John Deere 3038E Reviews
Love This Tractor
Model Year: 2010
I purchased a new 3038e after looking for a used John Deere tractor with a similar hp and loader and got discouraged after finding used tractors were over priced. I have put 305 hrs on this machine so far mostly with loader work, manure spreading and a bit of brush mowing with a 305 mower. I do most of the maintenance myself and find the machine easy to work on. I am always amazed at how little fuel it uses, even at high throttle settings for extended periods. It doesn't lack in power though! People complain that the fuel gauge isn't electronic but it's no big deal. What the tractor needs is a light on the dash to show when using 4x4 (mfwd). I keep having to check the mfwd knob to see if it is up or down when I'm on pavement. Also there should be a factory installed back-up light. I installed my own light using the pre-existing wiring harness on the back of the tractor. For $20, I had a back up light which works with the existing light switch. Also the drawbar is a little low. I added an extension to it which makes the drawbar higher. Overall, not much to complain about.
Pros: Excellent reliability and good value for the money.
Cons: I wish there was a dash light showing when using 4x4.
Model Year: 2010
I purchased a new 3038e after looking for a used John Deere tractor with a similar hp and loader and got discouraged after finding used tractors were over priced. I have put 305 hrs on this machine so far mostly with loader work, manure spreading and a bit of brush mowing with a 305 mower. I do most of the maintenance myself and find the machine easy to work on. I am always amazed at how little fuel it uses, even at high throttle settings for extended periods. It doesn't lack in power though! People complain that the fuel gauge isn't electronic but it's no big deal. What the tractor needs is a light on the dash to show when using 4x4 (mfwd). I keep having to check the mfwd knob to see if it is up or down when I'm on pavement. Also there should be a factory installed back-up light. I installed my own light using the pre-existing wiring harness on the back of the tractor. For $20, I had a back up light which works with the existing light switch. Also the drawbar is a little low. I added an extension to it which makes the drawbar higher. Overall, not much to complain about.
Pros: Excellent reliability and good value for the money.
Cons: I wish there was a dash light showing when using 4x4.
3038E Deere
Model Year: 2012
I purchased this tractor from Fries Lawn & Leisure, that was a good experience. I would purchase another 3038E. Keep in mind that I have a John Deere 620 that I use to put up 25A hay a year. I was looking for quality and support. If it is green, 99% of the time you can buy parts. I purchased the 305 loader, 5' brush cutter and 5' blade. From Ebay, I purchased a pair of removable forks---a great idea. Remember you are not getting a lot of bells and whistles. I did get the hydrostat transmission.
Pros: Easy to drive and operate. You are buying power not bells and whistles.
Cons: Fuel gauge is mechanical, no hand throttle for field work, no rear work light,
Model Year: 2012
I purchased this tractor from Fries Lawn & Leisure, that was a good experience. I would purchase another 3038E. Keep in mind that I have a John Deere 620 that I use to put up 25A hay a year. I was looking for quality and support. If it is green, 99% of the time you can buy parts. I purchased the 305 loader, 5' brush cutter and 5' blade. From Ebay, I purchased a pair of removable forks---a great idea. Remember you are not getting a lot of bells and whistles. I did get the hydrostat transmission.
Pros: Easy to drive and operate. You are buying power not bells and whistles.
Cons: Fuel gauge is mechanical, no hand throttle for field work, no rear work light,
JD 3038E/305 Loader
Model Year: 2011
I bought the 3038E/305 loader to replace a near 50 year old Ford 3000 Super Dexta, although I have kept the Ford as I find it more suitable for some open paddock work than the 3038E. The 3038E is a well-built machine with sufficient power for my needs on a 75 acre lot. Having power steering, a tight turning circle, 4 wheel drive and the front loader bucket makes for a versatile and well priced tractor. I wanted a tractor from a well regarded brand, for which parts and service were readily available, and was not prepared to buy into the new and cheaper machines coming in from Asia. There are only a couple of faults I have found and one is that after driving a geared transmission tractor I find the hydrostatic transmission particularly noisy. And for that reason, I prefer to do open paddock slashing with the Ford Dexta. The other feature which I didn't like was the below hood exhaust which on a small tractor such as this, without a cabin, blows back in my face. I changed this to a vertical exhaust as shown in the photo; easy to do and inexpensive. But from what I see, all compact tractors these days have the cosmetic below hood exhaust. A couple of minor irritations have been a 'stickiness' in the transmission range shift lever and front wheel drive lever. I have also had a set of removable log tines made up to fit to the front bucket. These enable me to lift fence posts and logs longer than the bucket. These are also shown in the photo. All in all I am well satisfied with the versatile and well engineered 3038E.
