Protocol for used tractor from a dealer?

[buckshot721]

I've owned a 2305 for years now. Fel,mmm and bh. Only had leaking cylinder and the dealer replaced both for free. Also run a tiller on mine with no problems yet. And you will want to put skid plate on it to protect the fan. The 2305 looks small but you can get into places a bigger tractor cannot. Took out 15 black walnut stumps out with it, so I know it's tough little tractor. Also it takes only about 10 min to hook up the back hoe. Don't let the size fool you it can do a days work!

 

[TripleR]

Our island has tractor dealers, but because it's an island, there are very few used tractors available, so we go to the mainland for these larger type purchases. And yes, a ferry is how we go, and transport back is a big hairy expensive deal.

However, I have a John Deere dealership less than a mile from my place--just nothing used on their lot and I have a budget. So the ongoing maintenance isn't something I'm worried about--just don't want to be stupid and buy something that has something wrong with it.

The dealership we're considering is not a JD dealer, and is about five hours away.

Interesting about the low clearance. Let me ask a noob question: you say it's low for cultivating row crops. Do you mean going through the rows after planting, or the basic preparing seedbed? Reason I'd like that clarified is because the way I plant is intensively, in large blocks about 4 feet wide and would not bring a tractor into the field during the growing cycle. I would use it to spread amendments, turn them into the soil, and till under green manures (along with all the other dirt / compost / snow / fencepost / butchering / hauling duties). Is low clearance a problem for the way I plan to use it in the field? I will be cultivating regularly at most about 1.5 acres.

Thanks so much for all this advice. And thanks for the forum welcome.

PCP

I think the bottom line is that the 2305 will do what you want, it just isn't an optimal machine (my opinion)for it and it would not be my choice. The cost to go up in size should not be too significant.

We use our 2305 and BX2660; wife LOVES "her" BX, but we have other tractors to use when ground clearance is an issue.

Mention was made of it being operated by a woman. It is just my opinion, but there should be no difference. My wife primarily runs our BX2660 and JD2305, but when needed, runs the L5030 while I am using the M8540. I grew up working side by side in the fields with my mother and she could hold her own with any man.

 

[Deere Dude]

I think it would be a nice tractor for your needs. I rototill using a 2 wheel drive X740 with hydraulic tiller and is a lot smaller than yours and never have problems with clearance.

Even if you get your tractor at the non JD dealer, the JD dealer located 1 mile away will fix it and maintain it later. You just have to make sure it isn't broke when you pick it up. Good luck.

 

[kiotiken]

Well, all good advice, but I don't think anybody is actually answering the question of what to look for. If your new to tractors, as I was buying my first tractor, and you're not a mechanic, as I'm not, it's pretty hard to figure out and a little scary.
Look for hydraulic leaks, they usually mean $$. This may just be moisture or just areas where dust and dirt stick differently but could be dripping. Start at the front on the FEL cylinders, move back over all the connections and all around the tractor. Move the tractor around, use the FEL a little and the backhoe, then check again. Pull the air filter if it's accessible, does it look like it's ever been changed, pull the oil dipstick and look at the oil. Stuff like that may show if it's been maintained properly.
How many hours on the tractor? I bought a JD 955 with 1800 hrs on it from a Kubota dealer. I found some leaks and had the dealer fix them before I bought it. Dealer had done some work to it and it seemed to be in great shape when I got it. I sold it after a year because one issue after another kept coming up. They were mostly things I could fix myself, except for the one that got me to throw in the towel. So, I bought a brand new tractor and I'm having lots of issues with it too, the difference is now I have a warranty. The reality is, all the inspections in the world before you buy may not protect you from having issues down the road. A new tractor should give you years of trouble free use, but not always, like in my case. Ask for a 90 day warranty from the dealer. Good luck

 

[dmrp6510]

Look at hours low hour machines shhould need less maintence unless they have been abused look at tire wear the bucket on fel look at the zerk grease fitting if there is crusty old grease or freash grease if they changed all the fluids how much medal was on the magnet in the transfluid.

But for size of tractor i would jump to a 2320 because you have postion control more ground cleareance more power for not that much more than a 2305
Look at tractorhouse.com

 

[Post Carbon]

Gentlemen, you have been most helpful to this tractor newbie, and as a result, we are going to switch gears. That clearance of 7.7" is of a great concern to me, and y'all have pointed out other things that we hadn't thought of. Although I will doubtless regret not having a backhoe, we are now looking seriously at a different used tractor.

So I'm going to end this particular thread, and start another about the Kubota we're looking at.

Much thanks, and hopefully you'll have things to say about this "new" one.

PCP