micdelbo
Member
Let me start by saying if my current JD 4115 did not develop a leak in the transmission housing where the shaft the hydro pedals actuate goes through the housing, I probably would not even be looking for a tractor. The cost to repair the leak is $1,700-$2,200 due to the need to completely disassemble the transmission. I would probably just go ahead with the repair except the repair is simply replacing the bushing and O rings that are worn, which I believe is a poor design. JD (yanmar or whoever) should have used a bearing and a retainer cap with a seal instead. The tractor developed the leak around 825 hours which is way too early for this major a repair. The leak is now so bad I am adding 1-2 quarts of hydraulic fluid per week.
The tractor is great for my use here in NE PA. I garden about 1-1.5 acres with a single bottom plow and 60" KK tiller. I spray my sweet corn and lawn with a 55 gallon 3 point sprayer. I use the loader for hauling in wood to burn and plowing snow as well as general use. I also have a 60" mmm which I mow about 5 acres a week with. The tractor has turf tires (rear loaded with ww fluid) and I have never had an issue with traction in any condition when using the 4wd.
My complaints are mainly limited to amenities and limitations,not performance. I tend to mow in hi range to get it done faster and that causes 2 issues. Tractor bogs on inclines and requires going to low range and I really beat up my back with the lack of suspension on the seat. I have put bushings in the pressure relief valve to maximize the loader capacity, so that seems good, but I often run into a problem with the reach of the loader. I can't get close enough to my dump trailer or even a friends small dump truck due to the distance between the vehicle to the grill guard when the loader is raised. Not sure what this distance is called.
Soooo....I figured a little more HP would help along with a bigger loader. Since I have always owned a JD, I looked at the 2032r and the 3033r. I like the 3033r better due to the power and weight and found that the 3039r is only about $900 more when you add the mid pto to the 3033r. Some questions I have are I am a little concerned about the width of the unit with the r3 turfs being too large behind my 60' tiller. I also priced a 72" mmm since the extra foot will make a huge difference in mowing time, but the concern is maneuverability with the larger deck. I have specifically made all my property accessible with my 60 "mower to prevent any trimming. How much will the extra 6" effect my mowing?
I made the mistake of sitting on the standard suspension seat in a cab 3033r. When the dealer said there is an air ride seat option, I priced the cab with one. I am only 49, but my back will appreciate this I think. I also priced a 72" drive on mmm, H165 loader, 375a backhoe and 64" rear blower (hydraulic chute and electric rotation) and front loader mounted blade with hydraulic angle. I also think he priced in the 3rd SCV (for the hydraulic chute) and electric hydraulic diverter.
Obviously this ended up being waaaayyyy more than what I paid for my 4115, but I also think this will put me in a much more capable machine not to mention the upgrade in comfort and amenities. Price from a small local dealer that I have dealt with for about 25 years was around $58k. He said this price won't have much wiggle room since he will have to order everything. I haven't actually gone back and tried negotiating a better price, but think I should be able to get him down to $55-$56k.
I also priced a Kubota B3350 with about the same options (Cab, 72" mmm, LA534 loader, BH77 hoe, 12" bucket, 72" loader mount blade with hydraulic angle and 3rd hydraulic function, 64" rear blower with hyd rotation and electric deflector). Pricing from 2 local dealers will put this machine configuration around $52-$53.5 k, again with no final negotiation taking place. I know the average price reduction will be around 8-11% on Kubota after reading on here and talking with some friends who have Kubota (all of them HIGHLY recommend Kubota, one has excavator, another has TLB).
I have compared the machines themselves and I realize they are really 2 different classes of tractor. Other than the obvious higher HP rating, the 3r series is heavier and has better implement hydraulic flow. Also, the JD cab is nicer no doubt and the Ehydro options are definitely nice amenities. I could have gone up to the L3560 or L4060 Grand series but lose the option of a mmm. This would have been a closer "apples to apples" comparison, but since I want the MMM option I did not price the Grand series.
I realize I will have to compromise to get what I want. Save some $ with Kubota and lose easier hoe attachment (no taking off 3 pt arms), easier mower deck attachment (not really a big deal to me since I have not had one), easier loader attach, detach. Also, the JD has a suspended mowing deck vs ground ride on Kubota. I do believe JD makes the best mowing machines around, just don't know if I will notice a huge difference in the Kubota. Based on specs, the Kubota hoe seems like it has more digging capability, but the JD has higher hyd flow, so not sure how that will effect the hoe operation.
As far as snow blowers and front blade, I can't really say there will be much of a difference in those implements, they are pretty straight forward. Thoughts?
I will be purchasing this in my business name for section 179 this year, so other than not really wanting to spend more than I have to, I can afford either unit.
I also have an aversion to any Tier 4 system, but realize anything new will come with it (other than the B2650 which is what I originally wanted but am leaning away from since I can have higher HP). I have pretty extensive knowledge of how they work (I have an Isuzu with the whole mess for a delivery truck) and just spent $7k repairing the whole system at 211k mis. Based on how the different systems work on the Kubota and the JD, unless I don't use ULSD (I have used #2 fuel oil forever in my 4115) the lifecycle of the DPF on the JD and Kubota is around 3,000 hours. As long as the systems work, they shouldn't be an issue. I don't like that you can no longer diagnose engine issues from your exhaust and that you are now basically taking the unit to the dealer for anything.
