2305 / 3038e

[MFortie]

I know it's not apples to apples, but...

I currently own a 2305 (almost four years now) and have used it on our 1.5 acre place in the San Diego area. I haul manure (we have three horses), move hay around, dig postholes, light grading, etc. I also have a tiller attachment (that my neighbor uses more than me! LOL!) and a rotary mower (brush hog.)

Our current place has some slopes so the 2305 has worked pretty well with it's lower profile. And because it's sloped, the terraced flat areas for the corrals and turnout are a little tight to maneuver around.

I was a little disappointed at first when I discovered the 2305 couldn't climb the road from the corrals in high gear and it'll only lift about 5-6 bales (3 string) of hay on a pallet at a time. Other than that, it's served us very well.

Now we've bought a 5.5 acre place a little further out that's mostly flat and will be needing lots of TLC (the houses mostly). Still the same requirements as above, although I'LL be using the tiller and mower instead of my neighbor... Oh, we'll also have a decent size (100'x200') arena to ride in and groom.

All that said, we've just about paid off the 2305 and I saw where JD has the 3038e for 0% over 5 years and with our equity in the 2305, I could probably step up to the 3038e and keep the payment roughly the same.

I've read some about the 3038e and realize it has a fixed loader -- I've never taken mine off the 2305, and no mid-mount PTO (which I don't use anyway). I've toyed with the idea of adding a top n tilt to the 2305 for my grading purposes and will have more of a need at the new place. And the lack of position control with the rockshaft is another negative with the 2305.

What else would I notice (good or bad) by stepping up to the 3038e? Any other thoughts or pearls of wisdom?

Thanks,

Mark

 

[msmud]

The 3032e/3038e family would be nearly as compact for getting in and out of stalls as your 2305. 3pt lift @24" is double what you're getting now, and the ability to power up a hill should be good with either one. I don't know of another tractor with as much power as the 3038e with as compact dimensions but, given its light weight, that power is best used at the PTO. If you don't expect PTO intensive usage, you could save up to $1500 by going with the 3032e.

I always thought the main advantage besides price of the 3032e as compared to the 2720, which has almost identical engine specs, was availability of R1s. Maybe this is worth it to you. I think it is an advantage, but I couldn't find an e series in my area with other than R4s.

Both of the e series machines are good with fuel; my 3038e burns an average of 2/3 gal/hr running a 6 foot bushhog at 2300 - 2500 rpm.

How many hours have you put on that 2305 in 4 years?

 

[lwalsh]

The 3032e has a slightly larger engine and the same torque specs as the 3038e just no turbo. I think the 3032e would work just as well and would be cheaper. I recently went from the 2210 to the 2720 (same engine as the 3032) If not for the need of mid pto I would have got the 3032e.

 

[MFortie]

The 3032e/3038e family would be nearly as compact for getting in and out of stalls as your 2305. 3pt lift @24" is double what you're getting now, and the ability to power up a hill should be good with either one. I don't know of another tractor with as much power as the 3038e with as compact dimensions but, given its light weight, that power is best used at the PTO. If you don't expect PTO intensive usage, you could save up to $1500 by going with the 3032e.

I always thought the main advantage besides price of the 3032e as compared to the 2720, which has almost identical engine specs, was availability of R1s. Maybe this is worth it to you. I think it is an advantage, but I couldn't find an e series in my area with other than R4s.

Both of the e series machines are good with fuel; my 3038e burns an average of 2/3 gal/hr running a 6 foot bushhog at 2300 - 2500 rpm.

How many hours have you put on that 2305 in 4 years?

Thanks for the reply.

I'm at just under 500 hours on the 2305. I think the R1s are an advantage too -- no 'lawn' to speak of (So Cal is really a desert) and I have a little Cub Cadet for any mowing I care to do.