JD 3038E vs Kubota L3200

[krobertson]

@TSO Just read your reply to my post long ago. You said
"Not dogging you fella ... when you say something is "better" and you pick points of contention like "metal vs plastic" or "paint quality" or "implement choices" etc etc etc .... realize that those things are opinions. Some people may believe that plastic is better. Some people may think the JD paint is better, and so on."

I guess I am a bit confused as to how you say metal vs plastic and paint quality are opinions? Would you say the JD has a better read end? Better Paint job as far as the hardness or durability of the paint? I guess it depends on what you do with your tractor you are right it is an opinion. If I use mine just to push a bit of snow and finish mow then who cares about the undercarriage and such. When you use these things in the woods as most of us (my group) do that is when you see durability of materials. Bump a plastic hood and crack...same with a fender. I would rather run with a dent the have to replace a part. Heck had a seeder behind the JD and it let the dang seed drill jump up so high it broke the tail light. No idea how but it did. Paint on the JD 3038E underside from pushing roads and such (hunting trials for small Samurai's or side by sides) all but gone. No worries I guess all of that is an opinion also.

I just call it like I see it so I guess your right it is an opinion. Not sure where plastic on a tractor is good...I don't see how you could beat through the woods and feel like you don't want to push through anything without cringing every time you are in tough spots. But fields and roads are different then where I live and use my tractor. We use ours in the woods mostly and use them like a tractor. This weekend I used mine in my in the back half of my land putting up a fence. Heck if this was all I used it for in wide open spaces the plastic would be fine if I could keep it out of the weather 24 x 7.

Last question...what will plastic do after long periods in the Florida sun...hours upon hours? If you do not know...my brothers JD mower, plastic hood, sits in elements most of it's life in Florida. Nephew leaned on it and crack it that easy...no joke. My brother was pissed and flew off the handle...but plastic is plastic. It all has the same results after years of sun and cold. JD or not...just does not make sense. (in my experience in life) I went metal...Kubota or not...I was sure metal it would be no matter what color the gear.

Not trying to ruffle feathers...again I think it is apples to oranges comparison. But this too is my opinion I realize that so now BASHING. If you have this JD or this Kubota...either way you are ahead of the game...you have a tractor! Which to me in the last two weeks that I have had my new metal Kubota...it has gotten more done than me, my shovel, 4 wheeler, truck, and a friend or two could do in 2 mths!

 

[TSO]

@TSO Just read your reply to my post long ago. You said
"Not dogging you fella ... when you say something is "better" and you pick points of contention like "metal vs plastic" or "paint quality" or "implement choices" etc etc etc .... realize that those things are opinions. Some people may believe that plastic is better. Some people may think the JD paint is better, and so on."

I guess I am a bit confused as to how you say metal vs plastic and paint quality are opinions? Would you say the JD has a better read end? Better Paint job as far as the hardness or durability of the paint? I guess it depends on what you do with your tractor you are right it is an opinion. If I use mine just to push a bit of snow and finish mow then who cares about the undercarriage and such. When you use these things in the woods as most of us (my group) do that is when you see durability of materials. Bump a plastic hood and crack...same with a fender. I would rather run with a dent the have to replace a part. Heck had a seeder behind the JD and it let the dang seed drill jump up so high it broke the tail light. No idea how but it did. Paint on the JD 3038E underside from pushing roads and such (hunting trials for small Samurai's or side by sides) all but gone. No worries I guess all of that is an opinion also.

I just call it like I see it so I guess your right it is an opinion. Not sure where plastic on a tractor is good...I don't see how you could beat through the woods and feel like you don't want to push through anything without cringing every time you are in tough spots. But fields and roads are different then where I live and use my tractor. We use ours in the woods mostly and use them like a tractor. This weekend I used mine in my in the back half of my land putting up a fence. Heck if this was all I used it for in wide open spaces the plastic would be fine if I could keep it out of the weather 24 x 7.

Last question...what will plastic do after long periods in the Florida sun...hours upon hours? If you do not know...my brothers JD mower, plastic hood, sits in elements most of it's life in Florida. Nephew leaned on it and crack it that easy...no joke. My brother was pissed and flew off the handle...but plastic is plastic. It all has the same results after years of sun and cold. JD or not...just does not make sense. (in my experience in life) I went metal...Kubota or not...I was sure metal it would be no matter what color the gear.

Not trying to ruffle feathers...again I think it is apples to oranges comparison. But this too is my opinion I realize that so now BASHING. If you have this JD or this Kubota...either way you are ahead of the game...you have a tractor! Which to me in the last two weeks that I have had my new metal Kubota...it has gotten more done than me, my shovel, 4 wheeler, truck, and a friend or two could do in 2 mths!

Exactly my point ... I prefer metal also because I feel it is typically more durable. However, metal is also prone to rust, which plastic is not. Paint will fade on metal, so plastic isn't the only material that will fade over time. Plastic might get whacked with a branch and crack, OR just bounce off. The same could happen to metal and leave a permanent dent. We could argue points of contention all day, but needless to say, different folks will prefer one or the other, and they will have their own reasons.

