2021 JD 2038r

The simplest, and probably least helpful, answer is "everything". But I would say that you are spending a lot of your hard earned money, so don't be afraid to to ask about anything that you are not sure of. Look around it as closely as you can. Get on your knees, if your clothes & knees will alow it, and take a look under it to see if there is anything that jumps out at you as not looking completely in place or is excessively oily. Get on it and check every control - don't be afraid to ask "what does this do" or "what is this for".

Perhaps more importantly, be sure to ask "how do I.....?" Like "how do I engage the PTO?" Or "how do I open the hood and take off the side covers". Personally, I read & reread the manual when I got my 1023 but it wasn't very clear so I spent a lot of frustrating time having to do trial and error to figure that little, but important, thing out.

Drive it around and make sure you know how each pedal works - and THAT they work. Make sure it will go into, and come out of, 4 wheel drive; make sure it will go into high & low range.

Most of all - do not be intimidated to ask any question that comes into your mind.

I'm sure others will chime in shortly with things I forgot. Also, congratulations!

Based more on my many hours reading this forum than personal experience:
1. Are you getting it with a mid mount mower? The command cut feature works great IF the dealer sets it up and calibrates it right. Have the dealer demonstrate how to detach and reattach the deck to make sure they can perform both without issue. Adjust the deck height several times and make sure you don't get any errors. Hopefully your dealer has a grassy area where you can turn the mower on and off and cut a path or two.
2. Look where the tractor was parked for any fluid leaks.
3. Check the axle trunion bolts to make sure none are loose or backed out.
4. Check this bolt on the mmm auto coupler to make sure it isn't installed backwards:
Broken AutoConnect Coupling on 2038R
5. Check the front axle to make sure there is fluid in it. For that matter you could check all the fluid levels but the front axle seems to be the one that dealers most often overlook.
6. Check the lug nuts on all four wheels to make sure none are loose or backed out.

Above is very good advice. Having my 2038* since 2018 the weak link is the Command Cut lift. Use it several times and watch that it stops at different heights. take the deck off more than one time. with the deck off raise the lift to the highest position the lower it back down and drive over mower and make sure the auto connect lines up. I am not trying to scare you and u have only had one trouble with mine. mine came out of adjustment and the dealer readjusted it quickly under warranty.

This may be obvious to say, but have a list of every option that you ordered for you tractor and make sure that it is installed. Also, ask for any of the 'take off' parts. For instance, I ordered the mulching kit which comes with mulching blades. They also provided me with the original standard blades so I can always swap if I choose.

Also, once you have made sure that everything that you ordered is installed, make sure that it is installed correctly. For instance, I ordered the premium light kit which allows the fender lights to swivel as well as tilt. They had to mail me the bracket after delivery as it was missing.

As others have said make sure you give it a good visual inspection. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

You got a lot of good things to look at and I'll give you 2 more:

1.) Have the dealer rep hand you the owner's manual for the tractor and one for every implement. If they hand you a folder and just say " They're all in there,", then pull them out and go through them. You don't want to have to pay for them later if you don't get one.

2.) Make sure you get TWO keys for your machine. (Red ones will make it go faster!)