Considering a Legacy XL [Archive] - MyTractorForum.com - The Friendliest Tractor Forum & Discussion Board and Best Place for Tractor Information on the web!!!

simple_john

03-30-2005, 07:17 PM

Welcome I do not have a legacy... Ive got its distant 'smaller brother' the prestige..

The legacy is a nice looking machine.. But wow.. its pricey...

beautiful tractor.. you getting the 4WD model?

as for the simplicity itself.. i think they are very well made solid machines...

for the money they want.. and no offense to simplicity folks out there.. but id also take a good look at a kubota Models.. they offer a lot of tractor for the money...

But the legacy is a meaty and real nice looking machine... Im very jealous.. i drool over the legacy's at 2 dealers every time i stop by...
you getting a FEL with it?

what are your plans for the tractor??

Argee

03-30-2005, 08:06 PM

I'd take a liquid cooled over an air cooled any time. Both are reputable engines, don't know if one is better than the other. It boils down to preference, yours that is.

AlbanyBob

03-31-2005, 12:41 PM

Take the liquid cooled model.

My views on this are they do run cooler and require less maintance then an air cooled engine. The reason I say this is because the air intake is in a different position and it helps keep the chaff from getting sucked into the cooling fins of the engine.

GO LIQUID

Let us know.
Bob

PatapscoPete

03-31-2005, 04:50 PM

I have the 2003 version of the 20 hp Kohler Command air cooled on my Legacy. It's one smooth running engine. A similar thread got a lot of press on another forum recently.

I'm a relative newbee, with 150 hours on my tractor, but no problems to date. That thing starts rain or shine, subfreezing or 100 degrees in the shade. Lots of manufacturers have been making 20+ hp aircooled engines for years with no problems. My opinion is, the less moving parts, the better.

As for the machine as a whole, I couldn't be happier. I'm the kind of tractor killer who has little respect for lawn tractors. My problem is always asking them to do much more than they were designed to do. I've killed more than one trying to get the under built machine to take on too heavy a task. The Legacy is quite forgiving. Of course, the Legacy is an expensive machine relative to a LT.

My advice is to listen to understand your needs, throw in a sizable fudge factor, and listed to the good folk on this forum.

CatDaddy

03-31-2005, 05:13 PM

Hi Pete! :Welcome:

Glad you joined up. Hope to see you around the threads now that you've registered!

mbielick

10-24-2005, 01:24 PM

exNCite

10-24-2005, 03:09 PM

Hi, Just joined, and seeing if my posts get through.

I have owned a Legacy XL with the Diesel for a year, and absolutely love it. I went with the Diesel over the Kawasaki because the added torque, better fuel economy, and cast iron block durability of the diesel. The actual cost for the diesel option was not that much more than the Kawasaki since the diesel came with the 3pt hitch as std. It basically boiled down the the Kohler or the diesel. I would take the diesel if there were any way you could swing the extra $.

Mark

Welcome to this site. Much more Simplicity friendly than the other (yes I am Phoenix1 there). And I agree. Diesel is a real workhorse. There is so little strain on this machine it is amazing. I'm not a mechanic and fall into the "city slicker" mode but thus far I love the Legacy XL.

jodyand

10-24-2005, 04:06 PM

:Welcome1: mbielick Glad you found us. Post some pictures when you get the chance.

depasseg

10-24-2005, 06:43 PM

I just got a liquid cooled legacy xl. I was leaning towards the diesel, but in talking to a couple of the local dealers, they seemed to indicate that the diesels didn't sell well because of the added noise/vibration and cold weather drawbacks. I'm really happy with the liquid cooled.

randyny

10-26-2005, 08:53 PM

Welcome to this site. Much more Simplicity friendly than the other

Ah, so this is where you went. I was anxious to hear what you've been doing with your new XL. It is getting tiring listening to leroy bag on Simplicity. I've never seen someone with such an agenda for bashing a line of machines.

Anyway depasseg, I see you got the backhoe. Your one small picture is better than I've seen in all of Simplicity's literature and website. How do you like it? I got the XL with loader this summer and it's been absolutely teriffic. The backhoe is expensive so I'd like to hear some real stories about it. Can you do a mini-review, perhaps with some action photos?

