Comparison JD 2305 vs JD 2320

[ORBrit]

Hi,
I have 10.5 mostly flat acres of property - with about 6.5 acres being forested.

The rest is about and acre of cleared land for building (barn, house, vehicle turnaround etc.) and then there is a 1 acre meadow, and a 400' gravel driveway.

I intend to use a small tractor for brush hogging, loader tasks to thin out the forest, box blade for maintaining the driveway, possibly a chipper and post hole digger later on.

I am leaning towards the Deere 2305 and 2320, because the dealer is great - I purchased motorcycles from them in the past and have been well looked after.

I understand the main differences to be:
1. Ground clearance (anyone actually know how much difference there is?)
2. 3pt hitch - up down on 2305 vs positioning on 2320
3. Hydraulics - slightly higher capacities on 2320
4. Trans Cooling - air vs hydro

The price for the 2305 with 200X loader, loaded R4 tires is $12500 otd
The price for the 2320 with 200X loader, loaded R4 tires is $14000 otd

So for $1500 or 31/month difference, which one is better for the uses I have described above - light FEL work, brush mowing, future PTO (chipping and post holes).

The dealer seems to be pushing me towards the 2305.

He says having more ground clearance doesn't necessarily keep you out of trouble any more - often the opposite!

The up/down 3pt hitch apparently doesn't make a difference for brush hogging or box blade work - is that true? What about post hole digging?

 

[bp fick]

Not at all sure why dealer would push you toward a certain model. For that price difference, it would be the bigger, no little fan, tractor for me. In the end, only you can make the decision, and a lot of guys here will recommend the machine they bought and defend it as the right one for you.

Consider hydraulics lift capabilities on the 3 pt and FEL as well. You might find the difference in the 2320 makes a big difference to you as you work.

 

[sal64]

i say when in dought go with the bigger one i have a 2320 use it mostly for mowing and have bean happy with it also 2320 weel are bigger.

 

[ChuckinNH]

I would take the 2320, and never look back. I doubt that you would be very happy bush hogging without position control, and with a weaker cooling system. I would only choose the 2305 if finish mowing were my primary goal.

 

[texas42]

I have a 2320 that I enjoy very much.
I've had it for two years and it has served me well with no problems.
I can only answer your question this way "I have never wished I had bought smaller but there have been a couple times I wished I'd of bought bigger"

 

[Deadman]

I was in this same exact boat a few years ago. I made the best decision possible, I left the 2305 behind, and I left the 2320 behind! I bought a 2520, and let me just say that its the best thing I ever did as far as capability. :thumbsup:
Yes it costs more, but it really does ALOT more! The motor has soooooo much more torque, its like 10 or more Ft Lbs torque over the 2320. Its only like 2 hp on paper, but the 2520 is direct injected, so fuel economy is likely the same even tho its got more power!

 

[davkir]

For that price, the 2320 would be my choice. (I have a 2305)
Note: The 200X loader is not easy to remove.

 

[dmay]

The price for the 2305 with 200X loader, loaded R4 tires is $12500 otd
The price for the 2320 with 200X loader, loaded R4 tires is $14000 otd

Why 200X loader? I'd recommend 2320/200CX loader.

 

[ORBrit]

Why 200X loader? I'd recommend 2320/200CX loader.

That's what they have setup.
I doubt I'd ever remove the loader anyways so the 200X will probably suite me just fine.

Sounds like the position control on the 3Pt hitch with the 2320 is reason enough to spend the extra $1500.

 

[ddivinia]

I would take the 2320, and never look back. I doubt that you would be very happy bush hogging without position control, and with a weaker cooling system. I would only choose the 2305 if finish mowing were my primary goal.

Ditto

No position control sucks.

D.