John Deere 2305 transmission fan

[smalltown]

Want to say hi from a new member. And ask a few questions.
I have been reading as many posts as I can about the John Deere 2305, and I've got the sore eyes to prove it!

I've got just under 2 acres to clear and mow (cut down most of the trees last summer), and a lot of rocks to remove that seem to grow quite well without any fertilizer. I thought a used 2305 with a FEL and BH, and mower would fit me just right, but used with the BH seem far and few. Maybe later when the treasury dept. agrees a snowblower. So I would like to ask a few questions.

1. Wife thinks maybe I should find a used 2305 without a BH then look around for the BH. I think I would probably end up not having a BH!
Aslo thought about just renting a back hoe to do my rock/stump removal and projects, but at $200 a day that adds up quickly.

3. After reading the posts I see two repeating issues: broken transmission fans is that a reason in itself to not buy the 2305, and deck height adjustments not holding.

4. Apparently used and left over prices will not drop much when the new 1023-1026 arrive? I was hoping they would. I visited the dealer, and he said he doesn't think he could have ordered a new 2305 equipped that way even a month ago.

5. Does JD ever go beyond the 0% for 4 year financing? Longer financing might be a way to get a 2011 model with a warranty.

Lastly ever heard of this:
I had driven out of state to look at a 2305.The owner just wanted out from under the JD financing. It was a good buy, but my local credit union would not touch the out of State deal because of UCC accross State lines.
A car or truck ok, but not a tractor. I don't know anything about UCC regs., but I asked JD and they said that's only on equipment sold for commercial purposes, and this tractor was sold to a homeowner, and did not have any UCC registration. My credit union still would not budge. I called the seller and sadly backed away from the deal.
Credit union said I was already approved if I could find an in State tractor

P.S. Of the BH equipped 2305s I've seen a number of them have dented in hoods is that do to the inherint design or operator error? I'd bet a new hood would be $300 or more. Maybe buying one already dented isn't such a bad idea?

 

[jsb2b]

At $200 a day vs over $5k for the BH attachment, I'd rent the BH and spend the savings on the snowblower.

If you don't drive backwards over brush, you won't break the fan. If you keep the mower deck on it, you won't break the fan. You can buy an aftermarket fan guard if you are really paranoid about the fan for less than $200 or make your own from plans on the forum.

Deck height adjustment knob is mechanical and holds just fine.

Never heard of longer than 4 year JD financing. Mine was 3 years @ 0 percent.

Your Credit Union Loan Officer is an idiot.

How the heck do you smack the hood with the backhoe??? You would have to be a real genius to get it around almost 180 degrees...

If you mean the front loader, that's just plain idiot operator error....

The 2305 has it's limitations but it is a darned good tractor for someone that doesn't expect to do professional excavating. It suits many people with less than 5 acres to maintain.

 

[smalltown]

jsb2b Thanks for the reply. Yes I meant denting the hood while using the loader. It's must be that the posts of 2305s with backhoes that I have looked at a number of the hoods were damaged apparently by rocks falling backward from the FEL. I just wasn't sure why that was happening.

I notice in your profile you have the 62" MMM. I was wondering if the 54" MMM sticks out far enough to cut beyond the tires. That is to say the actual cutting blades.

 

[Henri88]

I concur with jsb2b.:thumbsup:

 

[etcallhome]

As for dented hood !!!!!!!!! User error! I seen a 2305 about 60hr and one big hole in hood and one of the headlights missing.. and fel arm all scratched up, hardly any paint on arm. I almost bought tractor from a Kubota dealer. Checked around I could buy new with bh ,new fel and new mmm for around $300 more than what Kubota dealer wanted.
I've had a fel going on 6 yrs , over 3 yrs on this one and have not had any dents on any of the hoods.
I've had some close calls every time my fault either bucket curled back to far and lifted to high or way to much material in the bucket.

 

[Deadman]

All my dents have come from hauling big tree branches in the FEL, and then they swing around and fall on the hood when i try to haul them to the burn pile. Its always user error, but it seems like a good idea at the time! lol

 

[buckshot721]

Got a new 2305 last year, mmm,fel, and back hoe. First thing I did was buy a skid plate for it. (found out about the fan AFTER I got it) I think the back hoe was the best investment I ever made, man that thing sure can dig!!! About the only thing I don't like about it, is the roll bar. If you have to mow under trees it's a pain. Snagging limbs. I might just pull it off when mowing, or make one that folds.

 

[kennyd]

Got a new 2305 last year, mmm,fel, and back hoe. First thing I did was buy a skid plate for it. (found out about the fan AFTER I got it) I think the back hoe was the best investment I ever made, man that thing sure can dig!!! About the only thing I don't like about it, is the roll bar. If you have to mow under trees it's a pain. Snagging limbs. I might just pull it off when mowing, or make one that folds.

Just a note, Femco makes a folding ROPS for the 2305: Femco, Inc.

 

[bonefish101]

I just carried the balance on my 2720 out to 72 months through JD credit @ 3.9% and my credit is not great. A large down payment really helped for me.

 

[kjung17]

I have read several references to "mmm" on this site. Please clarify. Thanks.

I'll bet the answer makes me feel stupid. Lol