John Deere Series 1,2,3 Or Mini X?

Deciding on a tractor purchase is far from easy as "apple pie" and can really get your "goat". I revisit Lincoln to thank him for the use of his rake. We discuss some of our likes with our compact tractor and some pet peeves. I really want to hear your thoughts particularly if you had a one series and decided to go bigger. Your opinions will greatly help those out there looking to make another purchase or their first.

[TractorTimewithTim]

Perhaps you should come by and visit us? I think we could answer many of your questions.

[jimbennett]

I have nearly 600 hours on my 2038R and have zero regrets. Kind of the best of both wolds as the footprint is still reasonably small and it has really good power. There will be times I wish I had a 1025 and times I wish I had a 3 or4 series but for a happy medium the 2038r fits the bill

[Dorchwoods]

So i went from a 1025r to a Kioti CK2620 and it was the best decision i ever made as far as tractors are concerned. The lift capacity feels nearly tripled, all my implements still fit fine, the tractor feels way more stable and all around more powerful. I think the lift capacity on my 24.5 horsepower Kioti exceeds the 3 series JD which is pretty wild

I think my favorite part about jumping from JD to Kioti is the fact i now have a skid steer quick attach front end and not the annoying proprietary JD quick attach. Which means WAY more options front implements at way cheaper prices. Just my 2 cents as a former JD super fan

[kevinjansen]

So I think I can speak to this with a fair bit of knowledge. My dad and I both own property and heat with wood. He bought a 1025r and at first I laughed at it but as I used it and saw what he was getting done with it I fell in love. I ended up buying one too then my dad decided to upgrade and the dealer talked him into a 2025r. I can tell you from experience that was a mistake. There is no appreciable difference other than bigger tires so less ground impact. It was long he admitted his mistake and looked to upgrade again. We looked into it together and landed on the 2038r. Now that’s a game changer. That tractor is definitely worth the upgrade. Much better lift capacity. Way more power. Great tractor. I still have my 1025r and it does what I need it too but if was going to upgrade the 2038r would be the machine for me. Note: I have the backhoe my dad does not but he has a kabota mini x ( very mini )

[sgtram]

I skipped both 1025R and 2025R and bought the 2038R back in 2021. I am very happy with the 2038R and it has done everything I need around my property. A couple of times, I wish I had a 3-series tractor due to the 2038R lift capacity. Sometimes, I wish to have a tractor with a cabin. However, I believe the 2038R is a great tractor for a small farm.

[rangerx]

I guess I’m the exception. I bought a 3033R power reverser. Great machine but it was big and heavy. I found myself limiting when I would use it especially in the Spring and late Fall when the ground would get soft. The loader controls were buttery smooth no matter the RPM’s. The engine power and loader lift capacity was amazing. I had to load the rear tires and use my ballast box to keep the rear tires on the ground.
For what I paid for it I felt it was sitting more than I was using it. It was during the height of the pandemic so when I decided to trade down I got everything I paid for it back and went to a 2025R. I do miss the loader height and lift capacity but absolutely love the tractor. I use a Frontier 60” rear finish mower and the same brush hog you have. I like the ground clearance which is the biggest reason I bought it over the 1025R. No regrets.

[scotttatroe]

I up graded to a 2038r from a 2025 r for the engine and I wanted a factory grappler

[ralphfarmer]

I love my 3025E. I use it mostly for the loader, bucket, grapple, forks and stump bucket. I have a small ranch with goats, pigs, chickens, turkeys and ducks. I live in North Florida so it's mostly at an idle and it gets my jobs done. I have no problem with the placement of the loader control lever. The engine in the 3025 has a lower operating rpm and more torque than the 1025.
My tires are loaded with water, like I said I live in Florida.
I would recommend the 3025 to anyone looking for a tractor, I'm 63 with stage 4 cancer and I can get on it with no problem.
Thanks for the videos

[Bob-vblc]

I have the 1025R TLB. It is a 2019 and I have a bunch of attachments (front & rear). I do think about upgrading to the 2038R but if I go any bigger, the implements may not fit. Particularly the back hoe (I really don't want to spend that $$ again). All in all, the 1025R works well for me and it is just a "wish" to have something larger, not a need.
Good luck with your decision.

[raithier]

I have been wating your channel for several years now, and saw your concerns about the 1025R being a little too small, and that you would have gotten a 2025R. I moved to Maine about 2 years ago, and purchased a 2025R for a 22 acer ranch and it does everything I need it to do. I haven't ran into a situation where the tractor wasn't able to do what I need it to do, and watching other owners of 2025R, I see them equally challenging their 2025R. As for your backhoe comment, I do wish I had a little more power as I have worked on removing several stumps, but I find it is more of technique than shier power and would believe it would be the same for a higher power tractor.

Love your videos and thank you for your work to the tractor/cabin community.

