John Deere 2305 Reviews
Like the wife says, "You can do just about anything with it"
Model Year: 2009
She says that all the time when I think of another use for this tractor. I put bagged wood pellets in the bucket and run them to house; move stuff, lift stuff. Purchased a Land Pride 50" reverse rotate tiller, which is another awesome piece of equipment. I have a middle buster too, which the 2305 does well with until it hits the ground about 5" deep and real hard and then the tractor loses traction. A lot of that has to do with I put a lot of compost in so there is nothing for the 2305 to gain any traction on. I also considered a Kubota, but they have the rocker pedal. I had a mower with that and I hated it. So that was the big turn off for me on the Kubota.
Pros: Tight turning radis; I haven't come across anything that it wouldn't move.
Cons: I don't have all the attachments I want yet.
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Model Year: 2009
She says that all the time when I think of another use for this tractor. I put bagged wood pellets in the bucket and run them to house; move stuff, lift stuff. Purchased a Land Pride 50" reverse rotate tiller, which is another awesome piece of equipment. I have a middle buster too, which the 2305 does well with until it hits the ground about 5" deep and real hard and then the tractor loses traction. A lot of that has to do with I put a lot of compost in so there is nothing for the 2305 to gain any traction on. I also considered a Kubota, but they have the rocker pedal. I had a mower with that and I hated it. So that was the big turn off for me on the Kubota.
Pros: Tight turning radis; I haven't come across anything that it wouldn't move.
Cons: I don't have all the attachments I want yet.
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Nothing runs like a Deere
Model Year: 2009
This tractor has been great for doing my landscaping on my new yard. Nothing slows down this tractor down. The hydrostatic on this tractor couldn't be any easier. The John Deere dealer was excellent and very flexible with the financing. Don't let the small size fool you.
Pros: Power, build quality, and size.
Cons: Features.
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Model Year: 2009
This tractor has been great for doing my landscaping on my new yard. Nothing slows down this tractor down. The hydrostatic on this tractor couldn't be any easier. The John Deere dealer was excellent and very flexible with the financing. Don't let the small size fool you.
Pros: Power, build quality, and size.
Cons: Features.
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2305 is butt-kicking
Model Year: 2006
Have dug out large stumps no pick up truck could do. It's a great all round machine. Bush Hog brand 9" post hole digger fits and works fine. 47" snowblower, rotary cutter, 3 point wood splitter, roto tiller, carry-all, 5' rake, 54" mow deck, weight box, fork truck attach, bucket loader. 260 back hoe.
Pros: Everything.
Cons: None.
Model Year: 2006
Have dug out large stumps no pick up truck could do. It's a great all round machine. Bush Hog brand 9" post hole digger fits and works fine. 47" snowblower, rotary cutter, 3 point wood splitter, roto tiller, carry-all, 5' rake, 54" mow deck, weight box, fork truck attach, bucket loader. 260 back hoe.
Pros: Everything.
Cons: None.
John Deere 2305
Model Year: 2010
Only have 16 hrs on the machine, so I only gave 4's for the highest rating. Got the FEL mmm and back hoe. Man that thing can dig, I had second thoughts about the hoe till I tried digging with it. That is one tough machine! I bought it mostly for mowing, this thing just sips fuel. My x485 downs it by the gallon. I'm really impressed with the amount of work it can do! I just wish I would have gotten the rear finish mower instead of the belly mower. Waiting to see how it handles the snow this year. I always bought JD's so I never considered buying anything else. Dealer also treated me right, kept my machine a few days extra to make sure everything was alright.
Pros: Does everything I ask it to do. Dealer service.
Cons: Needs a tilt wheel, extra hydro cylinder because of back hoe.
Model Year: 2010
Only have 16 hrs on the machine, so I only gave 4's for the highest rating. Got the FEL mmm and back hoe. Man that thing can dig, I had second thoughts about the hoe till I tried digging with it. That is one tough machine! I bought it mostly for mowing, this thing just sips fuel. My x485 downs it by the gallon. I'm really impressed with the amount of work it can do! I just wish I would have gotten the rear finish mower instead of the belly mower. Waiting to see how it handles the snow this year. I always bought JD's so I never considered buying anything else. Dealer also treated me right, kept my machine a few days extra to make sure everything was alright.
