JD 2320 3 Point hitch questions from a rookie

[Northern MN]

I am now the owner of a 2008 JD 2320. 1 owner with 98 hours. came with a CX200 loader and 5' blade. I will use it for driveway maintenance, hauling firewood, making trails with the use of my brother in Laws 4' bush hog. I will probably leave the loader on all the time.

Question #1- Quick Hitch or not? If yes is the Harbor Freight $100 one ok for my use?

Question#2- Ballast for loader. Ballast Box? Fluid in tires(not sure I want to do this)? Suitcase weights(looks nice but appears expensive)? Just keep the rear blade on?

I will probably look on Craigslist to save some $

Any other pertinent info I need to know about 2320's ?

 

[vsteel]

I have a set of pats on order so I will let you know how those go. I always see mixed reviews on the quick hitches.

You want the weight in back more so it balances across the rear wheels and unloads the front axle. I use my tiller as my rear ballast, though it weighs about 500lbs so I have some pretty good weight out there. How heavy is your blade? If it isn't that heavy I would see about just putting some weights on the blade or just finding some old junky heavy item you can put on the 3pt and use it as a ballast. You could also look for a used carry all or rear pallet forks and then loading up the back with something heavy.

The biggest thing you need to know is that the manual doesn't show greasing the drive line. Behind the engine is a U joint that needs grease but it only shows up in the later manual revisions. search 2320 on here and U joint and you will find many threads on where it is and how to grease it.

 

[beenthere]

:welcome: to TBN

Regards the quick hitch, depends on how often you unhook and hook up attachments on your 3 ph. Have not heard of anyone who owns one that would give it up for something less.

I have the QH and wouldn't want to be without it, but then I switch often between ballast box (always on whenever FEL is on, and not other attachment on 3 ph), chipper, carry-all, blade, rotary cutter (brush hog), and rototiller.

Fluid in rear tires works well and windshield washer fluid is reasonably inexpensive.

Lots of info here on TBN for the 2320 and will make for good reading. Congrats on your new purchase. You will have fun..

 

[Wagtail]

G'day Mate and welcome to TBN from Downunder.

What beenthere has said. You will not regret investing in a quichhitch. I have the JD iMatch + bushings for all of my 3PH implements. I also have a JD ballast box (filled with bricks) which is constantly used when not using an implement. For front ballast, the bucket is sufficient.

Enjoy the site.

 

[Deere Dude]

I am now the owner of a 2008 JD 2320. 1 owner with 98 hours. came with a CX200 loader and 5' blade. I will use it for driveway maintenance, hauling firewood, making trails with the use of my brother in Laws 4' bush hog. I will probably leave the loader on all the time.

Question #1- Quick Hitch or not? If yes is the Harbor Freight $100 one ok for my use?

Question#2- Ballast for loader. Ballast Box? Fluid in tires(not sure I want to do this)? Suitcase weights(looks nice but appears expensive)? Just keep the rear blade on?

I will probably look on Craigslist to save some $

Any other pertinent info I need to know about 2320's ?

Quick hitch seems a good idea, but modifications may need to be done to 3 pt equipment to make it fit.

Yes to ballast for loader work. Fluid is easy and really stabilizes the tractor when using the FEL. Check out Rimgard for fluid in tires. It weighs as much as Calcium Chloride but isn't corrosive.

When loader work is required, any weight will work but in tighter quarters the Ballast Box is best. If an open lawn, then a blade or tiller or anything else like that will work.

 

[Wvanatti]

I am now the owner of a 2008 JD 2320. 1 owner with 98 hours. came with a CX200 loader and 5' blade. I will use it for driveway maintenance, hauling firewood, making trails with the use of my brother in Laws 4' bush hog. I will probably leave the loader on all the time. Question #1- Quick Hitch or not? If yes is the Harbor Freight $100 one ok for my use? Question#2- Ballast for loader. Ballast Box? Fluid in tires(not sure I want to do this)? Suitcase weights(looks nice but appears expensive)? Just keep the rear blade on? I will probably look on Craigslist to save some $ Any other pertinent info I need to know about 2320's ?

I purchased the HF and love it. Had to make adjustments to the implement size. I don't have weights or fluid in my tires as I don't want the weight when mowing. I do have to be careful when turning with a full load in the bucket. Low to the ground is the key after picking up anything an moving. Good luck.

 

[kennyd]

I am now the owner of a 2008 JD 2320. 1 owner with 98 hours. came with a CX200 loader and 5' blade. I will use it for driveway maintenance, hauling firewood, making trails with the use of my brother in Laws 4' bush hog. I will probably leave the loader on all the time.

Question #1- Quick Hitch or not? If yes is the Harbor Freight $100 one ok for my use?

Question#2- Ballast for loader. Ballast Box? Fluid in tires(not sure I want to do this)? Suitcase weights(looks nice but appears expensive)? Just keep the rear blade on?

I will probably look on Craigslist to save some $

Any other pertinent info I need to know about 2320's ?

1) Yes, absolutely!

2) Yes to ballast box, loaded tires are NOT enough for operation. The loader's manual will explian it.

3) Inspect the driveshaft ASAP, there is an update to the owners manual that even most dealers don't know about, and they fail frmm lack of regular greasing. I've added the update in this thread, there are a few more if you search: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...319760-jd-2320-drive-shaft-repalcement-2.html

 

[Dave Pee]

FYI: my dealer gave me the weights of the i Match and the ballast box.

BW15073 144 LBS box
LVB25976 70.0 LBS quick hitch

 

[Northern MN]

I ended up getting the quick Hitch from Harbor Freight for under $100(works fine) and purchased a 54" Box Blade that works great for ballast as long as I keep a close eye on it in tight spaces. Also took apart the area below the steering wheel and greased the hidden grease fitting on the 2320 .

 

[RyeThomas]

I also went with the HF quick hitch.

I use my tractor to mow my yard so no fluid filled tires. I used a rake/rotary cutter for ballast then performed a scary 3 wheeled teeter on a steep hill. Went out and purchased a ballot box, it's just heavy and the weight is where you need it in a low profile package. I am amazed what a difference the ballast box made.

Everything else seems like it's covered by others, good luck with the machine.