Looking at a 2006 2305

[nepa]

A local dealer has a 2006 2305 with 1100 hrs, 200CX loader, and 54C mower. He is asking $7900. A few questions for you guys with experience: Is the loader easy to take on and off? Is the mower easy to take on/off? Is the 54C a drive on mower for the 2305? Is the price reasonable? Thanks.

 

[grainger12002]

dosent sound too bad, that green stuff seems to always fetcha bit of premiuim here in the northeast, not sure why, but....does

 

[yelbike]

Yes the loader is very easy to remove. Once you've done it once or twice you'll be able to remove or install in five minutes or less as they claim.

Before you buy it, research the broken transmission case issue with these tractors. The problem was worse with some of the earlier version. Just remember after your research, john Deere sold a ton of these jd 2305. Only a few people had the transmission failure. But better know now than later. Good luck.

 

[johnwilldo]

A local dealer has a 2006 2305 with 1100 hrs, 200CX loader, and 54C mower. He is asking $7900. A few questions for you guys with experience: Is the loader easy to take on and off? Is the mower easy to take on/off? Is the 54C a drive on mower for the 2305? Is the price reasonable? Thanks.

I have a 2010 2305 now with almost 800 hours on it. The 200CX is super easy to change out as long as you are on level ground. I can change mine out quickly, but you have to remember to unload the pressure from the lines before connecting and disconnecting the hydraulic lines. The 2305 is fairly light and you must remember to keep the load low to avoid tipping. You also need the ballast box and I highly recommend the I Match system. My mower is not a drive on style and it takes me about 10 minutes to mount or unmount it. When mounted, it is almost like having a zero turn mower and the four wheel drive lets you climb very steep inclines as long as the grass or ground is not wet. When the grass is wet on a steep slope, the 2305 becomes and exciting sled! Establish a practice of engaging the high/low selector BEFORE releasing the brake on hilly ground or you may be in for an exciting roller coaster ride on steep slopes.

Overall, the 2305 is like having a lawn tractor on steroids! It is a tough little bugger that is perfect for a small farm or estate. Also, the FEL works well with snow removal, but rear chains are a dramatic improvement in performance.

 

[bigtiller]

I bought a new one in 2006 and sold it in 2012. I mowed 4 acres, tilled over 200 gardens, a dozen or so hours moldboard plowing and snow blowing about 500' of driveway. The only problem I had was when I came to a sudden stop while blowing snow. The fan got into the radiator a little bit but it was covered under warranty.

Look for fan damage on the radiator.

 

[yelbike]

I bought a new one in 2006 and sold it in 2012. I mowed 4 acres, tilled over 200 gardens, a dozen or so hours moldboard plowing and snow blowing about 500' of driveway. The only problem I had was when I came to a sudden stop while blowing snow. The fan got into the radiator a little bit but it was covered under warranty.

Look for fan damage on the radiator.

Also the plastic fan on the front of the transmission is prone to damage. Cheap parts to repair but I believe the labour is high.

 

[bigtiller]

Also the plastic fan on the front of the transmission is prone to damage. Cheap parts to repair but I believe the labour is high.

I worried about that when I was tilling sweet corn in the late fall but mine hailed together just fine. Other than that, I always made an extra effort to avoid things that could get to it and damage it. But that was more luck than skill.

 

[Green Power]

If you do get one you need at least 600 lbs of weight i the back if doing any serious loader work. My honest opinion is these are just toys and cant do much. That is why we are selling ours.

 

[yelbike]

If you do get one you need at least 600 lbs of weight i the back if doing any serious loader work. My honest opinion is these are just toys and cant do much. That is why we are selling ours.

Yes they are toys, that's why I bought mine. Great machines, but they don't replace a 50hp tractor, a 2305 has its place and serves it well.

 

[yelbike]

If you do get one you need at least 600 lbs of weight i the back if doing any serious loader work. My honest opinion is these are just toys and cant do much. That is why we are selling ours.

There's a guy on eBay that sells guards for the fan, or you could make your own. Or just continue "being careful". I think/assume the fan is just a secondary methods of cooling the transmission so if it gets damaged, which alot likely are, its not detrimental to the machine.

I hate assuming! My fan was still intact last time I checked.

 

[johnwilldo]

I find my 2305 more than just a toy after more than 700 hours of plowing snow with the FEL, removing lots and lots of brush, mowing six acres of pasture and five acres of lawn, grooming the outdoor and indoor arenas, raking rocks from the pastures, grooming woods trails, pushing over dead trees, Pulling out fence posts, towing vehicles stuck in snow including a truck and horse trailer loaded with three horses on a snowy hill. It is a perfect fit for my small 23 acre farm.

 

[buckshot721]

Most people that call them toys bought them then expected them to do the work of a 50hp tractor.

 

[yelbike]

Most people that call them toys bought them then expected them to do the work of a 50hp tractor.

To elaborate on my previous comment. My neighbor two doors down has several larger farming tractors with loaders, one in particular has an extendable boom. When he needed a mower for his yard at the house, he opted not to buy a loader for that tractor. He told me he regrets that decision. His farm loaders are too heavy for the lawn. To do again, he'd of bought a loader for his "toy" tractor. Again, these toy tractors have there place and do it well. Don't expect a 50hp tractor from a 23hp tractor.

 

[snohobigdad]

Had mine some 2007. Loved it then and still do. Does the work and doesn't eat you up.