Comparison JD 2305 vs JD 2320

[ORBrit]

Hi,
I have 10.5 mostly flat acres of property - with about 6.5 acres being forested.

The rest is about and acre of cleared land for building (barn, house, vehicle turnaround etc.) and then there is a 1 acre meadow, and a 400' gravel driveway.

I intend to use a small tractor for brush hogging, loader tasks to thin out the forest, box blade for maintaining the driveway, possibly a chipper and post hole digger later on.

I am leaning towards the Deere 2305 and 2320, because the dealer is great - I purchased motorcycles from them in the past and have been well looked after.

I understand the main differences to be:
1. Ground clearance (anyone actually know how much difference there is?)
2. 3pt hitch - up down on 2305 vs positioning on 2320
3. Hydraulics - slightly higher capacities on 2320
4. Trans Cooling - air vs hydro

The price for the 2305 with 200X loader, loaded R4 tires is $12500 otd
The price for the 2320 with 200X loader, loaded R4 tires is $14000 otd

So for $1500 or 31/month difference, which one is better for the uses I have described above - light FEL work, brush mowing, future PTO (chipping and post holes).

The dealer seems to be pushing me towards the 2305.

He says having more ground clearance doesn't necessarily keep you out of trouble any more - often the opposite!

The up/down 3pt hitch apparently doesn't make a difference for brush hogging or box blade work - is that true? What about post hole digging?

 

[bp fick]

Not at all sure why dealer would push you toward a certain model. For that price difference, it would be the bigger, no little fan, tractor for me. In the end, only you can make the decision, and a lot of guys here will recommend the machine they bought and defend it as the right one for you.

Consider hydraulics lift capabilities on the 3 pt and FEL as well. You might find the difference in the 2320 makes a big difference to you as you work.

 

[sal64]

i say when in dought go with the bigger one i have a 2320 use it mostly for mowing and have bean happy with it also 2320 weel are bigger.

 

[ChuckinNH]

I would take the 2320, and never look back. I doubt that you would be very happy bush hogging without position control, and with a weaker cooling system. I would only choose the 2305 if finish mowing were my primary goal.

 

[texas42]

I have a 2320 that I enjoy very much.
I've had it for two years and it has served me well with no problems.
I can only answer your question this way "I have never wished I had bought smaller but there have been a couple times I wished I'd of bought bigger"

 

[Deadman]

I was in this same exact boat a few years ago. I made the best decision possible, I left the 2305 behind, and I left the 2320 behind! I bought a 2520, and let me just say that its the best thing I ever did as far as capability. :thumbsup:
Yes it costs more, but it really does ALOT more! The motor has soooooo much more torque, its like 10 or more Ft Lbs torque over the 2320. Its only like 2 hp on paper, but the 2520 is direct injected, so fuel economy is likely the same even tho its got more power!

 

[davkir]

For that price, the 2320 would be my choice. (I have a 2305)
Note: The 200X loader is not easy to remove.

 

[dmay]

The price for the 2305 with 200X loader, loaded R4 tires is $12500 otd
The price for the 2320 with 200X loader, loaded R4 tires is $14000 otd

Why 200X loader? I'd recommend 2320/200CX loader.

 

[ORBrit]

Why 200X loader? I'd recommend 2320/200CX loader.

That's what they have setup.
I doubt I'd ever remove the loader anyways so the 200X will probably suite me just fine.

Sounds like the position control on the 3Pt hitch with the 2320 is reason enough to spend the extra $1500.

 

[ddivinia]

I would take the 2320, and never look back. I doubt that you would be very happy bush hogging without position control, and with a weaker cooling system. I would only choose the 2305 if finish mowing were my primary goal.

Ditto

No position control sucks.

D.

 

[mjncad]

If your sold on one of those two models...go bigger; but with 10.5-acres, I'd look into a 3000 series rig if I were you and your budget allows for it. Now if you don't intend to do any tractor work in the forested area, the 2000 series may be just the ticket for you.

 

[bp fick]

That's what they have setup.
I doubt I'd ever remove the loader anyways so the 200X will probably suite me just fine.

hmmmm... kinda got my doubts about that statement. For many, many situations, the FEL gets left on the shop floor.

 

[jenkinsph]

If your sold on one of those two models...go bigger; but with 10.5-acres, I'd look into a 3000 series rig if I were you and your budget allows for it. Now if you don't intend to do any tractor work in the forested area, the 2000 series may be just the ticket for you.

I agree, don't buy a lawn mower sized tractor to thin your 'forest'. Something along the lines of a 3032E or 3038E with fel would be alot more capable.

 

[TripleR]

I own a 2305 and have gone from thinking it was "OK" if not good to disliking it. If you are determined to get one or the other, go with the 2320, my choice would be bigger even than that.

I can't believe anyone told you lack of position control was unimportant for bush hogging.

 

[BleedGreen]

Absolutely go with at least the 2320. Although the 2520 is the sweet spot in the 2x20 lineup - more torque, dual pumps, larger front axle, longer wheelbase... I have no idea why your dealer is pushing the 2305, unless he has several of them in stock (and knows the new replacement units are coming out soon) and why would he say that less ground clearance is a good thing? As other commenters said, I would like up to the 3032E, especially if you are not doing finish mowing. You already stated that you are ok with the non quik-tach (200X) loader so the 305 should not be an issue for you. If your main needs are loader and 3 pt work I would be showing you the 3E series - and it should come in less than the 2520 with the 200X. Also, position control is an absolute must - the main reason I would move up from the 2305.

 

[kennyd]

I have no idea why your dealer is pushing the 2305, unless he has several of them in stock (and knows the new replacement units are coming out soon)

Care to elaborate on that a little?

 

[Hammsman]

We are very pleased with the capabilities of our 2320, but with the amount of possible things you will want to do in the future and the amount of land you have I agree you should be looking at the 3000 series with a cab.

 

[BleedGreen]

Care to elaborate on that a little?

Elaborate on why dealers "push" stuff that is on the lot? Sure!

Most dealers are paying interest on the on lot units and therefore prefer to sell a model that is in stock rather than order... Wait, this isnt what you were wanting me to elaborate on, is it?

 

[kennyd]

Elaborate on why dealers "push" stuff that is on the lot? Sure!

Most dealers are paying interest on the on lot units and therefore prefer to sell a model that is in stock rather than order... Wait, this isnt what you were wanting me to elaborate on, is it?

Well now, I guess the proverbial "cat's out of the bag" now isn't it?:laughing:

 

[BleedGreen]

Well now, I guess the proverbial "cat's out of the bag" now isn't it?:laughing:

...or the "deer" is out of the bag??? must have been a pretty big bag!!!