JD 3038E vs Kubota L3200

[DFisher63]

I know the comparisons get done to death, so please bear with me. Upon pricing, I have been shocked to find the JDs are less expensive. With that said, I can buy a JD 3038E for $1300 LESS than a Kubota L3200. I have seen the comparisons between 3032 and L3200, and 3038 and L3800, but in this case I am comparing different animals. I own 23 acres, but only 5 are cleared, mostly flat, and 3 will be cut with a rotary cutter. I will use a box scrape to tend a 200' drive, and one day a rotary tiller for gardening and deer plots. I'll use the loader for a variety of things, including moving mulch, gravel, etc. Most comparisons show the Kubota to be the better-built tractor. Bottom line is this: Would you pay more for the Kubota to get less horsepower?

Comparison stuff that matter to me (some merely my opinion):
JD has higher HP
JD has better HST pedal setup
JD has steering rods behind the axle (protected)
JD has better warranty (3 yrs vs. 2)
JD is $1300 cheaper (JD $18,500 vs Kubota $19,800) Big surprise for me!
Kubota has better hood design for easier maintenance
Kubota has quick disconnect loader
Kubota has concealed hydraulic lines to bucket (protected)
Kubota has 3 speed ranges instead of 2
Kubota has bigger fuel tank
Kubota has a drawbar standard
Kubota has cast iron rear end
Kubota is 450 lbs heavier

Which has the best resale is questionable to me. Dealers are both about 45 minutes away, and both seem very easy to work with. Neither are totally American made. Financing is same, except JD offers $1000 back if 2 implements bought, which if used (and I will), makes the JD $2300 cheaper. Your thoughts?

 

[k0ua]

The Kubota pricing you received is high. You can do better than that. Try Barlows or another dealer. I really don't like the aluminum final drive casting on the JD and the two speed hydro. The 450 lbs extra is your friend, and the Kubota is considered a light tractor. A Kioti, Mahindra or LS in that size class will be much heavier yet. This is a good thing in most usages. A Kioti CK35 will weigh a 1000 or so more than the Kubota, and have a 4 year powertrain warranty. If I had to choose between the Kubota and the JD I would choose the Kubota. But I would look at other brands if I were you. It looks like you have researched these two tractors thoroughly.

 

[azkubotaguy]

Get a L3800 same tractor more horsepower, I almost bought a 3038E until I tested out the Kubota L3800. I use my L3800 for business and this tractor has done everything I have asked of it, worth the extra cash.

 

[s219]

I got my L3200 with front loader and R4 tires for $18400. L3800 would have been $19800.

I think the HST pedal setup is subjective -- I was used to the Deere arrangement, but running a Kubota for 2+ years has got me liking that better -- just seems more intuitive.

 

[k0ua]

I got my L3200 with front loader and R4 tires for $18400. L3800 would have been $19800.

I think the HST pedal setup is subjective -- I was used to the Deere arrangement, but running a Kubota for 2+ years has got me liking that better -- just seems more intuitive.

I would tend to agree with this as well. I have the 2 pedal setup on my Kioti, and love it, but I also loved the single treadle pedal of the Kubota. It is just what you get used to. I have heard several people complain about the treadle pedal even after owning it for some time, but I got along fine with it. A few posters with disability's noted that the 2 pedal setup was easier on their ankles or they had trouble lifting their foot to go into reverse. I can certainly understand that situation, but for those of us that still have good articulation in our ankles, there is nothing inherently wrong with the treadle pedal, and it may be a hair faster to transition from forward to reverse as your foot is already on it.

 

[DFisher63]

I got my L3200 with front loader and R4 tires for $18400. L3800 would have been $19800.

Where did you get yours? The NC dealers (4 within an hour) are not coming close, and I really don't want to get one from several states away. If my price for the L3200 had been $18400, I would already have it.

 

[kcflhrc]

I just bought a new 3032E, tractor, loader, 5' rotary cutter, 6' blade, loaded rear tires, and i-match for $18,500 delivered to my house. The Kubota I was looking at was $18,300 just for the tractor and loader. It was a no brainer to buy the Deere. The 0% financing for 5 years was a nice feature also.

 

[DFisher63]

Current pricing, as of a minute ago, all with R4 tires:
JD 3032E with 305 FEL, $17,300
JD 3038E with 305 FEL, $18,500
Kubota L3200 with 524 FEL, $19,800.

 

[kcflhrc]

I got lucky, a dealer 80 miles away from me had 6 2013 3032E at a promotional price. It is my understanding they were trying to get market share in an area and that was their advertised price, so he had to sell it to me for that advertised price.The tractor and loader by itself was only $15,595. If you want to drive to Kansas I'm sure he will sell you one for the same price.

