Have you taken your loader off your John Deere 3032e or 3038e?

Lastkidpicked · Mar 1, 2016

Hello all! Looking at a John Deere 3032e or 3038e. Just the right size and plenty simple.
The problem is that all the reviews mention that you cannot take the loader off.

Then I found out that the loader is often installed at the dealer level.

If the dealer can bolt it on, a person should be able to take it back off, right?

So if you have ever done this, I'm wondering... is this a half hour job, or a half day job?

Thank you for any insight you may have!

Kubota 2350 · Mar 1, 2016

Not sure on the "E" series, but the "R" series comes off just like any other loader.
The "E" should be the same

jd110 · Mar 1, 2016

You are right, it can be removed, just not easily. There are no quick disconnects on hydraulic lines and no built in stands to support itself to back out of it. You need to have a way of lifting and supporting the loader frame such as an overhead hoist. Then remove the hoses connecting the loader control valve to the loader and then cap all the lines since there aren't any couplers. If you add some quick couplers to the hydraulic lines, the removal time could be greatly reduced, as well as a lot less messy. Then with the frame supported, remove the 2 pins securing the lift cylinders to the mounting frame and then the 2 pins securing the mast to the mounting frames. Then you would be ready to back the tractor out of it. I would think if you added quick couplers and had an easy way to lift the frame, a half hour wouldn;t be totally out of the question. I am assuming you want to leave the mounting frames on the tractor for loader reinstallation later. If you are considering complete permanent removal including frames and loader control valve, that is considerably more work, but it is doable. Probably more along the lines of half a day to a days' work.

s219 · Mar 1, 2016

You can get more tractor -- with a true removable loader -- from other companies in this same price range.

larboc · Mar 1, 2016

How much money does the "e" version save for the hassle? The longest and most difficult part of mounting/removing the 430 loader on my 4300 is connecting/disconnecting the 4 hydraulic lines, I would assume the loaders on the non-e's are the same.

beenthere · Mar 2, 2016

s219
This is the Deere forum...

And there are Deere with removable FEL's too. The OP just asked a question about the two in the subject line.

And as larboc said, they don't come much better and quicker than the design of the 430. As fast as four couplers can be unhooked or hooked and get on/off the tractor once is all the time it takes.

Lastkidpicked · Mar 2, 2016

JD110, thank you for your detailed description of what would be involved. Interesting that after reading about it I thought it may be more hassle than it's worth. Then S219 mentioned:

s219 said:
You can get more tractor -- with a true removable loader -- from other companies in this same price range.

And Larboc and Beenthere seemed to agree that upgrading may be the best option. Love the R series, but not sure it's worth paying so much extra when I really only take the loader off and on a couple times a year.

Funny thing with tractors-- there just seems to be so many choices out there. What is the perfect fit for one person doesn't quite make it for another.

Part of the fun, I guess!

larboc · Mar 2, 2016

What is the price difference between two equivalent Deere tractors with the difference being the easy off loader? It's always easier to spend someone else's money, but it never hurts to keep resale price in mind. When it comes to tractors, there is and has always been John Deere and and the rest. Whether or not one brand is better or worse than deere, the deere is always going to hold its value longer in the event you decided down the road you want something different. For that matter, have you looked at finding the tractor you want used?

Lastkidpicked · Mar 2, 2016

Thank you for the ideas, Larboc.

What is the price difference between two equivalent Deere tractors with the difference being the easy off loader?

Moving up would be about a $ 10,000 difference. To be fair, this upgrade is much more than the quick connect loader. It also brings a three speed hydro verses a two along with other upgrades.

Have you looked at finding the tractor you want used?

That is how I usually do things (Ford 8n and International 574 on the property now). This time around, looking for a new machine with warranty so that I won't have to think about it.

it never hurts to keep resale price in mind.

And this is a very good point that might make the upgrade worth it-- knowing a guy could get most of his money back years later.

s219 · Mar 2, 2016

beenthere said:
s219
This is the Deere forum... And there are Deere with removable FEL's too. The OP just asked a question about the two in the subject line.

We have a Deere e model in my family, and while it's been a fine tractor, I would not recommend an e to anyone -- too expensive for an economy tractor and Deere cut a lot of corners to meet a price point. So I'd always say for the same money look at what other brands offer, or just spend more and get an R model. I think Deere uses the e models to hang on to a few more sales they'd otherwise lose on pricing, but when you shop based on features they are a poor value.

MORRISONSTEEL · Mar 2, 2016

The parking kit for the 305 and d160 loader is bw15872. Comes with everything you need to make it pretty easy to remove this loader.

larboc · Mar 2, 2016

s219 said:
We have a Deere e model in my family, and while it's been a fine tractor, I would not recommend an e to anyone -- too expensive for an economy tractor and Deere cut a lot of corners to meet a price point. So I'd always say for the same money look at what other brands offer, or just spend more and get an R model. I think Deere uses the e models to hang on to a few more sales they'd otherwise lose on pricing, but when you shop based on features they are a poor value.

U.S. labor is expensive and in many cases a poor value as well, sad but true.

Lastkidpicked · Mar 2, 2016

MORRISONSTEEL said:
The parking kit for the 305 and d160 loader is bw15872. Comes with everything you need to make it pretty easy to remove this loader.

Thank you for that, MorrisonSteel! I'll look into that.

And thank you S219 for showing the other side of the equation. Lots to think about.

hosspuller · Mar 2, 2016

Don't fixate on dismounting the loader. I've a Deere tractor with a loader. I've had the loader off once in almost 19 years. I just drop the bucket when bush-hogging or other non FEL jobs.

DK35vince · Mar 2, 2016

hosspuller said:
Don't fixate on dismounting the loader. I've a Deere tractor with a loader. I've had the loader off once in almost 19 years. I just drop the bucket when bush-hogging or other non FEL jobs.

I am the opposite.
My loader is like any other attachment. If I don't need it, its in the way so I take it off. (Tractor rides much better when mowing with the loader off IMO)
If I need it I put it on.

beenthere · Mar 2, 2016

Much same as DK. FEL off half the time during year. Especially off in winter when 7' snow plow blade is put in its place. But if needed, both are quick to interchange... about 10 minute total. The FEL removal/install is handy as a shirt pocket.

All in how we use them...

Spindifferent · Mar 2, 2016

You may consider looking into a used JD 3x20 series unit. I found a used JD 3520 with 400 hours, a 300x loader and rotary cutter for a great price. I take the loader off frequently, and it is very easy to do. Very happy with the tractor.

Look here for price ranges: Used Farm & Agricultural Equipment - John Deere MachineFinder