2305 I am almost ready...Help push me ovveerrr the edge

[T185]

Well after almost a year of lurking I am ready to pull the trigger on a new JD 2305. My question is….If you had to do it over again what would you change about how you ordered your tractor? What extra accessory or creature comfort that you have added after the fact that and made you ask yourself “Why didn’t I get that to begin with”

The specs on what I have come up with so far…
1. JD 2305
2. R4 Tires
3. 200CX Loader
4. 54” mower deck (thinking about changing to the 62C)
4. Weight box
5. Hood guard
6. Rear filled tires

I will be using the tractor to finish mow about 1 ½ acres, plow 250’ driveway, general landscape duties and haul firewood to my outdoor wood furnace (about 8 cords a year)
Oh…and the laundry list of chores I’m sure my wife will come up with…

The dealers in my area all are within a couple of hundred bucks of each other, $13,500 as listed above…

 

[jcmseven]

I have had a 54C deck on an X 485 I had and a 62C on a X 595 I had. The 62 C is a little faster, but not a lot. This is the one area where there might be some difference of opinion between posters. I would say for 1.5 acres, you would be fine going with the smaller deck. It has its advantages. I thought my 485 cut slightly better with the smaller deck. If I wanted to leave the deck on sometime while doing other things that involved manuvering into tight spots, etc., it was actually quite a bit more compact for this purpose. I would stick with your specs. The only other thing I could think of would be spec'ing out a 3320 with a 300cx, 60" box blade and a six foot Frontier RFM for comparision. Now that would be a good machine also for your tasks, but then I am good at spending others' money, too.

John M

 

[gary_dsc]

If you'll be working in the dark, you might want to add the optional lighting kits. That has been a useful option to have for me. I also got the 54" front blade for snow plowing. I used the loader for snow removal on my previous tractor, but the blade is a lot faster unless you get a whole lot at once in which case the loader comes in handy to help you get rid of the snow. The 62C deck seems to help when mowing around trees and bushes. It puts some space between the obstacle and the tractor.

You won't be unhappy with the 2305. It's a great tractor. Having had mine for about two months, I have used it for mowing (both lawn and waterways which had higher grass), moving logs and firewood, breaking up a concrete pad and sidewalk, etc. The power of this little guy is unreal and it still gets into the tight places where a larger tractor would have a problem.

 

[Ziggy2305]

I debated between a 54 and a 62 inch mower for my two acres. I was advised by my dealer to consider the inside turn uncut circle that the mower leaves. Due to the fact that I have a number of trees to mow around I went for the 62 and have been very happy. I feel that I gained a lot more speed by being able to circle a planting once only rather than the multi-point turn system. The cut quality is great and airflw under the deck is strong, making it very difficult to clog up. Good luck!!

 

[JDFANATIC]

T185,

Go with the 62C and don't look back. It gives a better overlap over the wheelbase, which allows it to edge much better than the 54 (just think of the tractor having to drive on your mulch beds etc to mow up to the edge); as Ziggy mentioned, it reduces the uncut circle of the tractor to 36", and it effectively pushes the ROPS (IMHO the biggest hindrance to maneuverability) further away from your trees etc.

As for the FEL bucket, most owners feel the 53" bucket is the best match for the 2305.

 

[T185]

Thanks for all the suggestions...I think I'll change the mower deck to the 62C and look into the light kit.

How about the price? Fair...or do you think I can knock off a couple of hundred bucks when I meet again later today to do the deal?

 

[cast_and_blast]

I agree with the 62C suggestion over the 54C - it cuts great! I doubt you'll be going down in price (probably up) after changing to the 62C and adding a light kit. I think you're already getting a very fair deal at $13,500.

If you're mowing around trees or other obstacles you might think about the ROPS light guards. That, and move the ROPS lights to the inside of the ROPS - to do this they need to switch sides but that is easy as their wires are bullet plug-in style and are located under the back fender.

Good Luck!

Scott

 

[Nuru]

Yep, larger mower deck, less time spent mowing usually. - depending on the obstacle course

 

[kljunior]

ditto, get the 62c, it's a nice deck and produces a nice cut. Also, the R4 tires are fine on the lawn, good choice decision to have them filled also, but don't fill them with calcium. Use beet molases or ethelyne glycol antifreeze tubless. The antifreeze can be used, just check it for strength. Also, get the quickhitch and adapter thrown in, maybe you will have to kick in a little, but the 54 blade and quickhitch is all you will nedd 95% of the time. The other 5% you can do with the loader. Oh, get the rubber edge for the blade, it does a nice job and is easy on the driveway and lawn when you have to push the banks back..........and it will push 'em back.

 

[T185]

No longer on the edge..
The dealer changed the 54C deck for the 62C with no change in price. We talked about the imatch hitch and he did not feel that it was worth the additional cost..His last comment about the hitch "I try to talk my OLDER customers into the system" Hope you old guys don't take offense!! I asked about the Independent mower lift vs the mechanical mower lift and I ended up with the mechanical lift. To top it all off he gave me top dollar for my JD 420 and 47" snow blower, almost as much as what they are selling for on evil bay....Overall I am very pleased, can't wait till delivery day..May 1st!