etcallhome
Platinum Member
Looks good !!! Enjoy the bh I know I do.
'New' John Deere 2305
- Thread starter jsygrovehpi
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OP
jsygrovehpi
Bronze Member
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2010
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- 68
- Location
- Central Connecticut
- Tractor
- John Deere 2305 & John Deere 425
Today I yanked a shrub from the front of the house using the BH and a chain, but i had to go after the roots with the bucket first before it would give up the fight. Almost took the retaining wall with it though 
Also rented a stump grinder to remove some stumps around the house. The thing weights like 550-600lbs and the 'genius' loading it into the back of the diesel decided to hit the ramps at full speed & power. Needless to say, the machine starts jumping and kicks out one of the ramps and dumps the grinder onto the ground. Since the machine was halfway into said truck, the carbide grinding wheel slammed into the tailgate on its journey to the ground. My father and I would have been angrier if it wasn't for the fact that he messed up his hand pretty good in the process. :mur:
Hopefully things go smoother tomorrow...
Also rented a stump grinder to remove some stumps around the house. The thing weights like 550-600lbs and the 'genius' loading it into the back of the diesel decided to hit the ramps at full speed & power. Needless to say, the machine starts jumping and kicks out one of the ramps and dumps the grinder onto the ground. Since the machine was halfway into said truck, the carbide grinding wheel slammed into the tailgate on its journey to the ground. My father and I would have been angrier if it wasn't for the fact that he messed up his hand pretty good in the process. :mur:
Hopefully things go smoother tomorrow...
jcmseven
Veteran Member
Nice machine. I do not believe your 2305 would necessarily require a ballast box to use with the snowblower. I would recommend adding liquid ballast to your rear tires and you could also add wheel weights. The JD weights for that machine are 72# starter weights and 50# add on weights. If you have liquid ballast and even the 72# starter weights you would have roughly 300# of ballast directly on the wheels, where it matters for snow removal. As for the hoses hanging down, welcome to the world of the 2000 series. My 2320 has exactly the same issue. No matter how I loom them, lift them, configure them, they naturally go back to their neutral position of nearly dragging the ground. It is concerning in winter because they can drag into snow banks when operating any snow removal implement that is not significantly wider than the machine itself.
John M
John M
I have the 47" front blower and quickly discovered that a little extra weight on the back is a good thing, if not necessary. I opted for a rear blade vs an otherwise useless to me ballast box. With the blower on the front and blade on the back, the 2305 impressed me in the snow.
stlbill
Silver Member
Hi all:
What independent lift problems are you referring to?
-bill
What independent lift problems are you referring to?
-bill
OP
jsygrovehpi
Bronze Member
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2010
- Messages
- 68
- Location
- Central Connecticut
- Tractor
- John Deere 2305 & John Deere 425
John M. I was able to push the hoses up so they arent nearly so close to the ground. I am a little hesitant to fill the tires with fluid since we plan on mowing with this tractor most of the time. The machine is already too heavy on the lawn (then again we havent taken off the FEL or BH yet which would shave 1,000 lbs). Someone told me that the 425 and 2305 use the same wheel weights. We already have the weights for the 425 and 6 suitcase weights that hang off the back. I just dont like how the ballast box extends so far off the back of the machine on the 2305. Maybe If i got ahold of a 1" or thicker 2'x2' steel plate that I could weld 3 pt mountings right to it, it would give me the ballast without adding 2 feet to the length of the tractor.
Well we finished the stump grinding on Sunday morning. We then headed next door where our neighbor had 7 stumps to be removed. We finished pretty quickly and the neighbor was more than grateful so he paid us more than the half the grinder rental that we agreed to previously. I returned later to earn the difference he gave us and raked up the chips using the 2305 as a power wheelbarrow. I took 3 heaping FEL buckets full of chips back to the house to be rototilled into the garden. After removing the chips I finally got to use the FEL to its full potential when I attacked a long abandoned pile of topsoil to backfill the stump holes. The bucket bit into the old pile with no complaints and no wheel spin. After being somewhat disappointed with the lack of power from the backhoe the previous day, the FEL proved to be worth every cent paid. I just wish that the hydraulics were a bit faster and allowed more than 1 movement at a time (after emptying the bucket I wish that it would allow for the bucket to be lowered and tilted at the same time.) Not a big deal but if I was moving lots of materials the time savings could really add up.
The grinder was loaded back into the bed of the diesel without any of the same hoopla from the previous day.