Pros: Does everything I ask it to do. Dealer service.
Cons: Needs a tilt wheel, extra hydro cylinder because of back hoe.
John Deere 2305
Model Year: 2008
I have used this little tractor for 3 years now and 75 very hard hours. It will pull a 4 ft. bush hog all day long over 3 ft brush and milk weed. It has a front end loader that has moved 15 -20 dump truck loads of sand, dirt and gravel. I have been amazed at the power this 4wd tractor has in low gear. I could write a book of the various things it has been asked to do. I also have modified mine to use a fork lift attachment I made and it will pick up 500 pound loads with no issue. I have added lights on the ROP since the loader blocks the headlights, other than that I cut back the PTO selector since it was too long. I added silicone rtv to the seat rubber springs to stiffen them and added a tool box which it needed. Great machine very useful and easy to operate.
Pros: Size, power, ease of operation.
Cons: PTO selector too long, lights blocked by loader, seat springs are too soft and seat bottoms on rear hitch control.
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Model Year: 2008
I have used this little tractor for 3 years now and 75 very hard hours. It will pull a 4 ft. bush hog all day long over 3 ft brush and milk weed. It has a front end loader that has moved 15 -20 dump truck loads of sand, dirt and gravel. I have been amazed at the power this 4wd tractor has in low gear. I could write a book of the various things it has been asked to do. I also have modified mine to use a fork lift attachment I made and it will pick up 500 pound loads with no issue. I have added lights on the ROP since the loader blocks the headlights, other than that I cut back the PTO selector since it was too long. I added silicone rtv to the seat rubber springs to stiffen them and added a tool box which it needed. Great machine very useful and easy to operate.
Pros: Size, power, ease of operation.
Cons: PTO selector too long, lights blocked by loader, seat springs are too soft and seat bottoms on rear hitch control.
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JD-2305
Model Year: 2010
I have no real issues with this tractor, but like most owners I 'wish' I had a bigger one. Since the interest rate was 0% I should have spent $2K more for the higher lifter powers of a 2520. Although, I have amazed myself of what i have already accomplished with this tractor. I want it to be a Swiss army knife and little by little I am getting it there. The aftermarket HIGHLY supports this tractor and it's versatility and the 'convertible' nature of the attachments make it especially handy. Add a chain 'grip' hook on top of the front bucket. mine is set up strictly asa TLB and no mower deck, so I consider the aftermarket fan & filter guards a necessity. You can dis-able these tractors real quick without them in any sort of woods or rough terrain. It was $250 extra well spent. I got a 8" and 16" bucket only because they were out of 12" at the time. The 12" would have worked fine. I dug out a huge twin pine stump, but it takes patience and a little manual labor-as it just don't have the ripping power of the next size up. I also opted for the 53" front bucket for snow removal. Remember you need the front bucket wider than the 48" track if you want to be able to back up and the wider bucket is a cheap option upgrade! If I could sell it right now for nearly what I paid, I would only be able to buy a 2320. RS tires are great all around tires and my dealer experience was superb. Maybe it helped that I kind of know the Little's Of Downingtown, Pa. dealer's family/owners, but the salesman, Sean, communicated extremely well, which seems to be a lost courtesy these days. I have good pics of some of the brutal work I have put this through in just 25 hrs. of work and as I said I am amazed. I fretted over the details between brands and won for once.
Pros: Re-sell price. The same price as 'other' name brands. Dealer support. Digs at lower rpm's-that's a big deal if you're up against a house and need good bucket control! Kubota's won't do that.
Cons: Exposed trans filter & cooling fan require aftermarket guards. Everyone will love your "cute little tractor" & expect you to 'help' them for free.
