THEE question: 2305 or a X700 series.

[JDTank]

I know this question has arisen many times before, but in my search for a 4000 series unit, I have been searching for a riding mower as well.

Now, I would like to hear from people on the famous question, is it better to buy a 2305 for mowing, then to buy a X700 series.

I can get a brand new 2305, with a mower deck on it, for $12,000. The X700 series approaches that, and passes it if you go for the top end model. Why on earth would one get a large riding mower, when you could have a small versatile tractor?

I am seriously considering a 2305 with no loader for mowing work, and plowing/sweeping the driveway. I have no height issues on my this property, and a lot of room to turn around, and one slope, otherwise, it's flat mowin!

What is your thoughts?

 

[jenkinsph]

Which unit is the best fit would depend on your individual needs, you have indicated that overhead clearance, turning clearance are non issues,and that your ground is flat for the most part. You may not get much benefit out of the X700 series.

In my case the tighter quarters that I often have to work in make the X749 a better choice. I also feel the single range hydro's are closer to the sweet spot than the two range hydro setup.

The thing I liked the most about the 2305 was the price, definately less than the X749 with 3pt and rear pto that I ordered. My reason for buying the X749 over the 2305 was largely based on manueverability, something you have indicated is a nonissue. I intend to use the smaller unit to fit where my larger compacts can't fit, tilling, raking and renovating landscapes. Obviously mowing is a major portion of the work for the X749 though, and it does a great job.

In your case, consider that you have implied that the lawn area is open for the most part. I would have to ask if you really need a 2305 or X7XX tractor at all? A 4320 can deal with putting in a lawn in an open area and for mowing a less costly mower could work well for you. I would consider looking at the X360 and up. The difference in machine costs could go towards more implements. I mention the implements as an alternative because once you see what the 4320 can do I am sure you will wan't more implements for it. As long as you have room to operate the 4320 it would be a much better choice for almost all jobs so why duplicate implements in the limited cat 1 size if not needed?

If I were in your shoes spending the same amount of money I would consider the 4520cab and a 360 mower along with more implements for the tractor.

 

[JDTank]

This is home front grass so i fear a 4000 series unit is much to heavy for my lawn. I live in BC and the ground is soft from almost constant rain half the year, so machine weight plays a huge role here.

The one and only reason i steer clear of the X300 and X500 series is electric clutches. Not good. Also, the diesel engine in a 2305 would likely last twice as long as a gas engine in the riding mowers, if not longer.

 

[jenkinsph]

This is home front grass so i fear a 4000 series unit is much to heavy for my lawn. I live in BC and the ground is soft from almost constant rain half the year, so machine weight plays a huge role here.

The one and only reason i steer clear of the X300 and X500 series is electric clutches. Not good. Also, the diesel engine in a 2305 would likely last twice as long as a gas engine in the riding mowers, if not longer.

I mentioned the 4x20 series to put in or install the lawn initially, not to mow it. I would and do use my 4520 to work over properties and build landscapes, in your case there wouldn't be much need for having the larger unit on your lawn after the initial work.

If you are set on a diesel consider the 748 with the 7 iron 60" deck for excellent mowing then. Same engine as the 2305.

 

[jenkinsph]

JD,
I should also mention this as something to think about, the 2305 is roughly 100 lbs heavier than the 749 I ordered. If you intend to use it as a tractor(2305) you will need to add more weight to it, this might be a problem in your soft lawn. Just one of the problems with the 8 in 1 tool idea, somehow a dedicated lawn tractor without ballasting for attachments would seem to be a better fit. The separate hyd wheel motors on the X748 will scuff the lawn less than a 2305 will.

 

[ccsial]

I tried both. The 748SE rode much better over rough lawn. The 2305 ROPS is a royal pain around trees. The 748 was more nimble.

Since I have other tractors all I wanted the 748 for was mowing and blading light snows.

 

[Gleumer]

I was also between the 2305 and x748. I went with the 2305 cause it was less expensive and more versatile. Had it delivered in august and absolutley loved it! Late september and october came with lots of rain in the north east, not easy to mow without rutting up the lawn. I have a murray with a 42in deck but refuse to use it.

When dry my R4's do not hurt the lawn at all. Also I can get closer and turn sharper with the JD versus the murray.

Still think I would have made the same choice but its a definite downer. Now I'm ready for snow to test out the blower.

Good luck!

 

[jenkinsph]

Gleumer and ccsial,
I think which to choose has alot to do with what other equipment a person has to use for the other tasks beyond mowing. If you have other tractors to handle the 3pt equipment then the X748 will look better to you. If you are considering one piece of equipment to do it all the 2305 is a better choice.

For established lawns I prefer the X748 or X749 without a lot of extra weight added. These machines can handle all of the mowing, fertilizing and reseeding tasks with ease. Once you start adding rear ballast, fel for other tasks the lawn will suffer while mowing.

Much better to have a larger tractor for the big jobs when needed and a lighter machine for mowing the lawn. I use the 4520, 820 and 110tlb to build the lawns initially but keep them off the lawns once the grass is up. If I do use a larger tractor on the lawn I try to plan this work when we are in a dry season to prevent rutting the lawns.

 

[Deadman]

Gleumer and ccsial,
I think which to choose has alot to do with what other equipment a person has to use for the other tasks beyond mowing. If you have other tractors to handle the 3pt equipment then the X748 will look better to you. If you are considering one piece of equipment to do it all the 2305 is a better choice.

For established lawns I prefer the X748 or X749 without a lot of extra weight added. These machines can handle all of the mowing, fertilizing and reseeding tasks with ease. Once you start adding rear ballast, fel for other tasks the lawn will suffer while mowing.

Much better to have a larger tractor for the big jobs when needed and a lighter machine for mowing the lawn. I use the 4520, 820 and 110tlb to build the lawns initially but keep them off the lawns once the grass is up. If I do use a larger tractor on the lawn I try to plan this work when we are in a dry season to prevent rutting the lawns.

I had a 2305, and X series.
Honestly, I likely the X series much better than the 2305. The 2305 did alot of stuff ok, but the X series just does its mowing sooooo much better and more comfortably. It turns better, handles better.
The 2305 is far more "tractor" than the X series, so it depends what you want to do with it.

 

[jenkinsph]

I had a 2305, and X series.
Honestly, I likely the X series much better than the 2305. The 2305 did alot of stuff ok, but the X series just does its mowing sooooo much better and more comfortably. It turns better, handles better.
The 2305 is far more "tractor" than the X series, so it depends what you want to do with it.

Deadman,
My thought is that the X749 will limit the hand work to a minimum on my projects, cleaning up the tight spots where the tractors can't fit. For mowing I am expecting it to be a nice improvement over the BBS L130 I just sold.