3203 Update

[BigDamnFool]

Stopped by dealer today and received a quote $17,995 W/FEL.

$15,190 For 3203 ( 94% of List ) /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
$2805 for 300 loader

Dealers prices are usually a little high for everything they sell but 94%.

Same dealer also quoted me $18,200 for 3120 w/300x FEL, which to me appears to be a far better deal for only $205 more.

Maybe they're just feeling out the market with those prices on the 3203.


Tiny

 

[pdub]

I am assuming the 300 loader is the same loader that is used on the 790... and if so... does it have the same lift capacity???? I have heard that the 300 loader on the 790 only lifts like 900 lbs at 500mm ahead of the pivot pin, compared to about 1400 to 1800 on the competition (I also know that this number is usually meaningless).

Anyway, could someone tell me what the lift capacity is for the 300 loader on the 3203? Any other specs would be great too.

Oh, by the way, I was told that the 3203 cannot run a backhoe because it doesn't have the capability for a power beyond port (I don't know if that makes sense or not), and rear remotes aren't available. So it would take a while for Woods or Bushhog to fit one up to run off the PTO probably. Even so, for the money, this is gonna be a tough one to beat.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

One improvement I would like to see at Deere.com is better specs listed on Loaders. I mean they have to realize that we buy a loader and selct a matching tractor to put with it!

There are no specs that I have found for the 300 on the 3203. I doubt that the numbers for the 790 correlate well. Wheelbase, overall weight, and front axle specs affect the loader numbers greatly.

And more importantly, Deere needs to come up to what competitors have been offering in this segment. I bet they will.

 

[lgcivttu]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I took some pictures yesterday, (Saturday, 3/11/06), and I'd swear we both took a picture of the same tractor at the same Deere dealer (Katy TX). )</font>

Yup. Next time I'll give you a key for some moving shots. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[lgcivttu]

John Deere is proud to introduce the all-new 3203 Compact Utility Tractor. This machine will provide budget-conscious customers with the convenience and usability of a hydrostatic transmission (HST) in an economically priced tractor. The 3203 Tractor augments John Deere's popular Advantage Series economy compact tractor line (2305, 790, 990) by continuing the tradition of combining reliability and durability in an affordable package without sacrificing essential features and world-class dealer support.

The 3203 Tractor is powered by a 32 horsepower Yanmar 3-cylinder TNV Series diesel engine. This robust and reliable power plant is EPA Tier II-compliant and will provide 3203 owners with many years of dependable service.




Twin Touch™ foot pedals

The 3203 Tractor is the perfect choice for economy-minded large-property owners (LPO) who need the utility of a mid-size loader tractor and the versatility of a Category 1 three-point hitch but are unwilling to sacrifice the productivity and ease-of-use that comes with a hydrostatic transmission (HST) controlled by our industry-exclusive Twin Touch™ foot pedals.



The 3203 Tractor, combined with the 300 Loader and an array of performance-matched John Deere and Frontier implements, creates a new opportunity to meet the needs of even the most cost-conscious and discerning large-property owner customers.



Key features and benefits of the 3203 Compact Utility Tractor:

Easy to use

Hydrostatic transmission
Provides infinite speed selection without clutching or shifting - even when changing direction
Dual-pedal foot control (Twin Touch)
Unique side-by-side design is easy to operate
No gears to shift, just press the forward or reverse pedal and go
Power steering
Provides optimum performance in all operating conditions; especially helpful when tractor is equipped with a loader
Wet disk brakes
Provide positive stopping power and long life
Independent PTO operation
Allows the power take-off (PTO) to be engaged and disengaged independently of other transmission operations and at any ground speed
Versatile

Four-wheel drive
Increases traction, productivity, and efficiency
Power take-off (PTO)
Independent PTO
540 rpm rear PTO - allows operating a wide variety of rear-mounted implements
Category 1 three-point hitch
Allows for hookup of a variety of rear-mounted three-point-hitch implements
Differential lock
Increases traction and pulling power
Comfortable

Contoured, comfortable seat
Mid-backed for added operator comfort
Roll-Gard™ ROPS and seat belt
Increase operator safety
Twin Touch HST pedals
Ergonomically designed for efficient and effortless transmission control


Primary customers:

The 3203 Compact Utility Tractor is designed primarily for large-property owners (LPO) with one or more of the following characteristics:

At least three acres of property to maintain
Need for a basic, easy-to-operate, no-frills compact tractor solution
High expectation for tasks requiring rear-mounted implements for jobs such as rough pasture cutting, driveway maintenance, light landscaping, vegetable gardening, and wildlife food plot installation
Need for loader work in tight spaces, such as manure removal from a horse stall


Product positioning:



The John Deere 3203 is a tractor designed to complement the existing Advantage Compact Utility Tractor line (2305, 790, 990) by providing a hydrostatic transmission ption on a mid-sized economy platform.


