine | Yanmar | Mitsubishi |
| Weight | 2,094 lbs | 1,609 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 XJ2025H
What they like
- 1,433 lb of 3-point lift is roughly 45 percent more than the MT1 sub-compacts manage, on a frame only 165 lb heavier
- 8.5 GPM total with 5.9 GPM to the implement circuit, against 6.7 and 4.6 on the MT1 - a meaningful difference on a backhoe or a grapple
- Stays under 25 gross hp, so it meets Tier 4 Final without a particulate filter or a regeneration cycle
- A cab is listed as an option on LS's own page, which is unusual at this size
What they complain about
- No published price from LS at any level - series, model or configuration - so the figure is read off dealer books and moved about $1,400 between the two consulted
- Only 18.5 hp reaches the PTO, so a 60 in finish mower is near the top of what it will turn comfortably
- 1,091 lb loader lift is barely above the MT1's 1,008 lb despite the larger frame and hydraulics
- LS states no measuring point for loader lift on this or any other model page
- The XJ is a one-model series, so there is no step up or down within it if the fit is wrong