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Model Year: 2010
I have no real issues with this tractor, but like most owners I 'wish' I had a bigger one. Since the interest rate was 0% I should have spent $2K more for the higher lifter powers of a 2520. Although, I have amazed myself of what i have already accomplished with this tractor. I want it to be a Swiss army knife and little by little I am getting it there. The aftermarket HIGHLY supports this tractor and it's versatility and the 'convertible' nature of the attachments make it especially handy. Add a chain 'grip' hook on top of the front bucket. mine is set up strictly asa TLB and no mower deck, so I consider the aftermarket fan & filter guards a necessity. You can dis-able these tractors real quick without them in any sort of woods or rough terrain. It was $250 extra well spent. I got a 8" and 16" bucket only because they were out of 12" at the time. The 12" would have worked fine. I dug out a huge twin pine stump, but it takes patience and a little manual labor-as it just don't have the ripping power of the next size up. I also opted for the 53" front bucket for snow removal. Remember you need the front bucket wider than the 48" track if you want to be able to back up and the wider bucket is a cheap option upgrade! If I could sell it right now for nearly what I paid, I would only be able to buy a 2320. RS tires are great all around tires and my dealer experience was superb. Maybe it helped that I kind of know the Little's Of Downingtown, Pa. dealer's family/owners, but the salesman, Sean, communicated extremely well, which seems to be a lost courtesy these days. I have good pics of some of the brutal work I have put this through in just 25 hrs. of work and as I said I am amazed. I fretted over the details between brands and won for once.
Pros: Re-sell price. The same price as 'other' name brands. Dealer support. Digs at lower rpm's-that's a big deal if you're up against a house and need good bucket control! Kubota's won't do that.
Cons: Exposed trans filter & cooling fan require aftermarket guards. Everyone will love your "cute little tractor" & expect you to 'help' them for free.
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Only one real fault
Model Year: 2010
Being my very first "real" tractor I have only found one thing I would like to have that I don't. On the larger 2000 series tractors the 3PT control lets you specify a height with the control, while the 2305 is UP, DOWN or STOP, making you watch the level of the arms. For digging operations it would be easier to be able to move the control to a pre-determined spot to get a pre-determined depth.
Pros: Plenty of power
Cons: see the comment above
Model Year: 2010
Being my very first "real" tractor I have only found one thing I would like to have that I don't. On the larger 2000 series tractors the 3PT control lets you specify a height with the control, while the 2305 is UP, DOWN or STOP, making you watch the level of the arms. For digging operations it would be easier to be able to move the control to a pre-determined spot to get a pre-determined depth.
Pros: Plenty of power
Cons: see the comment above
Good for small acreage
Model Year: 2008
Bought for 5 acre property. Also purchased mid-mount mower, bucket, box scraper and a used Bear Cat Chipper. Basic tractor is a price performance compromise Bucket capacity and lift are lower than I would like, a bigger hydraulic pump would have been nice. No folding ROPS Otherwise a bullet proof machine so far
Pros: Price/performance
Cons: Hydraulic pump is under powered
Model Year: 2008
Bought for 5 acre property. Also purchased mid-mount mower, bucket, box scraper and a used Bear Cat Chipper. Basic tractor is a price performance compromise Bucket capacity and lift are lower than I would like, a bigger hydraulic pump would have been nice. No folding ROPS Otherwise a bullet proof machine so far
Pros: Price/performance
Cons: Hydraulic pump is under powered
2305 w/200cx loader
Model Year: 2009
This is my first tractor purchase and so far I am very happy with it. I didn't give five stars because that leaves no room for improvement, everything can always be improved on. I have found no glaring issues so far. It is very handy to have move dirt, rocks, snow ect. I remember the smile on my face the day it was dropped off. I moved some dirt with the FEL to fill some holes in the yard. When I filled the bucket with dirt I thought, "How many shovel fulls, wheelbarrow loads is that?" I wish that I would have purchased the bigger bucket sometimes, the 49" seems a little small, but it's not a big enough issue that I am going to run out and get the big bucket either. I put a 6' blade on the back to push snow. Really need a 5', as it would be built for a smaller tractor. I bent the top link, I must have hit a snow pile fairly hard. Like I stated before this was my first tractor, I have operated skid steers before but not a SCUT. The biggest thing you have to remember is that it is a small tractor. You can do the things the big boys do, it will just take you a little longer. Which, by the way there is nothing wrong with a litte more seat time. I didn't buy the Kubota after reading negative comments about seemingly the same issue.