Pros: Well built, plenty of power, versatile.
Cons: Noisy. Under hood exhaust.
Model Year: 2011
I bought the 3038E/305 loader to replace a near 50 year old Ford 3000 Super Dexta, although I have kept the Ford as I find it more suitable for some open paddock work than the 3038E. The 3038E is a well-built machine with sufficient power for my needs on a 75 acre lot. Having power steering, a tight turning circle, 4 wheel drive and the front loader bucket makes for a versatile and well priced tractor. I wanted a tractor from a well regarded brand, for which parts and service were readily available, and was not prepared to buy into the new and cheaper machines coming in from Asia. There are only a couple of faults I have found and one is that after driving a geared transmission tractor I find the hydrostatic transmission particularly noisy. And for that reason, I prefer to do open paddock slashing with the Ford Dexta. The other feature which I didn't like was the below hood exhaust which on a small tractor such as this, without a cabin, blows back in my face. I changed this to a vertical exhaust as shown in the photo; easy to do and inexpensive. But from what I see, all compact tractors these days have the cosmetic below hood exhaust. A couple of minor irritations have been a 'stickiness' in the transmission range shift lever and front wheel drive lever. I have also had a set of removable log tines made up to fit to the front bucket. These enable me to lift fence posts and logs longer than the bucket. These are also shown in the photo. All in all I am well satisfied with the versatile and well engineered 3038E.
Pros: Well built, plenty of power, versatile.
Cons: Noisy. Under hood exhaust.
Nice Upgrade
Model Year: 2012
I traded in a 2305 for this and bought a new lawn tractor for just the mowing since switching the mower on and off every weekend was a hassle. Overall after a few limited hours, I will say for the price this is a great deal. It handles all of the implements much better than my 2305 and has yet to disappoint. The four wheel drive lever feels very cheap, but has worked fine thus far. Since the rops will not fold, it have given me the justification I need to build a new storage shed also.
Pros: Price, HP, ease of use.
Cons: Lack a few bells and whistles, needs foldable ROPS.
Model Year: 2012
I traded in a 2305 for this and bought a new lawn tractor for just the mowing since switching the mower on and off every weekend was a hassle. Overall after a few limited hours, I will say for the price this is a great deal. It handles all of the implements much better than my 2305 and has yet to disappoint. The four wheel drive lever feels very cheap, but has worked fine thus far. Since the rops will not fold, it have given me the justification I need to build a new storage shed also.
Pros: Price, HP, ease of use.
Cons: Lack a few bells and whistles, needs foldable ROPS.
Great Tractor!
Model Year: 2012
This is a great little tractor. Just put 10hr on it bushhogging and cleaning up our 8acre farm. Plenty of power, easy to handle and control. Switched over from a little MF35. Good little tractor itself, but nothing compared to the John Deere. Definitely recommend to someone who is looking for a 35-40hp compact tractor. Also spend the extra money on the 3038e over the 3032e. Little more horsepower for very little money. Overall great little tractor.
Pros: Ease of use, plenty of power.
Cons: None.
Model Year: 2012
This is a great little tractor. Just put 10hr on it bushhogging and cleaning up our 8acre farm. Plenty of power, easy to handle and control. Switched over from a little MF35. Good little tractor itself, but nothing compared to the John Deere. Definitely recommend to someone who is looking for a 35-40hp compact tractor. Also spend the extra money on the 3038e over the 3032e. Little more horsepower for very little money. Overall great little tractor.
Pros: Ease of use, plenty of power.
Cons: None.
Solid, Economical Tractor
Model Year: 2011
I moved from a larger, older John Deere 2030 to get accessibility and 4WD. I was having problems climbing on and off my old tractor. The 3038e is a good size. I use it for box blading & scraping my mile-long drive, bush hogging (5 ft) and clearing brush (with Ratchet Rake). It works well. I notice it slows going up a steep hill, but my larger tractor did that too. It is great for getting in the forest. Easy to service and fuel. The seat could be wider, but it works. My wife can drive it, and does. This is not a big ag tractor, but it doesn't have the big tractor price either. It is a good value for the money. Note that ag tires are the standard. If you get a price with other tires, you can save more than $100 by going with the ag tires.
Pros: Good value, enough power & traction.
