3038e capable?

[gtobill]

I have 10 acres near Bertram Tx. It was all trees when I started clearing, most of them cedar. I knocked down around 5 acres of the cedar and now I am needing something to clean up this area. We have been cutting up trees and burning and it is back breaking work. Would the 3038e be big enough to lift trees and stack them for burning? The trees weigh around 200-300 lbs each and there are hundreds of them. Looking for something to put forks on to lift the trees and stack. I don't want to spend over $20K. I can get the 3038e for around $16K.


Bill

 

[msmud]

gtobill,

I am lifting around 620# on my 3038E on the other end of the tractor in the form of a 6' bushhog. So far all seems fine but I only have 20 hrs on the machine. The front axle capacity is listed as 1760#, the rear 2640#, and the loader attachment point is far enough back such that a portion of the load is borne by the rear axle. As long as you stay within the loader capacity, have the rear properly ballasted, and exercise due caution in lifting a shifting load, I don't know why you couldn't lift trees all day long. I expect to hoist the old bushhog up and down a few thousand times before I'm done with my 3038E. By the way, there was a user who posted a picture of a 3032E with impressive looking forklift forks and rear guards. I tried to upload that picture for you but couldn't. Just search under 3032 and I think you will find the picture.

The 3032/3038E tractors are compelling values in my opinion, but many on TBN have a bigger is better philosophy. I expect you will get recommendations to get the biggest, stoutest tractor you can. Needless to say I am skeptical of this. Good luck,
Tim

 

[msmud]

I would add that these 3000 E tractors have a very short wheelbase and are quite sensitive to tire pressures as far as ride quality and attachment "bounce." When I got mine from the dealership, the rear R4s had 24 psi in them and my bushhog bounced mightily. With 10.5 psi things are very smooth. If you test a loader version of these tractors, you might want to see if you can do so with reasonable tire pressures before you make your decision.

 

[LaVerne]

I have done work like that with a 3032E. It sounds right for your job, and the extra HP in the 3038 will only help you when tilling or mowing. The loader does not need it. I do piling work at 1800 RPM unless I need to push a pile a long ways. Remember it's a small tractor, and you can only pile so high with it. Still tons better than doing it without a loader. 10 acres is no problem if you take your time. My tractor has been pretty trouble free up to about 810 hours now, mostly PTO work. Anything that went wrong was my fault for running over stuff, except a light bulb that died. If you just want to get some work done, nothing real fancy, this might be your tractor.

 

[msmud]

Here is the link to pictures that one TBN user posted of his bucket fork setup with a 3032E:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/john-deere-buying-pricing/147204-jd-3032e-here.html.

His TBN name was wnymudd. I'll bet he could give a good opinion of whether the 3038 could handle your tree situation.

 

[gtobill]

Looked throgh the posts and found this place for forks.

JD compatible Pallet Forks

That is what I am looking for. I have looked through many posts on these tractors and found very few negative remarks. They seem to be built light but it looks like they are stout.

 

[kennyd]

That machine is certainly up to the task, Heck, my 20hp 4110 lift 1000lbs!

But it sounds like your really need a grapple, here are some pictures of mine:

 

[RoyJackson]

Powerwise, no problem..3038e has the power and hydraulic capacity. Kenny's suggestion about a grapple would definitely help clearing those trees.

Now, the downside...

The 3038e does not have offseat PTO operation, so if you want to use a PTO chipper or logsplitter it might not be your best choice. You can put a 50-100 lb sack of sand (or whatever) on the seat though.

 

[gtobill]

Seems like you could just installl a bypass switch for that. Is there a seat sensor on the 3X20's? How does it work on those machines?

Bill

 

[msmud]

Bill,
Not to discourage you from getting a tractor, but getting a dozer man in there to push everything together into burn piles would likely get your 10 acres in shape within a few days--and regrade any parts of the land that need it, too. Seems like you're working pretty hard.

Tim