John Deere 3005 4.90 star(s) (16)

Excellent Choice For My Needs
Model Year: 2013

I previously owned a gray market Yanmar with a live power take-off for about 5 years and really liked the performance of it. I purchased my 3005 because I wanted a newer tractor with a good local dealer and this tractor is just about same as my old one. There were no power take-off speed options and I have discovered the hydraulics are not quite as strong. I have been well pleased with my John Deere.

Pros: Quick release bucket
Cons: No tool box

Good Value in a Small Package
Model Year: 2008

My tractor is a John Deere 3005 with a 300 loader and Frontier RC2060 rotary cutter. I have 31 acres, approximately half timber/home site and half pasture. This is a versatile, reliable tractor used for cutting hay, small stump removal, hauling firewood, and dirt work. It has a tight turn radius that comes in handy while maneuvering in wooded areas. It had light usage at first, but I am retired now and am using it more frequently. It has been very reliable so far. I am well pleased with it.

Pros: Reliable, maneuverable, 4WD.
Cons: Could use more horsepower at times.

Very Happy 3005 Owner
Model Year: 2013

Purchased this machine for upkeep on the new property. I am a simple person and like simple but hard-working equipment. Have right at 5 acres of ground that had 3/4 acre of overgrown honey locust trees. Those have been cleared out now thanks to the 3005. It will also help us hard-scape part of the back patio and assist with moving several tons of gravel and mulch. In the cold season it will be primary device to clear snow from 1/2 mile of driveway and level-B access road if the need arises. Implements I have acquired already consist of: - John Deere 300 loader w/standard 60" bucket - John Deere RB2060 rear blade w/skid shoes - Spee-Co post hole digger w/9" auger - King-Kutter 60" all gear driven roto-tiller - Custom altered Snow-Bear 84" snow plow now quick attaches to the 300 loader arms.

Pros: Simple & effective.
Cons: None that I can think of.

Good Power That Starts Every Time
Model Year: 2008

Overall I love my tractor. Plenty of power to run my 5' brush mower even in heavy stuff. It has started every time in all weather conditions with the exception of when it's original battery died. Only shortcomings are it's weight, it's on the light side, and the hydraulics are not very strong. Other than that I think a hydro-static trans might be more convenient when doing a lot of FEL work. Only mechanical issues I have had other than the original battery leaking acid everywhere is that sometimes the guages won't work when I first start it up but after a little bouncing around they usually do. Overall very happy with it.

Pros: Power, reliability, looks great.
Cons: Hydraulics could be stronger, but maybe they're intentionally limited due to its light weight.

Fuel & Coolant Temp. Gauges Don't Work?
Model Year: 2009

I have had intermittent problems with both the coolant temperature and fuel gauges not operating. Some time one will work while the other does not. Sometimes they will both not work and after a little time they start wiring again. I have taken the interment panels out several times looking for a bad connection in the wiring harness/plugs nothing found. Could this be a bad 3 AMP diode? Lights, flashers all work fine.

Pros: Great tractor.
Cons: Fuel and temp. gauges don't work.

Two Things I Wish Were Dfferent
Model Year: 0

I actually love the rumble of this guy when he starts up, actually sounds like a heavy, no-nonsense diesel engine. I specifically got it to replace my aged Ford 1700 because it was a little old fashioned---metal fenders and geared. Since I hadn't bought a tractor in years I did not realize that R4 tires did not suit my use as well as R1s. So although R4s are listed as an option on the JD web site, they all come equipped with R4s unless you specifically ask for R1s. That was my first issue. The second is that there are only two gear ranges (I was used to three on my old Ford). This is plenty going forward, but leaves you with only two speeds going back, a second gear equivalent in high range (often too fast) and a crawler in low range (often too slow). I really would have liked one in between.

Pros: Metal fenders give you a good place to mount auxilliary rear hydraulic controls. Heavy and relatively wide for its horse power, which really smooths out the bumps mowing rough pastures.
Cons: Can't use it in the mud on hills in the winter because of the R4s. A bit harder to haul because of size and weight than my comparatively powered Kubota.

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Great Little Tractor
Model Year: 2012

So far it does every thing I want it to. Wish lift capacity was higher but it gets the job done.

