WHOOOO HOOO!!!!! my new tractor arrived today
Why I made the move:
I loved my old 2305 and a small part of my soul is still attached to that tractor. I had it for 13 years, it moved mountains, plowed snow, hauled timber, mowed my lawn, trails and field grass for years. I really could not have expected that tractor to do more, or even close to as much as it did for all those years, but in the end I had to make the move up for one simple reason--my wife wants me to keep our grassy field area (4-5 acres) mowed on a more regular basis as opposed to the once-per-year mowing I gave it up to now. I told my wife that if I was going to mow more frequently, I needed a larger tractor. Reasons being 1) most importantly I have a bad back and the rough ground and small tires and frame of the 2305 make hours of mowing quite painful. #2) Time. If I am going to mow this regularly, I want it done quickly. #3) I wanted this to be the last tractor I ever buy so I want whatever I buy to be compatible with whatever attachment I want (something of an issue with subcompact tractors--think flail mowers) With that in mind I went tractor shopping, looked at several brands and landed back at Deere. I did so specifically because of this tractor. It is far larger than the 2305, comes with 30 PTO hp and has a frame size that approaches the 3 series, but for a far cheaper price.
First impressions
This will have to be a thread that I update a few times because as of now, I have only had a few minutes on the tractor, just enough to get me familiarized (back issues). OK, so my first impression is that it is BIG. This is not surprising as I came from a subcompact, but really, this is large even for a 2 series. As I looked at other 2 series tractors on the dealer lot, all the other 2 series reminded me of the old 2520. They were respectable tractors, but they looked more like they were intended to be lawn mowers first. The 2038r is big step up even from the 2032r which itself is a very nice tractor. I really have to step quite up into the seat. From that spot I have a commanding view of my surroundings and I still have a nice, planted feeling. Not tippy at all as I was afraid when going larger. I am still getting used to the new operator station as the old 2305 is drilled in to me, but basically the transition is a smooth one--all of the ergonomics came out just right. I am a tall man and I just fit into the seat very well, no cramped feeling I got from some other tractors. The biggest change by far for me is having a 6' rotary cutter behind me. Though the tractor is nimble for its size, I still have quite a lot equipment sticking out behind me. That is something that I will simply have to develop a new feel for. The loader control is extremely nice. One of the reasons I have stuck with John Deere (and also not gone with a 3E series) is simply that I think the loader controls should be part of the tractor and not the loader. It is more ergonomic, and leaves the right side of the tractor open for mounting/dismounting. In the case of the 2038r, the loader control is a short stick to the fender, not the long stick to the floor like my 2305. It has a very positive feel to it. The loader is FAST, at least compared to my 2305. In fact, the first time I raised the bucket I was surprised how fast it responded. The new stick is very sensitive, so I am having to slightly re-adjust the way I raise and lower the bucket. I know this will take some time but that is just part of owning a new machine. It is also nice that the instrument cluster has a temperature gauge instead of an idiot light. On the right fender is the console with numerous punch outs for new switches and controls as I need them. One control missing on mine was the little knob for adjusting the MMM. This is fine with me as this tractor is never intended to be a lawn mower. Correspondingly, there is also no mid PTO which is also fine as I have never once had a need for it in my older 2305. Also, by avoiding the mid PTO I saved 6K! For me this is absolutely perfect as for some time I had an interest in a larger tractor but had no intent of using it for lawn mowing or blowing snow. The 3E series did tempt me precisely for their lower price in part from a lack of a mid PTO, but this one is perfect, having all the nice ergonomics, loader control in the right place and larger implements. For the record, I mow my lawn with a separate JD zero turn mower we bought on sale last fall.
The one downfall
So everything would have been perfect were it not for one shortcoming. While I was driving it around and getting used to it, I heard a distinct "THUD THUD THUD" and found out that my 3pt sway arms were rubbing against my rear tires. Some quick work with a couple of wrenches and the sway arms are now nice and firmly in place and can't reach the tires. This is not so much a tractor problem as a setup error. Still, the thumping experience was unnerving until solved.
Tomorrow I plan to get the loader in use moving a bunch of tree branches from some serious trimming we did today and I may even play with the 6' Frontier rotary cutter while mowing some trails. Future implements include: A hydraulic offset flail mower, a grader blade for clearing snow, a grapple for moving all the branches, brambles and brush I get while trimming along my fence rows and possibly a box blade for driveway maintenance.
Bigtiller
You wanted me to give a review when I got the machine so I am making this one ASAP. I will update it again tomorrow after it has done some work and I will keep updating it as I get more use out of it. I included a few pictures.
SI2305 (old handle, new tractor)
2018 JD 2038r, 6' rotary cutter
Why I made the move:
I loved my old 2305 and a small part of my soul is still attached to that tractor. I had it for 13 years, it moved mountains, plowed snow, hauled timber, mowed my lawn, trails and field grass for years. I really could not have expected that tractor to do more, or even close to as much as it did for all those years, but in the end I had to make the move up for one simple reason--my wife wants me to keep our grassy field area (4-5 acres) mowed on a more regular basis as opposed to the once-per-year mowing I gave it up to now. I told my wife that if I was going to mow more frequently, I needed a larger tractor. Reasons being 1) most importantly I have a bad back and the rough ground and small tires and frame of the 2305 make hours of mowing quite painful. #2) Time. If I am going to mow this regularly, I want it done quickly. #3) I wanted this to be the last tractor I ever buy so I want whatever I buy to be compatible with whatever attachment I want (something of an issue with subcompact tractors--think flail mowers) With that in mind I went tractor shopping, looked at several brands and landed back at Deere. I did so specifically because of this tractor. It is far larger than the 2305, comes with 30 PTO hp and has a frame size that approaches the 3 series, but for a far cheaper price.
First impressions
This will have to be a thread that I update a few times because as of now, I have only had a few minutes on the tractor, just enough to get me familiarized (back issues). OK, so my first impression is that it is BIG. This is not surprising as I came from a subcompact, but really, this is large even for a 2 series. As I looked at other 2 series tractors on the dealer lot, all the other 2 series reminded me of the old 2520. They were respectable tractors, but they looked more like they were intended to be lawn mowers first. The 2038r is big step up even from the 2032r which itself is a very nice tractor. I really have to step quite up into the seat. From that spot I have a commanding view of my surroundings and I still have a nice, planted feeling. Not tippy at all as I was afraid when going larger. I am still getting used to the new operator station as the old 2305 is drilled in to me, but basically the transition is a smooth one--all of the ergonomics came out just right. I am a tall man and I just fit into the seat very well, no cramped feeling I got from some other tractors. The biggest change by far for me is having a 6' rotary cutter behind me. Though the tractor is nimble for its size, I still have quite a lot equipment sticking out behind me. That is something that I will simply have to develop a new feel for. The loader control is extremely nice. One of the reasons I have stuck with John Deere (and also not gone with a 3E series) is simply that I think the loader controls should be part of the tractor and not the loader. It is more ergonomic, and leaves the right side of the tractor open for mounting/dismounting. In the case of the 2038r, the loader control is a short stick to the fender, not the long stick to the floor like my 2305. It has a very positive feel to it. The loader is FAST, at least compared to my 2305. In fact, the first time I raised the bucket I was surprised how fast it responded. The new stick is very sensitive, so I am having to slightly re-adjust the way I raise and lower the bucket. I know this will take some time but that is just part of owning a new machine. It is also nice that the instrument cluster has a temperature gauge instead of an idiot light. On the right fender is the console with numerous punch outs for new switches and controls as I need them. One control missing on mine was the little knob for adjusting the MMM. This is fine with me as this tractor is never intended to be a lawn mower. Correspondingly, there is also no mid PTO which is also fine as I have never once had a need for it in my older 2305. Also, by avoiding the mid PTO I saved 6K! For me this is absolutely perfect as for some time I had an interest in a larger tractor but had no intent of using it for lawn mowing or blowing snow. The 3E series did tempt me precisely for their lower price in part from a lack of a mid PTO, but this one is perfect, having all the nice ergonomics, loader control in the right place and larger implements. For the record, I mow my lawn with a separate JD zero turn mower we bought on sale last fall.
The one downfall
So everything would have been perfect were it not for one shortcoming. While I was driving it around and getting used to it, I heard a distinct "THUD THUD THUD" and found out that my 3pt sway arms were rubbing against my rear tires. Some quick work with a couple of wrenches and the sway arms are now nice and firmly in place and can't reach the tires. This is not so much a tractor problem as a setup error. Still, the thumping experience was unnerving until solved.
Tomorrow I plan to get the loader in use moving a bunch of tree branches from some serious trimming we did today and I may even play with the 6' Frontier rotary cutter while mowing some trails. Future implements include: A hydraulic offset flail mower, a grader blade for clearing snow, a grapple for moving all the branches, brambles and brush I get while trimming along my fence rows and possibly a box blade for driveway maintenance.
Bigtiller
You wanted me to give a review when I got the machine so I am making this one ASAP. I will update it again tomorrow after it has done some work and I will keep updating it as I get more use out of it. I included a few pictures.
SI2305 (old handle, new tractor)
2018 JD 2038r, 6' rotary cutter