3203 HST
790 4WD Gear
3120 eHydro™

Engine
3TNV84
3TNV82A
3TNV84

Gross hp
32
27
29.5

PTO hp
24
24
22

Displacement (L)
1.496
1.330
1.496

Mid PTO
Not Available
Option
Option

Transmission
2-Range Mechanically
Actuated HST
8F x 2R
Sliding Gear
3-Range eHydro™

Cruise Control
Not Available
Not Available
Standard

Hitch Lift Capacity
849 kg / 1868 lb.
370 kg / 815 lb.
999 kg / 2200 lb.

Steering Column
Non-Tilt
Non-Tilt
Tilt

Seat Suspension
Seat Springs
Seat Springs
Fully Suspended

ROPS
Fixed
Fixed
Folding

Hood
4-Piece
4-Piece
1-Piece Flip-Up

Tire Compatibility
R4 Industrial
R1 Ag / R3 Turf /
R4 Industrial
R1 Ag / R3 Turf /
R4 Industrial

Loader Compatibility
Model 300
Model 300
Models 300X / 300CX

Backhoe Compatibility
Not Compatible
Model 7
Models 47, 447, 48, 448


Compared with the competition, the 3203 Tractor with the 300 Loader offers best-in-class ergonomics and usability with superior performance by including features such as Twin Touch HST controls, integrated loader controls, and independent electrohydraulically actuated power take-off – all in a comparably priced package.




John Deere 3203 HST
Kubota L2800 HST
New Holland TC30 HST
Mahindra 2810 HST

Gross hp
32
29
30
28

PTO hp
24
22.5
24
22.5

HST Controls
Twin Touch™
Pedals
Treadle Pedal
Treadle Pedal
Treadle Pedal

PTO Type
Independent
Continuous Live
Continuous Live
Independent

PTO
Actuation
Electrohydraulic
Mechanical
Mechanical
Electrohydraulic

Hydraulic
Flow (GPM)
13.3
10.5
9.6
10.9

Loader Control
Location
Integrated with Tractor
Loader-Mounted
Loader-Mounted
Loader-Mounted

The John Deere 3203 is a tractor designed to complement the existing Advantage Compact Utility Tractor line (2305, 790, 990) by providing a hydrostatic transmission option on a mid-sized economy platform.

Implement compatibility:

Front: Not available
Loader: 300 Loader
Mid: Not available
Rear: Various Category 1 three-point-hitch-mounted implements; backhoes are not compatible

 

[canoetrpr]

Interesting that they chose to compare it with the Kubota L2800 rather than the L3400.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

They should list the MSRP for each of the tractors they choose to compare to. Comparions like that from Any company are never fair. Infact you could take those same models and by obmiting and adding different characterists make it look however you want. Ie - add rear remotes, compatible backhoe, functions on the loader valve and obmit marketing terms like "twin touch"... that would make things look pretty drasticly different.

 

[JDCOMPACTMAN]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Stopped by dealer today and received a quote $17,995 W/FEL.

$15,190 For 3203 ( 94% of List ) /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
$2805 for 300 loader

Dealers prices are usually a little high for everything they sell but 94%.

Same dealer also quoted me $18,200 for 3120 w/300x FEL, which to me appears to be a far better deal for only $205 more.

Maybe they're just feeling out the market with those prices on the 3203.


Tiny )</font>


Definetly Go For The 3120.Better Loader,Backhoe Capability,mid pto option,Ect. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Hey, How've you been Neil?

Of course by 'they' you also mean the orange boys.... Blue, red, whatever.

 

[ddivinia]

I checked out a 3203 today and it has a couple nice items on it. I Liek the metal floorboards and the decent ground clearance.

Is it just me or is the John Deere product line on the bottom end getting confusing? 2210, 2503, 2520, 3203. What next?

D.

 

[canoetrpr]

Wow... that's certainly not much of a price difference. I'm guessing the 3203 being new and all they are not discounting it much vs the 3120 is being discounted by the normal amount?

The 3120 is a very nice machine and with anything less than a few thousand difference in price the 3120 would be the way to go IMHO. Why get the toned down version unless you really are going to save a bunch.

I fully expect that as sales ramp up the 3203 will sell with prices in line with the Kubota L3400 - after all this was the gap in the line up that they were trying to address. I do think, as Neil points out that leaving out the hoe and possiblity of rear remotes is not a great idea on their part.

