New 2305 is on the way!

BluRidgDav · Aug 13, 2005

My summer long tractor search has reached it's end.
I'd like to thank all the TBN'ers who helped me along the way.
Yesterday, I put a deposit down on a new 2305 and all the trimmings!
It should ship on 8/19/05, and I'll get it by the end of the month, maybe sooner?

For those of you wondering about the MSRP / Discount:

2305 w. R4's (DSCV's incld) $10,750 / $9,471
Freight $150 / $75
iMatch quick hitch $237 / $210
62C MMM $1,700 / $1,496
attaching parts $220 / $194
200CX loader w. 53" bucket $2,739 / $2,288
Ballast Box w. Ext. $279 / $232
iMatch Coupler $33 / $30
LX4 Rotary Cutter (chains F&R) $1,187 / $1,134
Driveline w. Slip Clutch $89 / $85
Laminated Tire $46 / $44
iMatch Coupler $33 / $30
18 Utility Cart $379 / $336
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Total: $17,846 / $15,625
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Frontier RB1060L rear blade $??? / $545
-----------------------------------------------

I'll save some of you the calculations:

Basic Tractor discount was about 12%.
My dealer said that the discount on his remaining 2210's is 14%.
But, the DSCV's ($536) are not included on the 2210,
so, the 2305 still comes out about $200 cheaper?
He was offering 18% discounts on his 4000Ten tractors.
But, you can "save" yourself right into the poorhouse sometimes!

Besides, I started this summer looking for a ZTR mower, then an X-series riding mower, and finally decided on a sub-CUT. Mostly I mow about 5 acres of grass and need to maintain a 500' gravel driveway. Now, I can expand into my other 5 acres of woods, and whatever else I can think up for the FEL & BHog?

The 62C MMM was discounted about 12%, the 200CX about 16%, and the LX4 only about 5%? The Dealer said they vary by the sub-contractors that make the implements. I didn't bargain as hard-nosed as I have on cars/trucks in the past. This was my first tractor purchase, and I wanted to keep it friendly, for hopefully better service down the road? He agreed to drop all the freight charges on the attachments, and reduced the tractor's freight by half, and we shook on that. The Cruise Control and Independent MMM hydraulic lift options aren't available yet. I told him that I'd buy the CC from him when it comes available, if he'd agree to waive the pick-up & drop-off charges, should the installation need to be done back at his shop. Again we made the agreement with a handshake.

Thanx again for all the info that I've harvested from TBN!
I'll try to contribute what I can, and I'm sure I'll have more questions after my 2305 arrives.

cruzr · Aug 13, 2005

Congrats on the new tractor. Sounds like you received a fair deal. Post some pics when you can. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

megotatractor · Aug 15, 2005

what are DSCV's???? Well, I was wondering who on TBN would be first to get the 2305. now we know.

rockyridgefarm · Aug 15, 2005

what are DSCV's???? 

Dual Selective Control Valve (AKA joystick!)

JDFANATIC · Aug 15, 2005

Congrats on the purchase! Please let us know all you can about this next generation of machine! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

rockyridgefarm · Aug 15, 2005

Sounds like fun! Great post, i am more is to follow...

 sub-contractors that make the implements 

No biggy, but every implement you mention is made by Deere themselves... Except the LX gearbox...

FingerLakes · Aug 16, 2005

Congratulations on your new 2305… I have a similar requirements profile and have been looking at the 2210, but with all the information that has been provided by all the TBN posters, I will be purchasing a 2305 in the near future.

Keep us “posted” on your new toy (I mean tool) and post your pics as available.

I am soooooo envious.

HuskerInVA · Aug 16, 2005

You must be getting Serial #: 000-00-0001

hobbyfarm · Aug 16, 2005

( ...every implement you mention is made by Deere themselves... Except the LX gearbox...)

So,
Who does Deere outsource the gearbox from?

rockyridgefarm · Aug 16, 2005

That I Don't know, but they clearly refer to it as Deere Designed gearbox in their marketing lit, while the MX is referred to as Deere built...

JiHaD · Aug 17, 2005

Where are you located??? The prices you received are exceptional and nothing in my area comes close. I know, regional pricing......

Thanks

JiHaD · Aug 17, 2005

This is the pricing I've received...the best so far.

