Price-John Deere 2305 Front Blade

[bradal]

Hello All,

Got a price from JD for the front blade with quick-hitch on my 2305. At first it was "around 1600" then I said that sounded quite high so he looked it up and it was about 1425. This is CDN not installed, anyone else in canada have some prices? Why would this part still be more money with the dollar at 1.07, I do realize that shipping etc. comes into play, but when I build this online it comes out at 1185.

Thanks, let me know what you think.

 

[bradal]

Also could any of you comment on using your FEL to clear snow. I am planning on trying the FEL for the first snow fall, then deciding to get blade or not. My drive way is about 200 feet and long slow curve the whole way. Is it going to be worth the $1500 by the time I buy the weight etc. I need?

Thank you all for your replies

 

[Northstar9126]

The blade would be faster when you get a heavy snowfall, you can just angle the plow and push the snow off to the side. My loader bucket fills up then lets the snow spill off to the sides so that I have to make numerous runs to completely clear my drive. The loader has an advantage in that I can move the snow wherever I want when it gets piled up high along the drive or near the mailbox. I kind of enjoy plowing the snow, weird as that may sound, so I don't really mind the extra few minutes that it takes with the loader. However when we get a very heavy snowfall I end up plowing out several neighbors, then I wish I had a blade. By the way, once people see you out with your rig plowing you can expect calls for help from friends you never knew you had. Around my place there are a lot of older people so I feel pretty good when I can help them get dug out. They always try to pay me, but I tell them that I wouldn't be much of a neighbor if I wouldn't help.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

Got a price from JD for the front blade with quick-hitch on my 2305. At first it was "around 1600" then I said that sounded quite high so he looked it up and it was about 1425. This is CDN not installed, anyone else in canada have some prices? Why would this part still be more money with the dollar at 1.07, I do realize that shipping etc. comes into play, but when I build this online it comes out at 1185.

Thanks, let me know what you think.

Based on discussion with local JD dealer this Thursday, I'm told JD CDN prices have been lowered, but not necessarily across the board. I don't have any 2305 pricing, but for 2520 / 3320 and only based on some numbers I got - if the online price is $1,185, I'd be looking for something equal to or a bit less than that expressed in CDN $$

Deends on where you live. For example Alberta pricing is probably 15% - 20% higher than ON and they probably are not interested in discounting either.

Son has a JD 790 with FEL and rear blade. He is reasonably happy with that for his needs and how much $$$ he wants to spend.

I have a Honda 6522 with front blade. The front power angle blade is clearly superior to a rear blade, but in heavy wet snow the 2305 may not have enough power / weight / traction to push the snow back. The key if you only have a blade is to push each snow fall back as far as possible, because no matter what, with a small tractor the edges will move in as the snow accumulates.

 

[cast_and_blast]

Maybe hold off on the blade and just get a 47" snowblower instead. Yep, it's twice the money by the time you're all done with up-stops, pto shafts, quick-tach brackets, etc. but if you're in an area that gets snow (sounds like you're in Canada and I'm in MN so I think we both qualify) the snowblower is the way to go (in my opinion).

I use mine on my 2305 and it works great!

Scott

 

[LBrown59]

Also could any of you comment on using your FEL to clear snow. I am planning on trying the FEL for the first snow fall, then deciding to get blade or not. My drive way is about 200 feet and long slow curve the whole way. Is it going to be worth the $1500 by the time I buy the weight etc. I need?

Thank you all for your replies

\
I didn't get a blade for snow removal i got it for dirt slag gravel etc.
That makes it worth it for me.. but it's also available for snow if needed.
The problem with a blower is it's a 1 funtion attachment.

 

[LBrown59]

Maybe hold off on the blade and just get a 47" snowblower instead. Yep, it's twice the money by the time you're all done with up-stops, pto shafts, quick-tach brackets, etc. but if you're in an area that gets snow (sounds like you're in Canada and I'm in MN so I think we both qualify) the snowblower is the way to go (in my opinion).

I use mine on my 2305 and it works great!

Scott

Better yet get both.

 

[cast_and_blast]

The problem with a blower is it's a 1 funtion attachment.

Yep. So is a tiller, a MMM, a core aerator, etc.

The problems with a blade "only" solution (from my point of view):

1. You run out of room to put the snow; the area you're clearing gets narrower and narrower. Yes, you can move it back with a FEL.

2. If you're using the blade or FEL over finished lawn, it will most likely be damaged. For instance, let's say you have lawn next to your driveway and you're using the blade. Once the snowbanks get high enough you have to start moving them back with the blade or the FEL - you're most likely going to eat some grass in the process; may make for more work in the spring.

3. You may not have room to put the snow at all. I maintain the sidewalk for a neighboring historical cemetery by my house; I have no place to put the snow as the sidewalk is bordered by a fence and retaining wall on one side and 3 feet of boulevard grass (before you get to the paved road) on the other.

4. Additional weight needed on back, possibly chains on rear tires with a blade. I run my snowblower with no chains and no additional rear weight and it works fine, but my work areas are fairly flat - if you're going uphill the 4WD usage and/or chains and/or additional weight may be required.


I admit, for light snowfalls a blade or a rotary broom would be great! I just use the snowblower all the time and it works for me.

Good luck!

Scott

P.S. you could check machinefinder.com to see of there are any used setups in your area - may save a few bucks that way. Also, installation is a breeze, I did all of mine for the snowblower and the blade uses the same hitch.

 

[SkunkWerX]

This winter will be my first using the FEL on snow.

One of the biggest issues I hear with the FEL is that it fills up, and doesn't dump easily. Once it's full, you are basically bulldozing the snow forward.
This doesn't appeal to me, too much.

I saw a post recently while digging and searching, and it was an FEL with some 2x10 planks strapped across the front, low tech, but, did the job.

That's why I'm fitting a blade, you can't beat the ability to angle a plow, not with a FEL.

For those who get a lot of snow (Canada, Buffalo NY, Minn. etc) a blower is probably the ultimate way to move snow.

 

[Farwell]

The snow blower works great until you get a very wet snow fall, then a blade works much better.
I have a walk behind snow blower for dry snow, a rear blade for the wet stuff and a FEL when the snow gets deep.