3038e capable?

[gtobill]

I have 10 acres near Bertram Tx. It was all trees when I started clearing, most of them cedar. I knocked down around 5 acres of the cedar and now I am needing something to clean up this area. We have been cutting up trees and burning and it is back breaking work. Would the 3038e be big enough to lift trees and stack them for burning? The trees weigh around 200-300 lbs each and there are hundreds of them. Looking for something to put forks on to lift the trees and stack. I don't want to spend over $20K. I can get the 3038e for around $16K.


Bill

 

[msmud]

gtobill,

I am lifting around 620# on my 3038E on the other end of the tractor in the form of a 6' bushhog. So far all seems fine but I only have 20 hrs on the machine. The front axle capacity is listed as 1760#, the rear 2640#, and the loader attachment point is far enough back such that a portion of the load is borne by the rear axle. As long as you stay within the loader capacity, have the rear properly ballasted, and exercise due caution in lifting a shifting load, I don't know why you couldn't lift trees all day long. I expect to hoist the old bushhog up and down a few thousand times before I'm done with my 3038E. By the way, there was a user who posted a picture of a 3032E with impressive looking forklift forks and rear guards. I tried to upload that picture for you but couldn't. Just search under 3032 and I think you will find the picture.

The 3032/3038E tractors are compelling values in my opinion, but many on TBN have a bigger is better philosophy. I expect you will get recommendations to get the biggest, stoutest tractor you can. Needless to say I am skeptical of this. Good luck,
Tim

 

[msmud]

I would add that these 3000 E tractors have a very short wheelbase and are quite sensitive to tire pressures as far as ride quality and attachment "bounce." When I got mine from the dealership, the rear R4s had 24 psi in them and my bushhog bounced mightily. With 10.5 psi things are very smooth. If you test a loader version of these tractors, you might want to see if you can do so with reasonable tire pressures before you make your decision.

 

[LaVerne]

I have done work like that with a 3032E. It sounds right for your job, and the extra HP in the 3038 will only help you when tilling or mowing. The loader does not need it. I do piling work at 1800 RPM unless I need to push a pile a long ways. Remember it's a small tractor, and you can only pile so high with it. Still tons better than doing it without a loader. 10 acres is no problem if you take your time. My tractor has been pretty trouble free up to about 810 hours now, mostly PTO work. Anything that went wrong was my fault for running over stuff, except a light bulb that died. If you just want to get some work done, nothing real fancy, this might be your tractor.

 

[msmud]

Here is the link to pictures that one TBN user posted of his bucket fork setup with a 3032E:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/john-deere-buying-pricing/147204-jd-3032e-here.html.

His TBN name was wnymudd. I'll bet he could give a good opinion of whether the 3038 could handle your tree situation.

 

[gtobill]

Looked throgh the posts and found this place for forks.

JD compatible Pallet Forks

That is what I am looking for. I have looked through many posts on these tractors and found very few negative remarks. They seem to be built light but it looks like they are stout.

 

[kennyd]

That machine is certainly up to the task, Heck, my 20hp 4110 lift 1000lbs!

But it sounds like your really need a grapple, here are some pictures of mine:

 

[RoyJackson]

Powerwise, no problem..3038e has the power and hydraulic capacity. Kenny's suggestion about a grapple would definitely help clearing those trees.

Now, the downside...

The 3038e does not have offseat PTO operation, so if you want to use a PTO chipper or logsplitter it might not be your best choice. You can put a 50-100 lb sack of sand (or whatever) on the seat though.

 

[gtobill]

Seems like you could just installl a bypass switch for that. Is there a seat sensor on the 3X20's? How does it work on those machines?

Bill

 

[msmud]

Bill,
Not to discourage you from getting a tractor, but getting a dozer man in there to push everything together into burn piles would likely get your 10 acres in shape within a few days--and regrade any parts of the land that need it, too. Seems like you're working pretty hard.

