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.

 

[rdam]

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?

2520 is too light. TC30 doesn't seem right, and the dealer is....not good. Like before, I'd rather go bigger than I need. I may take on some side work now that I'm "living" on my acreage.

The local JD dealer is great. No fooling around with prices. Next model up from the 3203 is the 3120. More features (E-Hydro and cruise) but a couple less ponies. More $....$17,320 out the door w/ loader.

 

[MajMac392]

Rick, that price is interesting. I just visited a JD Dealer this weekend in Wilton, ME and got a price from someone who I didn't consider overly knowledgeable about CUTs. He pulled all the prices from the JD site, just the same as you or I would "Build One". It was a bit annoying because it took quite awhile for the PC to refresh/repaint each page, every time he clicked away. He said the price on a 3120 would be right at $22k w/FEL. I swallowed a little hard on that and told him that was more than I planned on paying for a tractor. He said a 3203 would be around $15+ for the tractor and another $3K or so for a loader. When I left I looked at a 3203 that he had on the lot and the price on the hand written tag on it was $19,342.

 

[rdam]

Rick, that price is interesting. I just visited a JD Dealer this weekend in Wilton, ME and got a price from someone who I didn't consider overly knowledgeable about CUTs. He pulled all the prices from the JD site, just the same as you or I would "Build One". It was a bit annoying because it took quite awhile for the PC to refresh/repaint each page, every time he clicked away. He said the price on a 3120 would be right at $22k w/FEL. I swallowed a little hard on that and told him that was more than I planned on paying for a tractor. He said a 3203 would be around $15+ for the tractor and another $3K or so for a loader. When I left I looked at a 3203 that he had on the lot and the price on the hand written tag on it was $19,342.

Way too high. I probably won't buy a JD. I can get LOTS more Kubota for the money, and I already have a good prior experience with my L3830. It's too bad, because the JD dealer who consistently gave me "reasonable" prices is close by, and a real nice guy. You can get tractors shipped all day long for $1.60 per loaded mile...Or borrow a trailer and take a vacation to Florida.

If you PM me I'll geve you the info, the price on the 3203 w/loader was $15,400

 

[Mike5252]

You might also consider a MF 1531. I've seen a couple of them listed on tractorhouse.com for right at 15.5k. To be honest, I've never looked at one hard, but on paper they seem pretty attractive..

 

[MajMac392]

Rick, I appreciate the offer but I'm in the research mode at this point checking to see what my options are in the 30HP range are. There are many items that here in the NE the freight/shipping adds to the overall cost. I have not been in a JD dealership for several years, for lots of reasons, and thought I would stop. I went back to a local publication for early May and found another dealer was offering the 3203 for $18,600 w/weight box, rear blade, FEL, and 5' RC. So I suppose if you drop the blade and RC the cost gets nearer your cost in FL.
BTW. Yanmar and Cub Cadet have formed a new CUT company to be based in Ohio that will produce a new line of CUTs. The first of the line is due out late summer or early fall and I would expect if Yanmar is making them at least the engine/drive train, etc will be similar to the JD line only different sheet metal & plastic and badged in Yellow and Black.