Pros: Small tractor
Cons: Small tracto
Model Year: 2009
This is my first tractor purchase and so far I am very happy with it. I didn't give five stars because that leaves no room for improvement, everything can always be improved on. I have found no glaring issues so far. It is very handy to have move dirt, rocks, snow ect. I remember the smile on my face the day it was dropped off. I moved some dirt with the FEL to fill some holes in the yard. When I filled the bucket with dirt I thought, "How many shovel fulls, wheelbarrow loads is that?" I wish that I would have purchased the bigger bucket sometimes, the 49" seems a little small, but it's not a big enough issue that I am going to run out and get the big bucket either. I put a 6' blade on the back to push snow. Really need a 5', as it would be built for a smaller tractor. I bent the top link, I must have hit a snow pile fairly hard. Like I stated before this was my first tractor, I have operated skid steers before but not a SCUT. The biggest thing you have to remember is that it is a small tractor. You can do the things the big boys do, it will just take you a little longer. Which, by the way there is nothing wrong with a litte more seat time. I didn't buy the Kubota after reading negative comments about seemingly the same issue.
Pros: Small tractor
Cons: Small tracto
Glad I choose a Deere
Model Year: 2010
Granted I haven't many hours on this yet but I have to say it is one great machine. I bought the 200cx loader and 54 inch mower deck. The loader is fantastic and handles any chore I can find on our 2.5 acre plot. Picked up a small Load Hog trailer and filled it with rocks to dump elsewhere...not even a hiccup from the tractor. I'm amazed at how much power There is a sizable incline in front of the house (see picture) that this puppy takes on like no ones business. Great tractor...perfect for my needs.
Pros: everything
Cons: nothing
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Model Year: 2010
Granted I haven't many hours on this yet but I have to say it is one great machine. I bought the 200cx loader and 54 inch mower deck. The loader is fantastic and handles any chore I can find on our 2.5 acre plot. Picked up a small Load Hog trailer and filled it with rocks to dump elsewhere...not even a hiccup from the tractor. I'm amazed at how much power There is a sizable incline in front of the house (see picture) that this puppy takes on like no ones business. Great tractor...perfect for my needs.
Pros: everything
Cons: nothing
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Used Deere 2305
Model Year: 0
I bought a used 2305 with 80hrs on it last year. I have been using this unit to move/dig dirt and gravel. Mow 1 acre of weeds and approx 1/3 acre of lawn grass. It is a very powerful unit and can fit into small places. Overall, I am happy with it. It is very expensive to keep the unit up at the dealer which what I don't like. It failed on me once which I had to have the dealer fix out of warranty. It was an electrical issue. I have issues with the 3 point lift for the mower deck. It is not very well thought out and is mostly difficult over time with that deck lift. I am considering a independent deck lift. Don't get me wrong, this is a great tractor. One just has to be ok with what things cost for it. It digs well (loader) and lots of power for its size. Mows great. Good on fuel. Easy to use. Only Kubota has a unit on the same level with the 2305. It has been a big help around my small ranch.
Pros: Power, lots of attachements available, good support.
Cons: Cost
Model Year: 0
I bought a used 2305 with 80hrs on it last year. I have been using this unit to move/dig dirt and gravel. Mow 1 acre of weeds and approx 1/3 acre of lawn grass. It is a very powerful unit and can fit into small places. Overall, I am happy with it. It is very expensive to keep the unit up at the dealer which what I don't like. It failed on me once which I had to have the dealer fix out of warranty. It was an electrical issue. I have issues with the 3 point lift for the mower deck. It is not very well thought out and is mostly difficult over time with that deck lift. I am considering a independent deck lift. Don't get me wrong, this is a great tractor. One just has to be ok with what things cost for it. It digs well (loader) and lots of power for its size. Mows great. Good on fuel. Easy to use. Only Kubota has a unit on the same level with the 2305. It has been a big help around my small ranch.
Pros: Power, lots of attachements available, good support.
Cons: Cost
New owner
Model Year: 2010
This is the 1st CUT I've owned and have already cut and graded 1200ft of driveway and started on the grading of the landscape from last years garage project. Trying to work it a little to hard on the landscape with a 72" backblade but if I take it slow it seems to do a good job. Got the FEL,62MMM and 54"snowblade with it and got the Woods RB72 and LR72 with gauge wheel kit last week. So far this tractor has lived up to my expectations.
