3203 Cruise Control?

[rdam]

Shopping for a new tractor and had not considered a John Deere due to their notorious high prices. I was looking at a Branson 2910i and a Kubota L2800 HST (I used to have a Kubota L3830)

I stopped in to the local JD dealer and told him what I was looking for. He gave me a very (surprisingly) competitive quote on a JD 3203. Seems like a nice tractor. I'm used to shifting but the wife would love the HST. Dependable Yanmar power (Is it "all" Yanmar?), and a neat quick attach loader.

What I did not notice, and don't see in the literature, is whether it has a "cruise control". Keeping your foot mashed to the pedal will get old fast when bushhogging.

3203 owners please advise.

 

[Deadman]

This is a very limited tractor, and budget minded, so be careful it will NOT have some options that you would expect it to have.

 

[dieselalles]

Rick, you're in North Florida. Give Nathan Gamble at GreenSouth Equipment a call at (229) 226-4881. He has some great deals on 2006 model 3320's which should be in the ball-park for you. I looked at a 3203, but found it too limited. The 3320 has basically the same HP but it has all the bells and whistles. You can pull the two up on the Deere web site and do a comparison.

But if you don't mind, wait a few days until they deliver mine....

Richard

 

[kennyd]

Shopping for a new tractor and had not considered a John Deere due to their notorious high prices.

Please take this with a grain of salt...But I find this statement odd when you have a picture of a Harley for you Avatar. John Deere's are competitively priced if you factor in more than the initial purchase price.

 

[rdam]

Please take this with a grain of salt...But I find this statement odd when you have a picture of a Harley for you Avatar. John Deere's are competitively priced if you factor in more than the initial purchase price.

Well, I would be the first to say that Harley's are a little overpriced. But, I've been to the factory, and there is a LOT of hand finish work that goes into them. It is certainly NOT the most bang for the buck when it comes to a motorcyce. But it is a true American icon, and I feel like I own a little piece of history.

Now, the same thing (Americana) draws me to Deere. But, I am not aware of ANY JD CUT's that are American. In fact, I am a big fan of Yanmar engines from my time in the commercial marine sector, but the fact remains, they are built (mostly) outside the U.S. (Unlike Harley)

I still stand by my statement. Like Harley's, I believe Deere's are a little overpriced....Like Harley's....I'd still like to have one.

 

[kennyd]

Well, I would be the first to say that Harley's are a little overpriced. But, I've been to the factory, and there is a LOT of hand finish work that goes into them. It is certainly NOT the most bang for the buck when it comes to a motorcyce. But it is a true American icon, and I feel like I own a little piece of history.

Now, the same thing (Americana) draws me to Deere. But, I am not aware of ANY JD CUT's that are American. In fact, I am a big fan of Yanmar engines from my time in the commercial marine sector, but the fact remains, they are built (mostly) outside the U.S. (Unlike Harley)

I still stand by my statement. Like Harley's, I believe Deere's are a little overpriced....Like Harley's....I'd still like to have one.

Yup, I've been to the factory also, I only live about 45 minutes from the York, PA assembly plant, and have gone to the yearly open house a few times

My point was just if you factor in the warranty, outstanding parts network, online parts look-up, and dealer network, I just don't think they are overpriced.

 

[RoyJackson]

Well, I would be the first to say that Harley's are a little overpriced. But, I've been to the factory, and there is a LOT of hand finish work that goes into them. It is certainly NOT the most bang for the buck when it comes to a motorcyce. But it is a true American icon, and I feel like I own a little piece of history.

There's a lot of hand finishing because they allow way too much variation in their manufacturing processes. I worked for an HD supplier...trust me, I know!

However, if you ever compare a Harley to a rice burner...look at the quality of the chrome...especially the handlebars and paint. As a Quality Assurance guy, cosmetics was a big part of my job..never ending battle either.

When you compare the different manufacturers, there is no comparison...HD wins hands down. And, that handwork is one of the things that gives HD their mystique

Now, I'm not a Harley guy...never cared for motorcycles, so I can be objective.

 

[rdam]

I took another look at the 3203 earlier today, and sure enough, there is no cruise control. I took a spin around the back lot of the dealer trying to maintain speed as if I was mowing, and it was a little tough. The tractor feels right otherwise, but I may not be able to get past the cruise issue.

I also took a closer look at the TC-30, which I had considered a few years ago. it was nearly side by side with a Kubota L2800. That removed the TC from the running.

 

[RoyJackson]

I took another look at the 3203 earlier today, and sure enough, there is no cruise control. I took a spin around the back lot of the dealer trying to maintain speed as if I was mowing, and it was a little tough. The tractor feels right otherwise, but I may not be able to get past the cruise issue.

I also took a closer look at the TC-30, which I had considered a few years ago. it was nearly side by side with a Kubota L2800. That removed the TC from the running.

No cruise? No hand throttle to set RPM either?
Boy, I guess my antiquitated designed 790 with hand throttle isn't so bad after all!

Why not the TC 30?

 

[rdam]

There's a hand throttle (no foot throttle/HST), but it simply manages the engine rpm. Speed is controlled by the dual foot pedals. I don't know what they were thinking. It's great for loader work, but any stretch where you need to maintain speed (mowing, tilling, bush-hogging), you have to carefully manage the speed with the pedals...and any bump throws that off.

Maybe a 2520? It's a little on the light side, but should meet my requirements. The prices may be close...maybe even a little less.