3038E replacement

[GuidoSarducci]

Howdy,

I currently have a Deere 3038E and would appreciate replacement suggestions. It has been a great little tractor I have just outgrown it's capabilities mostly on the loader side.

My two biggest issues are the ride, and the loader size/capacity.
It has been suggested to fill the rear tires but that's not going to make the loader lift any more weight. I'm doing a ton of land clearing the loader doesn't have the capacity to lift or push fallen trees out of the way. I have tried to pickup broken up pieces of concrete slab and it flat out won't lift it, I'm not talking about massive pieces of concrete here just stuff half the size of the bucket. The other issue is the bucket size, the bucket is really small. It takes multiple (6+) trips out to the mulch pile to even cover my wife's flower garden in the front.

Barring the loader capacity the ride is just plain terrible, even with a full load bricks and the brush hog on the back it will **** near bounce you out of the seat. Again it has been suggested to fill the tires so I will defer to the first paragraph of why I don't want to do that. One thing the tractor has been great at is getting in and out of tight spaces, I think this tractor would be perfect for someone with under 10 acres and a really wooded lot. It has a decent amount of power for light farm work but it gets bogged down in tall grass with a 5ft bush hog

I don't want a used tractor as I work full time for now and don't have time to tinker on the weekends when I could be out in the field. I currently own 20 acres of land that hasn't been farmed in 20 years and have the option to farm an additional 20 of my neighbors for free. I have been looking at 5075, 5085E's but they are **** expensive. I don't bleed green but I could literally drive my tractor to the Deere dealer (Heritage tractor in Baldwin City) it's that close.
I guess the question is am I doing myself a disservice by only shopping Deere or all they all about the same price point from 55-100hp?

Thanks for reading

 

[Tractor Tom]

If you want a Deere that's fine, but you should shop around to see what's out there. If nothing else it will help you keep the Deere guys sharp with their pencil. I have a new 2014 Kioti 35hp and a friend just bought a new Deere 3039. His was 15 grand more money than my Kioti. That's a lot of cash for a few more horse power, and basically the same specs as my Kioti.

 

[kcflhrc]

I have the 3032E with the 305 loader. The loader is a little weak. But for the most part it does what I need. I have my rear tires loaded and the ride seems fine to me. All I can offer is this, shop around. I too live very close to the dealer in Baldwin. However I bought in Nevada MO and saved a ton of cash and got the tractor delivered. There is a Kioti dealer now just north of Spring Hill on 169 but I believe you will do better on trade at a Deere dealer. There is also a Mahindra dealer and Kubota dealer within 30 minutes of you. Definitely keep and open mind and don't be afraid to call around for a deal. I bought my tractor for $2k less than the next closest bid.

 

[rustyshakelford]

I have a 5055e cab, it rides decent and the h240 loader is great.

Brett

 

[GuidoSarducci]

I have a 5055e cab, it rides decent and the h240 loader is great.

Brett

Thanks for the reply Brett,

Do you find that 55hp is plenty of power?

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Decide what your comfortable rage is for shopping and dealing with a dealer, then go and look at everything that there is to look at within that range. You may very well be surprised at what you find is now available and what those costs are.

Good luck and report back.

 

[Jd5203]

Have you thought about getting a skid steer. Better maneuverability, lifting power for about the same price. If you want a tractor, I would go with the John Deere 5e series, the 5ms are nice but are to expensive, I would get a 6d before a 5m. For what you are doing I would not recommend a compact utility tractor due to weight and build of the tractor.

 

[TripleR]

Lots of good options out there, so I would look at all colors, my last tractor was a new L5740HSTC, but I really liked the John Deere 45/4720. Our Kioti dealer only had five tractors, so while I really like Kioti, dealership kept me from serious consideration, same with LS, MF etc.

 

[GuidoSarducci]

Have you thought about getting a skid steer. Better maneuverability, lifting power for about the same price. If you want a tractor, I would go with the John Deere 5e series, the 5ms are nice but are to expensive, I would get a 6d before a 5m. For what you are doing I would not recommend a compact utility tractor due to weight and build of the tractor.

I actually have thought about the skid steer route however I can't justify having 2 machines when 1 will do the job of both. You hit it on the head with weight and build, I always feel like I'm way overextending the capability of the gearing and frame (with the HST). In reality it's probably fine it just feels wrong.

 

[TripleR]

Skid steers are great for some and we thought we wanted one until a friend stored his Bobcat 854 at one of our farms for close to a year. We used it quite a bit for a while, but quickly ran out of things to do and our next machine was another tractor. We now rent skid steer when needed every two years or so maybe.

 

[MORRISONSTEEL]

Agree on the ride of the 3xxxe tractors, not much of a seat option, nor suspension for them. Whatever you may look at I would think hard about an air seat if the ride is of great concern. Also as you go up in size on many tractors there are oem kits for loader suspension that can help take the bump out of a loaded ride. Good luck.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

My only comment is that if you are going to step up in size, I wouldn't do a small step. I think the 5075/5085 would be a good size if you can stand the cost.

I don't know much about them, but I do think there are several guys on here with them that like them a lot. Do a search on the John Deere subforum here.

But, isn't that size of tractor going to be hard on the yard when delivering mulch to your wife's flower garden? Each step-up / step-down in size involves a series of trade-offs.

 

[rustyshakelford]

Thanks for the reply Brett,

Do you find that 55hp is plenty of power?