Pros: Compact and goes anywhere
Cons: Hydraulics are a little slow
Model Year: 2010
This is the 1st CUT I've owned and have already cut and graded 1200ft of driveway and started on the grading of the landscape from last years garage project. Trying to work it a little to hard on the landscape with a 72" backblade but if I take it slow it seems to do a good job. Got the FEL,62MMM and 54"snowblade with it and got the Woods RB72 and LR72 with gauge wheel kit last week. So far this tractor has lived up to my expectations.
Pros: Compact and goes anywhere
Cons: Hydraulics are a little slow
Doesn't know the meaning of "Can't"
Model Year: 2008
I have great confidence in the construction of this machine, reinforced by the long heritage that went into its design. Most of the features and attachments are well thought out and well documented. Year round in the northeast, our 2305 maintains 3.6 acres of land w/ 1 acre of sloping lawn and many trees as well as 300 ft of paved driveway. Our attachment inventory keeps growing but currently consists of: JD 200CX loader JD 260 backhoe JD 54" mower deck w/ mulching kit JD 14 bushel bagger system (not such a well thought out bagger-to-tractor attachment design) 48" box blade, King Kutter 60" landscape rake, Land Pride JD 48" 413 rotary mower (monster!) JD 46" snowblower w/ chute angling kit JD Ballast box The tractor has no trouble or hesitation operating any of these attachments and is limited only by its own weight. Hydraulic flow rates can sometimes feel a little slow, but for this size machine it seems fitting. I'm always saying that I couldn't imagine owning our property without this tractor (or maybe a slightly larger one someday). Sometimes the 2305 is a little small for our needs and once in a wile a little big so it's a good overall balance with having just one machine for everything. I take comfort in believing that, with proper maintenance and indoor storage, our 2305 will still be going strong in 20 years. I haven't gotten as strong an impression from what I've seen of the competition.
Pros: Perfect all around machine for our four season estate needs. Very good purchase experience. great salesman.
Cons: Wish you could order parts factory direct instead of inefficient dealer bucket brigade (aka middleman). Not enough inner competition.
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Model Year: 2008
I have great confidence in the construction of this machine, reinforced by the long heritage that went into its design. Most of the features and attachments are well thought out and well documented. Year round in the northeast, our 2305 maintains 3.6 acres of land w/ 1 acre of sloping lawn and many trees as well as 300 ft of paved driveway. Our attachment inventory keeps growing but currently consists of: JD 200CX loader JD 260 backhoe JD 54" mower deck w/ mulching kit JD 14 bushel bagger system (not such a well thought out bagger-to-tractor attachment design) 48" box blade, King Kutter 60" landscape rake, Land Pride JD 48" 413 rotary mower (monster!) JD 46" snowblower w/ chute angling kit JD Ballast box The tractor has no trouble or hesitation operating any of these attachments and is limited only by its own weight. Hydraulic flow rates can sometimes feel a little slow, but for this size machine it seems fitting. I'm always saying that I couldn't imagine owning our property without this tractor (or maybe a slightly larger one someday). Sometimes the 2305 is a little small for our needs and once in a wile a little big so it's a good overall balance with having just one machine for everything. I take comfort in believing that, with proper maintenance and indoor storage, our 2305 will still be going strong in 20 years. I haven't gotten as strong an impression from what I've seen of the competition.
Pros: Perfect all around machine for our four season estate needs. Very good purchase experience. great salesman.
Cons: Wish you could order parts factory direct instead of inefficient dealer bucket brigade (aka middleman). Not enough inner competition.
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2305 Review
Model Year: 2009
I researched sub-compact tractors for most of 2 years before actually purchasing one. I really only considered JD and Kubota, mainly because the dealers were within a reasonable distance. The new Cub Cadets came out, but I did not really consider them because I was close to a purchase and did not see them in my area until spring/summer of 2009. I decided on the JD 2305 because it appeared better built than the Kubota. The hydraulics were originally installed by the factory as opposed to an after market add-on. The Kubota also appeared to be just a lawn tractor with an FEL, the JD looked like a "tractor", to me anyway. It didn't help that one Kubota dealer was ridiculously overpriced, even though a buddy bought an identical tractor for $4000 less, on an original quote. All in all I'm very pleased with JD. I purchased the 54" MMM, the FEL (200CX) and the ballast box, for just under $15,000. It cuts grass (about 2 1/2 acres) in about an hour and a half, compared to just under three with the old White tractor I had before. It has plenty of power. I have pulled logs much larger than I thought possible, even on hills. I've pulled fence posts with the FEL like they were coming out of butter. I've also pulled a 175 Bass Tracker with no problems uphill in grass with ease. I certainly haven't put this thing through its paces yet, but so far I'm impressed.