Cons: Bit wider wheelbase and seat would be good.
Model Year: 2011
I moved from a larger, older John Deere 2030 to get accessibility and 4WD. I was having problems climbing on and off my old tractor. The 3038e is a good size. I use it for box blading & scraping my mile-long drive, bush hogging (5 ft) and clearing brush (with Ratchet Rake). It works well. I notice it slows going up a steep hill, but my larger tractor did that too. It is great for getting in the forest. Easy to service and fuel. The seat could be wider, but it works. My wife can drive it, and does. This is not a big ag tractor, but it doesn't have the big tractor price either. It is a good value for the money. Note that ag tires are the standard. If you get a price with other tires, you can save more than $100 by going with the ag tires.
Pros: Good value, enough power & traction.
Cons: Bit wider wheelbase and seat would be good.
Alot of Punch for the Price
Model Year: 2010
The 3038e is a great homeowner tractor for people with over 10 acres who aren't running a big farm. It is more than capable for driveway maintenance, moving dirt, gravel, etc. in addition to being a workhorse in the woods when gathering wood and clearing out land. At this point I haven't found anything that the 3038e isn't capable of with the exception of climbing steep hills in winter in mushy, muddy terrain. I could probably fix that with some ballast. There is no mid-mount PTO but I myself have not found a need for that and would much rather mow with a finish mower with a tractor of that size. The 3038e has a narrow stance compared to others in its horsepower class. This is both a positive and negative because it can maneuver through a crowded woods (which I have) but is probably not quite as stable as some others in its class. Overall, I couldn't be happier, as long a durability is good. I hope that my review remains the same 20 years from now because I plan on keeping this tractor and passing it on to my son who is 4.
Pros: Power, innovative design, ease of use, narrow stance.
Cons: Narrow stance.
Model Year: 2010
The 3038e is a great homeowner tractor for people with over 10 acres who aren't running a big farm. It is more than capable for driveway maintenance, moving dirt, gravel, etc. in addition to being a workhorse in the woods when gathering wood and clearing out land. At this point I haven't found anything that the 3038e isn't capable of with the exception of climbing steep hills in winter in mushy, muddy terrain. I could probably fix that with some ballast. There is no mid-mount PTO but I myself have not found a need for that and would much rather mow with a finish mower with a tractor of that size. The 3038e has a narrow stance compared to others in its horsepower class. This is both a positive and negative because it can maneuver through a crowded woods (which I have) but is probably not quite as stable as some others in its class. Overall, I couldn't be happier, as long a durability is good. I hope that my review remains the same 20 years from now because I plan on keeping this tractor and passing it on to my son who is 4.
Pros: Power, innovative design, ease of use, narrow stance.
Cons: Narrow stance.
New Tractor
Model Year: 2011
I have recently purchased this tractor to help in a variety of needs on my place. I have used it to pull and push a 5 ft box blade on 1/2 drive. I have mowed heavy grass and brush up to 1 1/2 in diameter with my 5 ft frontier shredder. I have pull an 18 ft trailer around when cutting up hedge and cedars in the pasture. Have used the loader for all sorts of applications including assisting lifting my mower to sharpen the blades. I have never owned a tractor, but have used an old 20 horse Ford and an a newer 45 hp Mahindra and appreciate both of the people that let me borrow and use the machines. I also liked the machines for the time. I however really like the hydro transmission on the JD and the ease of use it provides. It is definitely easier to handle. I have really been surprised at power it has as I never really seems to be put to task unless I am trying to grub out something in the dirt.
Pros: Ease of use, power, compact design.
Cons: Wish the loader had a little more lift to it.
Model Year: 2011
I have recently purchased this tractor to help in a variety of needs on my place. I have used it to pull and push a 5 ft box blade on 1/2 drive. I have mowed heavy grass and brush up to 1 1/2 in diameter with my 5 ft frontier shredder. I have pull an 18 ft trailer around when cutting up hedge and cedars in the pasture. Have used the loader for all sorts of applications including assisting lifting my mower to sharpen the blades. I have never owned a tractor, but have used an old 20 horse Ford and an a newer 45 hp Mahindra and appreciate both of the people that let me borrow and use the machines. I also liked the machines for the time. I however really like the hydro transmission on the JD and the ease of use it provides. It is definitely easier to handle. I have really been surprised at power it has as I never really seems to be put to task unless I am trying to grub out something in the dirt.
Pros: Ease of use, power, compact design.
