Ray_Fort_White
Bronze Member
I've been mostly lurking on this site, reading the tractor comparisons every day, and posting only a few times. I've looked at Bob Cat, Kubota L2800, Mahindra 2816, and JD 3032 and 3038E. My oldest son was a tractor mechanic for 17 years before getting a layoff 2 years ago. He's mostly serviced and repaired JD and is factory trained. He helped me decide on the 3038E. He believes the resale and parts availability issues are deciding factors for buying Green.
I would have been OK with a 3005 but my wife wanted a hydro. She mows with our JD LA120 mower and is used to the hydrostatic. We have 5 acres in North Florida that is almost flat and covered with Bahia. It was a cow pasture for decades before it was subdivided. The grass grows so thick that the riding mower struggles unless the blades are sharpened every few mowings. I decided a tractor with a rear finish mower was the solution.
I test drove the 3032 and it felt very comfortable to me. I almost bought it but decided I'd like to have the extra few HP of the 3038E.
I ordered it with the 305 loader and a 5' Green RFM. It won't be in till mid May. The dealer said that the 0% was for 36 months, not 48 as it says on the JD web site. I assume that although the offer expires at the end of April, I will get the 0% since I placed a deposit in April. I could pay cash but the money is in an IRA and I pay income tax as I withdraw it. I'd rather spread that pain out a couple years. And, the money is earning interest while it's still in my IRA. Anyone know if the 0% offer stands based on my having placed a deposit?
I would have been OK with a 3005 but my wife wanted a hydro. She mows with our JD LA120 mower and is used to the hydrostatic. We have 5 acres in North Florida that is almost flat and covered with Bahia. It was a cow pasture for decades before it was subdivided. The grass grows so thick that the riding mower struggles unless the blades are sharpened every few mowings. I decided a tractor with a rear finish mower was the solution.
I test drove the 3032 and it felt very comfortable to me. I almost bought it but decided I'd like to have the extra few HP of the 3038E.
I ordered it with the 305 loader and a 5' Green RFM. It won't be in till mid May. The dealer said that the 0% was for 36 months, not 48 as it says on the JD web site. I assume that although the offer expires at the end of April, I will get the 0% since I placed a deposit in April. I could pay cash but the money is in an IRA and I pay income tax as I withdraw it. I'd rather spread that pain out a couple years. And, the money is earning interest while it's still in my IRA. Anyone know if the 0% offer stands based on my having placed a deposit?