Pros: Powerful, easy to use. FEL on/off in less than 5 minutes
Cons: Not ecstatic about the traction of the R4 tires
Model Year: 2009
I researched sub-compact tractors for most of 2 years before actually purchasing one. I really only considered JD and Kubota, mainly because the dealers were within a reasonable distance. The new Cub Cadets came out, but I did not really consider them because I was close to a purchase and did not see them in my area until spring/summer of 2009. I decided on the JD 2305 because it appeared better built than the Kubota. The hydraulics were originally installed by the factory as opposed to an after market add-on. The Kubota also appeared to be just a lawn tractor with an FEL, the JD looked like a "tractor", to me anyway. It didn't help that one Kubota dealer was ridiculously overpriced, even though a buddy bought an identical tractor for $4000 less, on an original quote. All in all I'm very pleased with JD. I purchased the 54" MMM, the FEL (200CX) and the ballast box, for just under $15,000. It cuts grass (about 2 1/2 acres) in about an hour and a half, compared to just under three with the old White tractor I had before. It has plenty of power. I have pulled logs much larger than I thought possible, even on hills. I've pulled fence posts with the FEL like they were coming out of butter. I've also pulled a 175 Bass Tracker with no problems uphill in grass with ease. I certainly haven't put this thing through its paces yet, but so far I'm impressed.
Pros: Powerful, easy to use. FEL on/off in less than 5 minutes
Cons: Not ecstatic about the traction of the R4 tires
Just got it and it should do well for my needs
Model Year: 2008
Handy and plenty power
Pros: good
Cons: hydraulic whine
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Model Year: 2008
Handy and plenty power
Pros: good
Cons: hydraulic whine
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2305
Model Year: 2008
I was set on the 2520 or 2720 until I went down to the dealer and ran all of the 2000 series tractors. Once I did, I realized the 2305 would do everything I needed, and much cheaper than the bigger units. I'm not running it through the woods, so the transmission fan issue is pretty much irrelevant to me. If you go through a lot of brush, you might want to think about this, but if your primary use is over lawn and driveway, it doesn't matter much. Like many say, the hydraulics (on the loader) are slow, particularly at low RPM. This sometimes annoys me mildly, but if you're really in a hurry w/ the loader, crank up the RPMs to 2500 or so, and things move a lot more quickly. At 2900, really things move too fast in my opinion. 62d mower deck rocks. 47 blower rocks, especially w /the new solid driveshaft retrofit. Curtis cab on the thing makes it a whole different machine. I can't recommend this enough. All in all, I'm pleased with it. It's been a lot of fun, and completely trouble free so far. Drive one before you decide to go bigger.
Pros: Low ride height, cost, stabiity, power
Cons: Lack of some fancy up model features, slow hydraulics, vulnerability of the trans. fan.
Model Year: 2008
I was set on the 2520 or 2720 until I went down to the dealer and ran all of the 2000 series tractors. Once I did, I realized the 2305 would do everything I needed, and much cheaper than the bigger units. I'm not running it through the woods, so the transmission fan issue is pretty much irrelevant to me. If you go through a lot of brush, you might want to think about this, but if your primary use is over lawn and driveway, it doesn't matter much. Like many say, the hydraulics (on the loader) are slow, particularly at low RPM. This sometimes annoys me mildly, but if you're really in a hurry w/ the loader, crank up the RPMs to 2500 or so, and things move a lot more quickly. At 2900, really things move too fast in my opinion. 62d mower deck rocks. 47 blower rocks, especially w /the new solid driveshaft retrofit. Curtis cab on the thing makes it a whole different machine. I can't recommend this enough. All in all, I'm pleased with it. It's been a lot of fun, and completely trouble free so far. Drive one before you decide to go bigger.
Pros: Low ride height, cost, stabiity, power
Cons: Lack of some fancy up model features, slow hydraulics, vulnerability of the trans. fan.