So, lots of information I know. I probably missed something, but hopefully it comes up. I have been reading and processing this decision for about 2 weeks. I like the input this board gives as there are a lot of perspectives. Please provide your thoughts on whether my thoughts are on or I am missing something.
Any input is appreciated.
The tractor is great for my use here in NE PA. I garden about 1-1.5 acres with a single bottom plow and 60" KK tiller. I spray my sweet corn and lawn with a 55 gallon 3 point sprayer. I use the loader for hauling in wood to burn and plowing snow as well as general use. I also have a 60" mmm which I mow about 5 acres a week with. The tractor has turf tires (rear loaded with ww fluid) and I have never had an issue with traction in any condition when using the 4wd.
My complaints are mainly limited to amenities and limitations,not performance. I tend to mow in hi range to get it done faster and that causes 2 issues. Tractor bogs on inclines and requires going to low range and I really beat up my back with the lack of suspension on the seat. I have put bushings in the pressure relief valve to maximize the loader capacity, so that seems good, but I often run into a problem with the reach of the loader. I can't get close enough to my dump trailer or even a friends small dump truck due to the distance between the vehicle to the grill guard when the loader is raised. Not sure what this distance is called.
Soooo....I figured a little more HP would help along with a bigger loader. Since I have always owned a JD, I looked at the 2032r and the 3033r. I like the 3033r better due to the power and weight and found that the 3039r is only about $900 more when you add the mid pto to the 3033r. Some questions I have are I am a little concerned about the width of the unit with the r3 turfs being too large behind my 60' tiller. I also priced a 72" mmm since the extra foot will make a huge difference in mowing time, but the concern is maneuverability with the larger deck. I have specifically made all my property accessible with my 60 "mower to prevent any trimming. How much will the extra 6" effect my mowing?
I made the mistake of sitting on the standard suspension seat in a cab 3033r. When the dealer said there is an air ride seat option, I priced the cab with one. I am only 49, but my back will appreciate this I think. I also priced a 72" drive on mmm, H165 loader, 375a backhoe and 64" rear blower (hydraulic chute and electric rotation) and front loader mounted blade with hydraulic angle. I also think he priced in the 3rd SCV (for the hydraulic chute) and electric hydraulic diverter.
Obviously this ended up being waaaayyyy more than what I paid for my 4115, but I also think this will put me in a much more capable machine not to mention the upgrade in comfort and amenities. Price from a small local dealer that I have dealt with for about 25 years was around $58k. He said this price won't have much wiggle room since he will have to order everything. I haven't actually gone back and tried negotiating a better price, but think I should be able to get him down to $55-$56k.
I also priced a Kubota B3350 with about the same options (Cab, 72" mmm, LA534 loader, BH77 hoe, 12" bucket, 72" loader mount blade with hydraulic angle and 3rd hydraulic function, 64" rear blower with hyd rotation and electric deflector). Pricing from 2 local dealers will put this machine configuration around $52-$53.5 k, again with no final negotiation taking place. I know the average price reduction will be around 8-11% on Kubota after reading on here and talking with some friends who have Kubota (all of them HIGHLY recommend Kubota, one has excavator, another has TLB).
I have compared the machines themselves and I realize they are really 2 different classes of tractor. Other than the obvious higher HP rating, the 3r series is heavier and has better implement hydraulic flow. Also, the JD cab is nicer no doubt and the Ehydro options are definitely nice amenities. I could have gone up to the L3560 or L4060 Grand series but lose the option of a mmm. This would have been a closer "apples to apples" comparison, but since I want the MMM option I did not price the Grand series.
I realize I will have to compromise to get what I want. Save some $ with Kubota and lose easier hoe attachment (no taking off 3 pt arms), easier mower deck attachment (not really a big deal to me since I have not had one), easier loader attach, detach. Also, the JD has a suspended mowing deck vs ground ride on Kubota. I do believe JD makes the best mowing machines around, just don't know if I will notice a huge difference in the Kubota. Based on specs, the Kubota hoe seems like it has more digging capability, but the JD has higher hyd flow, so not sure how that will effect the hoe operation.
As far as snow blowers and front blade, I can't really say there will be much of a difference in those implements, they are pretty straight forward. Thoughts?
I will be purchasing this in my business name for section 179 this year, so other than not really wanting to spend more than I have to, I can afford either unit.
I also have an aversion to any Tier 4 system, but realize anything new will come with it (other than the B2650 which is what I originally wanted but am leaning away from since I can have higher HP). I have pretty extensive knowledge of how they work (I have an Isuzu with the whole mess for a delivery truck) and just spent $7k repairing the whole system at 211k mis. Based on how the different systems work on the Kubota and the JD, unless I don't use ULSD (I have used #2 fuel oil forever in my 4115) the lifecycle of the DPF on the JD and Kubota is around 3,000 hours. As long as the systems work, they shouldn't be an issue. I don't like that you can no longer diagnose engine issues from your exhaust and that you are now basically taking the unit to the dealer for anything.
So, lots of information I know. I probably missed something, but hopefully it comes up. I have been reading and processing this decision for about 2 weeks. I like the input this board gives as there are a lot of perspectives. Please provide your thoughts on whether my thoughts are on or I am missing something.
Any input is appreciated.
