Tell me about the JD 2305

[JB2]

Hi

Guys, I am looking at buying a 2006 John Deere 2305 with 62" deck and rear mount 48" snowblower. I primarly want it for the 4X4 and would be using it for grass cutting and blowing snow. I would like to stay at the 2305 size for manurablity cutting grass and a couple of small laneways I blow out.

I am aware some 2305's have transmission issues from reading on here, but I am thinking about chancing it and see what happens. Tractor has 465hrs on the clock as of now, no major problems and all it really has done is cut grass and blew a single driveway since it was new. It has no loader though.

I like the Twin touch foot petals that the JD 2305 has as well as features. I like the MF subcompacts as well, but the dealer does not have any of them used, and a New MF with the dubble foot petals is out of the question right now.

Currently using an 96 Agco Allis 1920H ( Simplicity Sunstar) with 2 stage blower, but she is wearing out and might have to put a 2nd new starter on it... Not sure why a 4 yr old starter needs replacing already and I have barley used the tractor this past year, nor am I rough on equipment.

I am aware Kubota makes a nice subcompact, but I really don't care for the Hydro petal on the Kubotas, I like the twin touch petals like the Deere 2305 and the New MF 2300G's have... I drove a BX Kubota, thought it was nice but did not care much for the Hydro petal, just my personal preference, nothing against the other brands.

I have an exceptional JD dealer with great service & support so that is important to me if something goes wrong. I can also buy this Deere 2305 cheaper( as its a privite sale) verses a Kubota on the local Dealers lot.

Take Care Jason B

 

[ovrszd]

I have a JD2210 which is the same tractor without aerodynamic plastic. I use it for mowing 3.5 acres with the 62" deck. I also use it for boxblade and totebox work and snow removal with a front blade.

Mine was 4 years old when I bought it with 113 hours on the clock. R4 tires and 62" deck. Very straight. I paid $9500 for it. Then I bought a 54" front blade for $900. I also loaded the rear tires with fluid. I built a front weight rack and hang 250lbs of suitcase weights on it when using the boxblade.

I mow 1/4 mile of state road right-of-way plus my huge lawn. It handles side slopes very well. It does a good job of mowing if you don't get in too big of hurry. If you use a lot of speed the deck will dip and gouge a little. I'm talking half speed or more in high range.

I've put an additional 175 hours on it with no problems. Very economical on fuel. Will mow my lawn 2.5 times on a tank of diesel. Handles a 60" boxblade very well.

When I first started using it I didn't like the following things about it. No tilt wheel. Horrible suspension seat. No individual brakes. I've since gotten used to it and accept it's shortcomings. But I still think a tractor of this caliber should have had those items I mentioned. I also think the horrible seat might not be so big of deal if I had Turfs, they are generally more cushy than R4s.

I know, I know,,, I've heard all the people that say you don't need individual brakes with HST. I guess they must be mowing their living room floor. The slopes I mow I could use brakes.

 

[kennyd]

What "transmission issues" have you read about?

 

[OneMarineE5]

I too would be curious of the transmission issues. :confused3:

Jason, I can't say for sure that I've never heard of a 2305 having trainy issues...I can say that I do not recall any.

I did not catch what the cost of the 2305 is that you are looking at, but unless there exists some problem with this particular units transmission, I definitely do not feel you should reject a possible deal based on 2305 transmissions in general.

Good luck and let us know what you do

 

[JB2]

Not sure exactly where I heard about 2305 Transmission issues... But I have heard good things about the 2305! Yeah, tilt steering wheel would be nice, but no big deal, would love to buy a Brand new 1026R( I think thats the replacement model for the 2305) as it has the tilt steering wheel, but no big deal!

I always keep my Rad clean on my X744 Deere, so I will keep an eye on the rad of the 2305 for build up should I buy it.

Glad to hear they are stable on slopes and glad they come with ROPS.

The guy is wanting $9000 Canadian for his 2006 2305, has the 62" deck, and a 48" Buhler 2 stage blower.

I did price out a new 2305 Deere with the same set up & with taxes came to around $17,000 Canadian, so I think 9K is a fair price.
Take Care Jason B

 

[TripleR]

Check the review section, I don't care for our 2305, but some others like them. The upcoming replacement looks like a real winner though.

 

[Deadman]

The cooling fan on the transmission if the problem, not the transmission itself.
IF you run a stick over just right, and it pokes up into that fan (underneath kinda in front of rear axle), then the stick snaps off all the cooling fins on the fan blade, and your tranny does not cool. Mine was like that for years, and it was never an issue.
Loved mine, but glad I now jumped up to a larger tractor!

 

[cast_and_blast]

Hi

Guys, I am looking at buying a 2006 John Deere 2305 with 62" deck and rear mount 48" snowblower. I primarly want it for the 4X4 and would be using it for grass cutting and blowing snow. I would like to stay at the 2305 size for manurablity cutting grass and a couple of small laneways I blow out.

I am aware some 2305's have transmission issues from reading on here, but I am thinking about chancing it and see what happens. Tractor has 465hrs on the clock as of now, no major problems and all it really has done is cut grass and blew a single driveway since it was new. It has no loader though.