Cons: Wish the loader had a little more lift to it.
My First Tractor!
Model Year: 2011
After many hours of research, dealership visits, and assessing and reassessing my projected needs, I decided to purchase a rental returned John Deere 3038E. After 2 weeks and 35 hours on it, I have to say that I love it! Having never operated a tractor before, or a loader. I learned easily on this model, as its almost intuitive. I'm amazed at how much I can accomplish in a short amount of time. And because it had about 120 hours on it, I didn't have to deal with the cost or inconvenience of the 50 hour service.
Pros: Powerful, part time 4wd, breakout strength of the loader, ease of use.
Cons: Smallish fuel tank, slow delivery of implements.
Model Year: 2011
After many hours of research, dealership visits, and assessing and reassessing my projected needs, I decided to purchase a rental returned John Deere 3038E. After 2 weeks and 35 hours on it, I have to say that I love it! Having never operated a tractor before, or a loader. I learned easily on this model, as its almost intuitive. I'm amazed at how much I can accomplish in a short amount of time. And because it had about 120 hours on it, I didn't have to deal with the cost or inconvenience of the 50 hour service.
Pros: Powerful, part time 4wd, breakout strength of the loader, ease of use.
Cons: Smallish fuel tank, slow delivery of implements.
3038e Review
Model Year: 2011
I bought this tractor with a 305 loader and a 6ft brushmower. The tractor is great. No complaints handles the mower and snowblower with ease. I've put 51 hrs on it and I love it. I just wish I had did a little more research before buying it. I could have got a much better package deal by driving to another state and buying it, but the tractor is a very good unit.
Pros: Easy controls, front wheel assit is really great.
Cons: No rear hyd.
Model Year: 2011
I bought this tractor with a 305 loader and a 6ft brushmower. The tractor is great. No complaints handles the mower and snowblower with ease. I've put 51 hrs on it and I love it. I just wish I had did a little more research before buying it. I could have got a much better package deal by driving to another state and buying it, but the tractor is a very good unit.
Pros: Easy controls, front wheel assit is really great.
Cons: No rear hyd.
John Deere 3038E
Model Year: 2009
Good tractor overhaul some problems with the Speedo fogging the dealer replaced it, but the problem came back. If your are looking for a strong loader it's not the best choice of tractor. The engine is strong for the size of tractor.
Pros: Engine.
Cons: Speedo.
Model Year: 2009
Good tractor overhaul some problems with the Speedo fogging the dealer replaced it, but the problem came back. If your are looking for a strong loader it's not the best choice of tractor. The engine is strong for the size of tractor.
Pros: Engine.
Cons: Speedo.
It Has Lived Up to its Billing
Model Year: 2011
We were considering the new John Deere 1 Series for our property, but the dealer suggested we'd appreciate having the size and power of the 3038E. He was right, and we're glad we got this particular model. Tasks we do routinely: post-hole digging (over 300 post holes for horse fencing), bush hogging, moving dirt in the bucket, and lifting/carrying heavy objects in the bucket. The tractor does these effortlessly. We also plan to use this tractor to power a tiller and pull a drag harrow.
Pros: Maneuverable, fuel efficient, good traction with 4-wheel drive.
Cons: A bit noisy; we wear hearing protection when using it.
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Model Year: 2011
We were considering the new John Deere 1 Series for our property, but the dealer suggested we'd appreciate having the size and power of the 3038E. He was right, and we're glad we got this particular model. Tasks we do routinely: post-hole digging (over 300 post holes for horse fencing), bush hogging, moving dirt in the bucket, and lifting/carrying heavy objects in the bucket. The tractor does these effortlessly. We also plan to use this tractor to power a tiller and pull a drag harrow.
Pros: Maneuverable, fuel efficient, good traction with 4-wheel drive.
Cons: A bit noisy; we wear hearing protection when using it.
