John Deere 2038R 200 hr review and how we ended up at this tractor

[@bobbert368]

Great video. Just curious, was there anything about the 2025r that you liked more over the 2038r. By the way, I've been watching you videos for awhile and your videos keep getting better. Thank you.

[@ElkCreekAcres]

Thanks bobbert368, I know you've been here since pretty much the beginning, I appreciate that. The 2025R was definitely more nimble than the 38R, and I know it will sound weird, but I miss that throaty sound of the engine when it was under a load, like when tilling. It's hard to put into words without sounding negative towards the 25R, you know how much I liked that tractor, but the 2038R is just a different breed. Honestly, I could have lived with the 3 point issue, had they simply put a 2 series loader on that tractor I'd likely still have it today.

[@jimsmith8789]

You are absolutely correct on the ergonomics on the big 2000 series. I drive an orange tractor now but in 23 days I will have a green one. And that was a big factor! Keep up the the good work love your channel

[@ElkCreekAcres]

Thanks Jim, I've never sat on a Kabota this size to compare the two brands, it'd be hard to beat what JD has on the 2 series right now.

[@RockhillfarmYT]

I agree with everything you said The MSL really took mine to the next level

[@ElkCreekAcres]

It definitely did!!!

[@deanmoore3776]

Hello I love your review about the 2038R. I have one and I love it! I was lucky enough to get the last one in my area. You’re right, the tractor has phenomenal power and the tractor has done everything I ask it to do. There’s a guy in my area who is trying to get one. The dealer told him it would be over a year before he can get it in. One thing you mentioned in the video about the two speed transmission, I really don’t have any problems with. It has performed really well. I put all brighter lights on it as well. I love this tractor and your great review.

[@ElkCreekAcres]

Thanks Dean, the transmission wasn’t really a downfall of the tractor, just that it would compliment the available HP nicely. Overall I really love this tractor.

[@deanmoore3776]

@@ElkCreekAcres I agree awesome job on the review

[@slickrick6883]

What area are you in? I got told it would be months if not end of the year as well. Got the only one they had with the radial turfs. Had been waiting 2 months on a backhoe but should be delivered next week fingers crossed.

[@blue_spruce_joe]

I have been waiting for this review and it was great! Our 38R has power for days and a home forever. Good call on GTT. I Have not been on in a while and I need to get back on.

[@ElkCreekAcres]

Thanks Joe, this one will be in our stable for quite some time as well.

[@rogerbelanger295]

this was a very nice video. your review was very helpful. I really need a 2032/38, but the main reason I'm thinking of getting the 2025 is because I want a cab for the winter. Jumping to the 30XX for a cab is a lot more $$$.

[@ElkCreekAcres]

I agree, there are some decent aftermarket cabs for the large 2r's, but the 3r's are quite a jump. I would love a 3046R with a cab, but it's hard to justify the cost.

[@alittleofthisandalittleofthat]

I have a 2015 1025r. Love it but out growing it. I’m wanting a 2032/38 but biggest problem is ground clearance. I want it for cutting wood in the woods and other jobs and a couple years ago looking at one on the lot with a backhoe the ground clearance was not much and the Mechanism for a mower deck hangs down way too much. So not sure what to do. Even the Orange ones have more ground clearance.

[@ElkCreekAcres]

I agree, if ground clearance is what you need I would look at the John Deere 3R series, if that’s within your budget of course. They do have superior capabilities compared to the 1/2 series. Just giving you honest feedback, the 3R is where you really start to see large tractor features and capabilities. I will very soon have another review coming, closing in on 2 1/2 yrs and almost 500 hours, I will touch a little on these things in that video. Thank you for watching

[@deanmoore3776]

I disabled the back up switch on the transmission it’s simple to do I hated it when I was snowblowing it’s good that it doesn’t bother you

[@ElkCreekAcres]

I agree, the RIO would definitely be disabled if I mowed or had a front snow blower.

[@rodneyscrivner2504]

Great Review Pat, I dig my 32R as well as you do the 38R.

[@ElkCreekAcres]

They are truly great tractors, 32 or the 38. Honestly had my heart set on a 38R, they had 3 of them and no 32's. Had it been the other way around I likely would have taken a 2032R.