I like the Twin touch foot petals that the JD 2305 has as well as features. I like the MF subcompacts as well, but the dealer does not have any of them used, and a New MF with the dubble foot petals is out of the question right now.

I have a 2007 2305 and use it for mowing, light landscape work with the FEL and snowblowing with the 47" front snowblower. I have the 62C MMM and have ~175 hours on the unit.

Haven't heard of ANY tranny problems but for the plastic fan for those venturing off lawn for bush hogging, etc. I've yet to have a problem with mine. Did need a new battery last summer - that's been the only replacement item to speak of. Regular maintenance, run good quality diesel.

You'll love it - mows like a CHAMP and has plenty of power for a snowblower.

Good luck!

Scott

 

[JB2]

Ok, Thanks!

Thats a relief, I am hoping to go look at this unit in a few days, I hope its as good as it looks. Take Care Jason B

 

[brian22]

I had a 4100 JD and it was great..i think it would be simalar to a JD2305 I bought a 2720 and aside from not bogging down when the grass is wet(to mow)..the 4100 was all i needed..I find that there smaller tractors are just fine..i wish now i didnt spend the money and kept my 4100..would of lasted me a life time

 

[Deadman]

LOOK underneath and lay your eyes on the tranny cooler fan. its EXPENSIVE to replace, and if its busted, make sure they fix it for you before you buy it! :thumbsup: Its a white plastic fan that has fan blades on it, and they will be busted right off, or mangled.

 

[lwalsh]

I just sold a 2210 that I bought new in 2004. 400 hrs. zero problems. Not even a battery. I used the loader for all it was worth, blew a 1000 ft. drive. with a front blower. Ran a wallenstien chipper and also a backhoe. Continually amazed what it would do given enough time.

I think the tranny problem is actually the busted pto problem. The pto case has broken for quite a few people when a dead stop such as a brush hog hitting an immoveable object occurs. I stalled mine a few times with the wood chipper but that is more of a slow down to a stall sort of thing.

 

[cast_and_blast]

I think the tranny problem is actually the busted pto problem. The pto case has broken for quite a few people when a dead stop such as a brush hog hitting an immoveable object occurs.

Only if you don't have a properly sized shear pin that breaks or a properly adjusted slip clutch on the PTO. The other one is having the PTO shaft too long. The only issues I've seen with the rear PTO have been self-inflicted.

Scott

 

[JB2]

Hey Guys!

Just went and took a look at the Deere 2305 tonight! Very nice shape, has a few paint chips on the hood, but is mechnically sound. The owner has all the maintence and service history of the tractor and it was given a full annual service inspection from the near by JD dealer. I drove the 2305 and she has plenty of power, the 4X4 is a real winner.

I ended up pulling the trigger and bought the Deere 2305 tonight! I was impressed with its performance. Sadly it looks like my Deere 455AWS will be up for sale this spring! I wish I could keep it as well, but I don't need two 4WS mowers and I really don't want to part with my Deere X744 AWS as Its a dream to run and is needed for the smaller properties I maintain.

I am looking forward to bringing the Deere 2305 home and putting her to work blowing snow & grass cutting in the spring!

Looks like I have moved into the Sub -compact tractor market... Time will tell, maybe I will put a loader on her down the road, but for now it will work for what I need it to do.

Take Care Jason B

 

[Artesia Aggie]

Congrats! Welcome to Team Green!!!

 

[Cidertom]

Having a 2305 I don't think you will regret it. Just remember it is NOT a full size tractor nor even a 'compact' it is a sub-compact. I have the happiness of a 4520 and a 2305. The wife unit loves the 2305. She get scared of the 4520.

 

[Deadman]

Is the tranny fan ok?

 

[OneMarineE5]

Awesome Jason. Congrats

Hope to see some pics of her working soon. :thumbsup:

 

[jenkinsph]

Having a 2305 I don't think you will regret it. Just remember it is NOT a full size tractor nor even a 'compact' it is a sub-compact. I have the happiness of a 4520 and a 2305. The wife unit loves the 2305. She get scared of the 4520.

I am satisfied with the X749 and 4520 too. Chances are if JB2 had moved up a notch to a 748 or 749 he would not need to look for a 2305.

 

[JB2]

I am satisfied with the X749 and 4520 too. Chances are if JB2 had moved up a notch to a 748 or 749 he would not need to look for a 2305.

Hi

I actually did look at and tried out a John Deere X748 with 4X4 this past spring before I bought my 2007 John Deere X744 with AWS. The X700 series are a great tractor, I love my X744 and was considering a used X748 with cab, but the dealer was wanting $12,500 Can for it plus another $3K for a used blower which would have brought me to $15,500 Canadian. I was able to buy this 2005 John Deere 2305 with 62" deck & 48" rear mount 2 stage blower for $8,500 Canadian and it had 465hrs vs the 905hrs that the X748 had. I would not mind an X749, or even a 2nd X700 series, but I got a good deal on the 2305 that was too hard to pass up.

I am selling the 455AWS, as the 2305 has a 62" deck for the larger lawns I cut, but I really love All Wheel Steering for the smaller properties or ones with obsticals and it made sence to keep the X744 as I just got it in June of this year and really like the features of it. I got a sweet deal on the X744, so thats why I never went with an X748 or 49.

Take Care Jason B