Which tractor Orange L3901 or Green 3038E?

[paulfun9]

I find almost all the single pedals to be uncomfortable (bad Knees) but if given a choice between those two I would deal with the single pedal. I also wouldn't limit myself to just the closest dealer. 40 to 60 miles is not really far out when I consider my comfort on the machine for extended periods. One on the reasons I went with the Kioti last time around was overall comfort while operating it and having the dual pedal was a big part of that. Personally I would recommend going for a drive and checking out MF and Kioti before I locked myself into anything based on how close it is to home.

 

[Fallon]

I made that evaluation 2 years ago minus 4hp or so. I ended up with the orange L3200.

Turning brakes, folding ROPS, a steel or cast iron rear end instead of aluminum, 3 speed HST instead of 2, removable loader, SSQA (optional on the Kubota, dont think it was avalible on the JD). Those are the ones that stand out that I remember.

Kubota makes Kubotas. Yanmar makes the small John Deeres. May as well skip the green markup & get a Yanmar.

 

[k0ua]

I made that evaluation 2 years ago minus 4hp or so. I ended up with the orange L3200.

Turning brakes, folding ROPS, a steel or cast iron rear end instead of aluminum, 3 speed HST instead of 2, removable loader, SSQA (optional on the Kubota, dont think it was avalible on the JD). Those are the ones that stand out that I remember.

Kubota makes Kubotas. Yanmar makes the small John Deeres. May as well skip the green markup & get a Yanmar.

There you go. The Kubota is not just a little better than that particular JD, it is quite a bit more value for not much more money. I am not down on JD machines in general, or up on Kubota, but in this comparison, the Kubota wins hands down. It is all about features and value. Keep in mind these are the two tractors you wanted to draw a comparison with. if you wanted to choose some other brands or other levels of tractors within the two brands you named the results may be different.

 

[LD1]

Agreed with others that the kubota is the better deal here.

IF you cannot live with the "comfort" then look at other models. They are going to cost more if you are sticking with deere or kubota.

 

[Fallon]

There you go. The Kubota is not just a little better than that particular JD, it is quite a bit more value for not much more money. I am not down on JD machines in general, or up on Kubota, but in this comparison, the Kubota wins hands down. It is all about features and value. Keep in mind these are the two tractors you wanted to draw a comparison with. if you wanted to choose some other brands or other levels of tractors within the two brands you named the results may be different.

I'm may be looking to upgrade to a premium cabbed model at some point. I'll reevaluate Kubota, JD & probably Kioti at that point. But in the economy tractor segment Kubota has a pretty decent edge over JD. May be different if/when I do the same analysis for my premium cabbed tractor.

Around here in Colorado Kubota, JD & Kioti are the main players. JD & Kubota are a 15-30 minute haul from my place. Kioti is under an hour. Not familiar with any other options that have at least 2 dealers within an hour or 2 (good to have options if a given dealer goes under). I can do most maintenance & small repairs myself, but its good to have access to a dealer if needed.

 

[GManBart]

Between those two, the Kubota is simply more machine. One thing folks have missed is that beyond being a 2-range hydro the Deere also has aluminum transmission rear axle housings. That's not something I like from a durability, or weight standpoint.

Since you have comfort issues with the Kubota, and dislike the treadle controls, have you considered other brands? There are a lot of great machines out there now, and pretty much everybody makes a really nice tractor in this size, so you should be able to find one that feels good, does what you need, and fits your budget.

 

[Hawaii Wayne]

Gentlemen please realize these are different machines, ie the jd 3038 WILL NOT support any options like adding backhoe and or mid pto attachments.
Its a ok machine, but both are mid class, look at operator station seating, floor pan area small on both, (heat comes thru) both loaders have valve on loader not part of machine. My experience was most people don't really take loader off alot, goodfor front weight, bucket is quick attach so helps with clearance issues. All equipment is great if used, so color is blind...I suggest looking at 3033R (its perfect for that place), and working on the salesman more and get that price where you want it. Look you only want to do this once, the difference in quality and comfort, look around though, new used rental units around and winter is coming so better pricing. In the long run price is minimal difference. You only live once, and yes kinda biased to JD,
just buy something and use it!!!
wayne

 

[TJP89]

My unbiased opinion is go for the Kubota. It is not the absolutely trimmed down absolute basice economy (cheap) tractor the JD is. JD makes some great machines, the 3E series is not among them. I have heard several horror stories about the 3038E, including one from a personal friend. I have heard nothing bad about the 3901 (other than it's Tier 4), but I haven't heard much about at all actually. The later LXX00 series was generally well regarded. Having considered both machines myself, I would go with the Kubota, for the reasons others have listed above.

My biased opinion is look at other brands, especially Kioti, as they often have equal or better equipment for a better price.

 

[fulks19]

I have about the same situation as you. I am 67 and have 15 acres. For forty years I have been using a 60 year old Ford 850. For some reason, I decided to get a new tractor this year. Of the two tractors you mentioned, I chose the JD 3038E. It will out work my old Ford on so many levels but I have found a couple of drawbacks. First, let me say, I didn't spend a lot of time comparing because the Kubota dealer just didn't have a good salesman. The reason I said it will outwork the Ford is because I will actually get on the thing and enjoy it. The Ford had no power steering, was manual, and hard to get on and off. It also had no front attachments. The JD has all those things and is a dream to operate by comparison. It is a MUCH lighter tractor than the Ford so if I had to pull a truck and trailer out of a stuck situation, the JD would be just too light. I absolutely love having a front loader and have worked mine a ton. I also bought a grapple because I spent a lot of time this summer trimming a couple hundred large trees to about ten or twelve feet high. The grapple, from Everything Attachments, is the single most useful item to pick up many tons of branches. So, here is my main complaint on this model of JD and it could be common with Kubota too ... it seems VERY tippy to me. If I am on any slight incline and have the bucket or grapple above the height of the hood, and make a turn, I feel the whole tractor could tip over. I had my rear tires filled with methanol for a couple hundred dollars and that seemed to help considerably but I still am very cautious. I am talking about very slight inclines. Also, Kubota may be the same, the JD needed a 3rd function valve added to use the grapple. That cost about $1,200 more. The standard setup on the 3038E allows you to lift and lower the bucket and tilt it up and down. With a grapple you also need to have the ability to open and close the jaws of the grapple and that is what the third function valve does. Here is what I believe ... my 60 year old Ford 850 will still be running and serving someone nicely in 60 more years. I don't know if I can say the same thing with the new tractors with their on board computers, etc. I am seriously considering buying a snow plow for the front this winter even though we sometimes don't get snow in the winter. Good luck in your decision. Seriously, I think you should tell either dealer you would like to try demoing their tractor on an incline and lift the bucket about five feet and make a turn to see if it feels like it will tip over on you.

 

[Fallon]

My unbiased opinion is go for the Kubota. It is not the absolutely trimmed down absolute basice economy (cheap) tractor the JD is. JD makes some great machines, the 3E series is not among them. I have heard several horror stories about the 3038E, including one from a personal friend. I have heard nothing bad about the 3901 (other than it's Tier 4), but I haven't heard much about at all actually. The later LXX00 series was generally well regarded. Having considered both machines myself, I would go with the Kubota, for the reasons others have listed above.

My biased opinion is look at other brands, especially Kioti, as they often have equal or better equipment for a better price.

Doesn't Yanmar still make the small John Deeres or is it just the engines now?