Tractor people: green vs orange

[vetteman9368]

Looking at a compact tractor for our 10 acres, and for occasional use by our construction company. Have narrowed it down to the John Deere 3038E or the kubota L3200. It's not apples to apples, but I can actually get the Deere about $2k cheaper. I know they are both industry leaders, but I'm looking for some independent feedback.

This is what I have so far

DEERE 3038E

Pros:
6 more hp
Selectable PTO
Cheaper
3yr warranty

Cons:
Physically smaller
Front end loader is not detachable
ROPS doesn't fold
Smaller fuel tank (40% smaller)

KUBOTA L3200

Pros:
Physically bigger
Larger fuel tank
Front end loader detaches (not sure how easily)
ROPS folds

Cons:
6 less hp
Live PTO
More expensive
2yr warranty

On paper it seems like a slam dunk for the Little Green Machine, but want to be sure I'm not missing anything.

[JRD77VET]

My late father in law paid extra for a detachable front end loader when he purchased his White diesel back around 1985. He died a few years ago and mentioned it was a waste of money for the detach mount as he never took it off.

He either raised the bucket out of the way or if he actually needed the room, he just took the bucket off.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Which dealer is closer to you? Which dealer has a better "happy with service" rating?

Both machines are good but service and consumable parts pricing would weigh heavily in my decision

[carlton_fritz]

Never heard anything bad about Kubota.

[vetteman9368]

Originally Posted by JRD77VET

My late father in law paid extra for a detachable front end loader when he purchased his White diesel back around 1985. He died a few years ago and mentioned it was a waste of money for the detach mount as he never took it off.

He either raised the bucket out of the way or if he actually needed the room, he just took the bucket off.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Which dealer is closer to you? Which dealer has a better "happy with service" rating?

Both machines are good but service and consumable parts pricing would weigh heavily in my decision

The distance to the dealers is maybe 5 miles different. I'll service it myself(except warranty), so parts are the only real issue there

[Stangkiller]

My inland have both a kabota and a Deere tractor...the kabota is about 20years old and has been through hell and back, and its front loader is still better than the larger Deere. If you're going to use it for the business I suspect a longer lasting fuel tank and lower overhead (folding loop) might come in pretty handy

[JRD77VET]

Regardless, get 4WD

[JRD77VET]

Originally Posted by vetteman9368

The distance to the dealers is maybe 5 miles different. I'll service it myself(except warranty), so parts are the only real issue there

Find out if you change fluids yourself if it effects the warranty ( I don't know, but worth asking )

[vetteman9368]

Originally Posted by Stangkiller

My inland have both a kabota and a Deere tractor...the kabota is about 20years old and has been through hell and back, and its front loader is still better than the larger Deere. If you're going to use it for the business I suspect a longer lasting fuel tank and lower overhead (folding loop) might come in pretty handy

Well I can get a folding ROPS as an option on the Deere, and neither one give you an idea on fuel consumption (except the obvious that cutting at high rpm burns a lot more fuel than idling around using the loader)

[vetteman9368]

Originally Posted by JRD77VET

Regardless, get 4WD

Both are 4WD

[Stangkiller]

Originally Posted by vetteman9368

Well I can get a folding ROPS as an option on the Deere, and neither one give you an idea on fuel consumption (except the obvious that cutting at high rpm burns a lot more fuel than idling around using the loader)

With the folding option does the kabota come back into play at that $ range?

[vetteman9368]

Originally Posted by Stangkiller

With the folding option does the kabota come back into play at that $ range?

Not really, it's a $500 option. (Or a few hours with the welder)

[Sea Six]

Does either model come with a cupholder?

[vetteman9368]

Originally Posted by Sea Six

Does either model come with a cupholder?

Both, but neither have a cooler

[JRD77VET]

Originally Posted by vetteman9368

Both, but neither have a cooler

Tilt bucket back, fill with ice

[FRISKY]

I will never own a tractor without a live PTO again.

[PortDawg]

I have a brand new 3038. Love it. The removable bucket is easy to use. Hay Spear can be swapped on just by pulling two pins. The PTO powers a 5 ft Brush Hog or a finish mower with relative ease. Looked at the Kubota also but Green holds it's value and the shop Manager was disinterested when we were shopping.

[vetteman9368]

Originally Posted by FRISKY

I will never own a tractor without a live PTO again.

So you don't want to be able to turn it on an off?

[cmb396]

What is weight of each, and will that determine anything you do with it? ie Mowing hillsides, banks, etc? The JD is lighter, is that with both tractors tires empty? If so, have the JD tires filled to make up some weight.
Im privvy to John Deere personally. Kubotas are great tractors, but I just like JD. In fact, I will be getting a 5065 in the next year or so.
As far as the dtachable front end loader, you need it to come off. We have a 38hp compact, can't remember what model number, but it's only a few years old. It has a 72" mower deck, front end loader, etc. Mowing with the loader on is a pita!! The loader is handy for little things, but we also have a skid steer and backhoe, so it doesn't get used a lot, it came with the tractor tho. Point being, upgrade to one that is detachable, or just get the Kubota.
Then again, a bama fan on a orange tractor...

[FRISKY]

Originally Posted by vetteman9368

So you don't want to be able to turn it on an off?

Most live PTO tractors will let you engage or disengage the PTO anytime, but a non-live PTO will stop every time you push the clutch in. That is especially a problem if the 3-point hydraulics are driven by a pump on the PTO shaft in the differential because you can't sit still and raise/lower/engage the attachments whenever the clutch is pushed in. You either have to be moving or sitting still with the transmission in neutral and the clutch pedal out. A live PTO will allow you to use attachments at any time.

I'm sure that is clear as mud...

[6spdC6]

What is wrong with BLUE! I have a New Holland and I love it. Plenty of attachments available.


I checked out all 3 colors and went BLUE and after 5 years I do not regret my choice. Out where I live all dealers were all at about 25 miles away so distance meant nothing. I use mine in the good weather for driveway work and general dirt work and in the bad winters up here it’s a good back up to my 4x4PU with plow. I also do a lot of hard area spots with the N.H. using the bucket to pick up and dump big drifts of snow has save my ass more than once. It made the difference of getting off my hill in a few minuits VS a few hours!