John Deere 2305 Hydrostatic Compact Utility Tractor, R4 tires $10,000.00
John Deere 200CX front end loader, 53-inch bucket 2,435.00
John Deere 647 48-inch rotary tiller 1,716.00
John Deere 54C mower deck with independent lift 1,560.00

BluRidgDav · Aug 19, 2005

I've got a 2305 update for ya'll.

When I gave my down-payment to my dealer on Friday 8/12/05, he said that the 2305's were due to ship out of GA on 8/19/05. But, he also said that some of them already had tracking numbers in the computer, so they might arrive sooner. He e-mailed me Monday, 8/15/05, that my 2305 had arrived here in VA. I got a chance to stop by and see it briefly yesterday, and really crawled all over it and test drove it today, 8/18/05. Now he has three 2305's on his lot.

Here's my report.

It's about 90% the same as the 2210, with the following differences (working from top to bottom).

The higher back seat is the same as the X-series, but the suspension is exactly the same as the 2210 (as in; not really suspended at all). The early JD bulletin seemed to promise more, but it's not any different. My dealer has a suspension taken off of an X495, so I'm planning on using that.

Behind the seat, is a new bracket & hook for holding the top link of the 3 Pt. Hitch. It looks more substantial than the older set-up. The little bar that goes through the top link on the 2210 is gone (used for twisting?). Instead, there's a little welded loop. Maybe I'm supposed to stick a screwdriver though it for leverage?

The hood is sloped, but is still made of metal, like the 2210. I had hoped for a plastic hood, but, it'll have to do. The fuel-cap is black instead of red, and much smaller (2" opening vs. 4" hole). There's a black rubber grommet all around the metal edge of the circle cut out of the hood. The tank holds 0.5 gallons more. There's a little silver doo-dad on the front for decoration? I'm 6 feet tall, and from my normal sitting position, I was able to see about a foot more (closer) road over the 2305's sloped hood, than over a 2210's flat hood that was parked next to mine.

The hood now contains the wrap-around style headlights. They don't look like they'll be as bright as the 2210's Gator headlights. But, you'll never have to unplug them from the back, in order to remove the lower grill. So?

Under the hood, the new 24hp engine sports a slightly larger air-filter cannister. The same muffler is used, but it's now mounted on it's side, so that it's taller & thinner, rather than shorter & wider. The oil filler cap is located on top of the engine, between these two objects. This appears more convenient than the 2210's, which is down on the right side of the engine against the side panel of the grill. Access to the battery is better on the 2305, and the battery seems better mounted to the frame.

The lower grill and side panels of the 2305 are now all one piece, instead of the 3 pieces on the 2210. It seems easier to take off and put on. There's less screen area than on the 2210, but alot of the 2210's screened area is up against sheet metal, so the reduction in airflow is not much. Time will tell. This one piece panel is also scalloped up on both sides along the rear of the engine compartment. This reveals the 4 rubber engine mounts, which is not as nice looking as the 2210's skirting. But, it allows access to both the oil dipstick and oil filter without having to open the hood or take off a side panel. This appears very convenient, especially if an FEL is mounted. The fuel filter has been re-positioned up and behind the right-rear engine mount, providing some protection.

The dashboard is the same as the 2210. Right down to the small blank-out plate next to the steering column. This is where the Cruise Control switch will go (whenever it becomes available?) Makes me think that this same CC could be retrofitted onto older 2210's?

The hydro pedals are now made of hard black plastic with curved tube-steel connecting rods running down through the floor. These are the same pedals used on the 3X20 and 4X20 series. I like the 2210's (and 4000Ten's) rubber pedals better. The old multi-piece angled-steel connectors look stronger, and the new plastic doesn't grip the bottom of my boot as well as the old rubber pads. I could swap them out, but my dealer quoted me $250 for the older pedals, so, I'll try some non-skid paint first.

Underneath the tractor, is where I found 2 changes that I really don't like!

First, along the inside left of the frame on the 2210, there's a long gold-colored rod that runs from the brake pedal linkage to the rear trans-axle. It connects to a hydraulic cylinder/actuator? near the back. Although long & slender, it looked like an OK set-up, as it was tucked-up under the tractor and protected inside the left beam.
On the 2305, there are two shorter rods that are connected to the cylinder/actuator? via a bell-crank sort-a-thing. This connection is attached/braced against the left beam better at about the mid-point. But, it also forms a bend/elbow in the set-up, which causes the cylinder/actuator? to hang down below the left frame beam. This new set-up looks more vulnerable to whacks from below, or from the side. You can actually see this gold-colored cylinder/actuator? hanging down in the first promotional photo of the 2305 (that appeared in another thread), just in front of the left rear tire.

