Purchase a 2305 or wait for the 1026R

OldMan · Jun 30, 2011

Well Guy痴 let me run something by you, the 1026R keeps getting slipped and now they say late September and not sure when the mower deck will be available which brings me to my question.
My dealer has a used 2305, 79 hours, he said due to the long wait I have endured he will put a new 62C deck on it and let me have it for $8900, that is over 5K less than a 1026R, the little tractor is like new, yes I would prefer the 1026 but starting summer and I still don稚 have a tractor with no idea when the new one will arrive. The 2305 will meet my needs, I have already passed on two other 2305痴 and I am thinking maybe I should take this one and go on my way. What do you think?

fdmars · Jun 30, 2011

Say OK, just throw in a loader

Cidertom · Jun 30, 2011

I am very against buying the first model year of anything. Too many bugs to work out.

Johndeere3720 · Jun 30, 2011

My vote is on the 2305! :thumbsup::thumbsup:

bp fick · Jun 30, 2011

Not sure you could go wrong. You could like use the machine now, as in NOW.

Frankly, let the new series be introduced and let Deere build it a year or two or three. You're aren't likely to lose any money, even if you were to sell the 2305 in a few years.

Unless that tractor was traded back because it was a lemon or something, it's winning deal, imho.

JB2 · Jul 1, 2011

OldMan said:
Well Guy痴 let me run something by you, the 1026R keeps getting slipped and now they say late September and not sure when the mower deck will be available which brings me to my question.
My dealer has a used 2305, 79 hours, he said due to the long wait I have endured he will put a new 62C deck on it and let me have it for $8900, that is over 5K less than a 1026R, the little tractor is like new, yes I would prefer the 1026 but starting summer and I still don稚 have a tractor with no idea when the new one will arrive. The 2305 will meet my needs, I have already passed on two other 2305痴 and I am thinking maybe I should take this one and go on my way. What do you think?

Local Deere Dealer has both a 1023E and a 1026R on the lot for sale right now. The 1026R has the loader on it, as well it has the 62" mower deck on it as well. Deere must have an issue with shipping out the mower decks in some areas, as the one at my local Dealer has the mower deck on it.

Very nice tractor, the 1026R is, a lot nicer then the 1023E, still I am happy with my 2305 Deere, and you would still be happy with either tractor you choose. Will be quite some time before my 2305 gets upgraded.

Take Care Jason B

Craig B · Jul 1, 2011

Cidertom said:
I am very against buying the first model year of anything. Too many bugs to work out.

Very good point. My father was new car dealer and I remember when new models came out it was quite common to have problems with them. Usually after the model had been produced for a year or two it became a fine car. The 1026 having had delays just emphasizes this point. Will it have more problems or do they have them all ironed out? You will have to buy one and use it to know. Are you willing to spend your hard earned money for this gamble?

I say get the 2305 save some $$ and trade in a year or two. The result will be that you will get to work right away and you will get a better tractor when you upgrade. I seriously doubt you will lose much money on the 2305 when the time comes.

JDdude · Jul 2, 2011

It all gets down to money..If you have plenty of it get the new model, if not get the 2305..Nothing wrong with a good'ol proven model..

marco246 · Jul 3, 2011

Grab the 2305 and run. If you absolutely must have a 1026, then buy one in 2 or 3 years. By then, however, you may find the 2305 more than adequate to your needs, and buying up is no longer so attractive. You can't go wrong!

Raindem · Jul 3, 2011

I too vote for the 2305. It's a great little tractor, you won't be dissapointed.

drumdoctor · Jul 4, 2011

I'm sure the 2305 is a fine tractor. Like for everyone else, the 1026R had been an elusive prey. In frustration, I tried going to the biggest dealer within a reasonable distance. Bingo. They had one. Someone had backed out of their order. It's now in my garage. So far so good. Managed to get the loader on and off (not quite as slick as the video) and also the 60" Quick Attach mower. Had a little trouble on the first try with the mower, but the second time was no problem. I'm certain the guy in the video practiced more than once. It's a big step up from my JD165. The loader will be just great for picking up all kinds of stuff around the yard. No big test of loader capability yet as the ballast box doesn't come in until Wednesday. Can't wait for the first snowfall to use the snowblower. No more cajoling the tractor up the slick hill (I hope) and ripping up the asphalt with the chains! Now if they just had quick attach (all four at once) zero leak hydraulics...