[@scotttatroe7282]

Can you show a close up of the tool box thanks

[@ElkCreekAcres]

Yes, in my next video I will do a follow up to some questions from the review.

[@ElkCreekAcres]

Follow up video is up, I answered your questions on the tool box there and gave you some closeups of how it is attached.

[@deanmoore3776]

Hi I forgot to tell you one thing I disabled my back up switch and you don’t have to go through the computer there is a simpler way because when I was snowblowing it was shut down and I hated that but now I don’t have that problem

[@BG-vq9fd]

Bought my 2025R almost 2 years ago. I was looking at all 2 series. Now I know I would have been happier with the 32 or 38R. If I go bigger now I am wondering about large 2R or 3R.

[@ElkCreekAcres]

When I had my 2025R I honestly used to think that a 32/38R wouldn't be a significant enough upgrade, but I couldn't have been more wrong. I was a 20 minute drive away from signing the paperwork on a 39R but gave the 2038R was more look. The 2038R is way more of an increase in capabilities than I imagined, would I have been happy with the 39R, of course. But, ergonomically the 32/38R is leaps and bounds ahead of anything else at this time. It's just so much more tractor than the 2025R it still surprises me from time to time.

[@denisewildfortune4058]

I had considered getting a 2038R right off but was concerned it might be too heavy as I need to tread lightly over my leach field and have some wet areas that need mowing. So I ended up with a Gen-1 2025R which has been awesome but to be honest, I do max it out! Now that I've converted the untamed fields and apple orchard I could actually mow with a zero turn now. That would free me up to get a bigger tractor. See what you started? Grinning broadly!

[@ElkCreekAcres]

Hahaha, glad I could help Denise!! That was my exact thought, don't have enough lawn to justify a zero turn, but a tractor and a dedicated mower was the ticket this time around. And just to be clear, you would learn to max out a 4 series if you had one LOL, at least that's what a friend told me when I was shopping. I talked to him quite a bit before this purchase because he bought one of the first 2038's.

[@denisewildfortune4058]

@@ElkCreekAcres I live on 10 acres and mow about half of it. I average over 100 hrs a year, much of it mowing.

[@ElkCreekAcres]

@@denisewildfortune4058 yup, zero turn it would be here too.

[@deanmoore420]

Love the reveal I had a chance to drive a 2032R I want to let you know it’s not close into compares the 2038R has so much more horsepower and it’s a better machine I had a chance and I just wanted to share that with you

[@ElkCreekAcres]

I agree Dean, 2038R was my only pick between the two tractors.

[@deanmoore420]

@@ElkCreekAcres I understand it was smart pick between the both of us like I mentioned 2032R don’t have the horsepower like the 2038R it’s a great tractor have a great night and thanks for getting back in touch with me I love the videos you do an awesome job

[@Wolfiecolada]

dang the 2k series just seems like a really good size woo!

[@ElkCreekAcres]

It is a really good tractor, if not for the cab I would still have it.

[@tmatt1999]

Very good video, I need to get a machine and I am looking at the 2038R, buy it once, and be done with it. Two questions, you said that you installed a second set of outlets on the back, I assume that you mean hydraulics; did you run them forward as a third function? You said that you were handling round bails with the tractor, are you using the 2038r to process hay and if so what implements are you using? Thank you for the tip on the green tractor forum, I'm going to check it out.

[@ElkCreekAcres]

Thank you!! The rear outlets I referred are the factory rear hydraulics. I have not run them forward to a third function on the FEL, but that could be done easy enough. Our old 2555 has had the front setup like that forever. We don't use this tractor for making hay other than raking hay once in awhile. We have large tractors too, so to buy equipment for this tractor would simply be counterproductive at this time. One day I could see that happening if we still need hay once my FIL isn't helping anymore.

[@nicholasdeters2607]

Do you have a close up photo of the light bar/ strobe set up? How is it wired in?

[@ElkCreekAcres]

I don't, I sold this tractor over a year ago, but it was wired in at the dealer with a switch on the right console.

[@nicholasdeters2607]

@@ElkCreekAcres thanks for the info!

[@pc5569]

Good review. Is a 2038R a John Deere or Massey Ferguson? Who's bolt on hooks? Are they a shower curtain hook?

