2X20 VS 3032 and 3038

[trook]

I have noticed that many of us debate the different 2000 series such as the 2305, 2320 and 2530, etc. However, I don't see many, when comparing the sub compacts, list the 3032 and 3038 as possibilities. I know that the 32 and 38 are slightly larger and more economy based, but I am curious as to why so many of us opt for the higher priced 2520 and 2720 instead of deciding on the more economically priced 3032 or 3038. On paper, the 32 and 38 should be able to do as much if not more work than the 2x20 for a cheaper price as long as you don't require a mid-mount mower.

Other than the non-removable FEL (which many don't seem to mind) and the lack of a mid-pto on the economy series, and a slightly larger footprint, please satisy my curiosity as to why more of us seem to choose the 2x20 over the 3032 and 3038.

 

[JD755]

I think you answered your own question. I would doubt that very many 2000 series machines are sold without a mid mount mower. That's what that market wants. While there are other differences such as lack of turn brakes, that missing mid PTO is a major factor. Probably not a lot of 2000 series being used with a rear mount finish mower.

 

[Henri88]

JD755 is absolutely right. I wanted a mmm so I could go in tight spot and around trees and bushes more easily. Needed the mid PTO for my front blower also, and I don't know about others, but I wouldn't change my 200cx fel ever for a non removable one. On and off in less than 5 min.

 

[nikdfish]

I guess we went the other way. I did initially look at some of the 2000 series, but ended up going with a 3038e. The main reason being the cost/benefit comarison between the two categories for our particular situation. The 3038e seemed to provide more capability for our specific needs (HST, rough cutting fields & woodlot/brush work) with a lower price that helped cover the cost of the rotary cutter & box blade that we needed included in the package. Granted the 2K series had more bells & whistles, but the 3038e had the essentials for what we actually needed to get done in immediate future. I even decided to forego the parking kit for the bucket & arms (would have been <$500) since I didn't see where the bucket would be a problem for the kind of work we'd be doing (& the rear implements typically need a counterweight anyway).

I guess the bottom line is that we weren't looking for something to do finish mowing as a primary mission.


Nick

 

[JD755]

You exactly fit the market the 3038E is for. A good value for doing the rough work with no real need for finish mowing. Enjoy your tractor!

 

[SI2305]

OOOOPPPS

 

[SI2305]

I have to reply to JD755,

When I bought my 2305, there were no 3032e's or 3038e's around. If they had been available, I may have considered them as I had 3 major jobs for my tractor: rough cutting (LX4), loader work, and blading my driveway, especially for snow.

As fate would have it, my L-120 died earlier than I thought and I replaced it with a rear finnish mower (Land Pride, 60"). Ironically, I am just one of those few out there that JD 755 would say are unlikely: I have no use for the mid PTO, Although the loader can be removed quickly, I have never taken it off, and I do use a RFM to mow my 3/4 acre yard.

Reasons for this choice:

1) I could have replaced my 120 with a MMM, but I have never enjoyed getting MMM's on and off. Maybe this is easier with the decks available for the 2305, but the RFM just seemed easier to take on/off. The RFM was also a good $500 cheaper than the 54" MMM. Although the RFM does have some maneuverability issues, I can compensate for these without too much difficulty. Further, I LOVE the ability to back under shrubs to mow places I just could not access with a MMM.

2) While it may sound trivial to some, I love the floor placement of the loader controls, and have never felt comfortable with those controls mounted on a pedestal. Again, this is largely due to personal preference, but I think the ergonomics of the JD floor mounted controls are much better than those that point out at you from beside the dash. This was actually a major reason I did not buy Kubota. I will readilly admit that MF has a very attractive looking loader control that mounts on/near the right fender, has a shorter travel and might be ergonomically superior to the Deere, but this is an issue for a different thread.

Nothing at all wrong with the e series, in fact, they have a whole lot going for them. Still, I couldn't help but mention that while it has been suggested that the 2000 series is mostly used as an enhanced mowing machine while the e series is more of a traditional utility tractor, one can ceratinly set up and use even the smallest of the 2000 series to do some pretty serious utility work. Mine right now is being modified to haul 12' long, 15-20" diameter oak and hickory logs.

Another long winded reply.

SI 2305

 

[bxowner]

I'm one that did a comparison of exactly these tractors recently. I really liked the value of the 3032e, as I've been thinking about getting a PTO generator and chipper. I also liked the feel of the controls - the parking brake is car-like, as opposed to the plastic lever on the 2320 (which can bind up for some reason) and the transmission range selector has detents that make it engage very easily. Also, I don't plan on buying a mid-mount mower, as I have an x-324 to cut the grass, so the lack of that option on the 3032e wasn't concerning.

Ultimately, I chose a 2320 because the mid-PTO could drive a front-mount snowblower, which was the most important consideration for me. I spent a lot of time thinking about whether I would be happy with a rear-mount blower over a period of years and decided that it is simply too dangerous an implement to trust using mirrors or to risk any period of inattention. So, that ruled the 3032e out. Were it available with a cost-effective front-mount blower, I'd have bought one*.

* I'm not suggesting any front-mount snowblower is inexpensive - quite the contrary. At $3200 or so on the 2320, it's not at all cheap. But, it sure is less expensive than the Erskine front-mount that I could have bought for the 3032e at $7500 (the style that's run by the PTO with a driveshaft that runs the length of the tractor to run a front-mount blower).

 

[JiminGa]

I am currently looking for my next tractor and eliminated the 3032 and 3038 only because there is no backhoe offered. I'm still not convinced on the 2520 yet, as there is a 3320 with 150 hours for sale locally for what I can get the 2520 for, and I'm pricing some competition as well.
as far as I can tell, the 3032/3038 are good tractors for the money.

 

[trook]

I must admit, if using a 5ft rotary cutter, some basic FEL work and maybe a RFM are your primary tasks, the 3032 and 3038 are VERY attractive! :thumbsup: