opine please: L3400 or JD3038e?

[Hematite]

One vote for the Deere. My dealer experience alone weighs heavily on that. I bought my 5105 used but absolutely love it. It is always a pleasure to go into the dealership to pick up maintenance parts and to get any questions answered. I know some will say some of the parts are not made in the USA, but it is still an american company with parts made to Deere specs. If they are that closely matched I would also encourage the support of american made products and businesses.

+1 and it's not uncomfortable with PTO issues. Reread crashz's post. His comparison says a lot.

 

[canoetrpr]

My personal opinion is that any PTO issues with the L3400 are overblown. The model is a very basic old design. All tractors and models have some issue or another.

I don't think I'd pick a 2 range HST over 3 range. I have used all three ranges.

All these companies are multinational corporations. I guess if you buy the nostalgia about Deere being American and it makes you feel better then that is good for you. What Deere does do much better than the others is marketing. Don't get me wrong. I also think they make great products, but they out market the competition by a mile. I have a Kubota L3400 - have only ever had a Kubota. My two boys 5 and 2 sit on it every chance they get. Yet if you ask them which is their favourite tractor - it is GREEN. They've got JD toys and a JD video which they got from some promotional thing and they love GREEN. JD takes the cake when it comes to marketing.

They factor that I would weigh heaviest in your decision is comfort / ergonomics. If you are uncomfortable for whatever reason - no matter how good the tractor is otherwise - don't buy it. I don't find the treadle pedal uncomfortable and I can see why it might feel odd until you get used to it... but seating position and operating comfort is paramount. I'm a Kubota guy but all the makers make pretty good tractors and I'd recommend you put ergonomics very high on your list.

I'd say having a good dealer network nearby is important to me. You can only tell so much about the dealer you purchase from unless you have word of mouth experiencess from friends, when it comes time to service. I do all the service myself so having a dealer (not the one I purchased from) on the way to work with a couple very good guy at the parts counter works out very well for me. You don't know when one or other dealer might close. Case in point - my selling dealer SUCKED. Of course I didn't realize this until well after I signed on the dotted line. Since then he is no longer a Kubota dealer. It is nice that there are more than enough dealers for me to chose from for parts - and should anything happen that I can't take care of - for service.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[pistolhunter]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.