thinking of upgrade to 2305

[LBrown59]

The x320 is a lawn mower. I made the mistake of buying to quick and not enough. I bought what I thought we could afford with the new house. The 2305 seems to be ideal. It is strong and will take a beating yet will mow the lawn and is still compact. I also looked at the X700 series tractors. They are also real nice but I keep reading that if you are going into that price range get a tractor not lawn mower.

The other reason for upgrading is to get fuel injected engine. I assumed that everything would be fuel injected these days. I was wrong.

Can anyone tell me how they like their BH? Kubota or Deere as they are very familiar. I am a home owner and weekend warrior so I do not need the most power or speed just enough tractor that with perseverance I will get the job done .

Rite why pay for a tractor and settle for a lawn mower?
Would not want the BX 23 without it

 

[orlo]

Hi:

I have a 2305 with a woods BH6000 (Deere didn't make the 260 when I bought it) a FEL, 62D MMM, 47" front blower, chipper and lots of attachments. I also have a 3720 cab, FEL, 59" blower, etc.

You'll be plenty pleased with the 2305. Do consider the bigger 2320 and 2520 if you think you need it but the 2305 is a little workhorse. It'll mow up a storm and handles great and the high range is usable for mowing (It's not on the 2320 and 2520). The Deck is easy to take on and off, etc. The machine constantly amazes me with what it will do.

Also, the BH will do plenty of work. I've attached pictures of when I first got the BH. It just takes time to break all the roots, etc.

About the only thing I think would be a show stopper for the 2305 is if you need lots of ground clearance or more FEL lift capacity. If so go with the 2320, 2502, or 2720. The 2520+ have faster hydraulics but it's all a balance. The 2305 will feel the most stable mowing and you'll zip around like you wouldn't believe.

Also, that's not the tree sticking out on the Fel, it's one of the roots of the stump. I've also taken out much bigger ones with that BH. Maybe up to 24-28" in diameter (Took forever). Now I don't use it much for that since I have a stump grinder I put on the 3720 (Does a quick clean job without leaving a huge 'crater').

The BH is great for trenching, etc. I even dug through frozen ground in the winter once on the 2305 to uncap my septic (which needed to be pumped [frozen pump]).

 

[Cyclone Jake]

If this didn't have the FEL and BH I'd give the tractor away because a tractor without them is worthless to me.

So....when are you giving away your other two tractors since they are worthless to you???

 

[mred]

I have a 2305 TLB. The backhoe has never disappointed me either has the FEL. I have used the backhoe for digging stumps, underground gas lines, and all kinds of things that would have taken me hours or days with a shovel. If I had more room I would consider 2 machines one for "tractor" work and one for mowing. The 2305 has a transmission filter that hangs to low for me to be comfortable taking it into "rough areas". If I had it to do over again I would buy the same unit but keep in mind this is because I only have room to store one machine inside. I hope that helps.

 

[bruiserx2]

This is what I am looking at if I order and the dealer sets it up.

$10,400 tractor 2305
$2,700 front loader
$1,565 MMM
$5,700 BH

Now if I order it set up from the factory the total price is $18,521.00, It looks like I safe $1800. That also is a big reason for getting everything now.

Has anyone heard anything about new financing terms for March. Right now they offer a great deal at 0% for 48 months.

Also the garden tractor x320 I bought and is in the shop. I have had it 1 1/2 years and it has 31 hours. It has been broken the majority of the time I have owned it. I have asked JD to look into taking it back on trade in. The regional rep for the Northeast has been called but he/she has not responded in two weeks to either the dealer or JD. (very busy) Any suggestions on getting back most of the $4000 I have tied up. Is there a lemon law or something. My approach right now is I am willing to upgrade.

 

[JGY]

If this didn't have the FEL and BH I'd give the tractor away because a tractor without them is worthless to me.

Guess my tractor's useless!

Joe

 

[bruiserx2]

Joe,

Not sure I understand what you mean

 

[jcmseven]

Bruiser, my experience with JD corporate has been positive, but not to a scale that you might need to rectify your lemon 300 series mower. I suspect with persistence on the part of you and your dealer--especially if it is known that you are considering another JD--you will achieve satisfaction on your machine and perhaps some financial incentive to stay with JD. With regard to your purchase, I can say the 2305 is a really nice machine. It is small, which can be both good and bad. It has a lot of power for its size and mows well and is very manuverable. I think the BH is a nice option, but personally I think one can rent a lot of excavator time for the price they ask for the BH. I personally think one also has to use the BH a LOT to merit the hassle of taking it on and off (which is not that difficult) for using three point attachments. The 2305 has some downsides, though. It does not weigh very much (about 1425# unballasted) which means both the loader and a BH can move the tractor around in and on hard ground. Its hydraulics are pretty slow, when compared with any of the 2020 series machines, and it has a Limited Cat 1 hitch and is best suited to the Limited Cat one implements which are a little more light duty. Having gone through this myself just recently, I felt the 2320 was the better buy. For some more money one gets the full Cat 1 hitch, a much larger frame machine that weighes 250+# more and bigger tires, etc. It is much more machine, yet will still tread softly and would mow well. It is probably worth comparing its price spec'd the way you want and trying one out before making that final decision. Based on your initial post, I doubt you would feel you overbought by considering a 2320. I have had several JD tractors over the years, all various sized compacts, and the 2320 I now have is one of the most enjoyable to use I have ever had--and I do not think its the "new" talking.

John M

 

[ScottK]

I have two acres and definitely need the clearance of the 2320. For the money, get the 2320 with a toothbar. You will be able to dig many of the stumps using just the loader with the toothbar (and a chain will help too). Get a boxblade to help level it out. You (or the dealer) can weld chain hooks on top of the bucket to help lift and drag stumps and logs. The 2305 is much lower and has a fan hanging underneath that can be a problem and the cat 1 hitch is limited.

Get the power beyond at the time of ordering then you can add a hoe later more easily. Also have the rear tires loaded. They won't hurt your lawn unless you use 4WD on it or it's sopping wet.

I don't have the hoe, but I have gotten all stumps out as I described. If I need to trench I go down to Home Depot and rent a trencher.

 

[bruiserx2]

I have started thinking the same way. Go with the 2320, FEL, Toothbar, MMM and get the backhoe at a later date if I really want it/need it. The main reason I have been focused on the 2305 is the mowing. What I have read is the 2305 you can just go and mow in either high or low. The 2320 is not really geared that well for mowing and on hills you may need to switch from high to low and vice versa. Any thoughts or experience from you guys/gals out there mowing with the 2320 would be great.

I also like the faster hydraulics on the 2320. I am so torn, this decision is tough. I am trying to not let price play a huge role in it but is hard. I want the best base tractor that meets my needs now and will be enough for the future. I think the 2305 may be that tractor by the ground clearance, better 3 point hitch and faster hydraulics of the 2320 is appealing.