Pros: Easy to run.
Cons: Low lift capacity.

John Deere 3005
Model Year: 2010

This is a great tractor for small acreage owners. This tractor has great power for pushing snow and moving dirt. I also use this tractor for wood cutting with the fork attachment on the loader. I cut the logs in 4 foot lengths and haul the out on the forks.

Pros: Maneuvers great in tight places. Outstanding turn radius.
Cons: Seat area a little tight for a "big" person.

JD 3005
Model Year: 2010

I have had this tractor for a few months and love it. I went with the manual transmission. I use it a lot for getting firewood. It really maneuvers great in tight places.

Pros: Great turn radius.
Cons: None yet.

John Deere 3005
Model Year: 2008

Starts easy and runs great in all weather so far. Engine has plenty of power, runs my 5 foot rotary mower with no problem. Only disappointment is that the hydraulics are kinda weak.

Pros: Great power and reliability.
Cons: Weak hydraulic power; light weigh.

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Great Tractor
Model Year: 2010

Bought it with the 300 loader and have used it heavily for clearing land, pulling logs, and demolishing an old trailer on the property. I've had no problems, but it is a little light in the back end. Also purchased a Country Line Disc Harrow and a Mid Buster Plow from Tractor Supply. Does a great job in the garden.

Pros: Affordable and plenty of power for what I need.
Cons: A little light in the back.

John Deere 3005
Model Year: 2008

Great CUT tractor. The only issue I have is the front tie rod bar that gets bent easily due to ground clearance.

Pros: Powerful, compact, and reliable.
Cons: Tie rod bar bends easily.

Good Little Tractor.
Model Year: 2010

This tractor has done everything I've asked. I thought I might miss having a hydro, but not at all. I run a 5 foot Land Pride tiller, a 4 foot brush hog, and a Leinbach post hole digger. I've also got the loader with a heavy duty bucket, and fork attachment. Yeah, the loader could be stronger, but it'll pick a totally full bucket of gravel, so what else do I need? Great machine for the money, and when I thought I heard a funny noise, the dealer was there the next day checking it out (RN Johnson).

Pros: Power & turning radius.
Cons: None.

John deere 3005
Model Year: 2008

Purchased this machine a little over 2 years ago for maintaining 8 acres of property. We run a 6 foot finishing mower on the back and never have had any problems. Sure the lift capacity of the bucket is tested sometimes but it is what it is. As far as construction reliability and everything else other than features it is a wonderful machine and has never let me down. All in all the main thing is to understand what you are buying. If you want great fuel economy, power and unmatched reliability then this is the machine. In the end the thing to remember is that it is a compact utility tractor, if you buy it knowing that you will have many years of great service.

Pros: Fuel economy, Size, Handling
Cons: Narrow wheel base, Little weak on loader but it is what it is

3005
Model Year: 2008

Great small tractor for mowing,pulling a trailer, dirt work. I use a 5 ft. finishing mower on mine.

Pros: good fuel economy,fun to drive
Cons: Overall Tread width is very narrow, use caution on slopes and inclines.

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John Deer 3005
Model Year: 2008

I bought this tractor to use around our property. Mostly I do bushogging (of the fields) and other small farm chores like- Earth moving, and post hole digging. So far I have been pleased with the tractor. I have the following attachments- 4' Bushog (I couldn't afford to get a bigger one at the time, a 300 Loader, 5' Boxblade and a Post Hoe Auger. As far as the tractor goes- It starts every time PERIOD! I do wish it had a little more power (especially when using the bucket). I also wish it had a forward reverse shifter instead of the gear shift. (But I can get around that). The loader bucket is a little weak (I had heard there was a way to shim it or something) "An advice would be appreciated along with your results from the changeover. This tractor is a traditional style tractor (AKA- Old style). But it is a tried and true proven design that simply will not fail. Other than a hole in a tire from a cactus (Yes we have cactus in Florida), it has been trouble free. All in all I would suggest this tractor as long as you get it for a good price an don't mind sacrificing a few features. Oh Yeah, My neighbor just got a comparable Brannon Tractor. Yes it has a few extra features. But from what I can tell the overall construction is simply not up to the daily abuse that years of working it will do.

Pros: Very reliable
Cons: Short on features and could use a little more powe