Price Check Considering pulling the trigger on a used 2008 JD 2305

Riner Hunter · Apr 5, 2013

I am in a market for a used 4x4 SCUT (given that I sold my Kubota 3130 due to relocating

). Looking at a 2008 JD 2305 4x4 w/ nice 200cx FEL. 336 hrs on it. No mmm. Has removable skid plate to protect hydro filter / fan. R4 tires are 80% w/ fluid in the rear tires. Clean machine and kept out of the elements. Does not look hurt. I need to do some light brush cutting on approx 5 acres (varied terrain nothing to steep <15 degrees & has been cut before) Entire property is 25 acres. Cutting some road frontage & paths.

Wondering if $8,000 is a good price for a little unit like this. I am also swapping my 5' rotary cutter for his 4' rotary cutter to fit the 2305. I was also planning to use the unit for upkeep on the gravel road thru the property as well (4' blade). Given this is a small unit that I can transport on my current trailer, I will haul the unit to our house (3 miles away) for mulching & topsoil work & snow removal.

Any thoughts on this price? What to issues to look for on a used 2305? Or should I consider something else?

BigMike50 · Apr 5, 2013

I think that may be a coin toss. There was a big issue with them with pto and case failure that a lot of people were having. I think jd may have upgraded the case but most were out of warranty
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...g/183225-john-deere-2305-compact-tractor.html

yelbike · Apr 7, 2013

BigMike50 said:
I think that may be a coin toss. There was a big issue with them with pto and case failure that a lot of people were having. I think jd may have upgraded the case but most were out of warranty
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...g/183225-john-deere-2305-compact-tractor.html

The price seems pretty good. The problem about the cases is real, if you read about it you find treads on the subject. Keep in mind the 2305 was a very good selling tractor for deere. The did upgrade trhe case in late 07-early08 so yours would likely be the new case. I still had a failure on the new (upgraded) case. Just be careful and you will likely be just fine. Make absolutely sure that you have a shear pin or slip clutch (properly adjusted) on any rear mount implement. Good luck.

Riner Hunter · Apr 8, 2013

Thanks Yelbike & Big mike50:

Your comments are very useful about the PTO case issue. I was a little Leary on the overall size unit. However for my use this unit may do the jobs that I need. Plus I could use it at the house as well. Meaning I could use it more than just having it sitting at the "farm" land. Ideally I was looking for a 25-30 HP unit. I would like to take care of the 2305 & maybe move up in the future. Last weekend I looked at a NH TC35 & test drove it. Nice unit w/ 650 hrs 4x4 ,manual trans & FEL. Priced @ $14,500. Bigger unit but I would have difficulty transporting it if needed. That is what makes the 2305 nice: I can transport it as needed when required.

Yelbike: Have you had good luck / performance with your 2305? Any issue to watch for other than the rear PTO case?

yelbike · Apr 8, 2013

The 2305 is nicer than my 2320 in a few ways. Not to say my 2320 does not have it advantages.
The gearing in the high and low ranges are spot on. For some unexplained reason it does better with my 50" snowblower too. Great tractor.

Riner Hunter · Apr 8, 2013

Thanks Yelbike: After looking around the net, it looks like the $8000 price is decent for a 2305 w/ 336 hrs & FEL. Have you seem better prices in your neck of the woods on 2305's? I was hoping that w/ that price I would not loose too much value on the 2305 in case I move up to a bigger unit if needed.

yelbike · Apr 9, 2013

You are correct, there is not much not much money to be lost when buying a used Deere as long as you take good care of it. Our Canadian prices are typically higher for everything. Good luck and enjoy your new deere!