G3038 vs R3039

Underdog57 · Oct 21, 2013

Thanks, I am looking very hard at the R4041H now!

jnicewan · Oct 21, 2013

I have talked to a few dealers now and their prices are pretty close together but it seems that the R3039 prices have gone up. I think what happened was when I priced a couple weeks ago they priced an older tractor still in stock (couple months old maybe?) . One dealer mentioned the prices went up in September and they went up? Anyway its looking like the R3039 I was priced is around $2500 more than the comparible G3038 with the same trans. The dealers that have the new price R3039 are getting close to the price of older stock R4041's. It looks like I can get a R4041S for the price of a R3039H, does that sound right and normally a comparible R4041 is $1500 higher than an R3039

Anyway I am getting close to quitting the shopping part. It seems like every time I compare something I find that I can get the next best thing for a little more money, or the next model for another $1k or whatever. I know in the back of my head I can get by with a 30 HP tractor, I simply looked up at the 38HP for that little bit more power for larger implements and bigger tasks. I understand all the benefits to R3039 and higher R models but I am not running a full time farm, I am only tending to 10ac and most of my work will be light mowing, and small dirt moving projects mainly on the weekends. So I am still trying to decide if the extra $2000-$2500 is going to matter enough.

murphy1244 · Oct 21, 2013

Stay on the small side. A 40 horse Tractor won't cut grass good.

TSO · Oct 21, 2013

jnicewan said:
I have talked to a few dealers now and their prices are pretty close together but it seems that the R3039 prices have gone up. I think what happened was when I priced a couple weeks ago they priced an older tractor still in stock (couple months old maybe?) . One dealer mentioned the prices went up in September and they went up? Anyway its looking like the R3039 I was priced is around $2500 more than the comparible G3038 with the same trans. The dealers that have the new price R3039 are getting close to the price of older stock R4041's. It looks like I can get a R4041S for the price of a R3039H, does that sound right and normally a comparible R4041 is $1500 higher than an R3039

Anyway I am getting close to quitting the shopping part. It seems like every time I compare something I find that I can get the next best thing for a little more money, or the next model for another $1k or whatever. I know in the back of my head I can get by with a 30 HP tractor, I simply looked up at the 38HP for that little bit more power for larger implements and bigger tasks. I understand all the benefits to R3039 and higher R models but I am not running a full time farm, I am only tending to 10ac and most of my work will be light mowing, and small dirt moving projects mainly on the weekends. So I am still trying to decide if the extra $2000-$2500 is going to matter enough.

This is my 3rd tractor in 2 years. I have found (and others will confirm) that tractors shrink almost as soon as you get them home. The R3039 will be prefect if you think you only need 30hp.

jnicewan · Oct 21, 2013

TSO said:
This is my 3rd tractor in 2 years. I have found (and others will confirm) that tractors shrink almost as soon as you get them home. The R3039 will be prefect if you think you only need 30hp.

Yea, that's where Im at and I think its the best size too, now is it the right model?. I appreciate everybody's advice and input on this thread BTW. My biggest hang up is if the features of the R series are something I am going to use now, later or benefit from with only doing light work on 10 acres. I would also think that after the first year or two a lot of the tasks I will use the tractor for will be reduced significantly or not needed anymore. As much as I like the R3039 I just don't know if I would benefit from all the extra features and for another $2500.

GManBart · Oct 21, 2013

jnicewan said:
Yea, that's where Im at and I think its the best size too, now is it the right model?. I appreciate everybody's advice and input on this thread BTW. My biggest hang up is if the features of the R series are something I am going to use now, later or benefit from with only doing light work on 10 acres. I would also think that after the first year or two a lot of the tasks I will use the tractor for will be reduced significantly or not needed anymore. As much as I like the R3039 I just don't know if I would benefit from all the extra features and for another $2500.

I think I'd still stick with the 3039 in your situation. I'm only on 15 acres (which may increase), and I'm using all a 4047 has to give, and then I'm borrowing my neighbor's tracked skid steer!

I actually used my 4047 to mow quite a bit, with a 7.5' finish mower, and it did a great job. With a 6' brush hog, it's awesome, to the point that I really want a 7' model now.

One of the things I've found is that more I use my tractor, the more uses I find for it, and they tend to be harder, not easier. Also, if you ever decide you don't need that much power, I think you'd find it easier to sell a 3039 than a 3038. I've had two different LS dealers say they're selling more 3039s than anything else...for a reason...tons of capability at a price point almost nobody can come close to.

GManBart · Oct 21, 2013

Underdog57 said:
Thanks, I am looking very hard at the R4041H now!

That's a really good choice, and a nice step up from the 3039 in capability (mostly FEL capacity).

Underdog57 · Oct 22, 2013

I made the jump and bought a R4041H today, it won't be delivered till next week because it had Ag tires and I need Industrial tires. It's going to be a long week!

jnicewan · Oct 23, 2013

It seems like the R3039 tractors are rare around here, nobody within about a 3 hr drive has one and most of the dealers mentioned either never having one or sold only 1-2 in the last the year. They all can order them or transfer from somewhere else? It seems that people around here is buying the G-series or the bigger R's.

The thing is most of these places have an aging stock of g-series and bigger R's and they can work on those prices where they cant when they have to order one in. I had one dealer quote me a G3038H for the same low price as a G3038S, this same dealer quoted a R4041S for a price cheaper than a R3039S (which he would have to order the R3039S hence the higher price) I really liked the price I was quoted for the R4041S, if I was smart I would probably drive there tomorrow and sign the papers on it.

I think what has my head spinning so much right now is getting prices all over the place. I am sure if these places had R3039's sitting on the lot they could work more on the price but since they have to order one in the price stays up there and high. I had almost decided to stick with a hydro trans but not sure now after I got some more quotes.

GManBart · Oct 23, 2013

jnicewan said:
It seems like the R3039 tractors are rare around here, nobody within about a 3 hr drive has one and most of the dealers mentioned either never having one or sold only 1-2 in the last the year. They all can order them or transfer from somewhere else? It seems that people around here is buying the G-series or the bigger R's.

The thing is most of these places have an aging stock of g-series and bigger R's and they can work on those prices where they cant when they have to order one in. I had one dealer quote me a G3038H for the same low price as a G3038S, this same dealer quoted a R4041S for a price cheaper than a R3039S (which he would have to order the R3039S hence the higher price) I really liked the price I was quoted for the R4041S, if I was smart I would probably drive there tomorrow and sign the papers on it.

I think what has my head spinning so much right now is getting prices all over the place. I am sure if these places had R3039's sitting on the lot they could work more on the price but since they have to order one in the price stays up there and high. I had almost decided to stick with a hydro trans but not sure now after I got some more quotes.

It's never easy, is it? Anything a 3039 can do, a 4041 can do better. The slight increase in size will almost never cause a problem, unless you had a tight spot you had to work in (like a specific barn stall size) regularly. For all-around, general use, HST is a lot more convenient. I have similar size machines with gear, and HST, and really do appreciate the ability to change directions without doing anything other than moving my foot...makes even brush hogging a lot easier, and more efficient. With that said, my primary mowing/brush hogging machine is the gear tractor. The good thing is, you can't make a bad choice out of the ones you've mentioned!