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]

 

[bruiserx2]

That is a picture of my daughter and myself. It also gives you an idea of my backyard property. I finally spoke with John Deere. Not the regional rep but the dealership. The regional rep has yet to reply. The good news is the dealership is trying to work with me. They offered to come down and open the shop on a Saturday to show me both tractors 2305 and 2320 side by side.

 

[chipsndust]

Does your daughter get to upgrade her gator, like Dad is doing with his tractor?

 

[bruiserx2]

Absolutely, but it is not a direct upgrade just some additions to the original.

So this is what I am thinking. Please weigh in with your thoughts, and opinions. What am I missing or what can I do without.

JD 2305
MMM 52C
Independent lift-I read it was the way to go
FEL
Toothbar
Chain hooks on FEL
Loaded rear tires-Not sure
R4 tires
BH
Box blade 2048-Possible
Folding ROPS-this is an option I am not sold on. Does anyone know the over height of the ROPS, will it fit into a normal garage

 

[JiminGa]

Absolutely, but it is not a direct upgrade just some additions to the original.

So this is what I am thinking. Please weigh in with your thoughts, and opinions. What am I missing or what can I do without.

JD 2305
MMM 52C
Independent lift-I read it was the way to go
FEL
Toothbar
Chain hooks on FEL
Loaded rear tires-Not sure
R4 tires
BH
Box blade 2048-Possible
Folding ROPS-this is an option I am not sold on. Does anyone know the over height of the ROPS, will it fit into a normal garage

I have a 2305 with 62c, 200cx, independant deck lift, cruise control and several implements.
in my opinion, the only way to go with the independant deck lift is have them add the diverter valve. that saves alot of aggrevation.
don't have a toothbar yet, but I've come to realize I need to get one.
definately load the tires, and still put as much weight on the 3pt as you can, the loader is way stronger than you think.
I plowed my garden today with turfs on, so I'm not sold on r4's...when I say plow, I mean single bottom turn plow about 8 inches deep.
my dealer quoted me $900 for the frontier boxblade, so I spent $400 on a king kutter, it's cat 0 spacing, but I can live with it.

it'll just clear the garage door. maybe an inch and a half or two inches clearance

 

[ScottK]

Absolutely, but it is not a direct upgrade just some additions to the original.

So this is what I am thinking. Please weigh in with your thoughts, and opinions. What am I missing or what can I do without.

JD 2305
MMM 52C
Independent lift-I read it was the way to go
FEL
Toothbar
Chain hooks on FEL
Loaded rear tires-Not sure
R4 tires
BH
Box blade 2048-Possible
Folding ROPS-this is an option I am not sold on. Does anyone know the over height of the ROPS, will it fit into a normal garage

The 2305 can only handle a 1048L box blade (L for light) I believe. Part of it's limited capacity. Less useful than the 2048 but better than none at all for sure. You will still be able to level loose/soft material, but ripping up a packed gravel road or clay would be a challenge. If it's just the dirt you dig around tree stumps or spreading material or moving snow it should be fine.

 

[bruiserx2]

I did not realize the 2305 could not handle the 2048 BB. I will look further into that. Not sure it is worth it if it will only move loose dirt/gravel.
Thanks

 

[castiman]

I have the 2305 and don't get me wrong I love the tractor. I use it only for mowing and either snowblowing or plowing snow. If your really not sure of between the 2305 and 2320, get the 2320, cause you will pay dearly to up grade later if the 2305 isn't right for you. If they had offered a bigger front blower for the 2320 I would have bought that. I did however put a 6' plow on it and the 2305 handles that just fine. I have the standard fixed rops with with a curtis cab on my tractor and it fits in my garage with the 9x7 door. I do know the 2320 with its rops up will not fit into a 9x7 door, unless the rops is down. I wouldn't know about the other attachment.

 

[JiminGa]

there is a BB2048L that the 2305 will handle just fine. The L designator does not mean light duty, it means low profile. the difference between the 1048L and the 2048L is metal thickness, with the 2048 being stronger.

 

[ScottK]

Didn't know about the 2048L. I would get that then for the 2305. It will still be lighter than the 2048, but you should be able to hang suitcase weights on it to make it heavier if needed. It is the weight of the box blade that enables it to cut through the harder surfaces since there is no downward force other than its own weight. You do need some version of the L boxblades for the 2305 because of the limited cat 1 hitch and they will all be lighter (Jim is right that does not mean weaker) than the corresponding 1048, 2048, etc (less steel and weight with the low profile). I would get the 2048L and try it for a while on whatever surfaces you have. If you can't get it to bite in (try different angles of attack also) then you can add weight to get it to work. Maybe you won't need more weight. It will work with the right setup and practice.

 

[bruiserx2]

The dealer has recommended the BB1048L-Not sure why and I have a call into him. Here are the numbers I am getting. Things sure do add up. I was hoping to get a machine under $20K and that may not be a reality. Do these numbers look good to you guys.

With bells and whistles
JD 2305 - $10,400
MMM 54C - $1565
Independent lift w/ diverter - $709
FEL 200CX - $2700
Toothbar - $440
2 Chain hooks on FEL - $55
Loaded rear tires - $225
R4 tires N/C
BH - $5700
Box blade 1048L - $982
Fixed ROPS Height is 6?

Total - $22,776 + 6% = $24,142.56

JD 2320 - $12,450
MMM 54D - $1995
Independent lift w/diverter - $709
FEL 200CX 53 - $2740
Toothbar - $489
2 Chain hooks on FEL - $55
Loaded rear tires - $265
R4 tires N/C
BH - $6645
Box blade 2048 - $1145
Folding ROPS

Total - $26,493 + 6% = $28,082.58

Without bells and whistles
JD 2305 - $10,400
MMM 54C - $1565
FEL 200CX - $2700
BH - $5700

Total - $20,365 + 6% = $21,586.90

JD 2320 - $12,450
MMM 54D - $1995
FEL 200CX 53 - $2740
BH - $6645

Total - $23,830 + 6% =$25259.80

Thanks again, I really appreciate the feedback.