What's the difference.... 3038 vs 3520 ?
- Thread starter Danbo56
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murphy1244
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3038 is a economy model.
arlen4720
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I don't think the 3028 has an eHydro tranny. Different loader too. I think they are totally different tractors
MtnViewRanch
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3038 weighs 2175lbs, 3520 weighs 2900lbs. 3038HST is 2 ranges. 3520 HST is 3 ranges or you can have a 12x12 power shuttle. 3038 3pt lifts 1356lbs. 3520 3pt lifts 2200lbs. 3038 loader lifts 1186lbs. 3520 loader lifts 1598lbs. 3038 has no cab available. 3520 does. Hydraulics are 9.3 total GPM on the 3038 and 13.9 on the 3520.
It comes down to the 3520 is simple more tractor than the 3038 and has more options available. But then it costs more to get more tractor. That is why the 3032E and the 3038E are such popular tractors, COST.
It comes down to the 3520 is simple more tractor than the 3038 and has more options available. But then it costs more to get more tractor. That is why the 3032E and the 3038E are such popular tractors, COST.
adamlee1986
New member
What do you plan on using your tractor for? The 3520 is available with mid pto for a mid mount mower or front mount implements such as a snowblower. The 3038E is not. However, if you desire a new 3520 you cannot add mid pto with power reverser transmission unless it is below serial number 910000 because of the reverse implement option being added to the new 3X20 series. This is an open station serial number, you also cannot get the power reverser in a cab. This is all just FYI stuff. You may want the E-Hydro, and it is available in all configurations. Other than the mid pto they are pretty much the same. I also heard at the farm science review in Ohio this year that john deere is going to start offering wheel spacers for the 3000 series. The "tippy" feeling has been felt by most owners. I just bought a 3320, and have not had it on any steep ground so I cannot comment about its stability to much yet. I was told they will cost around $350, and they are 6 inch wheel spacers. I absolutely love my 3320 so far, the 3000 series tractors are fine machines. Good luck in your research!
DKCDKC
Platinum Member
I bought a 3038e last year primarily because it was the least expensive tractor that could do the stuff I need. I should have gone to the 3520. It's not a bigger is better concept, it's just that the extra weight would be really helpful grading my gravel road on steep slopes. And the heavier tractor is simply more stable on my slopes. I saved some money and think the 3038 is a fine machine, it's just that the lighter unit is more problematic than I thought it would be.
3038 weighs 2175lbs, 3520 weighs 2900lbs. 3038HST is 2 ranges. 3520 HST is 3 ranges or you can have a 12x12 power shuttle. 3038 3pt lifts 1356lbs. 3520 3pt lifts 2200lbs. 3038 loader lifts 1186lbs. 3520 loader lifts 1598lbs. 3038 has no cab available. 3520 does. Hydraulics are 9.3 total GPM on the 3038 and 13.9 on the 3520.
It comes down to the 3520 is simple more tractor than the 3038 and has more options available. But then it costs more to get more tractor. That is why the 3032E and the 3038E are such popular tractors, COST.
Thanks for the analysis. We have a small (12ac) horse farm with a 8 stall barn. So, I need a FEL and usual arena drag, box blade and bush hog. I have Commercial Toro ZTR for the lawn and don't plan on planting any crops. I have a 1963 MF-50 that the previous owner gave me. Its a very cool piece of history....complete with a rotor, points, non-synchro trans, no ROPS, no FEL, crummy brakes. But it's a real beast. I'd be uncomfortable letting my wife use it. It could bite you, hard!
cartod
Platinum Member
3520 also offers lots of nice-itys. Cruise control, very nice joystick, antivibration floor, great seat, computer monitored engine tranny etc., the hydro tranny, collapsable rops, i could go on
DKCDKC
Platinum Member
I have a 3038e with about 200 hours now. Great little tractor, but I too wish I had blown the extra money and gotten the 3520. From talkingto others and comments here, it is more stable on slopes, and would get more power to the ground box blading up my steep hills.
I will check into an upgrade in a few years if I can save up the money.
I will check into an upgrade in a few years if I can save up the money.
JD6400NZ
Member
The way I put it is a 3038E is a cake and the 3520 is a cake with icing.
Wagtail
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cartod
Platinum Member
The 4105 is less expensive than the 3x20 because it is a no frills tractor with a much less reliable spur gear system final drive vs. Planetary drive. The 4105 uses the same loader as the 3x20. The 3x20 are a heavy duty compact tractor built to be nimble and get all of its power to the ground. As far as lifting capacity I am not sure what the 4105 is but the 3x20 is around 2200# rear lift and 1600# loader.
Like has been said, one is cake, and one is cake with icing.
Like has been said, one is cake, and one is cake with icing.
Wagtail
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G'day cartod. Yes, I did say that the 4105 was a no frills rig... I have no idea what you're talking about regarding the reliability of the final drive. Mind you, I'm new to the tractor game and have no experience to compare it with.
According to TractorData.com; the 4105 rear lift is 2530lbs at the points and using my 300CX FEL... well, I just don't know but I don't do anything stupid with it (always have rear ballast on) when using the bale spikes or 4in1 bucket.
The real reason that I've mentioned the 4105 (other than it's the tractor that I have) is that, unless you know that it exists, it isn't generally advertised when someone is making a decision.
nikdfish
Veteran Member
Our 3038e is coming up on 400 hrs now. We have used it primarily for bush hogging (60") & finish mowing (60" 3PH), some loader work & periodic tilling, box blade work, etc. It is a no-frills little work horse that is dirt simple to operate & was cheap enough to be accessible to us when we first went tractor shopping. If it's capabilities are sufficient for the jobs you need done, it can be a good, economical choice for an easy to operate machine.
Nick
Nick
compact
Silver Member
3x20 is a spur gear final (4x20's up are planetary) so is 3038e. 3038 (at least the hydro) has 1 brake pedal like a car, 3x20 has left / right wet brakes like a normal tractor, which are handy if you are used to them. I like the 3x20 ehydro and use the loadmatch for bush hogging and the rear mount blower - It seems quite good at putting all 30HP into the implement without much adjustment from me. It can be switched off also. 3038 loader isn't really detachable - I like bush hogging w/o the loader for better visibility and 300cx is really pretty slick for attach / detach. 3520 has a nicer, more comfortable operator station, tilt wheel etc. 3038 isn't a bad machine, though, just more basic.
clayhardock
Member
No sure if it was mentioned but the 3038e has no mid PTO. So the big items are are no mid PTO, no folding ROPS, non-detachable loader, no fuel gauge on dash, no E-hydro(2speed HST instead), and its slightly smaller.
Its really too bad about the mid pto. I'd probably have one otherwise.
Its really too bad about the mid pto. I'd probably have one otherwise.
DKCDKC
Platinum Member
The 3520 has a touch more power than the 3038, but a lot more lift in the FEL and 3-pt. But the biggest thing to me is the weight. The 3520 is a lot heavier and that means it has a lot more power on the ground, and better stability on slopes. I like my 3038e and got it primarily because it was within my budget. I do think, for my particular uses, the 3520 would have been a better choice, although I would have had to come up with more money. I don't miss the mid-PTO because I have no use for it. For me the tractor is just a small utility tractor for rotary cutter work, brush clearing, gravel road maintenance, and snow removal. It does most of that pretty well.
