Comparison JD 2210 vs. 1023E vs. 2305

[rockshaft]

I can't say as I've seen such harsh criticism of the MMM for the new 1-series.
I don't have a dog in this fight, as I don't need a mower. But I'm sure you'll get some differing opinions on the mower deck.
Sounds like you have quite a property if you have a hard time getting a dealer to sell you a machine (and stand behind it)! Sure sucks you didn't get more hours out of that 2210 tranny.

Continuing saga...

Went to the Kubota dealer today... After I described the property, the slopes, angles and inclines - most greater than 30 degrees he opted out and said that in good conscience they wouldn't sell me one of their tractors, and was surprised that I was even able to do the work that I've done for the past 7 years...

Went over to the JD dealer to see the 1023E/1026 and while nice I was not overly impressed.. I think the H120 FEL is an improvement over the 2210/210 loader (I didnt like the lower end D120)... BUT, the two types of MMM they have for this model SUCK, and not in a good way.. Even the dealer rep couldnt get either type on/off the machines in anything less than 20 minutes, and on a 3rd machine he just gave up.. Looks like I would just need a 1023E adaptor to use my quick connect Front Blade.. Dealer said he would configure a 1023E just to my specs and then hve me come down to do a demo to see how easy it should be.. but unless JD has an epiphany the 1023E is out.. I looked at the 2320 (2230?) but it is too big for the property, center of gravity is too high.

So, unless there is an epiphany I may end up having to get the 2210 tranny repaired as an only option....

Still looking for a decent stripped down 2305....

And guys, that MMM for the 1023/1026 really sucks bad and even the slightest mistake will cause something to bend/break which will cost big bucks to get fixed.. the tolerances are way too tight when connecting the MMM with the tractor... that is the achilles heel on the Series 1...

IMHO ofcourse..

Mike

[Gods Country]

OK I'll bite.

Someone explain to me why a scut can't survive living on hilly terrain?

I live in northern Pa which is nothing but steep terrain. I'm talking almost mt goat territory

Everyone around here seems to own one.

I realize the dealer is full of crap. I'm curious if anyone can justify his comments....even remotely


On a side note isn't it usually a relief valve or something similar when one direction function but the other does not?

[Gator6x4]

OK I'll bite.

Someone explain to me why a scut can't survive living on hilly terrain?

I live in northern Pa which is nothing but steep terrain. I'm talking almost mt goat territory

Everyone around here seems to own one.

I realize the dealer is full of crap. I'm curious if anyone can justify his comments....even remotely


On a side note isn't it usually a relief valve or something similar when one direction function but the other does not?

I don't think many goats could survive on 30 plus degree slopes. I am surprised the engine did not go before the transmission. I think the Kubota Dealer made a wise decision to opt out of a sale. Most or not all motorized equipment do not like continual exposure to slopes or hills over 10-15 degrees. I personally would not mow slopes of 30 plus degrees.

[ChinaSailor]

First, thanks for the comments... I would certainly like to hear hands-on comments on the 1023E's two types of MMM decks. We could just not get them to properly mount/dismount. I think the 64" wide deck appeared to be the easiest since it was larger and had more weight and didnt keep on sliding on the ground (flat turf, gravel, concrete) than the 54".

Everybody here in the neighborhood is green (tractor and mower) except for one holdout who went orange cuz he got a good deal second hand private sale..

I have the most challenging property, most of the others are all flat, as my home was built into the face of a steep sided cliff for the view of overlooking a large body of water.

The rear of the property has 3 4hx6wx200L concrete reinforced terraces and 2 10hx8wx200L earthen terraces, with the top terrace being of equal height to the ridgeline of a large 2 story colonial. The front of the property sits 50' back from the road and about 35' above it.

As a side note, I also bought a self-propelled Honda lawn mower years ago (because some slopes and terraces I couldnt get a tractor on too steep or not wide enough) over a Briggs-Stratton based mower since the B-S engine lubrication was gravity-based which would make sections of the engine not have any lubrication for long periods. The Honda's engine has an oil pump which would better lubricate the engine on sustained inclines.