I haven't been able to get it in heavy grass and weeds with the mx7 but I'm hopeful it'll be fine. It's a tier II machine and the last year for them was 2014. If you want one id hurry and buy. Probably wouldn't hurt if you found a 5065. Never heard anyone complain of to much power ya know

Brett

 

[TJP89]

I haven't been able to get it in heavy grass and weeds with the mx7 but I'm hopeful it'll be fine. It's a tier II machine and the last year for them was 2014. If you want one id hurry and buy. Probably wouldn't hurt if you found a 5065. Never heard anyone complain of to much power ya know

Brett

Power, no, weight, yes. The guy can't landscape with an 85 HP tractor for crying out loud. Even my 3500# Kioti beats up the yard unless it's rock hard. As Pappy said, there are always tradeoffs.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

One of the reasons to have multiple machines. No one machine is good at everything that needs to be done. If one machine is all that is going to happen, then compromises will have to be made, the OP just needs to decide what's most important, and only he can do that.

I wish him good luck.

 

[GuidoSarducci]

Power, no, weight, yes. The guy can't landscape with an 85 HP tractor for crying out loud. Even my 3500# Kioti beats up the yard unless it's rock hard. As Pappy said, there are always tradeoffs.

This house/farm hasn't been farmed or lived in for 10 years. That's the reason for needing a much larger tractor, I'm needing to remove lots of dilapidated buildings, clear fence rows, mow down and plant old growth pasture etc..
I knew my machine was undersized when the bucket wouldn't reach over the top of a 40 yard dumpster I had delivered. Mowing the back 20 (or even the front 20) with a 5ft brush hog and that super short wheelbase is brutal, it takes all day and I bounce over every tiny bump. It's not that it's impossible to farm a 50 with a 38hp tractor it just takes forever, having a city job makes me mighty short on time.

The 3038E would probably be all the tractor I would need if this was a newer house, had crossfenced pastures in place, no dead trees to take down, trenches to dig, etc..

I got a quote on a Workmaster 75 from NH for $32,200. I think I'm going to pass on that one as the Deere 5065E has a much better transmission (12/12 w/reverser). I'm decided on the Deere I just don't know what HP to go with. Minimum would be 65hp but I would be willing to go with the 75hp if it's going to make a world of difference. I think the 5085E is a little out my price range although the heavier duty loader would be real niiiiiiiice :licking:

 

[AKfish]

When you say "farm" 20 acres and that you could also farm another 20 acres for free.. What exactly does that involve?

What other equipment do you currently have?

You're looking at a Cat II tractors - which will run Cat I attachments (5ft mower) but you really need to pay attention - 'cause you can "wrinkle" that sized equipment up real quick with a bigger tractor.

I'm land poor - and tractor rich; at the moment with just 40 acres. However, I have considered moving up to a 85Hp (maybe even 95Hp) and a round baler. I think you could get by with a 75Hp tractor and a 4x4 baler or light (750-800lb) 4x5 bales.

My 75Hp tractor will run a 8' 2" disc mower/conditioner. I wouldn't recommend using a 65Hp tractor on the same mower.

Your decision depends mostly on where/what you expect to do with the 20-40 acres. If you're gonna get the place "ship-shape" and only put in pastures and upkeep chores, etc. A 50-60Hp utility tractor would likely fit the bill.

Something on the order of a Kuboto 5200X or a JD 5055E or 5065E, etc.

AKfish

 

[TSO]

X2 with what AK asked... What do you mean by farming? Also, which dealerships do you have near you, and what is your preferred budget?

 

[GuidoSarducci]

When you say "farm" 20 acres and that you could also farm another 20 acres for free.. What exactly does that involve?

What other equipment do you currently have?

You're looking at a Cat II tractors - which will run Cat I attachments (5ft mower) but you really need to pay attention - 'cause you can "wrinkle" that sized equipment up real quick with a bigger tractor.

I'm land poor - and tractor rich; at the moment with just 40 acres. However, I have considered moving up to a 85Hp (maybe even 95Hp) and a round baler. I think you could get by with a 75Hp tractor and a 4x4 baler or light (750-800lb) 4x5 bales.

My 75Hp tractor will run a 8' 2" disc mower/conditioner. I wouldn't recommend using a 65Hp tractor on the same mower.

Your decision depends mostly on where/what you expect to do with the 20-40 acres. If you're gonna get the place "ship-shape" and only put in pastures and upkeep chores, etc. A 50-60Hp utility tractor would likely fit the bill.

Something on the order of a Kuboto 5200X or a JD 5055E or 5065E, etc.

AKfish

By farming I mean tilling, planting, and harvesting veggies. I will also use the tractor to build fences, maintain the property etc. For example I used my 3038E the other day to run a post hole digger, it has plenty of power to drill down but the 3point really struggles to get the weight back out of the hole.

At some point after this initial tractor purchase is paid for I would enjoy doing some baling work, square bales would be okay. The 5ft mower would get swapped out for something in the 8-10ft range.

 

[AKfish]

By farming I mean tilling, planting, and harvesting veggies. I will also use the tractor to build fences, maintain the property etc. For example I used my 3038E the other day to run a post hole digger, it has plenty of power to drill down but the 3point really struggles to get the weight back out of the hole.

At some point after this initial tractor purchase is paid for I would enjoy doing some baling work, square bales would be okay. The 5ft mower would get swapped out for something in the 8-10ft range.

I really like a chore tractor with a hydro transmission. Thought long and hard about the Kubota MX5200. Couple things changed my mind - need/wanted a cab for winter work and just not entirely OK with running a square baler and the hydro transmission. Might be just fine; but long-term use..

Finally, working a disc mower-conditioner with only 45Hp @ pto is not in the cards, either. That's why I went with a 75Hp tractor with reverser tranny.

After 3 years of that, and really needing the ease of use and maneuverability of a smaller tractor with a hydro transmission, I found a good, used JD 4720.

If you can hang onto your 3038 for the tilling, yard maintenance, vegetable growing chores AND a 65Hp utility tractor for hay work...

Well... Then you'd be in "tall cotton"!

AKfish