Both compact · John Deere against Kubota

John Deere 2038R vs Kubota L3770

John Deere 2038R

John Deere

John Deere 2038R

~$31,253

36.7 hp engine · 30 PTO−18% to the shaft
Kubota L3770

Kubota

Kubota L3770

~$31,829

37 hp engine · 28 PTO−24% to the shaft

The John Deere 2038R lists about $576 lower; the John Deere 2038R carries 30 hp to the PTO against 28; the Kubota L3770 lifts 1,726 lbs on the loader against 1,120; the John Deere 2038R buys more PTO horsepower per dollar, 0.96 per $1,000 against 0.88.

John Deere 2038R and Kubota L3770 compared row by row. A highlighted cell takes that row on the stated rule: more power, lift, capacity or flow, or a lower price.
SpecJohn Deere 2038RKubota L3770
Price~$31,253~$31,829
What that price isMSRP, base buildMSRP, base build
Size classCompactCompact
TransmissionHydrostaticHydrostatic
Engine hp36.7 hp37 hp
PTO hp30 hp28 hp
Loader lift1,120 lbsat the pivot pin1,726 lbsat the pivot pin
Three-point lift1,356 lbs24 in behind the lift points2,646 lbs24 in behind the lift points
Hydraulic flow9.3 GPM8.03 GPM
Drive4WD4WD
EngineYanmarKubota
Weight2,610 lbs3,726 lbs
Fuel tank8.5 galnot published
4WDYesYes
Front loaderYesYes
Cab availableNoYes
HydrostaticYesYes
Power steeringYesYes
Cruise controlYesNo
Warranty6 yr / 2000 hr powertrain6 yr / 2000 hr powertrain

A highlighted cell wins its row on the rule named above the table: more power, lift, capacity or flow, or a lower price. A lift row is left unwon whenever the two makers measured in different places, or where either of them did not say — a figure quoted at the pivot pin and one quoted 500 mm ahead of it describe the same loader and differ by roughly a third, so ranking them against each other would invent a result. Prices are typical list and move with dealer packages.

From owner discussion and long-term write-ups

What owners of each one say

John Deere 2038R

What they like

  • The turbocharged 36.7 HP Yanmar gives it 3-series power in a 2-series package, and it doesn't bog under heavy loader or PTO load
  • It's the biggest tractor that still takes the AutoConnect drive-over mower deck, making it the top pick for owners who mow large lawns and do real tractor work
  • 30 PTO HP comfortably runs a 6-foot mid-mount deck, 5-foot rotary cutter, tillers, and snowblowers
  • The premium R-platform gets the deluxe seat, tilt wheel, cruise, and refined eHydro that the E-series models lack
  • Lower center of gravity than the 3-series makes it noticeably more stable on slopes, a recurring owner compliment
  • The 220R Quik-Park loader detaches in minutes without tools and pairs with a mechanical self-leveling option

What they complain about

  • It's expensive - loaded with the 220R loader it lands in the mid-$30Ks, squarely in 3033R/3038R territory
  • The 1,356 lb 3-point lift is unchanged from smaller models, so heavy rear implements like big box blades max it out
  • Many buyers agonize between it and the 3038R, which offers a bigger frame and more lift for similar money if you don't need AutoConnect
  • The turbo and common-rail injection add complexity versus the simple naturally aspirated engines Deere fans grew up on
  • The 220R loader's 1,120 lb lift trails cheaper Korean rivals that lift nearly double
  • Deere's proprietary loader and deck attachments lock you out of cheaper third-party gear
  • The Deere badge premium is real - a Kioti CK3520 or Yanmar YT235 with similar specs costs thousands less

Kubota L3770

What they like

  • $31,829 buys the same K-Command display, Stall Guard and drive-mode iHST that the $52,200 L6070 runs
  • 3,726 lb in ROPS form is over 900 lb heavier than an L3902 of similar power, which is real loader stability
  • 2,646 lb of three-point lift measured 24 in behind the lift points, a conservative figure that still beats the whole Standard L range
  • Toolless loader removal with integrated parking stands, so the LA806 comes off without a spanner
  • Cab is offered on the cheapest model in the range, which the Standard L02 tractors cannot be ordered with at all

What they complain about

  • 8.03 gpm is the lowest pump output in the Grand L70 range and noticeably slow on loader cycles
  • Naturally aspirated, so it gives up the low-end torque the turbocharged L3970 has for only $3,150 more
  • Deluxe trim means a navigation pad rather than the jog dial, and no multi-function loader joystick
  • Kubota does not publish a fuel tank capacity for any Grand L70 model in its brochure or spec table
  • The LA806 lifts 1,726 lb at the pivot pin, less than the 2,147 lb a much cheaper L4802 manages
John Deere 2038R spec sheetKubota L3770 spec sheet