The John Deere 3038E compact utility tractor is very popular with landowners, small farmers and landscaping crews. Built in Augusta, Georgia, USA. If you maintain acreage, do landscaping work, or tackle daily chores on a small farm, the 3038E is a dependable workhorse. Knowing the John Deere 3038E specs helps you order correct, compatible replacement parts.
Overview of the John Deere 3038E
This tractor suits people who want more power than a lawn tractor, but don’t need a full-size farm machine. Here are its most liked features:
- Comfortable operator area: A clean flat foot platform with color-coded controls. It’s easy to get used to, even during long work shifts.
- Simple hydrostatic transmission (HST): Twin Touch™ foot pedals let you switch smoothly between forward and reverse. You can focus on your work instead of shifting gears.
- Fast attachment swaps: The 3038E works with John Deere quick-connect systems. You can change between loaders, mowers and other attachments within minutes.
John Deere 3038E Specs
The John Deere 3038E has been in production for many years, with some key specification changes over time. Below is a breakdown of the specs based on the 2008-2012 production periods.
Engine
| Engine | Yanmar 1.5L 3-cyl diesel |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 91.5 ci 1.5 L |
| Bore/Stroke | 3.30×3.54 inches 84 x 90 mm |
| Power | 36.3 hp 27.1 kW |
| Air cleaner | dry type |
| Compression | 19:1 |
| Rated RPM | 2500 |
| Torque | 88.5 lb-ft 120.0 Nm |
| Torque RPM | 1680 |
| Starter volts | 12 |
| Starter power | 1.9 hp 1.4 kW |
| Coolant capacity | 4.4 qts 4.2 L |
Compared to the 2008-2012 models, the following are the different engine specifications for the 2013-2026 models.
| Engine | Yanmar 1.6L 3-cyl diesel |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 95.7 ci 1.6 L |
| Bore/Stroke | 3.39×3.54 inches 86 x 90 mm |
| Emissions | Tier IV |
| Power (gross) | 36.7 hp 27.4 kW |
| Air cleaner | dual dry element |
| Compression | 19:1 |
| Rated RPM | 2500 |
| Idle RPM | 950-2650 |
| Starter | electric |
| Starter volts | 12 |
| Oil capacity | 4.7 qts 4.4 L |
| Coolant capacity | 5.5 qts 5.2 L |
Transmission
| Type | hydrostatic |
|---|---|
| Gears | infinite forward and reverse (2-range) |
| Oil capacity | 22 qts* 20.8 L |
Mechanically-controlled two-range hydrostatic transmission. Tractor must be stopped before shifting ranges.
Dimensions
| Wheelbase | 60 inches 152 cm |
|---|---|
| Length | 111 inches 281 cm |
| Width | 56.5 inches (min) 143 cm58 inches (max) 147 cm |
| Height (hood) | 51 inches 129 cm |
| Height (ROPS) | 82.3 inches 209 cm |
| Operating weight | 82.3 inches 209 cm |
| Max weight | 4,410 lbs 2000 kg |
Tires
| Wheelbase | 60 inches 152 cm |
|---|---|
| Front tire | 7.00-14 |
| Rear tire | 11.2-24 |
Capacity
| Fuel | 6.4 gal 24.2 L |
|---|---|
| Hydraulic system | 5.5 gal 20.8 L |
Hydraulics
| Type | open center |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 5.5 gal 20.8 L |
| Pressure | 2500 psi 172.4 bar |
| Pump flow | 5.3 gpm 20.1 lpm |
| Total flow | 9.3 gpm 35.2 lpm |
| Steering flow | 4.0 gpm 15.1 lpm |
| Steering press | 1500 psi 103.4 bar |
Tractor Hitch
| Rear Type | 1 |
|---|---|
| Rear lift (at 24″/610mm) | 1,356 lbs 615 kg |
John Deere 3038E Serial Number Location
To confirm your tractor’s exact model year and specifications, you need to find its serial number. The serial number plate on a John Deere 3038E is located on the right side of the tractor frame, above the front axle. Here is a guide to identifying the year from the serial number:
| 2009 | 3038E110001 (with loader) |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 3038E140001 (no loader) |
| 2010 | 3038E210001 (with loader) |
| 2010 | 3038E240001 (no loader) |
| 2011 | 3038ExBHxxxxxx |
| 2012 | 3038ExCHxxxxxx |
| 2013 | 3038ExDHxxxxxx |
| 2014 | 3038ExEHxxxxxx |
| 2015 | 3038ExFHxxxxxx |
| 2016 | 3038ExxGxxxxxx |
| 2017 | 3038ExxHxxxxxx |
| 2018 | 3038ExxJxxxxxx |
| 2019 | 3038ExxKxxxxxx |
| 2020 | 3038ExxLxxxxxx |
| 2021 | 3038ExxMxxxxxx |
| 2022 | 3038ExxNxxxxxx |
| 2023 | 3038ExxPxxxxxx |
John Deere 3038E Reviews
Lots of users — from retired mechanics to landowners with more than 40 acres — say it’s dependable and built to get work done. It handles all kinds of jobs well: mowing, tilling, digging, snow removal and hauling firewood. It packs plenty of power for its size, and its compact build lets it move easily in tight spots. Many buyers love how simple it is to operate, especially the hydrostatic transmission. Even new operators can get the hang of it fast.
Still, a few owners mention its downsides. The most common complaint is the front loader doesn’t lift as much weight, especially when moving heavy loads like round hay bales with pallet forks. Some also warn the tractor can be shaky on steep hills if you don’t add enough rear ballast or counterweights. Only a small number of people ran into minor hydraulic problems, like buckets slowly sinking when carrying loads.
All in all, most reviews are very positive. The majority of owners would recommend this tractor. It delivers solid performance and offers good value for the jobs it’s made for.
Related John Deere 3038E Tractor Parts
Conclusion
The John Deere 3038E is a strong, dependable compact tractor that handles all sorts of jobs. Knowing its specs and your exact model makes ownership and maintenance much easier. At Fridayparts, we understand you want your 3038E running smoothly at all times. We supply perfectly fitting replacement parts for every repair and routine service. Check out our aftermarket John Deere tractor parts now, and get all you need to keep your hardworking tractor in great shape.
