2305 + boxblade/rake + this driveway

[jdbower]

I think at this juncture it will be the 2305...

Just make sure you complain about how much effort it is to get things done and how much fuel you could save if you could make a single pass. Then you can get a 3720 with a heated cab for the manly tractor stuff like pushing snow and fixing the driveway and use the 2305 as a mower and for light-duty work.

To save a little on the initial investment you can look into just using the FEL to move the snow instead of an expensive snowthrower. I'm not sure how much you'll be expecting this winter (the VT in your name implies a lot), but a FEL works fairly well but (especially with a smaller tractor) can take a lot longer.

 

[Gizmo2]

Decisions, decisions Thanks for all your help guys I think at this juncture it will be the 2305. I looked at the 2320 which I'd really like to have, but the CFO (wifey) says not right now So on the time v. HP thought, it just gives me more seat time on the toy which I'm not opposed to. I will take whatever time it needs to do the grading, but I just don't want to damage the machine by over taxing it (transmission, frame, etc.) It's a long, long driveway with lots of hardpack.

Very sweet little machine though. I just got back from the dealer and was playing with the FEL. At first I was going to wait on that, but in thinking about the projects I have around here, and the fact that I don't want to waste $$ renting a machine with a FEL, I think it makes sense to buy it now. I have walkways and stone walls to build, plants to plant, brush to clear all for this ridiculously over budget house we built (that's why I can't get the 2320 yet). But if I take my time on the 2305, I think it will do fine. I just can't go into the woods and snag the plastic fan

Thanks for helping me make this decision.

- Stew

I was going to recommend the 2000 series or 3000 series but not the 2305. The FEL you buy for the 2305 will fit all the way up to the 2720. Lot of driveway you have they and not to mention the wooded land.
No worries, JD won't be going out of business anytime soon.

 

[VTtractorguy]

Are you working with Mike Hendy at Hendy Brothers in Middlebury, VT?

No, actually Troittier in S. Royalton. Hendy is too far. I've heard good things about them though. Troittier guys are very decent folks. So far, so good.

 

[VTtractorguy]

To save a little on the initial investment you can look into just using the FEL to move the snow instead of an expensive snowthrower. I'm not sure how much you'll be expecting this winter (the VT in your name implies a lot), but a FEL works fairly well but (especially with a smaller tractor) can take a lot longer.

I was just thinking this today. I rented a 3720 last fall and it snowed 12 inches one night. The FEL did a great job clearing the driveway. So perhaps I'll rely on that this winter. Last year we got absolutely hammered with snow. I think it was the most snow I've ever seen in all the 38years I've lived in Vermont. Unbelievable. One of the reasons I am getting the tractor is it's difficult relying solely on the plow guy to get us out. Sometimes we would be stranded for a day or two. My wife works at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and has to be there at 6:45am. Even with 4WD cars, it's difficult. The only saving grace is it's all downhill to the main road.

Here are some shots of the work this little beast will be subjected to...

- Build stone walkways around house and stone steps at front door (get rid of ugly temp wooden ones).
- Rebuild 150 year old stone wall clueless site guy destroyed and left in a pile.
- Build stone patio around deck in back.
- Plant lots of trees and gardens.
- Clear woods (carefully w/2305) beyond driveway to open up long range views.

I think the 2305 can do most of this work, except maybe lifting the heavy rocks. That stuff I'll rent the 3720 for. At any rate... I'll be having lots of fun

 

[ChuckinNH]

I'm headed to DHMC today for treatment, and I'd like you to thank your wife for all the good things they do there. I bought a garden tractor from Troittier about 8 years ago. Their prices were the best, and they treated me well both before, and after the sale. The dealer setup on the machine was somewhat lacking though, and I had to redo a couple of things.... belts installed incorrectly, etc. They did push to get it to me, and perhaps that was part of the problem.

The loader is slower on the 2305 than on the 3000 series, so I would try to work a snowblower into the deal. If not, make sure you have the largest bucket you are comfortable with for our snow, even if it means buying a smaller one for your digging chores.

 

[orlo]

My two cents:

I have a 3720 cab with loader, Front mount 59" blower, etc. and a 2305 with a 200CX FEL, 47" front mount blower, Woods BH6000, etc. I've used both with and without the blower for snow removal.

I keep them at different locations but last year kept the 2305 up in VT (Guildhall). The FEL will remove snow but is not great as it takes many, many extra passes since you 'spill' over the edges. It is nice however for breaking down banks, etc. Last winter I left the FEL and BH on the 2305 and it worked great for breaking down banks, moving snow, etc. but plowing even my (maybe 250') driveway took many, many passes.

What I haven't tried (but would like to) would be leaving a FEL on with a rear mount Snowblower. I'll bet that would be a great combo. The Front mount snowblower is great to drive and your not looking backwards but it is nice to keep the FEL on front for breaking down banks, chipping up hard packed snow/ice, etc.

The blower for the 2305 works great except that (typical) you'll cover yourself with snow really quickly if the wind changes...

You won't be disappointed with either, just that with any significant accumulation you'll be making a lot of passes with the FEL. I think somebody here fabricated a loader mount blade for the 200CX. Aside from the side thrust I think that would probably work well also.

On another note I wouldn't even consider buying the 2305 without the FEL. It's one of the best value options in use/$$$ - You'll use it for things you can't even think of now.

 

[VTtractorguy]

I'm headed to DHMC today for treatment, and I'd like you to thank your wife for all the good things they do there.

Chuck, thanks for the kind words. Yes, DHMC is a great place. Both my girls were born there and my Mom (who just turned 86) has had lots of procedures done there for her heart. Excellent Cardiology dept. I'll pass your comments on to my wife Ann. She works in the Intensive Care Nursery taking care of premes. Been there for 26 years... So they must be treating her right.

Best of luck with your visit today.

Stew

 

[VTtractorguy]

Orlo:

Thanks for the advice. I too thought of a rear mounted snow blower to be able to keep the FEL on. I just don't know with this 2000' driveway if my neck will regret it. I'll probably start witht he FEL and if I can afford it buy the blower in November.

 

[JCB]

VT,

You will not be happy clearing your driveway with the 2305 FEL. The 2305 hydraulics are anemic compared to the slamming hydraulics on the 3720 you rented. The dump cycle on the 2305 will drive you nuts moving snow.

The 2305 FEL is the right tool for a lot of jobs, but it is the wrong tool for that job. Unless your typical snow is 1 inch or less, know going in that at some point you WILL be looking for a blade of some sort.

My two cents.

Joe

 

[VTtractorguy]

VT,

You will not be happy clearing your driveway with the 2305 FEL. The 2305 hydraulics are anemic compared to the slamming hydraulics on the 3720 you rented. The dump cycle on the 2305 will drive you nuts moving snow.

The 2305 FEL is the right tool for a lot of jobs, but it is the wrong tool for that job. Unless your typical snow is 1 inch or less, know going in that at some point you WILL be looking for a blade of some sort.

My two cents.

Joe

Joe, thanks for opening up my eyes on this. I'm sure you are right about the dump cycle driving me nuts. Last winter we sometimes got 26 inches at a time (and seemed like x 10 times!) Depending on finances, maybe the thing to do is not let go the plow guy and use the FEL on the 2305 to clean up what he didn't get (and that drove me nuts too). I can also probably put up with the occasional full cleaning of the driveway when he doesn't get here for a day or so. I think at this point if it's down to the tractor plus either the FEL or blower for this year, it will be the FEL as I really need it now for landscaping. I'll just have to make due this winter with plow guy and FEL at times.

Thx

Stew