Carl Bert · Jul 4, 2011

drumdoctor said:
I'm sure the 2305 is a fine tractor. Like for everyone else, the 1026R had been an elusive prey. In frustration, I tried going to the biggest dealer within a reasonable distance. Bingo. They had one. Someone had backed out of their order. It's now in my garage. So far so good. Managed to get the loader on and off (not quite as slick as the video) and also the 60" Quick Attach mower. Had a little trouble on the first try with the mower, but the second time was no problem. I'm certain the guy in the video practiced more than once. It's a big step up from my JD165. The loader will be just great for picking up all kinds of stuff around the yard. No big test of loader capability yet as the ballast box doesn't come in until Wednesday. Can't wait for the first snowfall to use the snowblower. No more cajoling the tractor up the slick hill (I hope) and ripping up the asphalt with the chains! Now if they just had quick attach (all four at once) zero leak hydraulics...

Wow that's a beauty.

fdmars · Jul 5, 2011

Great looking tractor, good to finally see one in a new owners hands. Keep us posted on how you like it.

ralphtt · Jul 5, 2011

Nice looking rig. Know you will enjoy it.

What mower deck is that?

TripleR · Jul 5, 2011

drumdoctor said:
It's now in my garage. So far so good. Managed to get the loader on and off (not quite as slick as the video) and also the 60" Quick Attach mower. Had a little trouble on the first try with the mower, but the second time was no problem. I'm certain the guy in the video practiced more than once.

That is a very nice looking tractor and if it performs as well as advertised or even close, they will sell the heck out of them and I believe they will cut into the SCUT sales of other brands.

bigtiller · Jul 5, 2011

drumdoctor said:
I'm sure the 2305 is a fine tractor. Like for everyone else, the 1026R had been an elusive prey. In frustration, I tried going to the biggest dealer within a reasonable distance. Bingo. They had one. Someone had backed out of their order. It's now in my garage. So far so good. Managed to get the loader on and off (not quite as slick as the video) and also the 60" Quick Attach mower. Had a little trouble on the first try with the mower, but the second time was no problem. I'm certain the guy in the video practiced more than once. It's a big step up from my JD165. The loader will be just great for picking up all kinds of stuff around the yard. No big test of loader capability yet as the ballast box doesn't come in until Wednesday. Can't wait for the first snowfall to use the snowblower. No more cajoling the tractor up the slick hill (I hope) and ripping up the asphalt with the chains! Now if they just had quick attach (all four at once) zero leak hydraulics...

NICE!!

Welcome to the forum.

Have you tried taking off the mower deck yet? I sure would like to see some pictures of the auto-connect.

JD230511 · Jul 5, 2011

Hello new to this site. I just bought a new 2305 saturday, and i love it!!! came with a 200cx loader, and a 62c mowing deck. Best part was the price. sales man told me a company had bought a bunch of them had them i storage for a few months and told john deere they didnt need all of them. so igot a brand new tractor at a used price!!! and it still has all the warranty left on it. only had .5 hours on it!!!

OldMan · Jul 5, 2011

Well after some soul searching, decided to stay with the 1026, right after I finally decided, my dealer called and said he finally got a delivery date, should be here in 10 to 14 days then a couple of days for setup.
I know the 2305 are good tractors but had my heart set on a 1026 and just couldn't make myself comfortable with the taking a 2305 instead. I've considered the "1st year in production" thing but I'm believe JD did a good job working through problems ahead of time, I'll keep you updated.

OldMan

ChuckinNH · Jul 6, 2011

Sometimes it's just best to hold out for what we want whether it makes financial sense, or not. I'm guessing that the 1026 will make you smile everytime you use it, and a 2305 would have reminded you that it wasn't what you really wanted each time you used it. We usually wait a long time in life to have nice tools like these, and we sure deserve what we can afford!

Petroman1 · Jul 6, 2011

OldMan said:
Well after some soul searching, decided to stay with the 1026, right after I finally decided, my dealer called and said he finally got a delivery date, should be here in 10 to 14 days then a couple of days for setup.
I know the 2305 are good tractors but had my heart set on a 1026 and just couldn't make myself comfortable with the taking a 2305 instead. I've considered the "1st year in production" thing but I'm believe JD did a good job working through problems ahead of time, I'll keep you updated.

OldMan

I started looking at the 2305's and ended up with the 2520! At first I thought it would be too much tractor for my needs and now only after a few months I wonder how I got by without it!!!

I have seen some of the new 1 series at the local dealer and they are a great looking machine! I dont think you will be disappointed at all.:thumbsup: Post picts when it arrives...