Tim

 

[jenkinsph]

The 3038E would be a good choice for your application, just be sure you consider carefully what else you will want to do with it in the future. I agree about the bypass switch, I am not going to carry around a sandbag. Realistically there are very few uses for fixed in place pto usage. I wouldn't bother with the switch unless I found the need.

As far as new tractors in the $18,000 range I think thats alot of bang for the buck. You can buy a similarly equipped older tractor for less though.

 

[RoyJackson]

The 3038E would be a good choice for your application, just be sure you consider carefully what else you will want to do with it in the future. I agree about the bypass switch, I am not going to carry around a sandbag. Realistically there are very few uses for fixed in place pto usage. I wouldn't bother with the switch unless I found the need.

As far as new tractors in the $18,000 range I think thats alot of bang for the buck. You can buy a similarly equipped older tractor for less though.

Apparently you don't have a PTO driven chipper, generator or logsplitter...all stationary usages.
Those are just the non-agricultural uses. I'm sure ag use would add a few more applications.

Messing around with a safety device could result in voiding a warranty, so think about that before anyone modifies or bypasses the switch. Just make sure you know what you're doing before you do it.
That said, I think it was an incredibly bad decision on Deere's part to not have off-seat PTO use on these tractors (3032e, 3038e)

 

[JDGreenGrass]

I too think it's a shame Deere doesn't offer the off seat pto.

Considering that most dealers offer attachments such as a log-splitter or chipper...I wouldn't want to be the salesman that has to look the customer in the eye, after he just sold the tractor, and says....oh, you can't operate that chipper with the tractor I just sold you.

 

[msmud]

I agree with Steve; is Bill really going to need a chipper down there in that Texas heat to grind up 10 acres of cedar? Talk about the long way around. When I first read Bill's post, I instinctively reached for my dozer keys.

Bill, I wish I lived next door so I could help you with this. As much as I like my little 3038E, a dozer would seem to be the fastest and cheapest solution to your problem.

 

[jenkinsph]

Apparently you don't have a PTO driven chipper, generator or logsplitter...all stationary usages.
Those are just the non-agricultural uses. I'm sure ag use would add a few more applications.

Messing around with a safety device could result in voiding a warranty, so think about that before anyone modifies or bypasses the switch. Just make sure you know what you're doing before you do it.
That said, I think it was an incredibly bad decision on Deere's part to not have off-seat PTO use on these tractors (3032e, 3038e)

Roy,
Yes I have a 3pt chipper, no I haven't used it much. No I don't have a pto driven generator I have Onan diesel and Honda gas generators, would not consider running my tractor for hours for this purpose. No interest at all in a log splitter on my tractors, I would much prefer a self contained unit.

I agree a person needs to understand what they are doing when they install the bypass switch.

 

[gtobill]

Went to nearest dealer and they will match another dealers quote at $18.8K with tires filled with sealer and water on back and sealer on the fronts. Said he would throw in a 5' box blade for antoher $400(Not Frontier). That would be all I would need for a good while.

 

[kennyd]

Went to nearest dealer and they will match another dealers quote at $18.8K with tires filled with sealer and water on back and sealer on the fronts. Said he would throw in a 5' box blade for antoher $400(Not Frontier). That would be all I would need for a good while.

Sealer?

 

[gtobill]

Have to be water soluble eh? I am trying to find out what the stuff is right now. Don't know if the salesman knows what he is talking about. They have treated me right so far though.

Bill

 

[gtobill]

The price was actually $16.8K then another $400 for the box blade. The loan was approved and I believe we get the tractor Tuesday. Got 0% for 60 months. The sealant is superseal for the tires.

Bill

 

[nunyabinis]

The 3038e will do the job. I love mine. It's a lot of tractor for the money. I just installed a canopy and the two rear hydraulic SCVs and will be ordering a HTL tonight.


Now that I have the two rear SCVs there's no telling how much trouble I can get into!!!


NOTE: I keep reading posts regarding the 3038e and the 3032e not having off-seat PTO capability. All you have to do is lift the seat, pull the connector off the kill switch and plug a piece of 14 gauge solid wire into the connector. Works good. Just be VERY careful around spinning equipment.