3038e Mods

nunyabinis · Nov 2, 2010

Well, she has 220 hours on her now and all is still well. I'm amazed at how far these CUTs have come when I get off my old JD750 with it's tiny cramped operator station and climb aboard the 3038e.

Mods:

1) I took Kennyd's advice and bought an iMatch-style quick hitch (Harbor Freight) and modified all my implements to fit it. It was a big PITA but it sure is sweet to backup to an implement, raise the TPH and hear "click, click" and be ready to get to work.

2) Installed the factory two-spool rear SCV. Fit perfect. Works good.

3) I figured that with the rear SCV, I might as well install a HTL. SWEET!!! Couple the HTL with the quick-hitch and hooking up implements is about as painless as it can possibly be.

4) Installed a large canopy. I darn near succumbed to heat stroke back in July while mowing grass for ten hours in direct sun in 102 degree temperatures. Decided that wasn't going to happen again. Hence the canopy.

I burned up my first set of belts on my Caroni flail mower. I was mowing 8ft tall weeds down at the Hunt Club when I smelled rubber burning, looked back and black smoke was boiling out the belt cover vents. The first thing I did was get on TractorByNet and do a search. Thanks to you guys I was able to quickly find what belts I needed to install. I went ahead and ordered 6 belts so that I have belts on hand when/if I ever burn another set.

Long live TractoryByNet!!!

kennyd · Nov 2, 2010

Thanks for the updates Nunya:thumbsup:

hizoot · Nov 3, 2010

dog gone ....its tough learning a new forum.What is " HTL" ? I figure the TL means top link? but the H is .....hairy? Where would one find a hairy top link? :laughing:

nunyabinis · Nov 3, 2010

hizoot said:
dog gone ....its tough learning a new forum.What is " HTL" ? I figure the TL means top link? but the H is .....hairy? Where would one find a hairy top link? :laughing:

Tell me about it. I still get confused occasionally with all the acronyms flying around here. HTL is shorthand for Hydraulic Top Link. I never thought I'd need one and now I wonder what I ever did without it.

Yesterday I found out that Deere now offers a QD for the FEL on the 3038e. Oh well, looks like another trip to the Deere Dealer to lay down some more cash. I gots to have the QDFEL.

QD: Quick Disconnect

FEL: Front End Loader

jenkinsph · Nov 3, 2010

nunyabinis said:
Tell me about it. I still get confused occasionally with all the acronyms flying around here. HTL is shorthand for Hydraulic Top Link. I never thought I'd need one and now I wonder what I ever did without it.

Yesterday I found out that Deere now offers a QD for the FEL on the 3038e. Oh well, looks like another trip to the Deere Dealer to lay down some more cash. I gots to have the QDFEL.

QD: Quick Disconnect

FEL: Front End Loader

A 3038 with top and tilt, IMatch and QDFEL should be a great setup.

nunyabinis · Nov 3, 2010

I just ordered the loader Parking Stand Kit.

Woo Hoo!!!

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123rday · Dec 1, 2010

nunyabinis said:
Mods:

1) I took Kennyd's advice and bought an iMatch-style quick hitch (Harbor Freight) and modified all my implements to fit it. It was a big PITA but it sure is sweet to backup to an implement, raise the TPH and hear "click, click" and be ready to get to work.

2) Installed the factory two-spool rear SCV. Fit perfect. Works good.

Was it the 27 1/2" quick hitch? How did you modify your implements; something more than a pin through the top?

Did you install the rear scv yourself? Where does it hook up at underneath? Any pictures? I've seen pictures of it mounted but not where it hooks up?

Big thanks.

nunyabinis · Dec 20, 2010

123rday said:
1) Was it the 27 1/2" quick hitch?

2) How did you modify your implements; something more than a pin through the top?

3) Did you install the rear scv yourself?

4)Where does it hook up at underneath?

5) Any pictures? I've seen pictures of it mounted but not where it hooks up?

Big thanks.

Sorry for the delayed response. I've been busy.

1) Yes, the quick hitch is the 27 1/2 incher

2) Plasma cutter, angle grinder and MIG welder. The first thing I did was move the left and right pin placements so that they lined up with the width of the quick hitch and then I moved the top link attachment position to line up with the hook at the top of the quick hitch. The implement that caused me the most grief was the KK finish mower since it has a floating hitch system. That was a PITA.

3) Yes, I installed the SCV myself.

4) It has solid hydraulic lines that replace a couple of the factory lines on the right side of the tractor. It basically routes the fluid to the FEL, the TPH, the SCV then back to the sump.

5) I haven't taken any pictures but if you follow the detailed instructions that come with the kit it's a piece of cake. The instructions also contain decent pictures. And since it has solid pipes instead of rubber hose it makes for a darn nice looking installation.

Although a lot of work, modifying the implements to fit a quick hitch is the best long-term solution. I've got all my implements sitting level on cement blocks and all I do is backup to the implement, raise the TPH, hear CLICK, CLICK and I'm ready to work. The HTL also aides immensely in hooking up the implements. I literally don't have to get off the tractor anymore or wrestle with heavy equipment, which is important if you have a bad lower back like mine.

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