Buying Advice What should I use to mow 5 acres?

[JCCinOhio]

Would a 2305 hold it's value better than the x series (x500 or x700)?

 

[D33r3 6r33N]

Thanks Messmaker (and everyone else).. I was just getting on to see what the opinion was if I went berzerk and got a 2305 with a belly mower (is that the same as a MMM?).. Our lot doesn't have a garage so I was thinking of adding one, and with the 2305 I could get the backhoe and do the footers myself! Anyone know the approx price of the 260 Backhoe?

How does a 2305 handle slightly hilly terrain? Can you go across, or only up/down?

I'm so new to this I had to do a google search for CUT and MMM... but I can keep up with military acronyms with the best of them!

Thanks again to all!

I thought about getting a hoe for my 2305. But the more I thought about it, the more I talked myself out it. After all I can rent a mini escavator for about $200 a weekend. It's faster than that hoe would be, and that's a lot of weekends for the price of a hoe.
But if I'm spending your money that's a different story. :laughing:

 

[jgrreed]

I thought about getting a hoe for my 2305. But the more I thought about it, the more I talked myself out it. After all I can rent a mini escavator for about $200 a weekend. It's faster than that hoe would be, and that's a lot of weekends for the price of a hoe.
But if I'm spending your money that's a different story. :laughing:

Exactly the thoughts that ran through my head..... I couldn't agree more.

Just too much cash for me to put out with limited need.

-Jer.

 

[JCCinOhio]

Yeah, when I saw the backhoe was $5000+ that idea went right out the window.. Guess the next step is to go try and ride one.. looks like they have a $600 off deal if you get two implements.. so probably go with the 62c MMM and a front blade.. then in the spring get something for tilling. Have a lot to learn in that realm though..

Any worries I should have with this being the last year of the 2305? I guess parts would still not be too bad to come by in a few years?

 

[jgrreed]

Yeah, when I saw the backhoe was $5000+ that idea went right out the window.. Guess the next step is to go try and ride one.. looks like they have a $600 off deal if you get two implements.. so probably go with the 62c MMM and a front blade.. then in the spring get something for tilling. Have a lot to learn in that realm though..

Any worries I should have with this being the last year of the 2305? I guess parts would still not be too bad to come by in a few years?

I'm no JD veteran, but it should be OK.

Maybe think about waiting to see if any dealers are 'blowing out the old' ones?? Actually, it's Deere, that won't happen. They're likely to charge you more as "it's the last new one for miles around"!!!

-Jer.

 

[jenkinsph]

JCC,
Just something to think about but in your first post you mentioned the 20 to 25 degree slopes, that is fairly steep. I would suggest you compare the X748 or 749 to the 2305 very closely. The X749 should have a lower COG.

FWIW, I just finished installing the 540 pto and 3pt hitch to my new X749. Seems to work well so far and tried it out with my 5' landscape rake just before dark. Earlier this weekend I mowed the grass with the new mower and it is way faster then the older mower. The single range allows for just over 8 mph (fast for mowing) and I was very satisfied with this. I personally think this speed range is a better fit than the two ranges of the 2305 with low range being too slow and high range being too fast.

I am planning to get a 647 tiller before spring gets here and might buy some snow removal equipment if I have too.