2305 Cut Quality

[jeb758]

Hey everyone, this is my first post so be kind.

I have a little over 2 acres of land, about 1 1/2 is cleared and is cuttable, well maintained, grass. I currently own a Scag 61" turf tiger, but have gotten the green light from my wife to buy a 2305 if I sell my scag, my JB185 hydro and JD 924DE snow blower. I am looking for one machine that can do it all.

My biggest concern is the cut quality of the JD decks on the subcompact tractors. Speed of the machine is not my concern. I know the 2305 will be slower.

I am considering the 2305 with a either the 54 or 62 inch deck, front loader, BH and snow blower. During my conversation my dealer he noted "this is a great machine that can do everything, but is does not do any one specific thing great". Is this true? So should I make the leap or am I making a mistake?

Any input would help.

J.B.

 

[JDFANATIC]

jeb,

The 2305 is a fine tractor. It will cut nearly, if not as well as your Scag. Go with the 62C for reasons of: better overlap over the wheelbase, smaller uncut circle (36"), and the wider deck effectively moves the ROPS (actually the real maneuverability issue) further away from trees etc. The 2305 has plenty of power, the attachments all come off/go on very easy. For heavy work, such a loader work, you will need ballast: loaded tires or wheel weights + ballast box filled with material such as concrete. This tractor has a whole bunch of lifting capacity, but it is still in a small package (it's advantage), but don't underestimate how quickly it can get upset -- be smart, wear your seatbelt, and pay attention to ballasting. As for the BH, Deere doesn't make one for this tractor, so you must be looking at an aftermarket one, such as Woods or Wallenstein. Several posters here have them, but long-term reports aren't available. If you really don't have that much BH work to do, then you might want to consider renting a larger machine. The 46 snowthrower or the 47 snowblower will eat snow like there is no tomorrow.

As for your dealer comment about the 2305 not doing anything really well, I'm not sure what he meant . . . If he was suggesting the loader on the 2305 isn't as capable as the one on a 4720, then I'd have to agree.

Happy hunting! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[rvtech]

Well put JDFAN /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

I agree, my 2305 cuts equally as well as my neighbors Scag. Our yards run together for at least 300 feet and look the same. The 2305 is just as fast or faster in the open areas. He is quicker getting around the trees, but I'm not far behind with the hydro. I will be working on landscape issues around the trees and obstructions this summer with a goal of making all areas easy and fast to mow.

 

[orlo]

Jeb:

I cut about 5 acres with a 62"MMM on a 2305. For comparison I used to use a Craftsman GT5000 (25hp) 50" Garden Tractor and when I could a 60" swisher (4 wheeled monster) pull beside to get about a 100" cut with overlap. Manueverability wasn't my concern. This gave me a great finish cut but if I couldn't use the Swisher (If the grass was high I couldn't) It would take me forever going at 5.3 (Transport speed) or about 3.5 on the GT5000 alone for just 50". (I can pull the Swisher in low grass
at maybe 3-5.5mph but high grass kills it since it's only 12.5hp for 60" of cut)

I can cut at a full 2900 wide open on the hydro (Maybe 9mph) and get a great cut quality unless I bounce. The suction of the deck is like no other mower I've used. It has a very high lift and really pulls the grass up to cut it and throws it way out. I haven't tried the mulch kit but I do use a pull behind Cyclone Rake Maybe once every 4 mows and then in the fall for leaves. No Hydro dump kit available yet for the 2305.

I usually pull the bucket off the loader but leave it on to mow. Works fine. I 'know' my turning isn't as tight as the GT5000 was but I can't say I've noticed it at all. I have hit trees with the ROPS but I put an aftermarket folding ROPS on so I usually fold down the rops for the first few outside 'laps' of mowing.

I also have the R4's which seem ok but I'm still keeping my verdict out until next summer. I mowed for maybe 2 months (Got the tractor the beginning of Sep). On straightaways you won't even know you've been there, but on corners near the end where you keep turning you'll see tread tracks, Not broken or dug up grass, but just tread marks. On wet turf (Or if you are using the loader) you may have some turf upset with the R4's. Mine are also loaded with liquid weight (For the loader).

I have a 47" blower that kicks **** for snow. I also use a rear 72" blade to 'scrape down to the ground' with snow. I also use it, the loader, and a 60" rake for landscape. The only two things I've done that even use the HP of the tractor are mow and blow. You won't use that much power using the loader or even pulling implements.

Do pay attention to Ballast, etc. and use the seatbelt.

Anyway, sorry for the long post but mowing talk always get's me going.... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[dsb5610]

jeb,

I have the 2210 which is very similar to the 2305. I agree with the cut quality, it is very good. I also agree with the speed it will mow at ..... faster than you want to go without a mouthguard to keep your teeth from rattling /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I also have an F911 front mower. The two main differences are the F911 mower deck follows the contour of the ground (minimum of 12" either side) where the 2210 is suspended from the tractor. Only comes into play on uneven areas. Secondly, the maneuverability will not be as good as your Scag, not just the turning radius but the front deck design allows you to get under obstacles as well as into corners that the MMM does not.

Based upon the 100 hours that I have put on the 2210 I am just tickled with it's ability to do a lot of tasks and do them well. If read the specifications and they are within your expectations then you should be happy with it because it will do everything it says it will and more.

dsb

 

[fgross335_2210]

Ditto on the 2210/62C. The deck can cut taller grass at a faster speed than a 54C on a 300-series JD - I have both. I think the blade speed must be faster because the cut quality and mulch effect is very good. About the only thing ANY cut cannot do as quickly as a scag is quick turns, but you can mow a lot of grass in a hurry as long as you don't have 100 trees, etc.

 

[Shawk]

If mow quality is a concern... don't let it be with the 2305. I had a 2210 and I thought the cut quality was phenominal. It easily equaled my 425 I previously used....

Also... like JDFANTIC recommended... get the 62c deck as well. Good luck!

Keep us posted...

 

[jeb758]

I really appreciate everyones input. I think I made my mind up but it will depend on the value of my scag this spring.

I really wanted this tractor and it was a 3 toss between a plow for my 01 F250SD, a quad w/a plow(I have a 2 1/2 year old son, kind of selfish for now!!) or the 2305 and sell off the other yard tools.

You guys s#%$(my wifes input), only joking, everyone replied honestly and that is what I wanted.

J. B.