I cant wait for the modular concrete retaining wall block to arrive so we can utilize the tractor for the main project for which it was purchased... replacement of the 225 LF of PT lumber on my mother's raised garden. Not only will the 2305 come in handy for moving the block around but the plan is to push the high wall side (3' tall) back 6-8 feet which will requre the use of the FEL to remove the raised soil down to the existing grade in that area.
Well we finished the stump grinding on Sunday morning. We then headed next door where our neighbor had 7 stumps to be removed. We finished pretty quickly and the neighbor was more than grateful so he paid us more than the half the grinder rental that we agreed to previously. I returned later to earn the difference he gave us and raked up the chips using the 2305 as a power wheelbarrow. I took 3 heaping FEL buckets full of chips back to the house to be rototilled into the garden. After removing the chips I finally got to use the FEL to its full potential when I attacked a long abandoned pile of topsoil to backfill the stump holes. The bucket bit into the old pile with no complaints and no wheel spin. After being somewhat disappointed with the lack of power from the backhoe the previous day, the FEL proved to be worth every cent paid. I just wish that the hydraulics were a bit faster and allowed more than 1 movement at a time (after emptying the bucket I wish that it would allow for the bucket to be lowered and tilted at the same time.) Not a big deal but if I was moving lots of materials the time savings could really add up.
The grinder was loaded back into the bed of the diesel without any of the same hoopla from the previous day.
I cant wait for the modular concrete retaining wall block to arrive so we can utilize the tractor for the main project for which it was purchased... replacement of the 225 LF of PT lumber on my mother's raised garden. Not only will the 2305 come in handy for moving the block around but the plan is to push the high wall side (3' tall) back 6-8 feet which will requre the use of the FEL to remove the raised soil down to the existing grade in that area.
OP
jsygrovehpi
Bronze Member
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2010
- Messages
- 68
- Location
- Central Connecticut
- Tractor
- John Deere 2305 & John Deere 425
The 425 we have with the 47" snowblower is very impressive. We have 6 x 40 lb suitcase weights and 2 x 45 lb wheel weights on it, and traction is only an issue on our 20%+ grade on our driveway. When I am around I usually stand on the suitcase weights adding another 210lbs, but I dont live at home anymore so I just figured it was time for the old man to invest in something that he doesnt have to work as hard to accomplish) I just figured that with the 4wd of the 2305 that traction wouldnt be much of an issue since we can usually get up the driveway now with the 2wd 425 with a little sand and speed. (Since the house is at the top of the driveway we fortuanately have made a pass down the driveway which we can utilize getting back up).
I might look for a small salt spreader for the back of the 2305 instead of a ballast box. Might as well make it useful weight!
OP
jsygrovehpi
Bronze Member
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2010
- Messages
- 68
- Location
- Central Connecticut
- Tractor
- John Deere 2305 & John Deere 425
Bill, I read some threads about how the independant lift, binds, doesnt hold the mower up and slowly drops back down a minute after lifting the deck, has problems working with the mower height adjustment knob, etc.
Someone posted a diagram how they fixed it and it required cutting and rewelding a tab back on somewhere under the tractor (it might have been on the lifting mechanism though, I wasnt sure.)
I would just hate spending $400 for the independent lift and $400+ for the hydraulic bypass valve to be added to the tractor and find out that it doesnt work to our expectations. If the 3pt hitch lift isnt too much of a hassle to set up and take off (like 10 minutes or so) then we will probably just go that route. The independent lift would allow the mower deck to be on the tractor at the same time as the backhoe and the hydraulic bypass valve would allow the independent lift to be used at the same time as the FEL with the pull of a lever (since I believe that the independent lift normally hooks up to the FEL hydraulic ports and the bypass valve allows you to select an impliment to use)
Hey jgyblouieve or whatever the heck it is,
Congratulations. I've had my 2305 for about 2 years now, bought new. I have a boatload of attachments for it, including the 200CX BL, 260 BH, 54" MMM w/ independent lift and the bypass valve, and the ballast box. I live in Ma and I have a 300 ft paved driveway, steeply sloped.
-The bypass valve is useless unless you plan to keep the bucket on at the same time as the MMM. Don't bother with it, you'll rarely be in this situation if you care about your stuff. When I'm bucketing, the last thing I want to worry about is what might be hitting the mower deck. it only takes 5 minutes to remove it.
-I wouldn't want to use this tractor to mow if it didn't' have the independent lift. Life's too short. Without it, you have to use the 3PH lever to raise and lower the deck and the lift arms will go up and down too. Yes, the lock that keeps the deck raised isn't perfect. The way it works is there is a notched cam that keeps the deck raised in varying amounts, depending on the position of the adjustment nob between your feet. In my opinion, the cam lobe that keeps the deck raised all the way could be 1/4" taller and then nobody would complain, including me. I'm thinking of welding a nut or something on it to get a bit more height but it's just a minor aggravation, really.