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Compact power at bargain price
Model Year: 2010
I don't know if you can get this much power in as small a package and as cheaply from any other manufacturer. My 3038E operates a 6' bush hog (JD RC2072) with power to spare, though it requires almost 600# front ballast to balance the machine. For basic pasture mowing, I often run the machine at 2100 rpms, 2500 for brush or fine-cut operations. The unfilled R4 tires have fair grip, but the power of this tractor requires that you not over-inflate the tires. At 9-10 psi in the rear tires, I usually have to engage the 4WD only briefly when I need it. Fuel economy is tremendous, at 2/3rd gallon per hour. The short wheelbase worsens ride with a long bush hog but lower tire pressures compensate. Leg and seat room are very good, and the non-adjustable steering wheel has been comfortable. My worst complaint is having no dash light for the 4wd or the parking brake, which can easily be left on if applied lightly. I also find the differential lock to be a little difficult to engage, and often requires several tries. The power steering is not a quick as the 3x20 machines but still is very effective. The mechanical hydrostatic mechanism is a little noisier than the electronic version on the 3x20 tractors, and harder to modulate in high gear at slow machine and engine speeds, but overall the machine is a joy to operate. Cruise control is an option, but I don't miss it given how comfortable the hydrostatic drive and seating position are. Slope balance is much better than the 3x20 machines with cabs. Given the lower rated rpms, higher operating torque and higher torque rise of the 3E series as compared to the 3320 and 3520, a 3032E likely would be plenty powerful for users who don't do PTO intensive work. For those who do lots of ground engagement like ploughing, sub soiling, or heavy box blading, R1 tires likely would be a much better choice on the 3E series. So far I am extremely satisfied with this purchase.
Pros: High power; fuel efficiency; price; slope stability; simple design.
Cons: Ride with long implement, few dash lights, & finicky differential lock.
Model Year: 2010
I don't know if you can get this much power in as small a package and as cheaply from any other manufacturer. My 3038E operates a 6' bush hog (JD RC2072) with power to spare, though it requires almost 600# front ballast to balance the machine. For basic pasture mowing, I often run the machine at 2100 rpms, 2500 for brush or fine-cut operations. The unfilled R4 tires have fair grip, but the power of this tractor requires that you not over-inflate the tires. At 9-10 psi in the rear tires, I usually have to engage the 4WD only briefly when I need it. Fuel economy is tremendous, at 2/3rd gallon per hour. The short wheelbase worsens ride with a long bush hog but lower tire pressures compensate. Leg and seat room are very good, and the non-adjustable steering wheel has been comfortable. My worst complaint is having no dash light for the 4wd or the parking brake, which can easily be left on if applied lightly. I also find the differential lock to be a little difficult to engage, and often requires several tries. The power steering is not a quick as the 3x20 machines but still is very effective. The mechanical hydrostatic mechanism is a little noisier than the electronic version on the 3x20 tractors, and harder to modulate in high gear at slow machine and engine speeds, but overall the machine is a joy to operate. Cruise control is an option, but I don't miss it given how comfortable the hydrostatic drive and seating position are. Slope balance is much better than the 3x20 machines with cabs. Given the lower rated rpms, higher operating torque and higher torque rise of the 3E series as compared to the 3320 and 3520, a 3032E likely would be plenty powerful for users who don't do PTO intensive work. For those who do lots of ground engagement like ploughing, sub soiling, or heavy box blading, R1 tires likely would be a much better choice on the 3E series. So far I am extremely satisfied with this purchase.
Pros: High power; fuel efficiency; price; slope stability; simple design.
Cons: Ride with long implement, few dash lights, & finicky differential lock.
John Deere 3038E
Model Year: 2010
I purchased this tractor along with a 6' mower deck, 5' Grader, 5' snow blower and the 305 loader with nothing but praise so far! I reside in Maine and have received over 70" of snow and this machine chops through it like nothing and the weight of the machine handles the thick stuff awesome. The mower handles over 6 acres of grass and the grader handles the dirt private road very nice. I priced out the other 3000 series tractor's and this one was priced right and the HP was what the doctor ordered. Great machine for the price!! the dealer was also great and I would buy from them again & again!
Pros: Price, HP, & capabillities.
Cons: N/A
Model Year: 2010
I purchased this tractor along with a 6' mower deck, 5' Grader, 5' snow blower and the 305 loader with nothing but praise so far! I reside in Maine and have received over 70" of snow and this machine chops through it like nothing and the weight of the machine handles the thick stuff awesome. The mower handles over 6 acres of grass and the grader handles the dirt private road very nice. I priced out the other 3000 series tractor's and this one was priced right and the HP was what the doctor ordered. Great machine for the price!! the dealer was also great and I would buy from them again & again!
Pros: Price, HP, & capabillities.
