Buying Advice New Tractor advice

Redblok · Dec 4, 2013

Ok - Brand new to the site and looking to buy a tractor for a 10 acre - property. In my local area, there is only a John Deere and MF dealer. Kubota is over 80 miles away, NH is over 100 miles away. So I am looking at a John Deere. My property is mainly wooded with small trees ranging from 3-10 inches in diameter. The plan is to clear 5 acres and plant with pasture grass. I am not worried about pulling stumps out with the tractor, I have a 5 Ton 6X6 Army truck to pull stumps. I really need a machine that can run a small 55 inch root Rake grapple, brush hog and box scrapper. I will rent a PTO wood chipper for chipping the branches. I think that I want a Hydrostatic Transmission as well.

I am considering the following

New 2013 JD 3038 with 305 Loader and box scrapper with 1 hour for $18,000 with 0% fin
2012 JD 3520 with 300cx loader with 150 hours for $20,000 - 1.9% fin
New 2013 JD 3038 with 305 loader, Frontier Rotary cutter, box scrapper and 16 foot trailer for $22,000 with 0% fin

I do need to buy a trailer and have price them out (best price $1600 for 16 foot .

Do you all think the 3038e is cut out for the job and which deal would you go with. I look forward to your input - Oh - I have driven both the 3038 and the 3520.

Thanks

Rob

cartod · Dec 4, 2013

Get the 3520...hands down the better tractor with much better everything including lift capacity. You will kick yourself if you don't spend a little extra now to get the better machine. Trust me on this one...

AndersonFarm · Dec 4, 2013

Just wanted to give some friendly advice on the trailer. Most utility trailers come standard with #3500 axles. That will usually give you about #5000 available cargo to haul. Even with a compact tractor, if you add the bush hog and box blade at the same time, you could be overloading the trailer and will end up with axle bearing problems. I just had a new trailer built for hauling my zero turn mower and side by side, but I had it built heavier for a 55 hp tractor. Like I said, just friendly advice.

cartod · Dec 4, 2013

AndersonFarm said:
Just wanted to give some friendly advice on the trailer. Most utility trailers come standard with #3500 axles. That will usually give you about #5000 available cargo to haul. Even with a compact tractor, if you add the bush hog and box blade at the same time, you could be overloading the trailer and will end up with axle bearing problems. I just had a new trailer built for hauling my zero turn mower and side by side, but I had it built heavier for a 55 hp tractor. Like I said, just friendly advice.

...and good advice! My advice would to scrap the trailer all together if you are just buying it to transport your tractor on rare occasions. Rent one for $50 a day..

My 3320 with loader, 2 implements, and loaded tires is more than 3 tons.

Redblok · Dec 4, 2013

cartod said:
...and good advice! My advice would to scrap the trailer all together if you are just buying it to transport your tractor on rare occasions. Rent one for $50 a day..

My 3320 with loader, 2 implements, and loaded tires is more than 3 tons.

Never thought of that. That is a great point.

Daves3032E · Dec 4, 2013

My 3032e has been a great tractor, but I have wanted more lift capacity more than a few times, especially when using the Frontier AV20H grapple (~380 lbs).

RoyJackson · Dec 4, 2013

Of the choices you list, I'd also go for the 3520.
The 3038 does not have off seat PTO capability. There are simple workarounds...a 50 lb bag of sand will do, however. To me, a tractor is both a mobile tool as well as a stationary power source (the off seat PTO work). I, personally, would not buy a tractor with out this useful feature.

As far as renting a PTO driven wood chipper...that's going to be a tough one to find, I think. Powered wood chippers...no problem. I do suggest you keep an eye on Craigslist for a chipper...and since you have mostly wooded acreage, a chipper/shredder might be a better way to go. My unit is a Woods 5000 chipper/shredder. I use the shredder as much (or more) then the chipper. Since I have a wood stove now, I'll likely use the chipper less and the shredder more. I paid $1000 for this used chipper/shredder.

BTW, since you tried out both the 3038 and the 3520, which did you like best?

GManBart · Dec 4, 2013

There are actually other dealers much closer than 80-100mi from Springfield (I'm in stafford, VA as I type this). There is a NH/Kioti dealer in Frederick, a Kubota dealer in Fredericksburg, an LS dealer in Culpeper, a Case/IH dealer near Leesburg, etc....none terribly far away.

Redblok · Dec 5, 2013

The farm where the tractor will be kept is in Covington VA which is over 210 miles away from Springfield. Not much down that way except for Jd and an MF. I have yet to see anyone at the MF shop. Lot's of shiny new tractors that never even move on the MF lot.

Redblok · Dec 5, 2013

Roy,

I like the 3520 with the eHydro. The one I found has the power reverser trans. I am not sure I want the PR tranny. I have not found any 3520 with eHdyro transmissions that were under $24K. Since I want the Hydro transmission, it is a $4K difference not including the interest I will have to pay on the 3520. I think I am going with the 3038e, 305 loader and a box scraper. I will have a diverter valve added so I can control the grapple. I am planning on going with the Everything Attachments 50inch Root Rake Grapple. For $1400 and weighing less that 300 lbs, I think I got it covered. The 3520 ehydro is nice. Also - Talking with JD today. The 3038e can be run without having weight in the seat. According to them, you place the machine in neutral, set the parking brake (do not sit in the seat) and start the machine. The PTO will work and you don't have any weight in the seat.