 

[s219]

Where did you get yours? The NC dealers (4 within an hour) are not coming close, and I really don't want to get one from several states away. If my price for the L3200 had been $18400, I would already have it.

I bought from Dubberly Tractor in Chester VA. But Barlow's out of Kentucky had an even better price, and delivers for $1 per mile. You ought to contact them for a quote. They have a lot of satisfied customers here on TBN.

 

[art]

Three range transmissions the only way to go! Non-quick attach loader went away in the 70's on ag tractors!

 

[DFisher63]

Waiting on a price from Barlow's, but delivery charge went up to $1.50 a mile, so it would cost $500. I'll see what the price is and determine if that makes sense. Dubberly's price is better than what I have, but not by a land slide.

Maybe I should not worry about resale, but that is my concern with Kioti and Mahindra. We only have one dealer anywhere near, so that is cause for concern, at least for me.

I did figure out the $1000 rebate from JD goes to the dealer, at the prices quoted, so the difference is $1300 more for the Kubota L3200. So assuming I am not going to drive a long ways (or pay shipping), which would you buy?

 

[Katahdin]

It's more than just horsepower you're getting with Deere. It has a direct injection engine. If you do some research on that you'll understand DI is a more fuel efficient combustion process than the indirect injection on the Kubota. Displacement is about the same, but Deere's Yanmar bore/stroke ratio is more square so it'll can run at higher rpms getting you more power strokes per minute. To get 540RPM at the PTO, the Kubota's engine is near red line. The Deere's Yanmar engine is capable of several hundred more RPM when the PTO is spinning at full speed.

That said, I'd feel you'd be missing out if you didn't at least check out a 100% Yanmar tractor while you're out shopping. You might get a better deal and warranty then either of the John Deere and Kubota offerings.

 

[s219]

It's more than just horsepower you're getting with Deere. It has a direct injection engine. If you do some research on that you'll understand DI is a more fuel efficient combustion process than the indirect injection on the Kubota. Displacement is about the same, but Deere's Yanmar bore/stroke ratio is more square so it'll can run at higher rpms getting you more power strokes per minute. To get 540RPM at the PTO, the Kubota's engine is near red line. The Deere's Yanmar engine is capable of several hundred more RPM when the PTO is spinning at full speed.

On my L3200, PTO RPM is about 400 RPM below redline.

 

[s219]

Waiting on a price from Barlow's, but delivery charge went up to $1.50 a mile, so it would cost $500. I'll see what the price is and determine if that makes sense. Dubberly's price is better than what I have, but not by a land slide.

Maybe I should not worry about resale, but that is my concern with Kioti and Mahindra. We only have one dealer anywhere near, so that is cause for concern, at least for me.

I did figure out the $1000 rebate from JD goes to the dealer, at the prices quoted, so the difference is $1300 more for the Kubota L3200. So assuming I am not going to drive a long ways (or pay shipping), which would you buy?

You really need to test drive both tractors to make this decision. I was all set on a Deere based on specs many years ago, but driving it I found I did not like the operator station or plastic hood/fenders. You can't get a feel for stuff like that based on specs and costs.

Here's a walk around spec sheet I found online:

http://cdnmedia.endeavorsuite.com/i.../L3200_L3800 Highlights - Comp Walkaround.pdf

It's from Kubota, so I suspect they are being over-liberal in their own favor. Still, it makes some true comparisons.

 

[DFisher63]

New price on the JD 3038E is $18,353. One Kubota dealer stayed the same, the other went up $1000 (?). Looking like I will be wearing a green hat.

Got a price from Barlow, waiting on a call from them to define what they are pricing, and whether the price including the delivery.

 

[kcflhrc]

Green is good, I think you will be happy.

 

[k0ua]

New price on the JD 3038E is $18,353. One Kubota dealer stayed the same, the other went up $1000 (?). Looking like I will be wearing a green hat.

Got a price from Barlow, waiting on a call from them to define what they are pricing, and whether the price including the delivery.

Man, choose carefully... IMHO the 'bota is just a better machine. Of course you know what they say about opinions

 

[Fallon]

I was in the same boat, looked at both, went orange.

Turning brakes, folding ROPS, 3 speed & generally not feeling as cheap pushed me that way. The JD just gave me the impression they stripped to many features to make a cheap price point compared to the competition.

I'm happy with my L3200.

 

[murphy1244]

At 25 acres I would be looking for a 40 to 45HP machine. DK-40 would work nicely.2745lbs of lift off!