 

[johndeere_2210]

I think Deere sends up a trial ballon to see where the price might fall, but agree with the above post, it might become tough to sell this unit if it's close to the 3120, minus features and there are a number of them.

 

[ddivinia]

I think they will have to drop the price a lot on the 3203. Perhaps they are looking at a 790 replacement. I think the John Deere marketing people are trying to keep up confused!

D.

 

[thebigc]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">(
The 3120 is a very nice machine and with anything less than a few thousand difference in price the 3120 would be the way to go IMHO. Why get the toned down version unless you really are going to save a bunch.

)</font>

I was ready to pull the trigger on a 3203/300 FEL when I decided to price out a 3120eHydro/300CX. $18,400 -vs- $19,350 respectively. So its a no-brainer for me and I'll be getting my new 3120 Monday or Tuesday. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

And looking at the specs, the 300CX runs rings around the 300. I guess that's where JD saves the money in the 3203; the hydraulics.

Donny

 

[ddivinia]

Good call on the 3120 - post pics when you get it. You are right, the 300CX is much better than the 300X.

D.

 

[BigDamnFool]

I found a few spare minutes on friday and went by JD dealer that will be closest to my new home. Had him price out 3203 w/300 FEL vs. 3120 w/300x. You should have seen the look on his face when the 3120 came out at $20 less than 3203. He had to show every other salesman in the place. He double checked to make sure he was right and then said I should definitely go with the 3120. Then thought how on earth would they ever sell a 3203. I left with quotes in hand and drove to Kubota dealer for some prices. And here the plot .. thickens... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Tiny

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Sounds like you made the right choice. Even if the 3203 had been a little less than the 3120, you'd be glad that you went that way. Hopefully they will bring the price DOWN on the 3203; not raise the 3120 to fix the disparagence...

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( And looking at the specs, the 300CX runs rings around the 300. I guess that's where JD saves the money in the 3203; the hydraulics )</font>

Where are you getting that? Right now, I am only seeing 300 specs for the 790. I feel that the 300 willl look better on the 3203 than it does on the 790.

But for your situation, that is all a moot point. You did the right thing going with the 3120.

 

[thebigc]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Where are you getting that? Right now, I am only seeing 300 specs for the 790. I feel that the 300 willl look better on the 3203 than it does on the 790.

)</font>

Was looking at the specs on my dealer's computer. I didn't write them down or print them out but the numbers, especially considering the 3203 has 32hp. vs 29.5 for the 3120, pointed to diminished hydraulics. My dealer agreed and stated that's where Deere saves money. And the 3120 flows about 1gpm more in the implement pump according to the specs. Again, the numbers for the 300CX were so much better than the 300 I quickly forgot about the 3203.

I also wished my dealer good luck selling a 3203. I guess if you don't have much loader work involving heavy materials and want a cheap HST tractor the 3203 might be a good choice...

 

[rockyridgefarm]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( considering the 3203 has 32hp. vs 29.5 for the 3120, pointed to diminished hydraulics)</font>

Um, these both have the same engine (Yanmar 3TNV84). One tractor is specified at 2800 rpm, the other at 2600 rpm.

Hydraulics is a different story (Source: owners manuals posted at Deere.com):

3120
Working Pressure 17237 kPa (2500 psi)
Pump Capacity (Main) @ Rated Speed 32.5 L/min (8.6 gpm)
Pump Capacity (Power Steering) @ Rated Speed 20 L/min (5.3 gpm)
Total Flow of Pumps @ Rated Speed 52.5 L/min (13.9 gpm)

3203
Working Pressure 14651 kPa (2150 psi)
Steering Pressure 10342 kPa (1500 psi)
Pump Capacity (Main) @ Rated Speed 28.8 L/min (7.6 gpm)
Pump Capacity (Power Steering) @ Rated Speed 21.6 L/min (5.7 gpm)
Total Flow of Pumps @ Rated Speed 50.4 L/min (13.3 gpm)

(Watch for 'How I shimmed my 3203 hydraulics' thread....)

Still - You Did The Right Thing.

But it is nice to nail down exactly what is and what isn't.

 

[thebigc]

Mike, thanks for doing the legwork on those specs. So I guess its a different pump here? 3120 shows 1gpm more implement flow but a little less steering capacity?

Anyhow, you're right; I did make the right choice. My 3120 showed up in my driveway a day early! Better on paper than a 3203/300 and a ten-fold improvement on my trusty 4100HST/410.

Donny