thinking of upgrade to 2305

[farmboy12]

Bruiser- Off topic, but how are you liking TBN??


Kyle

 

[Phineas7]

Bruiser- Off topic, but how are you liking TBN??

20 people trying to spend someone else's money. What's not to like?

 

[bruiserx2]

I am finding it very useful and the folks responding very helpful and friendly. I was a little concerned joining as I see on many posts it can get a little personal. You get what you put into it. Everyone has a slightly different variation and opinion. When you put them all together I think it is rather insightful. I appreciate everyone taking his or her time.

 

[jster804]

I have an x320 which I bought last year. The tractor has been nothing but trouble and they are picking it up tomorrow to fix it once again. I had a carburator issue, then it threw two belts and now the charging system seems not to be working. Anyhow I would like to upgrade. I am locked in with JD or I would look at other machines as well. I have two acres of land and a FEL would be great. I need to level much of the back yard and pull some stumps. The idea here is to get enough tractor to do everything. I have been reading as many threads as I can but no one really talks about the FEL and BH and what they are able to do.

My needs: Must mow the lawn so a MMM is a must, FEL with tooth bar no question. Is the BH powerful enough to really justify the purchase.

Sounds like you're sold on the John Deere brand already but I thought I'd throw in my $.02 anyway. I bought a JD X500 a few years ago to take care of my 2.8 acres. I quickly realized that I wanted something that would do a little more. I just recently, after 4-5 months of research, decided to move from the X500 to the Kubota BX25 w/60" MMM. I'm sure you already know but it's comparable to the JD 2305 except it comes equipped with the FEL and BH. I've had it for a week now and it looks like this was the perfect sized machine for this property size. After taking delivery of this thing last week I realized that had I gone with the next size up (comparable to JD 2320 or 2520) that would have been WAY overkill. I'm very satisfied with my subcompact. I'm sure there are lots of useful additions to the JD 2305 to make life easier... The subcompact Kubota's have a large dedicated following as well, several businesses cater to them... BXpanded and Bro-Tek are two really good sources for practical additions. Good Luck.

My final decision making thread: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-buying-pricing/136586-kubota-conundrum-model.html

 

[bruiserx2]

It is not that I am sold on JD over Kubota. I have looked at both and like the BX as well. In my area the Kubota seems to be the more popular manufacturer and in fact the Kubota dealership is closer and easier to get to. I pass it everyday on my way to work. The reason I am focused on JD is because I am already in bed with them. I want to get the most I can from my previous purchase the X320 and working with the same dealership and trading up seems like the most logical way. Though the regional JD rep has yet to respond. If John Deere were to cut me a check than I will be in a better negotiating position, I am not sure how JD is going to handle this.

 

[ScottK]

So are you better off buying directly from Woods or Frontier? I would think it would be cheaper if you cut out the middle man, and more importantly if you have a problem you are dealing directly with the manufacturer.

I can tell you that from my dealer Frontier is cheaper because they don't charge shipping costs on stocked items and they stock Frontier since that's what JD wants them to sell and they order Frontier in volume. They'll be happy to order anything I want, but shipping costs a lot on 500 lbs. Most anything non-Frontier is going to be Rankin here in the NW since they are made in WA. Location of the mfg matters if you don't go Frontier. A can of JD spray paint can fix the color on any of them and even Woods will sell you a JD green implement if you order it that way.

 

[Bob Sherwood]

Just one more fan of the 2305. I have had it for 55 hrs to date and I am still amazed at what it can do. On the backhoe issue I have been blazing a new road in the woods and just the other day (with more time than brains) I went out after a rainstorm and got really stuck but between the backhoe and FEL I managed to get it out. Ihad the same concerns when I bought The Back hoe but If you have it you will find uses for it If you have to rent one you probably won't do it. As for the skid plate take a look on Mytractorforum.com for skid plate pictures and it is a very good tractor site. Best of luck,Bob Sherwood

 

[Dutch445]

Bruiser,
I have been away and just scanned the posts in this thread,
but it sounds like mowing is eventually going to be a priority
for you, and with a tractor you are going to create even more
mowing than you have now.
Have you thought about just going with the 2305 TLB, factory
ordered, then pick up an Estate Ztrac mower, like a Z520 with
54 or 60" deck that will really do the job mowing, and fast!
this would leave your tractor ready for any task, without removing
any attachments to mow every week. You spend a little more
than you would for the MMM, but you have the best of both
worlds.
just a thought...

 

[two_bit_score]

It's a much bigger step up but just go to the 110TLB. You'll love it.

 

[bruiserx2]