Buying Advice JD CUTs

[MyThreeSonsMowing]

Heard from my dealer yesterday that JD is phasing out the 2305. Just blew mine up last week moving snow with perforated radiator; on the backside of all places! Had only 111.0 hrs, too.
Current attachments are: 54" 200CX FEL, 54" Quick-Hitch snow blade and 72" backblade.
Uses are landscape work light to medium duty, snow removal, grading work and some excavation. Is my best option to step up to the 2320 ot the 2520?
thanks!!

 

[kennyd]

Welcome to TBN

He is correct. The 2305 is being replaced by the 1026R and 1023E-plenty of threads if you search those model numbers.

Moving up to the 2320, 2520 or even the 2720 would be a good choice for you since the attachments you have will fit those models (you will need some different mounts though)

 

[MyThreeSonsMowing]

Thanks for the reply.
Any issues I should be on the lookout for with the 2320 or the 2520? Have had issues on the 2305 with the tranny cooling fan and debris and knocked the filter crooked since it sits under everything.
Also, specs I saw for the 1000 series shows it sits 2 - 3 inches lower than the 2305. Isn't that asking for trouble?

 

[kennyd]

The 2305 is the only model with the cooling "fan", all others have real oil coolers up where the radiator is-not troubles with those at all.

I would tend to agree that less ground clearance is not good!


I am curious though, is your 2305 not covered under any warranty? Any clue what the hole in the rad was from?

 

[MyThreeSonsMowing]

Oh, tis a long and weary story ...
the upshot is, did not hit anything, they can't find anything that broke, so the only "explanation" is that a snow-dam formed on the front side of the rad, water vapor was pulled through and formed ice on the fan blades which then broke off and were strong enough to puncture the rad core in three locations. The resuting "catasrophic coolant loss" resulted in an overheated and motor, totally cooking one glow plug, partially cooking a second and warping the head gasket. So, since the rad was trashed as the result of FOD, not a warranty item. How convenient - an 11,000 repair on a 9500 tractor - OW!

 

[beenthere]

Sorry to hear that.

And...you didn't notice anything happening while all this was going on? Or was someone else operating the tractor?

 

[MyThreeSonsMowing]

Was 4AM, 10 below and blowing snow. Holes were about the size of pencil. They think that the sensor never lit off since it measures the temp of the coolant - no coolant, nothing to sense as too hot. Still think should be a warranty item, but I'll let my insurance company and JD duke it out. I just need a new tractor

 

[Carl Bert]

Oh, tis a long and weary story ...
the upshot is, did not hit anything, they can't find anything that broke, so the only "explanation" is that a snow-dam formed on the front side of the rad, water vapor was pulled through and formed ice on the fan blades which then broke off and were strong enough to puncture the rad core in three locations. The resuting "catasrophic coolant loss" resulted in an overheated and motor, totally cooking one glow plug, partially cooking a second and warping the head gasket. So, since the rad was trashed as the result of FOD, not a warranty item. How convenient - an 11,000 repair on a 9500 tractor - OW!

That doesn't seem fair. You would think they would at least offer you something. Even if its a super deal on a new tractor. Something. Did you look into your homeowners insurance? A guy I know just had an incident with his tractor going up in flames. His homeowners insurance paid him replacement value, which was much more then his tractor was worth. You should check into it.
When I bought my Kubota I purchased Kubota insurance, which costs about $20 a month. It covers absolutely anything, my fault or not, even if something happens in tranportation. Not sure if JD offers it or not. Anyway check your homeowners. Good luck.

 

[Gods Country]

Sounds like a magic bullet theory to me.

 

[logdog]

Sounds like a magic bullet theory to me.

:thumbsup:

 

[oldnslo]

Oh, tis a long and weary story ...
the upshot is, did not hit anything, they can't find anything that broke, so the only "explanation" is that a snow-dam formed on the front side of the rad, water vapor was pulled through and formed ice on the fan blades which then broke off and were strong enough to puncture the rad core in three locations. The resuting "catasrophic coolant loss" resulted in an overheated and motor, totally cooking one glow plug, partially cooking a second and warping the head gasket. So, since the rad was trashed as the result of FOD, not a warranty item. How convenient - an 11,000 repair on a 9500 tractor - OW!

Dumb question but.... how did the water get through the radiator and on the fan blades and freeze? If the tractor was running the fan would have flung the water off. If stopped the water would have had to build up high enough to cover the fan which means the fan would be froze in place and not turn at all.

Am I missing some thing on how JD built this model? Is the radiator mounted horizontal with the fan below it?

Inquiring mind would like to know.

Roy

 

[beenthere]

No. Fan is behind the vertical radiator in conventional manner.

 

[Cidertom]

In super cold conditions water can freeze on moving blades fairly easy. Many pilots have found this out the hard way... Sometimes the blades flex just enough to cause shards to fly off.

I blew up a dodge caravan engine the same way catastrophic loss of coolant. The lower radiator hose broke and all the coolant left. Like the OPs tractor the temp sensor is in the water path.

 

[Gizmo2]

I find it hard to believe there was no indication to the operator of bad things happening (could be wrong). At the very least the smell of antifreeze on a warm motor.

 

[MyThreeSonsMowing]

Thanks to all for the sympathy and the responses.
1. Have business insurance. The check, as they say, is in the mail.
2. They tell me that the pressure blew out all the coolant in a matter of moments.
3. The wind speed (a brisk 40 MPH) was blowing stuff everywhere so did not necessarily pick up any odors - nose frozen (job hazard).
4. When JD service showed up at the job site - no snow dam, no ice, no nothing. It was just the best expl. they could come up with at the time. This was after "Hmmm, ain't never seen that before".
That last comment always frightens me - lots of zeros after the first number if you hear that line.
So, back to the original question - JD 2320 or 2350? Especially since I still have the attachments for the above mentioned upgrades.
BTW, did salvage the tractor - so now I have parts for anyone needing parts for the 2305 (except motor and radiator).

 

[beenthere]

I'd go for the 2350, between the two choices. Great that you are covered with the insurance and can do that.

How do you retrieve the old tractor? Buy it back as salvage?

 

[MyThreeSonsMowing]

Bought the 2305 back as salvage. So, now I have a very large, green, door stop. Again, if parts for 2305 needed, or looking for a winter project, it is available for sale. Has 111.0 hours and Rim-Guard ballast in rear tires.

 

[architect]

the 2320 and 2520 have $1000 cash back if you purchase with two implements. 2720 is only $200, but you may not need the implements.

 

[MyThreeSonsMowing]

Will be meeting with my JD rep Friday. Looks like it might be the 2520 if the numbers work. All my current implements work on the 2320 and the 2520, so good there; none of them would work on this new 1000 series they are trotting out. JD just rolled out the free money again (0% interest 60 mos.) on the 2000, 3000 and 4000 series. So, shall see what happens. Just trying to avoid spending a truck-load of money again on my tractor purchase that will last me another 10 years - not ten months.

 

[ctlguy]

I heard a rumor that there is an issue w/ the 1000 series tractors and that there are some additional programs for the 2000 20 series possibly coming to get them in a closer price range to the 1000's. Don't know for sure, that's the nice thing about rumors !! Anyway you might ask your dealer about that.