I even brought this potential problem to the JD rep's attention where the 2210's engine and tranny may not be getting lubricated properly when on the inclines and slopes. Said he understood my concern (he's been to my property so he knows the terrain I'm dealing with) but he didn't think it was a contributing factor to the trashed tranny.

But, for the sake of 'truthiness' in seeking your help I forgot to emphasize that all 4 wheels of the 2210 were foam filled for the extra weight to a) lower the center of gravity, b) let the industrial tires get a better bite into the turf, c) there was a significant amount of builder debris and the rubber tires were a nail and sharp object magnet.

I want to give the 2210 some benefit of the doubt, ie; challenging terrain and weighted tires.

Perhaps now that the property has been landscaped and the rough heavy lifting has been done, it is now just a matter of maintenance - fine mowing about 2.5 acres, 45yds of mulch every Spring, etc etc I can get away with just having the rear tires liquid filled halfway to give me some lower center of gravity and rear traction. Maybe have the front tires half filled as well.

Any ideas?

I don't want to be crashing any more trannys or freewheeling 50' down a 35-40 degree slope into a ditch, up the ditch, across a residential road, down a ditch into my neighbors property...

BTW, I can vouch that the 2210 can do a wheely even with foam filled front tires!

My advice is to strap in and keep the tires as absolutely straight as possible and to hold on for a wild 3 second ride.. I would have only jumped off if a vehicle was coming down the street...

Mike

[Carl Bert]

OK I'll bite.

Someone explain to me why a scut can't survive living on hilly terrain?

I live in northern Pa which is nothing but steep terrain. I'm talking almost mt goat territory

Everyone around here seems to own one.

I realize the dealer is full of crap. I'm curious if anyone can justify his comments....even remotely

On a side note isn't it usually a relief valve or something similar when one direction function but the other does not?

I have to agree, this really does sound like a joke. "Tractors are not made for hilly terrain" but better yet, the dealer rather not sell him a tractor, due to the hilly terrain. Where is this fantasyland? Do me a favor and ask them what they do recommend you use to cut your grass.

[Dirtworker]

First, thanks for the comments... I would certainly like to hear hands-on comments on the 1023E's two types of MMM decks. We could just not get them to properly mount/dismount. I think the 64" wide deck appeared to be the easiest since it was larger and had more weight and didnt keep on sliding on the ground (flat turf, gravel, concrete) than the 54".

Everybody here in the neighborhood is green (tractor and mower) except for one holdout who went orange cuz he got a good deal second hand private sale..

I have the most challenging property, most of the others are all flat, as my home was built into the face of a steep sided cliff for the view of overlooking a large body of water.

The rear of the property has 3 4hx6wx200L concrete reinforced terraces and 2 10hx8wx200L earthen terraces, with the top terrace being of equal height to the ridgeline of a large 2 story colonial. The front of the property sits 50' back from the road and about 35' above it.

As a side note, I also bought a self-propelled Honda lawn mower years ago (because some slopes and terraces I couldnt get a tractor on too steep or not wide enough) over a Briggs-Stratton based mower since the B-S engine lubrication was gravity-based which would make sections of the engine not have any lubrication for long periods. The Honda's engine has an oil pump which would better lubricate the engine on sustained inclines.

I even brought this potential problem to the JD rep's attention where the 2210's engine and tranny may not be getting lubricated properly when on the inclines and slopes. Said he understood my concern (he's been to my property so he knows the terrain I'm dealing with) but he didn't think it was a contributing factor to the trashed tranny.

But, for the sake of 'truthiness' in seeking your help I forgot to emphasize that all 4 wheels of the 2210 were foam filled for the extra weight to a) lower the center of gravity, b) let the industrial tires get a better bite into the turf, c) there was a significant amount of builder debris and the rubber tires were a nail and sharp object magnet.

I want to give the 2210 some benefit of the doubt, ie; challenging terrain and weighted tires.