Cons: N/A
Good Fit for Our Needs - No Regrets
Model Year: 2010
We bought this to handle "bush-hogging" of about 10 acres of neglected (i.e. brushy), uneven pasture and maintenance of another 10 acres of woodlot & "yard" spaces. The 3038E easily handles a 5' rotary cutter & could probably handle a larger one. The 305 FEL is easy to use in conjunction with the HST & power steering. It handles "scoop & lift" operations very nicely though not really beefy enough for directly grubbing 4" stumps. That the HST is only a 2 range has not been an issue for me since low range has been plenty fast for every thing I've been doing. I really like the independent PTO - it runs at full speed regardless of how my I may need to vary my ground speed to accommodate the terrain. The cockpit is a good fit for my over-sized self. It starts easily & has never been short on power. The limiting factor is more like to be traction. I am more likely to spin all 4 wheels when under heavy load than to bog down the engine. Some of this may be due to the R4's we chose to allow use in lawn areas without undue potential for turf damage. I pretty much stay in 4WD. I never drive on pavement and 4WD helps make tight turns with less "push" slip on the front wheels. Being an "E" machine allowed me to get more capability for the tasks I needed handled at a more accessible price point as I wasn't paying for features "might" need "some day". I can add them later if needed (i.e. additional SCV, cruise, work lights, hydraulic top link, FEL park kit, etc.).
Pros: Power, price, comfort, & ease of use.
Cons: No frills, lighter weight than some other equipment with similar HP.
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Model Year: 2010
We bought this to handle "bush-hogging" of about 10 acres of neglected (i.e. brushy), uneven pasture and maintenance of another 10 acres of woodlot & "yard" spaces. The 3038E easily handles a 5' rotary cutter & could probably handle a larger one. The 305 FEL is easy to use in conjunction with the HST & power steering. It handles "scoop & lift" operations very nicely though not really beefy enough for directly grubbing 4" stumps. That the HST is only a 2 range has not been an issue for me since low range has been plenty fast for every thing I've been doing. I really like the independent PTO - it runs at full speed regardless of how my I may need to vary my ground speed to accommodate the terrain. The cockpit is a good fit for my over-sized self. It starts easily & has never been short on power. The limiting factor is more like to be traction. I am more likely to spin all 4 wheels when under heavy load than to bog down the engine. Some of this may be due to the R4's we chose to allow use in lawn areas without undue potential for turf damage. I pretty much stay in 4WD. I never drive on pavement and 4WD helps make tight turns with less "push" slip on the front wheels. Being an "E" machine allowed me to get more capability for the tasks I needed handled at a more accessible price point as I wasn't paying for features "might" need "some day". I can add them later if needed (i.e. additional SCV, cruise, work lights, hydraulic top link, FEL park kit, etc.).
Pros: Power, price, comfort, & ease of use.
Cons: No frills, lighter weight than some other equipment with similar HP.
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John Deere 3038E
Model Year: 2010
I just bought this tractor and love it so far. It runs like a dream, easy to operate, especially for a guy with limited tractor experience like me. I would not give up the separate forward and reverse pedals for anything else. I live in a valley and cleared some brush with it. I only had to engage the 4WD once on a very steep incline. All other hills were easily maneuvered by the 2WD. The E models are what I call economy models, maybe they call it that too. JD has removed the quick release loader, mid-pto and cruise options, plus maybe a few others I have not yet noticed. Without a mid-pto, I see no reason to have a quick release loader. However, I wish it had a marker to indicate when the bucket is level with the ground. I think I can live without the cruise, time will tell. This model is a great way to get 38 HP cheap, if you can live without a few luxury options. The dealer was pretty good, could have had a better delivery experience, but hey, didn't have to pay for it so I can't complain too much.
Pros: Easy to use and operate, powerful and fun.
Cons: No bucket level indicator or cab options.
Model Year: 2010
I just bought this tractor and love it so far. It runs like a dream, easy to operate, especially for a guy with limited tractor experience like me. I would not give up the separate forward and reverse pedals for anything else. I live in a valley and cleared some brush with it. I only had to engage the 4WD once on a very steep incline. All other hills were easily maneuvered by the 2WD. The E models are what I call economy models, maybe they call it that too. JD has removed the quick release loader, mid-pto and cruise options, plus maybe a few others I have not yet noticed. Without a mid-pto, I see no reason to have a quick release loader. However, I wish it had a marker to indicate when the bucket is level with the ground. I think I can live without the cruise, time will tell. This model is a great way to get 38 HP cheap, if you can live without a few luxury options. The dealer was pretty good, could have had a better delivery experience, but hey, didn't have to pay for it so I can't complain too much.
Pros: Easy to use and operate, powerful and fun.
Cons: No bucket level indicator or cab options.