[johnmetcalfe]

Had a 1023e and moved to a 2032R after about 2 years...I needed more lift capacity . I now have 400 hours on the 2032R and I love it...A 2025 is just a bigger 1025
...only thing I wish I had was a factory cab...it gets cold up here in Canada...Good luck

[fundrive]

I purchased Kevin"s Hydros Plus for hydraulic and turbo kit for my 1025R which I bought in 2020. My application is a mountain ranch. The altitude already drops both torque and horsepower thus the turbo gain makes this JD very useful and the hydraulic diversion of 57% more force. I run spacers with dual wheels because of steep hills and need for a lot of traction in mud. I am not inexperienced in running tractors and front loaders and have run 3 yard Michigan machines and large JD's with 4 bottom plow and large discs. The 1025 with the added torque and hp is a perfect fit to my needs. The 1025 is easy to tow and not straining my truck or trailer.

[Skynet-]

I have a 2021 2025R with the Mauser cab. I would like to have had air conditioning but would be a 3 series and would not fit under a standard 7 ft garage door. The 2025R fits under the garage door even with a strobe light on top. I do like the 2025R with bigger tires and the self leveling loader. I wanted the cab tractor so I could be nice and warm when snow plowing. I have the 3rd function with a hydraulic angle loader mounted snow plow, rear blade (very handy when snow plowing), grapple (stays on the tractor most of the time), bucket & pallet forks & 7 Iron Mower Deck. I'm glad I didn't go with the 1 series. I have found the 2025R to be pretty stable even with the cab (rear tires are loaded with Rim Guard). I am thinking of getting 2-1/2" spacers for extra safety.

[eroceze]

Had a 1025r for a year and traded it on a 2038r. I learned a bunch in that year I had the 1025r and when I ordered a 2038r I ordered it with rear remotes, MSL, turf tires and some other options. I'm really happy with my decision. I have a little over 5 acres that I mow in northern ohio and the bigger 72 inch deck helps alot too.

[tomsmith]

I got a 2013 1025r new and than in 2020 I bought a new 2025r and I kept the 2013 as a back hoe and loader/forks and I added a third function with grapple to my new one with no backhoe. Now I have two tractors and I can still use all my attachments.

[davidmays]

Started with the 1023e, loved it. Upgraded to 3025e, it was big upgrade from from the 1 series, mass, loader was very stout, I feel like your current implements would pair fine with the 3. Later upgraded to the 4044m, traded off for larger implements, I do not see the need to go larger myself but this 4 series is an absolute powerhouse with the ag tires, I would never go back to R4 tires after having the ag tire traction, this machine still runs out of traction before power but not without destroying the ground. I debated on buying the backhoe and ended up adding a mini excavator to the fold because it ultimately was not much more expensive than the BH75. I really enjoy the mini x because it's so much more capable than the tractor backhoe attachment. It has also led to many profitable side jobs. Good luck in finding your perfect tractor, mine has led me to the 4044m and the takeuchi miniX. I bought my 4044m from Courtney over at Goodworks Tractor, he was a real pleasure to work with and has good deals on low hour machines.

[brianmassey]

I jumped up to the 3033r when I got my tractor due to the size of hydraulic pump which was told was bit better. I got mine with a front loader and backhoe and have loved using it. My only thing is would have loved a cab but the $10, 000 jump for cab wasn't worth it to me. I'm getting ready to buy a canopy for a few hundred and will be happy with and use all that spare money for car projects. As for loader control, mine is long/tall arm come from base of front of seat area and not on loader back brace. It is right where my right arm sits on arm rest. I also still need to get my 3rd function for loader and also want to get tilting setup from 3-point.

[charlesfirstenberger]

I now have a 1025r that took the place of a kioti ck2610. My grass mowing equipment (I mow about 7 acres of grass) was completely worn out and went to the JD thinking it would do both the chores and the mowing, which it has. It's been a very good tractor. But I certainly miss the hydraulic power, the hillside stability and the height of the kioti which was also an excellent tractor. I'm now considering buying another zero turn for the mowing and going back to kioti for a tractor.

[donhendrick]

I have a 1025R and a 3038E, I had the 3038E first and I have no problem with using the loader joy stick, the location is not that much different than the 1025R, just no arm rest, I use the 3038E for heavy work and I have grapple with third function on the 3038E, I have the front end loader and 60in mower deck with mulching kit on the 1025R and use that for yard work and cutting grass, it works grate cutting grass, I love them both.

[benagain]

I have a 2019 1025r and it has been great. I would like more power for snow blowing but for me the size is awesome for trailering. With a bigger tractor you have larger attachments and makes it tough to transport. If I did it again, I would get a 2025r. I would highly recommend a 3rd function and as many rear SCV's as possible. Hydraulic top link is almost a must!