Buying Advice Nothing Runs Like a Deere

[jwrambo]

Have always heard the slogan, but had no idea it was true!:laughing: I am buying my first tractor. I had decided on a Kubota B3200. It had what I believe to be plenty of power, a mid size chassis, mid pto, and a decent loader. Searched for problems with this model, and came across the complaints on vibration. Boy am I glad I did some research. After driving the B3200 for about ten minutes, my foot felt like your hands would after operating a weed wacker for an hour. Also made me worry about the long term effects of the vibration on the components of the machine. Then I started looking at a B2900. Had to visit a different dealer to see the B2900, and they happen to also be a John Deere dealer. I drove a 3032e and a 2320, and was amazed at the difference between Kubota and JD. JD's just felt more substantial, and much, much smoother. The only thing I liked on the Kubota was the size and comfort of the operators deck, it seemed larger and easier to get on and off. Enough of that, I have a few questions that I hope ya'll can help with. I will be taking care of fives acres. Three is in open pasture, and the remaining is wooded and hilly. I will initially be bush hogging the pasture until it is in good enough shape to switch to a MMM or a finish mower. I will be maintaining a gravel road, installing fence posts with an auger, doing site work for a pole barn, setting the pole barn posts, tilling a garden, landscaping, clearing some light brush and a few stumps, and other general hobby farm chores. I have read as many threads on these as I could find, but I do have some specific questions. I know the 3032e is the basic model, but it may do just what I need. Thank you in advance for your help answering the questions below. Jason

Has anyone installed a mid PTO? I may want to do a mmm instead of a 3pt. finish mower. If anyone has done this, how much did it cost?

Is the quick attach mmm as easy as it looks?

How much is the quick detach kit for the loader? Does it work well?

Is the independent PTO better than the Kubota's live PTO?

Can I run a 5' bush hog with the 3032e?

Has anyone had any problems with this unit, anything to be on the lookout for?

Would a smaller JD fulfill my needs?

Are there any disadvantages to buying the economy model 3032e?

:confused2::confused2:

 

[RoyJackson]

Just do a search on "3032e" using the TBN search engine. There's been a lot of threads on this tractor and I'm sure all your questions will be answered (plus quite a few you haven't answered!).

The only real issue I have wth the 3032e is no off-seat PTO operation (if you intend to use a chipper, for example). There are workarounds, but I think Deere dropped the ball on that.

 

[ChuckinNH]

I would compare the price of the 3032E with that of a 2520, and see how that looks. The only thing I can think of that you might come up short on is weight for setting pole barn poles, and weight can be added if it is really necessary. ( You have to excuse my Orange thinking here since the 2520 is quite a bit heavier than my Kubota) Perhaps owners of the 2000 series will chime in here, but I would find it hard to live without the basics of a quick attach loader, off seat pto, etc. I'm not even sure that the E series has split brakes, and that is one of the nice things about most JD's.

OT: I have a friend that was having trouble with his JD walk behind snowblower, and he told the dealer that if the dealer couldn't fix it "this time" that thing will run like a Toro! Of course the snowblower was a fine unit, and the dealer found, and fixed the problem. (it would only run when it wasn't snowing......... and he didn't take my comments about that as being funny either.)

 

[YesDeere]

I would take a good look at a 3320. Although running a five foot bushhog I was wanting a little more power. That was with a 4310 which is comparable in hp. So maybe a 3520?

 

[dkostiha]

A 3120 or 3320 would work fine for what you want to do. I have a 3120 and it does all of those jobs and more. It is a sweet machine.

 

[JDGreenGrass]

I don't think a mid-pto is an option on 3032e.??

If your mowing a wide-open-space, a 3pt. mower will do you just fine.

 

[JD755]

I don't think a mid-pto is an option on 3032e.??

If your mowing a wide-open-space, a 3pt. mower will do you just fine.

That is correct. No mid-PTO available for the 3032e.

 

[Gizmo2]

Five acres....2320 or the 2520. Get a backhoe with it and you are all set.

 

[JDGreenGrass]

Five acres....2320 or the 2520. Get a backhoe with it and you are all set.

In the Deere line, when considering tractors in that price range, it is the 3032e, the 2520 and the 3005, with 2520 being the most costly, I would guess.

Those are the 3 tractors I consider when thinking about something other than my 770. But, in reality, I think I will have my 770 for a long time. It is a real sweet tractor that is ready to work.:thumbsup:

 

[JD3520Turbo]

I would error on the side of more Hp and weight if my budget would allow. I have a 3520, and the reason I got it vs others is that it is the first one that had a turbo on it. It will swing a 6 ft cutter all day long, and can have a mid pto for a belly mower. It is a little more spendy, but it is more tractor. I can tell you that it is not the best for stump pulling as it is a bit light. power doesn't seem to be the issue there, just weight to give the tires some bite. The 3032 will be even lighter. Digging post holes and setting posts, you will want more tractor there for that. I think if you can swing it, look at the 3,020 series tractors and the 3520 in specifically.

For what you are wanting to do, I would not go smaller. You will be disapointed in a year or so. The off-seat pto is easy to remedy. Just a little jumper wire under the seat.
I have had my tractor for 3 years and it has done good for me around the house. It is to small for my farm ground which is 120 acres, but around my 4 acre home, it has been very helpful. Especially pushing snow. My nieghbors love me for cleaning there driveways for them. I never told them I was the one having the fun.