JD 3038E vs Kubota L3200

[DKCDKC]

I looked hard at both JD 3038e and Kubota L3200... And models bigger and smaller... And Kioti, Mahindra and used. JD had the best price, given zero percent financing. And I liked for fit and feel of the JD more. I don't see the plastic and aluminum as negatives. I find all the CUTs are less stable than I would like on slopes, but that's the price for a smaller tractor. I also had dealer issues pushing my decision.

However, the choice of a tractor is driven by so many things - use, terrain, etc. - as well as by personal preferences and how the butt fits the seat. But this Forum was helpful for me in making my decision because people raise issues about things I had not even thought of. They also offer advice on compensating and strengthening. The Forums don't make your decision, but they help you make the decision with your eyes wide open.

 

[k0ua]

I looked hard at both JD 3038e and Kubota L3200... And models bigger and smaller... And Kioti, Mahindra and used. JD had the best price, given zero percent financing. And I liked for fit and feel of the JD more. I don't see the plastic and aluminum as negatives. I find all the CUTs are less stable than I would like on slopes, but that's the price for a smaller tractor. I also had dealer issues pushing my decision.

However, the choice of a tractor is driven by so many things - use, terrain, etc. - as well as by personal preferences and how the butt fits the seat. But this Forum was helpful for me in making my decision because people raise issues about things I had not even thought of. They also offer advice on compensating and strengthening. The Forums don't make your decision, but they help you make the decision with your eyes wide open.

True. Bottom line, you gotta be happy with the one you choose, as you are liable to have it for a long time.

 

[s219]

Kubota publishes the max speed for the Kubota D1503 engine to be 2800rpm. The HST PTO engine speed is about 2600rpm.

Yanmar publishes the max speed for the Deere's 3tnv84 engine to be 3000rpm, the HST PTO engine speed is 2500rpm.

200 rpm top-end difference for the Kubota.

500 rpm top-end difference for the Yanmar.

Granted, I'm splitting hairs a little, but I like to analyze the figures.

Not sure where you get your info, but I have an actual L3200 HST parked in my driveway to refer to. PTO rpm is approximately 2400, max rpm is 2800. That's a difference of 400 rpm if my math is correct.

 

[LazyHRanch]

Congratulations on picking a tractor. I have a 3038e and use it keep up the drive way finish mow and bush hog mostly. It is great and it burns about a gallon an hour mowing at 540 PTO so the smaller tank is not a big deal to me. The loader will pick up a full scoop of wet clay dirt and everything else I have asked it to do. I drove everything you have mentioned in this post when I was buying mine and some of the tractors mentioned by others on here and some not mentioned. I still picked the john deere and it was cheaper apples to apples. Make sure the dealer fills the take up and gives you a hat.

 

[DFisher63]

For the sake of argument (and my sanity) I priced a Mahindra 3016 and Kioti DS3510. Kioti about $500 more the JD, Mahindra about the same as Kubota L3200. Glad I priced them, but I don't think either makes sense FOR ME.

 

[jonsorensen1]

If there were no other tractors on the planet but those two, I'd go with the Kubota...it's simply more machine. Given the choice, I'd look at something that offers roughly twice the capability for around the same price R,

What would be about twice the capability for around the same price?

 

[aginn]

Kubota publishes the max speed for the Kubota D1503 engine to be 2800rpm. The HST PTO engine speed is about 2600rpm.

Yanmar publishes the max speed for the Deere's 3tnv84 engine to be 3000rpm, the HST PTO engine speed is 2500rpm.

200 rpm top-end difference for the Kubota.

500 rpm top-end difference for the Yanmar.

Granted, I'm splitting hairs a little, but I like to analyze the figures. It is worth noting, at either PTO operating engine speed, The Yanmar will be consuming slightly less fuel (10 less g/kWh ) then the Kubota engine. This is from published Kubota/Yanmar engine model data. I think you're missing some good choices, but I vote Deere. If you want to pay more for the lower powered, less fuel efficient, Kubota powered tractor, that is certainly your prerogative.

Then Kubota had an error in publishing. Just walked out to my L3200 and the tach says 2400rpm at 540 pto.

Buy whatever you are happy with. I bought the tractor with the cast iron housing because it is both heavier and stronger and I am going to add a backhoe and that strength will let me be more comfortable about casting failure worries. Right or wrong, it was my choice. And I am pleased as can be with my L3200. The Deere tilt cylinders were smaller I think. I could be wrong though since it seems I looked at what felt like half the tractors in the continental U.S.

Just make sure you come back here and tell us what you got, how happy you are with it, and most important, get photos and show us what you are having fun doing with it.

 

[Bluegill2]

Get the Kubota!

I've seen aluminum housings on small tractors break! The Kubota is Iron!

Yes I looked at the JD, but bought a L3800.

 

[GManBart]

What would be about twice the capability for around the same price?

The machine that comes to mind is an LS R3039H (hydro). The only area I know that it isn't significantly better than the 3038 (by better, I mean roughly 50-100%) is PTO HP and there it is only 1hp shy (29hp at the PTO). It has a 3-range HST, roughly 500lbs more 3pt lift capacity, 1,075lbs more FEL lift capacity (to 5" higher, so it's roughly double the total capacity), 3.3gpm more implement pump flow, weighs 600lbs more, has the following things standard: dual remotes, SSQA, rear work light, cruise control, telescoping lift arms and stabilizers, both position and draft control, and a tilt steering wheel. All of that for under $20K....probably $19,500 is a fair price to expect. At the very least it's got about 50% more capability in most things, and as much as 100% more with the FEL...for something like $1,500 more, that's a huge jump in capability. Go up a little more to an R4041, or Kioti DK40SE, and almost every category save for PTO power will be double the capability of either the Deere, or Kubota, being discussed. Broken out over time, the price jump is minuscule, but the time savings will likely be huge.

 

[aginn]

Where is LS built GmanBart? Just curious. It did play into what I purchased. The options here are pretty much Korean, Japanese, or Indian. (Branson,Deere,Kubota, NewHolland, and Mahindra). I really liked the Branson the best. But the dealer network scared me off.