Perhaps now that the property has been landscaped and the rough heavy lifting has been done, it is now just a matter of maintenance - fine mowing about 2.5 acres, 45yds of mulch every Spring, etc etc I can get away with just having the rear tires liquid filled halfway to give me some lower center of gravity and rear traction. Maybe have the front tires half filled as well.

Any ideas?

I don't want to be crashing any more trannys or freewheeling 50' down a 35-40 degree slope into a ditch, up the ditch, across a residential road, down a ditch into my neighbors property...

BTW, I can vouch that the 2210 can do a wheely even with foam filled front tires!

My advice is to strap in and keep the tires as absolutely straight as possible and to hold on for a wild 3 second ride.. I would have only jumped off if a vehicle was coming down the street...

Mike

I have a 1026r with a mechanical 60D. I have no issues with it, but does require me laying on the floor to install the pto. I am impressed how easy it is. I run over it in the barn with a concrete floor. Does not slip more than an 1" max. Either way, it is much much easier to install than the X500 deck.
I also have a 30 degree or so pitched hill. I went up up with a load in the FEL, can't say I will make a habit of it.
I did get the rear tires loaded for 78$. Also purchased a FEL tooth bar to help reduce stress on it. My personal opinion so far with it is that it's the jack of all trades, master of none. Good machine though.

[ChinaSailor]

I have to agree, this really does sound like a joke. "Tractors are not made for hilly terrain" but better yet, the dealer rather not sell him a tractor, due to the hilly terrain. Where is this fantasyland? Do me a favor and ask them what they do recommend you use to cut your grass.

The Kubota dealer who I talked with today (30 years at the dealership - maybe even part owner) was the one who declined the sale based upon the terrain - we even did a Google 3D view of my property on his computer so he could better ascertain my description....

His recommendation was to use a friggen weed whacker!

This is no joke gentlemen, which is why I returned to the forum for some help and ideas..... Freewheeling on a blown HST tranny is not a joke... Pissing away $15K on a 2210 with only 560 hours isn't funny to me...

Mike

[ChinaSailor]

I have a 1026r with a mechanical 60D. I have no issues with it, but does require me laying on the floor to install the pto. I am impressed how easy it is. I run over it in the barn with a concrete floor. Does not slip more than an 1" max. Either way, it is much much easier to install than the X500 deck.
I also have a 30 degree or so pitched hill. I went up up with a load in the FEL, can't say I will make a habit of it.
I did get the rear tires loaded for 78$. Also purchased a FEL tooth bar to help reduce stress on it. My personal opinion so far with it is that it's the jack of all trades, master of none. Good machine though.

Now this is interesting! The MMM was the reason I didn't get the 1023 today as it seemed almost impossible to properly/easily mount/dismount - and this was by an experienced dealer rep...

I am used to the 54C on the 2210 - but both of the MMMs for the 1023/1026 were like intolerable with them just skidding repeatedly both on the mount and dismount - the left/right catches would not either click into place when mounting or allow the tractor to slide out when dismounting..

I would like to hear more about your easy experiences - maybe your dealer prepped the pieces somehow making them easier to operate..

Mike

[GreenWannabe]

From reading on another forum, which specializes in Green Tractors, and the majority of posts are about subcompacts (1026R in particular), it seems that many deere dealers are not really aware of how the drive over mower, especially with Auto Connect, have to be set up and properly adjusted. There have been issues reported with not clicking into place and with the pto being at an improper angle. I believe most if not all of them have been corrected with proper adjustment, and in some cases a little modification. Most of the users there seem very happy with them once adjusted and set up.

[Dirtworker]

I would like to hear more about your easy experiences - maybe your dealer prepped the pieces somehow making them easier to operate..

Mike

The dealer told me that the auto connect was finicky, and recommend the mechanical. It is very simple to run over and hook up.
I believe the 60"D helps as it is heavier. There is not a whole lot to adjust other than the front connect bar. I have not had to.
It works both on/off on the dirt driveway and barn concrete floor. You see people complain but considering the number of them sold, it's only a handful. Check out you tube, people are doing it with ease.