-You can raise/lower the bucket while curling at the same time. You just have to get used to it and find the sweet spot. The same goes for the backhoe.
-I used to use my ballast box while snowblowing, but I don't bother anymore. No rear weight. I go commando. In fact, I take off the 3PH lift arms too so I can back right up against stuff and also not worry about hitting things as much. I'm so used to snowblowing now that I can be reversing at full speed, spin the wheel, bring the front end around while dropping the blower, and head on back in the opposite direction. Starsky and Hutch like. I don't use chains because I have to look at the driveway all summer but I do have the R4 tires. I wouldn't mind having loaded tires but, like you, I have to mow grass with it so, no-can-do. Maybe I'll pick up some wheel weights if I find a couple hundred in someone's coat at a restaurant.
-Oh, one important thing. Whenever I'm not on pavement, I'm usually in 4WD. Whenever I'm on pavement, I'm NOT in 4WD. I freewheeled down a grass hill one day early on because I was in 2WD with the bucket on the front with just a "tad" of dirt in it and no weight on the rear. I barely managed to get cross camber and slowed the tractor down. That moment is always in my otherwise empty skull when I'm on this machine. I've also almost gone over a couple of other times due to my very hilly land. (Why did I buy THIS house?!!!)
-Another thing you'll hear all over the place is to watch out for the hydraulic filter and tranny cooling fan underneath. Don't go doing anything stupid like driving over a pile of brush.
Get yourself a lube gun and use the **** thing once in a while. Good luck.
Congratulations. I've had my 2305 for about 2 years now, bought new. I have a boatload of attachments for it, including the 200CX BL, 260 BH, 54" MMM w/ independent lift and the bypass valve, and the ballast box. I live in Ma and I have a 300 ft paved driveway, steeply sloped.
-The bypass valve is useless unless you plan to keep the bucket on at the same time as the MMM. Don't bother with it, you'll rarely be in this situation if you care about your stuff. When I'm bucketing, the last thing I want to worry about is what might be hitting the mower deck. it only takes 5 minutes to remove it.
-I wouldn't want to use this tractor to mow if it didn't' have the independent lift. Life's too short. Without it, you have to use the 3PH lever to raise and lower the deck and the lift arms will go up and down too. Yes, the lock that keeps the deck raised isn't perfect. The way it works is there is a notched cam that keeps the deck raised in varying amounts, depending on the position of the adjustment nob between your feet. In my opinion, the cam lobe that keeps the deck raised all the way could be 1/4" taller and then nobody would complain, including me. I'm thinking of welding a nut or something on it to get a bit more height but it's just a minor aggravation, really.
-You can raise/lower the bucket while curling at the same time. You just have to get used to it and find the sweet spot. The same goes for the backhoe.
-I used to use my ballast box while snowblowing, but I don't bother anymore. No rear weight. I go commando. In fact, I take off the 3PH lift arms too so I can back right up against stuff and also not worry about hitting things as much. I'm so used to snowblowing now that I can be reversing at full speed, spin the wheel, bring the front end around while dropping the blower, and head on back in the opposite direction. Starsky and Hutch like. I don't use chains because I have to look at the driveway all summer but I do have the R4 tires. I wouldn't mind having loaded tires but, like you, I have to mow grass with it so, no-can-do. Maybe I'll pick up some wheel weights if I find a couple hundred in someone's coat at a restaurant.
-Oh, one important thing. Whenever I'm not on pavement, I'm usually in 4WD. Whenever I'm on pavement, I'm NOT in 4WD. I freewheeled down a grass hill one day early on because I was in 2WD with the bucket on the front with just a "tad" of dirt in it and no weight on the rear. I barely managed to get cross camber and slowed the tractor down. That moment is always in my otherwise empty skull when I'm on this machine. I've also almost gone over a couple of other times due to my very hilly land. (Why did I buy THIS house?!!!)
-Another thing you'll hear all over the place is to watch out for the hydraulic filter and tranny cooling fan underneath. Don't go doing anything stupid like driving over a pile of brush.
Get yourself a lube gun and use the **** thing once in a while. Good luck.
OP
jsygrovehpi
Bronze Member
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2010
- Messages
- 68
- Location
- Central Connecticut
- Tractor
- John Deere 2305 & John Deere 425
Thanks for the info ensoll. Ensoll...ensoll...That name sounds vaguely familiar. I believe I enjoy watching your snowblowing vids on YouTube
About 1/3 of my driveway is as steep as yours (as far as I can tell from your videos), 1/3 is flat, and the other 1/3rd is a 20+% grade (600' total).