Same with the weight issue. Some people will say they want a lighter tractor because they mostly mow with it and don't want to rut their yard. Others will say they want a heavier tractor for more traction & stability. They're both right (for themselves).

Those are subjective.

HP, lift capabilities, hydraulic output ... these ratings aren't subjective. They are straight comparable facts (as long as you're using the same methods for measuring the stats).

 

[lutt]

Don't know about small tractors and lawn mowers, but the plastic John Deere uses in there full size ag equipment is soy based. Derived from soybeans. Our John Deere combines had it on the side panels. Lot more durable and paint molded thru. As far as sun fade, keep them waxed, painted metal will fade if not kept indoors or waxed just as plastic does. Tractor paint is mostly not automotive grade, specially on imported tractors, I know all of the small ones just about are! . Mahindras are the worst I've seen for paint fade! There is really no point in arguing the point. We have a fleet of John Deere tractors and case ih, and now we run case ih combines. I can nit pick them all if I wanted. Just not worth it. Where Deere has everyone beat is there parts network. You can still get parts for equipment they made 50 years ago. That is one reason green is popular and has a high resale value. Most of you guys don't deal with that everyday like we do. When you help manage a 5000 acre row crop operation, when everything is running, there is not many days you don't call the parts guy and go to town after parts! And even new tractors give troubles, we have had the case and John Deere guys out for new low hour machines on more than one occasion. LUTT

 

[Green Power]

As with almost everything how well you take care of it makes a big difference. Plastic can be nice because it is light weight. I could not imaging opening the hood on our 4wd articulating tractors if they were steel hoods. Steel can be nice because it can be repainted easier.

In the end each has its place where it fits in best.

 

[krobertson]

@ lutt - Perfect examples....love it! You are also very right. Drive them and figure out what you like. I dig all tractors honestly. My father in law has an old gasoline JD tri cycle tractor think it is like 25hp with a HUGE flywheel to run belt driven stuff. Neatest thing in world to me. JD by far is #1 branded and house hold name. I love all these guys comments though it is good to hear.

 

[s219]

When I am riding on my Deere, I prefer green plastic. When riding on my Kubota, I prefer orange metal.

I guess my only complaint about the plastic is that you almost have to replace it when damaged. I broke part of the hood, and it left jagged sharp points. Not many options other than go without it or get a new one. If it was a dent in sheet metal, it could maybe be hammered out if not replaced.

 

[lutt]

Well , thanks, I grew up farming/working on a farm. It's a part time now, I have a month off at a time where I work , then work a month. But every person is going like something differant, what really cracks me up is all this desk tractor driving, facts and figured look good on paper, but in real world use, it's just a baseline. LUTT

 

[GManBart]

what really cracks me up is all this desk tractor driving, facts and figured look good on paper, but in real world use, it's just a baseline. LUTT

I don't think anybody has suggested the facts and figures as anything other than a baseline. Seems most folks are suggesting trying a bunch of different models until you find what looks/feels right. Still, if you need a particular capability, and haven't looked at those baseline numbers, you might wind up with a machine that won't do the tasks you require. Saying "Oops, this won't lift the round bales I need to move" would be a bad way to start out with a new machine because you didn't look at those baseline specs.

Not saying this applies to you, but it does seem to be a common theme that the Deere zealots are the worst about claiming "those are just numbers" when the green machine is on the short end of specs, and they revert to boasting about dealer network, parts support, "better" engineering, and other stuff you can't quantify.

Just so the Deere fans don't get too mad at me, I wouldn't be overly worried about plastic fenders...they even use them on full-size backhoes now.

 

[DeereMann]

I guess my only complaint about the plastic is that you almost have to replace it when damaged. I broke part of the hood, and it left jagged sharp points. Not many options other than go without it or get a new one. If it was a dent in sheet metal, it could maybe be hammered out if not replaced.

Agree - I had to use the Bondo treatment to repair the JD 445 hood before I sold the tractor. That is really a pain. Then again, I suspect it is only a matter of time before other mfg.'s go to plastic. I mean, if the over the road truck guys have, then it is becoming a standard practise.

I think Deere cheapened the hood a little too much. It should be thicker & have more glass fiber content to it. Already have scratches in mine.

The deciding factor for me was operator convenience & comfort. Deere, having one of the newer SCUT designs out there, was better to me than Kubota. If I was buying a bigger tractor (CUT), I think I see it the other way around.

As always, trying them out first is the key. :thumbsup:

 

[krobertson]

See sometimes the world would be awesome with just one thing...like one tractor with different sizes...then this thread wouldn't have grow this big LOL. Well then it would have been over the identical tractors with who has more HP. competition is human nature.

But I agree with GMan...those yeller/green guys will wear you out in the masses quickly. (including my friends) I think they are all Tebow fans...same result when you don't praise him as a real NFL QB. (same group of friends)