Regards, Randy

depasseg

10-26-2005, 10:21 PM

Hi randyny - the first I saw of the backhoe was when it was delivered. I know what you mean about a lack of info out there. I've had it about a month now and have put it to good use. I have been fighting the torrential rains we've been having here in NH, so my larger projects for it have been put on hold until the summer. I've taken a bunch of photos, and put them online. They are available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/depasse/tags/legacyxl/.
In case you didn't know, the backhoe (and the FEL) are made by a company called Kwik way (http://www.kwmanufacturing.com/). There is a little more info on their website, but not much. The people are great there and were very helpful in answering my questions.

I've never written a review, but I'll do what I can. Basically, I love it. It's got great power, it's very solid, and the control/handling is great. I had a chance to use a friend's kubota a couple years ago (sorry, can't remember the model), and this feels the same (except for the swivel seat).

The backhoe uses it's own hydraulic pump off of the mid-pto. I don't know if that matters, but it works well.

It comes off (10 mins) easier than it goes on (10-30 mins). Mostly this is because I don't have a flat area to store it. This makes alignment quite challenging. If you've taken you FEL off on uneven ground, and tried to re-attach it, you know what I am talking about.

Here are a couple thumbnails:
http://static.flickr.com/30/53172031_2bb71670b1_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=53172031&size=l)

http://static.flickr.com/28/53168667_1f8d65464f_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=53168667&size=l)

http://static.flickr.com/32/56443540_462ff45721_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=56443540&size=l)

If I can provide any more info, let me know. I'll be reattaching it this weekend, weather willing, so I can try to build a platform to store it on. I'll try to take some better pics.

Greg

MowHoward2210

10-26-2005, 10:29 PM

Looks like a great setup, Greg. Great pics on your link, too. :fing32:

Argee

10-26-2005, 10:34 PM

:Welcome1: Welcome randyny...looking forward to the ever expanding group of Simplicity owners talking about their machines :fing02:

exNCite

10-27-2005, 09:09 AM

Ah, so this is where you went. I was anxious to hear what you've been doing with your new XL. It is getting tiring listening to leroy bag on Simplicity. I've never seen someone with such an agenda for bashing a line of machines.

Anyway depasseg, I see you got the backhoe. Your one small picture is better than I've seen in all of Simplicity's literature and website. How do you like it? I got the XL with loader this summer and it's been absolutely teriffic. The backhoe is expensive so I'd like to hear some real stories about it. Can you do a mini-review, perhaps with some action photos?

Regards, Randy

Hey Randy,
Yes I was actually getting angry over the Simpliciity bashing. I posted a reply that got wiped off because I "suggested" this forum as an additional information site. :omg: The people here are so much nicer. :hatsoff:
I love my XL and don't have to defend it to those guys. Nothing wrong with Kubotas or any of the other brands. If they prefer them, that's fine with me, but I won't criticize their choices.
Have been having a ball with FEL. Been clearing some of my property (when it's not raining) that the weeds, vines, jaggers etc have overtaken. Also have taken down about a dozen trees and what a relief on my back for hauling the wood. Pictures aren't all that spectacular, but will post a couple soon.

depasseg you do have a really nice setup. :congrats: Boy would that backhoe come in handy. Wanna come dig a ditch for me too??? LOL. Getting my camera back today so will try to answer some of your questions.

chrpmaster

10-27-2005, 09:17 AM

depasseg

Great action pics of the backhoe at work. I was wondering if you had any problems getting through the tree roots while digging the trench? does your backhoe have enough power to break them?

Andy

depasseg

10-27-2005, 09:41 AM

I've found that there were a couple roots that take a little more time, but I haven't found one I couldn't get through. I think some of it has to do with me being a new operator. I've found that the curling of the bucket is extremely powerful, moreso than just extending/return the boom. I know it's hard to tell in the pictures, but that ditch with the roots is over 2 feet deep, and 25 feet long. Some of the roots are 3-4 inches. It took maybe 20 minutes. This sucker can dig. If only I could operate it better. :)

-Greg

PS - I meant to give the new simplicity folks a warm welcome in my earlier posts. I only joined a little while ago myself, and it's nice to have found such a great bunch of folks.

aesanders

10-27-2005, 01:03 PM

Hello all,

I too was fed up with Lbrown over their at TBN. It's not the first time either. I have had a run in's with him before on similar posts. I had a post deleted for some reason on the same thread as well. I have been on KenT site Simple tractors, and that is a good site also. This one seems to be more focused on the newer machines where as Simple Tractors is great for the older machines.