Second. On the 2210, the mower height adjustment knob is located close to the middle of the back of the flat operator's station. It has a flat round molding in the floor, just slightly larger than the knob itself, and a circular placard marked "Install,1,2,3,4,5,Lock". Underneath the tractor, the control box that the height knob connects to, is mounted to a heavy duty steel box that extends all the way across the frame from one side to the other. This set-up seems very strong, and maybe even increases the rigidity of the tractor's whole frame?
On the 2305, the cross-frame box has been replaced by a short steel shelf, that only bolts onto the right frame beam. It doesn't tie the frame's beams together, and because this shelf is further to the right of the tractor's centerline, the mower height adjustment knob has been relocated about 2" out into the right rear floor of the operator's station. Where it can be kicked/stepped on more often by my big right foot. The new molding in the floor is now an oblong stretching from the old circle's location in the middle to the new circle's location on the right. And the hole cut in the steel sub-floor, is not just under the knob, but was enlarged from the original hole. So, now theres a hole in the middle of the operator's station covered only by the thin rubber floor mat. You can press your finger through this soft spot easily while reaching to adjust the mower height knob. The new placard is marked "Install-Low-Medium-High-Lock" with the same number of adjustment clicks.

The only reason for either of these 2 changes, is that maybe JD is making room for the "independent MMM lift" option? Since this option isn't available yet, we'll have to wait & see?

Then, I took it for a spin. Just the basic tractor, no attachments; and it handled just like the 2210. The engine was slightly quieter at rated RPM (2900), and slightly smoother at idle, than the 2210, but not by much. I did an informal turning radius test in 2WD, and the 2305 tied an X585 for the tightest circle, but, only about 4 inches less than the 2210.

Some other notes:

My dealer is awaiting the new 2305 mounts for the 200CX loader. It seems that the 2210 mounts were made for the old 210 FEL. Then the 200CX came along, and JD supplied an "adapter kit" to fit the old 2210 mounts. Now, the 2305 will use new mounts made specifically for the 200CX.

In another thread, someone mentioned that the rest of the 2000-series tractors will be introduced at a show in Florida in November. My Dealer is scheduled to go to FL in NOV to attend "2000-series Tractor Training". Coincidence? I think not!

I'll type more after I take delivery. Dave.

PS - Anyone know of a "skid-plate" arrangement to protect the Hydraulic Filter underneath 2210/2305's ???

JDFANATIC · Aug 19, 2005

BluRidgDav,

Thanks for the update; guess I'll be kicking some tires at my dealer this weekend! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Dutch445 · Aug 19, 2005

Dave,
Thanks for such an in-depth review! You certainly did your homework.
I think , that many of the points made here explain the pricing strategy. With the price of steel, fuel etc going up , and up, and up, they had to find ways to cut costs in manufacturing and design.
Your post shows that maybe on the outside, the tractors look and seem similar, but in reality, they did redesign quite a bit of the unit.
Thanks again!
/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

JDFANATIC · Aug 19, 2005

Dutch,

Good point about the amount of redesign that had to go into the 2305, but I'm intrigued at how they cost-reduced it and yet ended up with a tractor that weighs 50 lbs. more. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

KENSFM · Aug 19, 2005

Thanks for the very detailed and informative post. I enjoyed reading it.
Ken /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

rockyridgefarm · Aug 19, 2005

Good point about the amount of redesign that had to go into the 2305, but I'm intrigued at how they cost-reduced it and yet ended up with a tractor that weighs 50 lbs. more 

Actually they cut about 1370 lbs...

megotatractor · Aug 19, 2005

Did you start the motor? I'm curious about the sound of the redisigned motor, specifically the "quieter" cooling fan...

BluRidgDav · Aug 19, 2005

Fanatic,

For someone buying their first "real" tractor, (like me), the 2305 might be a better choice?
It has some convenient refinements and asthetically matches the new 200CX loader.

But, if I already owned a 2210, I wouldn't sell it to buy a 2305.
I'd move further up the tractor food chain to get something that offered a definite increase in capability from a sub-compact machine.

Dave.