Looks Like I Am Going Green

[DJFaninTN]

We've been looking at the John Deere 2305 and the Kubota 2350. Both would have FEL and MMM. After going out and testing them today it appears that we are leaning towards the 2305.

Both mowers are really close in comparison but the Deere had a better fit and finish. The seat felt a little better on the Deere as well. I guess the kicker is there is a JD dealer less than three miles from the house. Kubota is a good 45 minutes away. I am giving the local JD dealer until monday to match or beat the best price I've found. Right now they aren't even close.

 

[wolc123]

When I compared larger models a few years ago, the best the orange dealer, 5 mi away could do on a GL 4330 was $400 more than the green 4120 at a dealer 50 mi away. I went for the green one which also outspeced the orange one in most areas and thanks to the JD quality, have not needed to make a single long trip back to the dealer (I mail ordered a few oil filters and have had no trouble with the machine in nearly 3 years of hard use). If you buy a quality product, distance to the dealer is not such a big deal. Since that time, a local lawn and garden outfit has started carrying the JD CUT's so it looks like I will be able to save some postage on oil filters next time. I am glad now that I went with a big CUT rather than a small utility as the local guy doesn't carry parts for those. If you can not get your local green guy to match the price of an equivalent orange model, do not be afraid to drive a little farther. You will probably not need service, and can still get your parts from the local guy.

 

[Bill Barrett]

LOL, I thought you were going off the grid!

 

[AKfish]

DJ -- what uses do you see for the tractor -- now and sometime down the road?

What's your hacienda like? Flat, easy country? Or hilly with trees and brush? (Never been to TN -- but sure would like to go someday!)

If you do a search on these forums for the particular tractor that you're lookin' at; you'll get lot's of ideas about the pros and cons of each. Spend some time on the Kubota forum and see what those folk's have to say about the 2350.

I seem to recall concerns bein' raised on the JD site about the 2305 and the location of the hydraulic filter and the low ground clearance. There might be a few other things to review as well; 3pt capabilities (no draft control, etc.) transmission options, 2 range hydro vs 3 range, etc.

Plunkin' down $15-$20K is serious money... So, spending 3-4 months to sort things out before you jump in is a real good investment of your time, IMO.

Besides, it ain't full-blown Spring yet, is it? You got a couple of months before the grass will be takin' over the flower garden...

Best of luck in your decision. And welcome to TBN and congrats on joinin' the rest of us tractor junkies!!

AKfish

 

[Nuru]

DJ -- what uses do you see for the tractor -- now and sometime down the road?

What's your hacienda like? Flat, easy country? Or hilly with trees and brush? (Never been to TN -- but sure would like to go someday!)

If you do a search on these forums for the particular tractor that you're lookin' at; you'll get lot's of ideas about the pros and cons of each. Spend some time on the Kubota forum and see what those folk's have to say about the 2350.

I seem to recall concerns bein' raised on the JD site about the 2305 and the location of the hydraulic filter and the low ground clearance. There might be a few other things to review as well; 3pt capabilities (no draft control, etc.) transmission options, 2 range hydro vs 3 range, etc.

Plunkin' down $15-$20K is serious money... So, spending 3-4 months to sort things out before you jump in is a real good investment of your time, IMO.

Besides, it ain't full-blown Spring yet, is it? You got a couple of months before the grass will be takin' over the flower garden...

Best of luck in your decision. And welcome to TBN and congrats on joinin' the rest of us tractor junkies!!

AKfish

good advice and definitely get a bunch of offers.