Which used tractor? G3038 or R3039

[hutchman]

Hi,

Been lurking on here for about a year and finally just joined.

I have a line on a used (can't afford new one) G3038 and R3039.

I'm a tractor noob so I'm looking for my first one ... can't really call my JD SpinSteer a tractor (yea, I was dumb enough to buy one of those ... long story).

Anyway, the G3038 is 2yrs old, has about 100hrs on it and about 3yrs of the warranty left. The R3039 is 3yrs old, has over 450hrs and has about 2yrs of warranty left.

Price difference is only several hundred dollars so that isn't much of a factor.

I know the R3039 is the top of the line with nice upgrades but the hrs worry me. I have no idea how each of them have been used or what has been done to them. Well, I might be able to get some info on the 3038 but looks like I can't get history on the 3039.

I'm building a house on 20+ acres and I'll be using it to maintain a 1/4 mile gravel road (after it is built) and brushhog on sides of it. Snow removal, a few small food plots etc. General estate stuff ... no heavy duty farming tasks.

At first I thought I'd just get my friends 19yr old Kubota but he wants as much for it as these LS tractors (which both have warranty) so it didn't make much sense to me to go that route when both of the LS machines outclass the Kubota in every category except 3ph capacity.

Decisions, decisions.

Thanks for helping me decide.

 

[vwnotrunning]

I have the previous version of the 3039. Absolutely love it.

Are they gear or hydro?

 

[hutchman]

I have the previous version of the 3039. Absolutely love it.

Are they gear or hydro?

They are both gear.

 

[mangus580]

3039 all the way.... I have written up a comparison at least twice for people, but the features you gain, are worth at least $2k.... (at least on a new... but still!)

Bear in mind, mine is only a year old, and i have close to 200 hours on it!! It doesnt take long if you use it as a wheelbarrow and such around the yard :-D

 

[Gregster613]

Hutchman, if you are mostly concerned about the hours...I wouldn't be; 450 hours on a diesel are nothing to worry about. You should expect to see several thousand before any serious worries "might" arise. Just my .02c.
Happy Tractorin', Greg

 

[BradDrummond]

What part of Va?
I'm in Yorktown. Are they at a dealer? Let me know which you do not purchase. I'm in the market also.

Brad

 

[GManBart]

If I were buying, it would be the 3039 all day, every day, and twice on Sunday.

450 hours in 3 years is in the right ballpark for the kind of hours you would expect for a typical homeowner/weekend warrior, and is nothing to worry about. With two more years of warranty available, any prior abuse/damage should show up...and if you can't see anything obvious, it narrows it down a lot to mostly internal stuff. It's just my impression, but if you're hard enough on a machine to cause internal damage in 450 hours, you're going to see evidence of external damage as well.

 

[vwnotrunning]

Look at gear ratios also. I initially went looking fir a gear, but the 3033 did not have a gear close to the speed we would typically operate a specific tiller at. I ended up buying the hydro.

 

[hutchman]

Look at gear ratios also. I initially went looking fir a gear, but the 3033 did not have a gear close to the speed we would typically operate a specific tiller at. I ended up buying the hydro.

... if I were buying a new one, I agree ... I'd probably go for the hydro too. But I'm forced to go used and so these two were all I found ... pickins are slim with used LS tractors .... I guess in a way that is a good thing!

 

[TSO]

I'd go with the R3039 as well. Also, see if you can find a used NH Boomer 35. Same as the R3039, and sometimes you can find deals on them.