thinking of upgrade to 2305

[ScottK]

I tested a 2320 with BH and didn't see any problems. Dealer sells lots of them with the BH. I didn't buy the BH just due to cost at the time.

 

[Phineas7]

You'll definitely need a box blade. I too have the 2048. Tryring to smooth anything with the FEL is practically impossible. You're going to find that the FEL is really not that good at digging into packed dirt, but the BB will break up the hard ground and rip small roots. These are compact tractors not bulldoziers. You'll be amazed how small of a root will stop the FEL in its tracks. A heavily built BB like the frontier makes a good counter balance for the FEL anyway.

 

[bruiserx2]

Would you say the Frontier BB is better than the JD? I would think it would be best to get everything at JD. Or is it cost. If the quality is equal then I would think JD but if you get a better BB from Frontier than that is a different story.

 

[chipsndust]

I agree with other posters about the box blade. I think the Frontier brand is what JD offers. When I bought my 2305 in 2006, I got the 200CX FEL, 47" front mount snowblower, 62" MMM, and Woods 48" boxblade. I have added a couple of implements since (brush hog and subsoiler). I always use the box blade when using the FEL. Provides counterweight, and as other posters have said, breaks up the ground for the FEL. Once you learn how to use it, the box blade is very useful and versatile.
Lots of good advice here, for me, the 2305 was the right choice. I use it for similar purposes as you describe. Going larger becomes a problem with mowing. The only criticism I have, as mentioned, is the ground clearance. The transmission cooling fan and oil filter are vulnerable. After putting a stick through the fan, I fastened some sheet metal to the underside to protect it. I build/maintain trails, brush hog, haul logs, and snowblow 80' driveway with my 2305, but probably most of the hours are mowing. Based on your property size, I could see you ending up with more tractor than you need to mow your lawn.

 

[MR_NC]

FWIW,
I bought the 2305 deal you are thinking about pretty much exactly end of July 08 (same price 17.5 otd)
2305+MMM(62c)+200cx+260BH

Just shy of 80 hours on the machine now.
I have no regret.
Bigger tractors have more expensive implements. You seem to have found the same several thou price diff I found.

I respectfully disagree with the poster who stated the 2320 was going to go get stumps the 2305 can't.

Specifications - 260 Backhoe
Specifications - 46 Backhoe

What type of ground do you have? I have some very heavy clay soil (sadly) and I can STILL see the tracks in the yard from the last mow with the 2305 (it was popcorn fart dry when I mowed last). I am pretty sure with my BH sub frame the mowing package on the 2305 is at least a ton (2000#). How much more would the 2320 be on the yard (same rig w/sub frame).

If you don't intend to use the machine to make a living. Are the faster fluid cycle times really justified?

I have: mowed grass, dug dirt, pulled stumps, graded driveway and moved a BUNCH of snow. All with a big fat smile on my face

Best regards,
Sean

 

[ChuckinNH]

I stand corrected on the backhoe. I thought the 46 backhoe was more competitive with the BH65 that goes on the same size Kubota. I do know that my old BX would have balked at the roots in that video, and I guess that is what I based my comments on. Of course, most of the stumps that I dug were elm, and the roots on them are very tough.

 

[bruiserx2]

The soil up here in Southern CT is rocky and hard packed dirt. I expect to hit 1 to 3 inches of topsoil and then hard packed dirt/subsoil as deep as that little hoe wil go.

 

[farmboy12]

The soil up here in Southern CT is rocky and hard packed dirt. I expect to hit 1 to 3 inches of topsoil and then hard packed dirt/subsoil as deep as that little hoe wil go.

Just a little tip, before you use the backhoe on land like this, I would suggest breaking it up a little first. You can do this with a tiller or other ground-engaging tools before the backhoe comes in. If you get a toothbar, you can tilt the bucket forward, with the teeth in the ground, then pick up your front end and drive around.<This could be a subject of controversy, though...


Kyle

 

[jenkinsph]

I would see if I could test the backhoe in question before buying.


Steve

 

[bruiserx2]

I will ask the dealer if I can rent one. I know they rent attachments. (Not a BH though, already asked) The dealer will let me drive around his lot and dig a dirt pile but no excavating.

 

[bruiserx2]

I may have misread this but hopefully someone can set it straight.
Will the BH fit if I get the 2305 with the 54C MMM? I remember seeing some say that it would not and that the BH only fits with the 62C

 

[kennyd]

If you get a toothbar, you can tilt the bucket forward, with the teeth in the ground, then pick up your front end and drive around.<This could be a subject of controversy, though...


Kyle

That is a great way to bend up your cylinders in a hurry!

 

[farmboy12]

That is a great way to bend up your cylinders in a hurry!

Did I say it would cause controversy, or what?


Kyle

 

[JiminGa]

I may have misread this but hopefully someone can set it straight.
Will the BH fit if I get the 2305 with the 54C MMM? I remember seeing some say that it would not and that the BH only fits with the 62C

I can't answer the question, but unless you have alot of spaces that are just too narrow for the 62c, I wouldn't even be looking at the 54c. the bigger deck will give a much smaller uncut turning radius and speed up mowing time in open areas

 

[ScottK]

Would you say the Frontier BB is better than the JD? I would think it would be best to get everything at JD. Or is it cost. If the quality is equal then I would think JD but if you get a better BB from Frontier than that is a different story.

JD doesn't make implements for these tractors. Frontier is what JD sells with their CUTs. JD will finance them and your dealer will have them or get them for you. There is a JD/Frontier implement catalog your dealer should have on hand. In other words they are one and the same.

 

[bruiserx2]

I have a 48 inch deck now and its tight in some spots, The 62 will be to big and way over kill. Plus time out mowing is "my time" and if if takes a little longer than thats not such a bad thing.

 

[Birdmayon]

JD doesn't make implements for these tractors. Frontier is what JD sells with their CUTs. JD will finance them and your dealer will have them or get them for you. There is a JD/Frontier implement catalog your dealer should have on hand. In other words they are one and the same.

True. In fact Frontier doesn't even make most of their implements (if any). I've got a Frontier box blade that is actually made by woods. I've got a woods rear blade that is identical to the frontier blade (i.e. the Frontier blade is made by woods), my frontier finish mower is actually made by Befco, etc etc etc.

 

[bruiserx2]

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.

 

[Birdmayon]

The Woods stuff may or may not be cheaper, probably depends on the dealer and what day you talk to them. My woods blade saved me a few hundred over buying the Frontier stamped version. That said, you'll have to decide if having matching paint between your tractor and your implements is important to you. Befco is bright red/orange, woods is burnt orange (and the paint quality is horrible, it flakes off just from sitting outside for a few months), etc. The Green Frontier paint on my box blade seems to hold up better than a Woods factory paint job.

 

[MR_NC]

From what my dealer told me:
The 260BH works with BOTH 54 and 62 decks. The BIG FAT HAIRY DEAL is that you simply MUST have the independent lift! If you use the standard deck lift there is MUCH PAIN for changing things around when the BH is involved. The standard (3pt) deck lift is not one of JD's "good ideas". With independent lift I can go from TLB to mower in about 10 min total (drop the loader and BH and install mower deck).

I started with the standard lift... I exchanged it PROMPTLY!

I got a BB manufactured locally. It is nicer than the JD and much nicer than the TSC BB. My driveway does not seem to mind that the paint is not green on the BB. Personally I can't see the JD 600 dollar BB being worth that...

Best regards,
Sean