I am already familiar with the capabilities of the 47" snowblower because I have it on the 425. Glad to hear that you have no traction issues without the rear ballast box attached. If I end up buying another snowblower for the 2305 and cant find a used 47" I think I would spend the extra $300 for the 54" that they just came out with not so long ago. It hasn't been added to the "build a tractor" link on JD's website but under the videos for the 2000 series they do have a 2 min video of the larger snowblower. The one thing that surprises me is the fact that it seems that most of the videos that I see of the snowblower in action both on the JD website and some YouTube videos that the blower doesn’t seem to do a good job removing all the snow. There still is a thin layer on the ground. My guess is that it’s because the skids are set so that the cutting blade is not touching the ground. It also appears that the blowers mounted to the 2305 doesn’t throw the snow as far as our 425 or as neatly. Maybe it’s the type of snow being thrown.
I haven’t given much thought to the fact that when its in 2wd that when you hit the brakes it only works on the 2 rear wheels. I will definitely keep that in mind if the BH is off.
Now since I haven’t taken the BH off yet, I haven’t had a chance to figure out how the 3ph arms are attached or how it works in general. When you are using the MMM do you need to have the arms on there or does the mower lift attach to the little "short arms" that are always on the 2305? Most people i see mowing with the tractor have the 3pt hitch on and ready to go, but I was wondering if that was absolutely necessary. Will the sub-frame for the BH interfere with the MMM?
I know that the oil filter and the fan have issues with bottoming out or having sticks and stuff come up and hitting them. There is some guy on eBay that is selling a home-made skid plate for the oil filter and a fan guard for about $120 each. I would buy them in a heartbeat but I don’t know if they interfere with the MMM. It sounds like the oil guard might have to be removed in order to use the MMM.
John Deere 2305 Transmission Fan Guard - eBay (item 260577419685 end time Apr-08-10 11:03:56 PDT)
John Deere 2305 Transmission Filter Guard - eBay (item 250600305000 end time Mar-29-10 07:38:23 PDT)
I already have a grease gun, now I just need to find all the grease nipples on the tractor. That’s right I said grease and nipples in the same sentence!
About 1/3 of my driveway is as steep as yours (as far as I can tell from your videos), 1/3 is flat, and the other 1/3rd is a 20+% grade (600' total).
I am already familiar with the capabilities of the 47" snowblower because I have it on the 425. Glad to hear that you have no traction issues without the rear ballast box attached. If I end up buying another snowblower for the 2305 and cant find a used 47" I think I would spend the extra $300 for the 54" that they just came out with not so long ago. It hasn't been added to the "build a tractor" link on JD's website but under the videos for the 2000 series they do have a 2 min video of the larger snowblower. The one thing that surprises me is the fact that it seems that most of the videos that I see of the snowblower in action both on the JD website and some YouTube videos that the blower doesn’t seem to do a good job removing all the snow. There still is a thin layer on the ground. My guess is that it’s because the skids are set so that the cutting blade is not touching the ground. It also appears that the blowers mounted to the 2305 doesn’t throw the snow as far as our 425 or as neatly. Maybe it’s the type of snow being thrown.
I haven’t given much thought to the fact that when its in 2wd that when you hit the brakes it only works on the 2 rear wheels. I will definitely keep that in mind if the BH is off.
Now since I haven’t taken the BH off yet, I haven’t had a chance to figure out how the 3ph arms are attached or how it works in general. When you are using the MMM do you need to have the arms on there or does the mower lift attach to the little "short arms" that are always on the 2305? Most people i see mowing with the tractor have the 3pt hitch on and ready to go, but I was wondering if that was absolutely necessary. Will the sub-frame for the BH interfere with the MMM?
I know that the oil filter and the fan have issues with bottoming out or having sticks and stuff come up and hitting them. There is some guy on eBay that is selling a home-made skid plate for the oil filter and a fan guard for about $120 each. I would buy them in a heartbeat but I don’t know if they interfere with the MMM. It sounds like the oil guard might have to be removed in order to use the MMM.
John Deere 2305 Transmission Fan Guard - eBay (item 260577419685 end time Apr-08-10 11:03:56 PDT)
John Deere 2305 Transmission Filter Guard - eBay (item 250600305000 end time Mar-29-10 07:38:23 PDT)
I already have a grease gun, now I just need to find all the grease nipples on the tractor. That’s right I said grease and nipples in the same sentence!