Anyway I am big Simplicity fan and current owner of a Conquest with snowblower. My wife and I are considering buying a small 5-10 acre horse farm, and I'm considering getting the Legacy if we make the move.

It's great to see this site with many Legacy owners over here. The backhoe pictures are really great.

simple_john

10-27-2005, 01:09 PM

aesanders.. welcome... and i agree kent has a great site and really knows the brand....

welcome to the forum....:Welcome1:

exNCite

10-27-2005, 01:54 PM

Thank you simple_john. It's why I much prefer this forum. On the "other" one, aesanders post would have simply been deleted. That's why I recommended this forum. Good people!!! :trink39: :00000033:

randyny

10-27-2005, 09:30 PM

Greg, I found your other posts about the backhoe after I posted my reply. Boy that thing looks sweet. Too bad the subframe has to dismount along with the hoe itself. It'd be nice if it were a true quick-attach like the loader (which is ridiculously easy). From the looks of it the mower must be off with bh installed, right? Does the book have any real specs such as lift capacity and reach/max depth? I am really trying to justify a backhoe. I know I would use it a LOT. I am suprised at how much use the loader gets! Moving mulch/dirt, digging pits, clearing ground, digging (small) roots, wheelbarrow stuff, moving firewood, lifting logs off of ground so I can cut them, lifting sheetrock to the second floor of the garage, etc, etc. I even use it to take my garbage 200' down to the curb :) .

BTW, even on level ground, sometimes the loader mounts just dont want to slide in easily. A quick spray of WD-40 works wonders. Also, dont remove the loader and leave in the sun. The sunlight heats the cylinders, creates pressure, and it's difficult (to say the least) to reattach.

I'm looking for some 3-pt attachments so I can use the pto. I was thinking about a Timberwolf logsplitter recently but they are kinda pricey for me.

randyny

10-27-2005, 09:40 PM

Phoenix1,

Glad your having fun with the loader. It is amazing what some hydraulics can do, isn't it? I did a basic test on the capacity, loading more and more bags of cement into the bucket. I got to 6 80lb bags of cement and 40 lbs of grass seed when I stopped - 520 lbs. The bucket couldn't fit any more, but it wouldn't matter; it took a bit at full throttle to lift the 520+ pounds to full height. If you've seen my pictures elsewhere, I've been loading the bucket with hundreds of lbs of foundation concrete, and filling the bucket to capacity with wet dirt. The dirt was by far the heaviest lifting. When packed full the bucket barely came off the ground. 44 hours so far, probably 75% doing loader work.

Anyway, I'm truly loving the machine. Now I am starting to dream about the backhoe....

lb59

10-27-2005, 10:23 PM

I am looking at the Simplicity Legacy XL,what motor is better, The KOHLER 27 hp air cooled or the Kawasaki 27 hp Liq cooled. Both are v-twin electronic ignition.
I would also like to here any feedback you may have on this mower.

Water is better but Diesel is best.

lb59

10-27-2005, 10:33 PM

[QUOTE=exNCite]Welcome to this site. Much more Simplicity friendly than the other QUOTE]

Could it be few owners and lack of actual ownership experience rather than unfriendliness?

lb59

10-27-2005, 10:50 PM

talking to a couple of the local dealers, they seemed to indicate that the diesels didn't sell well because of the added noise/vibration &
cold weather drawbacs.

This don't seem to affect sales of any of the other brands.
My Diesel is smoother and quieter than the 18 HP gas motor on my lawn tractor.
Don't vibrate.
No problem in cold weather.

lb59

10-27-2005, 11:03 PM

Looks like a great setup, Greg. Great pics on your link, too. :fing32:

Except there isn't a ROPS.

jodyand

10-27-2005, 11:15 PM

:Welcome1: Randy and lb59 :trink39:

lb59

10-27-2005, 11:39 PM

Yes I was actually getting angry over the Simpliciity bashing.
*I posted a reply that got wiped off because I "suggested" this forum as an additional information site.
[I]* I wouldn't call this Simplicity bashing.
One thing I've found out is some discussion boards frown on posters referring their members to other boards.

lb59

10-27-2005, 11:52 PM

Hello all,I had a post deleted for some reason on the same thread as well.
Post that violate the T O S can get deleted

aesanders

10-28-2005, 12:40 AM

LBROWN,

Do you have anything of importance to say about this thread? Everyone else seems to be talking about Simplicity tractors. Why did you folow this thread over here form TBN?

