'New' John Deere 2305

[C-Range]

Yep. It's a stiff mofo to move in and out, but I can definitely feel the stops. I also suggested blow-by in the valve to the dealer but I could almost see it going in one ear and out the other.

 

[diz]

Sounds like you need a new dealer to me.

I don't remember if that valve came apart, if you could get in there and look around for something obvious like a bad o ring.

 

[C-Range]

I'm already prepared for the next time around but that probably won't be for quite some time.

I suppose I could take the valve apart and give it a look. I just don't make much use of it anyway and every time I look at it my eye starts twitching like Inspector Clouseau's boss.

In another thread on here where someone was choosing between two brands of tractor, many people were commenting on how important the dealer is. I fully agreed with that opinion but I added that it was the Service Dept that needed the most scrutiny, which is hard to do without experience with them. Chicken or the egg.

My solution has been taking comfort in the quality of the original manufacture of the machine and doing as much maintenance / work on it by myself as possible, in addition to using the machine sensibly, of course.

 

[diz]

I couldn't agree more. Same thing w/ a car - if you have any kind of warranty you're pretty much married to some dealer and if their service department isn't good, the warranty is almost worthless. Actually did the 47 blower solid driveshaft thing under warranty, and because I was unimpressed w/ my dealer's service department, drove about 1.5 hours to one that was more responsive. Glad I did, they were great to deal with. (lakeland equipment in Hall, ny). I might even pay the transport fee to get my tractor down there when I hit 50 hours in a month or so.

 

[jsygrovehpi]

This is exactly what I ment when I said I didnt want to spend a grand + for the independent lift and bypass valve and be unhappy with the results or problems that ensue after installation. It sounds like more of a hassle than the regular 3ph lift.

Speaking of which, can someone please take pictures of the linkage that attaches to the 3ph lift so I can see if it will interfere with the BH. As it is right now the arms do not hit the BH.

Since I know people people here like pictures I took some over the weekend...

If I leave these 2 alone overnight will there be JD pushmowers in the morning? :laughing:

 

[C-Range]

Not sure if this is clear or not, but the problems we are talking about is with the bypass valve, not the independent lift. Actually, I suppose the only time you'll really need the independent lift is if you plan to possibly have something coincidentally mounted on the 3PH when you are mowing. You won't want that going up and down with the mower.

The mechanical lift components are just a couple of attaching arms/brackets that somehow tie the 3PH to the mower lift linkage but it does look like you'll need the lower lift arms on the tractor to use it. Don't quote me on that though. Off to the dealer you go...

 

[TripleR]

People have complained about the 3-point lift as well as the independent lift, so you may or may not have problems. Mine is an independent and awaiting another trip to the dealer, but first I had to have someone come up and work on the starter to get it running. Of course now the grass is growing so fast you can almost see it.

 

[sparkyoil jd]

Congrats! I've had my 2305 for a year and would not change a thing. You will surprised what little john will do.

Good Luck!

 

[jsygrovehpi]

We are starting on my father's large retaining wall replacement project today. $4,000 (about 10 pallets) of Versa-lok blocks are being delivered this afternoon. My father has already scored the 6x6 PT wood with a circular saw in 4' lengths. I dont think the 2305 will have enough power to pull the wall apart the rest of the way though since it took some work to remove a fairly sickly shrub and the saw only cut about halfway through the wall. Maybe it would be wise to sacrifice a chainsaw chain to cut it so there is less than an inch holding it together. Once the wood is removed we are going to push back the dirt on one side about 6 feet. I think this is where the FEL will shine. From there it will all be manual labor to build the 225' wall. I'd say about half the wall is about 3' high and the other half is like a foot. Pictures will be posted of the progress. Hopefully I'll get some "action shots" of the 2305 tearing it up (hopefully not the grass)! :thumbsup:

 

[C-Range]

If my visualization is correct, I'd say try the backhoe on those timbers, one or two at a time. A photo would be helpful.

Using a chain saw sounds like a bad idea to me since it will be dull the second it hits dirt, not to mention bar wear and sprocket wear. Consider what might be useful at the rental store.