Noobie here. Problems with new 2305

[Ruffian]

And I am a first time tractor owner and found this great site very helpful in educating myself about these fine machines. I do not understand how tractors work, how to take off implements and put them on. So I needed a lot of dealer support to get me going on a tractor. JD dealership was great and for my needs (primarily mowing) they recommended the 2305. It came with the 200 cx loader and a 62" MMM. I LOVED this tractor for the 2 hours I used it. I even filled a hole I found in the pasture with the loader. Had a blast. But it was short lived.

I was mowing a 4 acre pasture and after 2 hours of mowing it overheated so the tractor is currently back at the dealers. They are not sure why - some chatter about the thermostat, clogged filter but I was not mowing tall pasture and it overheated in the shop after 7 minutes with the radiator filter cleaned up. I did notice that a lot of grass would blow up depending on the wind and at times I was covered in it.

I have 2 questions; I have lost confidence in this tractor. They are willing to give me a new 2305 since my tractor has only 3.5 hours on it but I am thinking about getting a 2520 or a 2720. The use of the tractor will be primarily to mow 2 acres of pasture - the most 6 acres. Other tasks will be loading horse manure in a spreader, pulling the spreader, pushing dirt around, maybe some light logging...just some small farm related work on flat, N Indiana landscape. I am not sure if getting the 2520 or 2720 is worth the extra cost. So whatcha think?

My second question is that I currently have a 62" MMM on the 2305. I am not used to mowing with a RFM or brush hog. I have read in other threads that the rear discharge is the way to go to avoid the wind rows and for mowing pastures with no trees the brush hog is the way to go. I was hoping that I could also use the mower for the yard which does have trees and I could get rid of the riding lawn mower. So I am asking for some advice and ideas as to my situation.

Thanks in advance.

edit: Pic of tractor

 

[jsb2b]

The 2305 has a fan on the hydro drive shaft to blow air over the hydro's case. The 2320 and up have a hydro oil cooler mounted in front of the radiator. Your 2305 should not overheat idling in the shop. Everyone has mowed in 90 degree weather with some debris on the radiator pre-screen and grill mesh (the debris is
unavoidable on all makes of tractors like these) and not overheated. Your 2305 has a different cooling issue to make it overheat so easily.

The 62" MMM will mow thru anything. I mow 4 acres of field 3'-4' tall with no problem. I like the 62" size for mowing the lawn and getting close to trees, edging, etc. A RFM is not easy for getting around lawn obstacles. When mowing tall grass, I use a bungee coed to keep the safety chute raised for better dispersal.

Good luck with your dealer!!! At least he is willing to replace your 2305. Alot of dealers wouldn't do that.

I think a 2520 or a 2720 would be overkill for light pasture mowing and too hard on a finished lawn. If you liked the maneuverability of the 2305, I would seriously test drive the larger tractors before taking that large a step up the model line. Check out the 2320 with a 62D mower. It may be a better compromise with less of a price difference.

 

[davkir]

We have similar uses for our 2305. It does everything we need and has never shown any overheating problems. I do clean the grill and screen occasionally when mowing the pastures with the LX4.
If I were doing it again, I would probably get a larger tractor just for the bigger tires so it would ride a little better in the pastures. (Ours are pretty rough in places, those pesky horses!)
It does help to air the tires down to 8-10 psi.

 

[Maxfli]

I have had a 2210 for about 5 years, It has been rock solid. I think it is real similar to your 2305. No issue with overheating.

 

[Ruffian]

Thanks for all the comments. I do appreciate them. Today I went to the dealer and they told me there was a statement from JD that there have been a few recent catastophic failures with this model and they are investigating it. The engine had some damage and so I walked out with a 2520, a higher monthly payment but I am happy. I would have been very happy with the 2305 had this not happened but since I am a "turn the key and it needs to run" kind of person, I needed something that I had confidence in. Wish I were different and was more handy with machines but I am not.

 

[Runner]

Nothing against the 2305, but I mow 6 acres with a 2520, and wouldn't want to do it with anything smaller. FWIW, I think you made the right move.

Good luck with your new machine and post up some pics!

 

[DJFaninTN]

2320 here and mow 5 acres each and every week. runs great and does a wonderful job.

yes the grass clippings will get up around the hood area. you just learn to clean it every few hours. the 7 iron deck rules for cutting.

 

[gary_dsc]

I have a 2305 and mow 4 acres regularly and an additional 4 acres of waterway about 4 times per year. I bought the tractor new early in the spring of 2007 and have 175 hours on it so far. No overheating and no other problems either. I would be interested in hearing more about the "catastrophic failures" that your dealer told you about.

 

[JiminGa]

I'd like to here more about that too. I run a landscaping business and have a 2305 that gets used and abused regularly with loader and tiller work and it's never overheated.

 

[Ruffian]

Jim and Gary - apparently the failure occurs with very little use and very low hours. I believe under 30. That is about all I was told.

Finished mowing my pasture yesterday and the 2520 was great. Some fluffy stuff in the grill but very little in the radiator filter. I did have a little scare when I noticed a light on in the dash. The dash symbols are not clear cut to me but I suspected from the symbol that the light was on to alert me that the mower was on. And indeed it was! So I turned off the mower and the light went off.

Question - should I be mowing a pasture in low or high gear? And under which conditions should I use low or high? I mowed in low gear yesterday. The grass was not high since the horses had been grazing it but there were some tall weeds and thistle. Not real thick though and the mower never bogged down.

Had the loader taken off and that made it easier. I need to learn how to do this myself. The only complaint I have is that the seat is not as comfortable as the 2305 imo. It seems to be tipped forward a tad. Is there any way to adjust this?

Here is a pic of hubby's son taking it out for a spin. He's 6'5" so consider that if JD looks small.