I for one am interested in getting a Simplicity Legacy XL. It seems to be the best all around machine for my needs. It is the best lawn mowing machine in it's class in my opinion. Can also add a front end loader and backoe down the road when the need arises. I do not like the lawn mowing capablities of the Kubota BX that you have. Since you do not cut the lawn with your BX then this is not a factor for you. I do not see where I would get any benefit by buying a Kubota BX over the Simplicity xl. I will spend extra money for the Simplicity if I need to. You won't. Get over it already and post on the Kubota forum if you have nothing more informative to say.

Also, If I needed more out of the front end loader capablities I would get a Power-trac. It blows both the Simplicity and Kubota friont end capabilities out of the water and costs less. I could mow with it as well, but I do not feel the grass cutting capability is as nice as the Simplicity is.

Mr_Ron

10-28-2005, 07:01 AM

I’m Mr Teci on TBN, and I think I may have opened some eyes by asking if Simplicity tractors are worthy. :omg: Well thanks to exNCite for referring me here, I have found the answer to such a simple question, and yes it seams they are worthy. Last weekend I test drove the BX23, and the dealer let me play with the back hoe. It wasn’t part of my original criteria, but I have started making a list of projects requiring the b-hoe. :D I have ruled out New Holland, Massey Ferguson and Deere for various reasons (dealership, ergonomics and price respectively).
Yesterday I dropped my Broadmoor of at the Simplicity dealer for repairs. Unless the service department totally ticks me off, I’ll have a serious discussion about the Legacy XL when I pick up my mower, to see which orange tractor I end up with.
Thanks for a lot of good information. Like I said “over there”, I’ll come to MTF for all my tractor information and go to TBN for comic relief.

MowHoward2210

10-28-2005, 07:13 AM

Glad to see people make informed decisions and future informed decisions here, There is nothing wrong with somebody recommending what they themselves own, but I wouldn't give much stock to people giving "expert" advice about something they don't own, especially when it's in the very negative sense.

depasseg

10-28-2005, 07:41 AM

Except there isn't a ROPS.

I haven't decided if I need one. And since I'm not going to be doing much with the FEL/BH over the winter, I'm going to wait until the spring/summer. True, it is surprising that it doesn't come with one, but then again Simplicity isn't going after the hardcore tractor crowd. Remember, my primary purpose for the machine is mowing and snowthrowing. And it does it so well, I won a hat. :) ROF

Greg

depasseg

10-28-2005, 07:49 AM

Greg, I found your other posts about the backhoe after I posted my reply. Boy that thing looks sweet. Too bad the subframe has to dismount along with the hoe itself. It'd be nice if it were a true quick-attach like the loader (which is ridiculously easy). From the looks of it the mower must be off with bh installed, right? Does the book have any real specs such as lift capacity and reach/max depth? I am really trying to justify a backhoe.

Yes, the mower has to come off, but that's a 2 minute deal. I wish the BH were as easy as the FEL to attach, but I can live with it the way it is. I don't think the book lists the capacities in detail, but before my purchase, I called Kwik-Way and they sent me a couple of tech sheets with the capacities/capabilities. It was very informative, but I lost it. I'll call them again today to see if I can get another copy to share with the group.

BTW, even on level ground, sometimes the loader mounts just dont want to slide in easily. A quick spray of WD-40 works wonders. Also, dont remove the loader and leave in the sun. The sunlight heats the cylinders, creates pressure, and it's difficult (to say the least) to reattach.

thanks for the tips.

I'm looking for some 3-pt attachments so I can use the pto. I was thinking about a Timberwolf logsplitter recently but they are kinda pricey for me.
i just got a 3-pt spreader that runs off the PTO. I haven't used it yet. JDFANATIC has one and loves it. SMARTFARMER sold me mine.
I'm also looking into generators that run off the PTO. STF for a bunch more attachments.

Greg

depasseg

10-28-2005, 07:52 AM