General FEL questions

billbill1 · Feb 28, 2006

I think you can save quite a bit of money buying the FEL with the tractor, it would also be a selling point if you ever got rid of the tractor. You will use the FEL more that you can possibly imagine, I couldn't live without mine, I use it constantly.

JDFANATIC · Feb 28, 2006

wx,

Nope:

Oops, forgot to tell my tractor that!

wxboy · Feb 28, 2006

Thanks JD, I figured the dealer was out to lunch especially since it was the same guy that told me that the 200X loader is a quick attach/detach like the 200CX.

orlo · Mar 2, 2006

You certainly can use the FEL with the 62" MMM. The 2305 comes with 3 bucket sizes. I think a 48, a 53, and a 61" If you notice the 53, and 61 are 1" narrower than the decks. Outside dimension of the 53 is more like 55". The dealer might be referring to the fact that if you get a 53" bucket and are 'driving into' material (I have) that the deck is wider than the bucket and will scrape material. This is only a problem if you intend to drive way into a pile or dirt or something (I've had this happen).

If you think you'll do this then get the 61" bucket (optional) and you'll be wider than the deck (Except maybe the plastic grass exit guard).

I have a 2305 with a 53" bucket and a 62" MMM. There is nothing functional that prevents them from working together. If I'm doing just a little moving or something with the FEL I won't bother to take the deck off. If I was doing Serious FEL work I'd pulll the deck off more so to prevent banging it up due to ground clearance than side clearance.

Also, Just my opinion but you won't be disappointed with the 2305 to mow an acre. Seems like waaay overkill!.(So would an X485) I mow 5 acres and used to do it with a ($2300) 25hp Craftsman GT5000 and a swisher 60" side pull (Sometimes just the GT if I was bagging). I think you'll finish in about 15-20 minutes unless you have lot's of obstacles.

I mow at 2900 full bore high range (Just about 9mph), with a 62" deck that's 5.57 acres an hour productivity. It's a mowing machine. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

ddivinia · Mar 2, 2006

I have to say that a FEL is one of the handiest thing about a tractor. I suspect you will find more things to do with it that you first think. I have never had to do snow removal, but it sounds like there are some cheaper options than a FEL.

D.

hpc · Mar 2, 2006

Buying a FEL won't be overkill, let alone a 2305.

I only have 2 acres to cut and bought a 4115 with FEL, tiller, MMM.
Used the FEL to do snow removal from a 70' (+ or -) driveway;
by the mailbox so the postman (or lady) has a clean entry/exit way
to the mailbox; and the entrance to the sub - it's usually a few hours before
the sub's contractor shows up to do snow removal.

Used the tiller to reclaim some land outback.

Am now trading up to a 3520 with FEL/MMM/655 tiller - now this
is overkill, BUT nothing beats a couple hours of seat time on a tractor -
well, one time comes to mind but I'll refrain from comment.

When I bought the 4115, I thought massive overkill! Looked at
the 430 and like diesel-powered lawn/garden tractors, but the price
differential between them and the 4115 was only $1-2K. Didn't
take a rocket scientist to look and see which one could do the most
work and last the longest - NO OFFENSE to 430 owners, etc.

Though, the ONE drawback to having a 2305 on one acre is
what I felt when I took the 4115 out onto 2 acres - you feel kinda
ridiculous sitting atop this "big" tractor on such a small lot, relatively
speaking. BUT you'll get over this quickly after 5-10 minutes of
puttering about.

This is one great forum (tractorbynet.com) - great info, great people!

Good Luck and Enjoy!

Lon

wxboy · Mar 3, 2006

I do agree that a 2305 is overkill for my property but I'm ok with that. I think big. My dad has a 4115 for the same size lot and he only uses it to plow the driveway and move dirt once per year so I know I will get more use out of my tractor. He was 33 hours on it and he's had it for 40 months.

I will feel funny driving it with the FEL on it in the front yard but others driving by will just be jealous.

Thanks for making me feel better about this.

My current problem is that the dealer just told me my price is going up by around $500 because Deere raised their prices to dealers on March 1st. I'm pissed. I was ready to buy and he threw me this curve ball.

Anyone know if this is true?