Grading 2305 for grading?

VTtractorguy · Jul 29, 2006

Hi folks. I have narrowed my tractor search to two machines: JD 2305 or the 2320. Drove them both today. Also drove a Kubota 7610 – also a nice machine. The 2320 was by far the smoothest, most comfortable and quietist. Loved it. But it is a bit out of the price range. My dilemma is this:

We need to grade a long hardpack driveway – about 2000 feet. It is a gentle rise all the way up to the house. My guess is I’ll do this once or twice a year. In talking with numerous dealers, some say the 2305 is a bit light for this task, that it could overheat the hydraulics and overall be hard on the tractor. They are suggesting I step up to the 2320. I’d love to but with a daughter off to college this fall and having just got done building this house (way over budget) I’d rather save the money and get the 2305. My thought is that some of them are trying to up-sell me to make a few extra bucks. I hate to be cynical, but everything I’ve read on the 2305 is that it is a workhorse. What are your thoughts? Is grading this driveway a piece of cake for this JD?

I also think the cut quality for the lawn around the house will be a bit better with the 2305. We have hilly terrain (about 2 acres) with several high and low areas. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks everyone.

Stewart

orlo · Jul 29, 2006

Hi:

I've heard it said that you can do anything with a little tractor (just about) as a big tractor only slower. I would agree with this.

I have a 2305 and have pulled a 72" grader blade widening a dirt road to the back of my property and it never lacked for power. I also used it digging into the side of a hill to enlarge the same road. Again no lack of power.

As for mowing you'll love it.

Also, comparing the 2320 to the 2305 the 2305 should pull more... (Why you ask?) Look at the manuals. Same engine in them but the 2320 goes faster in low meaning higher effective gearing - less force to pull you. I suspect the tranny is exactly the same and the bigger wheels make it go faster - again meaning less pulling force available. The weight difference is a couple hundred pounds. The 2320 does have heavier axles but that's not going to matter pulling a grader. Also the pump's in the 2320 and 2305 look virtually the same specwise.

My advice, get a 5' grader blade and go slow.

VTtractorguy · Jul 30, 2006

Orlo. Thanks very much for your detailed response. What you say makes total sense. Again, I hate to sound cynical, but I think those couple of sales guys I spoke to were trying to up sell me. That’s OK. It’s their business. But mine to be educated. Thanks again.

BTW… would you use suggest using a rake or a box blade for this task?

Stew

orlo · Jul 30, 2006

I don't have a box blade so I'm certainly not an expert. I have a 5' rake and a 6' blade (Grader, not box blade) . I've found that the rake does a pretty good if the stuff is pretty soft. The blade I've used does a good job also but I've never done anything like 1000'.

The short 'dirt' road I've graded out back is only a 40' downhill section and I'm not too picky (Just level enough not to tip over.

I have used the landscape rake a bit on my maybe 100' dirt driveway and it does a half decent job.

I'm sure you'll get a bunch of replies from Box Blade experts.

SI2305 · Jul 30, 2006

Hello VTtractorguy,

Your situation sounds a bit like mine. I bought my 2305 about a year after moving into our new house. I was tempted to buy a larger machine, but the budget said "NO!". The 2305 handles every task just fine.

I don't think you will have any power issues with the 2305. I have had mine for almost a year now and every time I get on it I am still amazed by its shear ability to get things done. I don't know what the condition of your driveway is like, but if you drop the tractor into the low range I don't think you will have any problems pulling any equipment behind it. I have recently picked up a 5 foot grader blade for general driveway maintanance (500', very slight grade) and snow removal and it handles it with ease. You may prefer a box blade (I don't have one and there are several discussions about them) and my guess is you will probably grade your driveway more often than you currently think--if for nothing else, just for fun!

Good luck on your purchase.
SI 2305

JD 2305
200cx
LX4
5' Grader Blade

GordNovo · Jul 30, 2006

I used my 2305 and 5ft box blade to grade my neighbour's 350' driveway today in fact!

If you have a choice, I'd say get the box blade for grading purposes, you won't regret it! I set the scarifiers at 3-4" below the grading blade and gradually sunk them with every successive pass. By the end, the gravel was soft and supple, just like the day it was laid 16 years ago!!! You definitely can't do that with a blade! The trickiest part with today's driveway job is not getting stuck in the soft gravel toward the end of the job.

No matter what job I throw at it, the 2305 is definitely up to the task. When she's working hard, I put her in low and just go... slow! I've had my machine for almost a year now and I've got over 180 hrs on her, of which only 30 is grass cutting, the rest is digging, pulling, pushing, lifting and grading everything in sight on our 10 acre ranch! I'd estimate I've moved approx 450 yrds of material in the last two summers alone!

The only thing that would've benefited us with a 2320 is the little extra ground clearance. That and the folding ROPS are the only real differences. Ask yourself if it's worth the extra $$.

I know I'd still go with the 2305 even if the 2320 was available when I bought.

VTtractorguy · Jul 30, 2006

Thanks all for your responses. Very helpful. I’m still vacillating between the 2305 and the 2320. BTW, I said the 2320 was by far the smoothest. I really meant when comparing it to the Kubota 7610. Although I liked the 7610, it was noticeably nosier and a bit rougher feeling than either of the JDs. The two JDs are pretty similar in feel and sound level and I like the pedal arrangement much better (just my personal opinion – I’m sure the Kubota guys love-em.)

So now that I know the 2305 is up to all the tasks described above, I’m really focusing on the ground clearance difference (about 5+ inches). That could be what tips it to the 2320 as my land has some real rough areas. Decisions, decisions…

Thanks

johndeere_2320 · Jul 31, 2006

I just got into a 2320 from owning a 2210 for nearly 4-years. There is no question, the 2210/2305 comes with attitude and will literally handle whatever you toss it's way, but you can't overcome something assuming they are important to your needs, i.e., ground clearance (I really like the added height) and for me, I have a dump trailer and the 2210/200CX loader could just clear the side and now I have some room to spare. Point is, if you think there will be some limitations, then it's much cheaper today to jump up a model as opposed to buying too small today and trading in a year