[@ElkCreekAcres]

There's one in every crowd LOL... Maybe we should tell Kenny to try a new market, shower curtain hooks, now that's funny.

[@levihuene6481]

What do you think about turning around the front tires to increase your front stability on your 2038R? I have heard some people doing this, but it is not recommended (if you have a loader) as per the JD operating manual. What’s your opinion?

[@ElkCreekAcres]

I've heard of people doing this also. The problem is, you really only gain in stability once the front axle reaches it's pivot stop, I don't believe the gain in stability is worth the possible front axle damage. A lot of my tractor use is FEL work, so for me I leave them. However, with the R1 wheels it's only 1" of difference between narrow and wide setting anyway, right now I actually have mine set on the wide side. Now, with the R4's it makes about an 6 or 8" difference in the stance.

[@stevenmcintosh3303]

Great video. Thanks for putting together. Maybe you covered it and I missed it but Is there a difference in lift capacity with the self-leveling loader compared to the non self-leveling?

[@ElkCreekAcres]

thank you!! Yes, the lift capacity increase is 4-450 lbs with the 220R MSL, definitely worth the extra $600. I edited parts out of my video, but I did cover some of that and the fact that it is an awful lot of lift for a tractor this size.

[@stevenmcintosh3303]

@@ElkCreekAcres That's a crazy amount of increase in lift capacity. I'd like to trade-in my 2025R for a 2038R but I think that will be tough to get through the finance council. Maybe next year. :)

[@LittleCabin]

Curious if you think the R1s are needed for running on hilly gravel roads (box blading etc.), or would the R4s be ok and/or preferred?

[@ElkCreekAcres]

I think for that the R4's would do fine, I went with the R1's for field work and cleaning the barnyard.

[@johndeno562]

I know what you mean about feeling beat up on a one series. Just mowing it takes me 5-6 hrs per week between my yard and the farm. I just can't justify a 2 series at this time.

[@ElkCreekAcres]

Yup, when I used to mow my in laws with my 1023, a rough 4 acres, I always felt beat up. And then brush hogging was just horrible, but they are very good tractors in their own right.

[@johndeno562]

@@ElkCreekAcres glorified lawn mower although the loader backhoe and rear PTO are very handy.

[@johndeno562]

I can't believe how much better it rides since I put versa turf radials on it.

[@ElkCreekAcres]

@@johndeno562 I'll bet, big difference between bias and radials.

[@gregb2144]

Yep, R1's for field/ pasture work!

[@ElkCreekAcres]

Agreed, and that's most of my work, and they were pretty awesome for snow removal as well.

[@ronlabine5789]

What width box blade do you have?

[@ElkCreekAcres]

I have the 60", at times it can be all the tractor wants, but it covers the tracks. I know several people that claim they pull a 72" with ease, I'm just not sure what material they are pulling. But I use mine as ballast most of the time as well, so I wanted something that was close to the same width as the tractor.

[@felty52]

The seat safety has shut me down many times. Especially when you barely weight 150lbs working on hills. The key placement is also pretty bad. Otherwise I love my 2038R

[@ElkCreekAcres]

I agree, I didn't mention the key placement only because I haven't yet had an issue with breaking keys.

[@BobsOutdoorActivities]

Good review. I too bought a 1023, had it 4 weeks and traded up to a 2032R.

[@ElkCreekAcres]

I must be a slow learner LOL. But as I said, we didn't have it long and knew we went too small.

[@jimmielittle877]

The 2032r might just be the sweet spot for mowing and gardening 🌻

[@BobsOutdoorActivities]

@@jimmielittle877 I like mine very much. I just warn people to test drive one first and compare it to a 1025. The 1025 is much more nimble. With the 2032/2038 you're getting into a much more HD of a tractor.

[@MaineOutdoorsChannel]

i am considering buying a 2038R.... Do you an email that I can reach you at?... I would like your opinion on a few things

[@ElkCreekAcres]

I do, it’s listed my account in the “about” section, feel free to reach out.

[@bobjohnson8624]

A 1023E, a perfectly forgettable little tractor. Lol. My 2305 is so much better. Har har.

[@ElkCreekAcres]

Yeah LOL It was a good tractor in it's own right, but a residential machine IMO.