Whats the differences between 3R and 3E?

kcflhrc · Jan 25, 2017

Musdalen said:
kcflhrc,
right you are about the $ trade off. However, there are other issues that add to the R's side of the equation. Quick Tach loader is one of them. Not having to store or service the lawn tractor is another. These may not make up for all the dollar difference, but thrown together, these sorts of things matter to me. So, I'm leaning Rwards now. But whipsawing back and forth between two choices is not my style. I've got to finalize this and put it behind me. I will drive an R and see how it handles relative to the type of mowing that I will have to do.

Yep, we all have different needs. I have never found a need to remove the loader and I also bought the I-Match Hitch for the rear so it works well for me. I think I spent around $3k on my 50" Toro Zero Turn.

Musdalen · Jan 25, 2017

What is an I-Match Hitch?

kcflhrc · Jan 25, 2017

Musdalen said:
What is an I-Match Hitch?

It's the Quick-Connect Hitch for the 3-point. Dealer recommended it and I'm sure glad he did.

Musdalen · Jan 25, 2017

Thanks. I thought it might be something like that.

I don't know how I would bust my knuckles or wrench my back with one of those, however. I might run out of ways to hurt myself

Musdalen · Feb 8, 2017

Thanks to all of you for your many comments and suggestions. After a lot of thought, some seat time with a demo on our property and a little more thinking, tonight we closed the deal on a 3039R. We could probably make do with the E series and saved some money but in the end, we wanted the flexibility of the R and so it is on order and due to arrive in a week or two. We will have an FEL on it with both a bucket and a grapple. The latter seems extravagant, but it is also, almost certain to get the most use of any of the implements.

There is a lot of brush, firewood, and fence building/replacing work ahead of us and this will get all of that and much more done in style. Though not cheap, I think we will be very happy with the green beast.

Thanks again.

MF283 · Feb 8, 2017

Sweet, we want pics when you get it.

ArlyA · Feb 9, 2017

Please do post pictures and reports when you put her to work. I worked in Storm Lake IA a short while, although I not sure were that is from you.....

Musdalen · Feb 23, 2017

In the FWIW department, this afternoon, my new 3039R will be delivered. Coincidentally, we are expecting something like 5" of snow tomorrow. I am hoping it turns into 12" at least.

teg · Feb 23, 2017

Waiting for the "tractor in snow" photos!!!

Musdalen · Feb 23, 2017

Well, I couldn't wait for the snow. It is still in rain and sleet form and it was **** cold and windy by the time we unloaded the new tractor and uploaded the 8n and did the paper work. But even so, with real, 12 V lights I had to try the FEL.

So, this is just a pile of horse manure to most people, but to me, that photo means my life just got a whole bunch easier.

I played with it until my hands were too cold to grip the steering wheel. I definitely need a spinner on it.

Before I put it away, I thought I would Quick Hitch to my old 6 ft rear blade. Unfortunately, I couldn't do it. My top-link pin just went away with the old hitch on the 8N. That was dumb. But even if I had it, I would not have been able to quick hitch. The top link positions on both my blade and my 5' rotary mower are too high to work with the QH. I see it can be adjusted but only an inch or two. I think I need more like 4 or 5. Not sure what I'm going to do about that, but I think the QH might not be useful. I have to study that more on the weekend when I have time, light and warmer extremeties.

In the meantime, I can see that HST and an FEL (and, in a week a grapple that is on order), will be making my life so much easier than it used to be.