2305 pricing/recommendations

[hink10]

Hi Everyone,

I'm still trying to make the decision to buy the 2305 TLB. I went to the dealer again today and took a little ride, It handles well. It has been raining like crazy and the R4 tires didn't do much to the turf, that made me feel better. I was trying to get information about the tractor but the sales guy didn't seem to know much, think he may be new. I need to confirm the 0% financing. I wasn't aware that it's a dealer participation thing. That deal, if they honor it, ends on Monday so I need to make some quick decisions and most importantly, get the wife on board.

One thing the sales guy told me was they only have one 2305 between their 2 stores. He said they are getting scarce due to the new series problems, they seem pretty confident they won't be out until the fall although Deere is saying June. I don't have much confidence since the release has been pushed back a couple times already. I think there may be some deals to be had on the 2305, I think Deere is trying to clear them out? He gave me some prices, this was a different sales person than I talked to before. He gave me a couple of prices for different loader bucket sizes, 49" and 53". The bucket on the model they have measured 61" or so. Im a bit confused on that issue. I'll refer back to the first sales person I talked to and said the 2305 with a 54C deck and loader as it sat was $14,500 and the BH was $4850 (including the power beyond).

From what I understand, the 62" deck is the way to go? Especially as I will be adding wheel spacers. The extra cost was $350 for the 62" deck. He also gave me a price of $238 on a ballast box and $364 for the hydraulic diverter ($529 installed). We were talking about the independent lift deck at the time, but I think he was just pricing the diverter alone, not the lift, does that sound right?

I've done a bunch of reading on the deck lift and diverter and I'm still not sure exactly what the diverter and deck lift will let me do at the same time. I know it's not that complicated, but I am short on time and don't want to waste the money if not necessary. It seems to me many of you think the independent lift is not necessary? I would want to be able to use the loader and backhoe without swapping any hydro lines. If I only have the independent lift, the loader curl will not work without changing hoses, correct? Most likely, I would have the deck off for loader work, but it may be nice to run the deck w/ the loader without switching. I'm a bit confused on that issue and don't expect the sales guy to be of much help.

I guess the bottom line at this time is for the 2305 w/loader, BH, 62C deck and ballast box would be $19,938 plus Illinois tax of 6.75% if I recall. Total of $21,283 or so. That does not include the independent lift or diverter. I asked if there was any "wiggle room" and he seemed to indicate there may be. I also have an old 2000 series cub cadet that may be worth a few hundred. I need to get the price under $20K out the door, less if possible. I know the margins are pretty slim with the dealers so I'm not expecting too much but they may just want to unload it. I thought about buying out of state to save the tax, but with the financing, that may be an issue.

I'm not finding many new 2305s online and haven't had a chance to call around. I am in Illinois so I would have to pay tax in Iowa or Illinois as they have a reciprocal tax code. The closest states are Indiana, Missouri, Wisconsin and Minnesota. I have seen some used tractors, but they really aren't that much cheaper and If I have to finance with interest, it's a wash. The interest would be a couple grand at a reasonable interest rate.

Any info on the hydraulics, prices, etc would be appreciated. Sorry for the long, rambling post. It's late and I'm tired!

Steve

 

[tkoza]

If you are getting the hoe skip the ballest box
the hoe does much better - spend the $$$$ on the diverter


the ind deck lift saves the hassle of removing/installing the lower 3pt arms -

diverter valve - you can leave the deck, FEL, and the hoe on for those days when you are tool lazy or transporting equipment

also get 5 years of service materials if you plan to do your own service esp if the rate is 0% - 5 gallon bucket of hydro fluid and the bucket pump

if you live where it is cold get extra fuel filters

get the rops warning light protectors and (2) work lights

 

[hink10]

Thanks for the recommendations. I will still probably get the ballast box for lighter loader work, probably won't want to put the BH on every time I use the loader. I've read a lot of negative along with some positive about the independent lift. Anyone have more advice in manual or independent lift? The diverter effectively lets you use the mower and loader at the same time without switching the one hose, the power beyond kit will let you use the loader and BH at the same time, correct? What does it take to remove the lower 3 pt arms?

What bucket size would you get for the loader. It has a 61" as it sits. I've read that some prefer the 53". I think the larger bucket would be good to load up the light stuff like mulch. Thanks again for the help, don't think I can count on the sales person for answers. He barely know how to operate the thing!

Steve

If you are getting the hoe skip the ballest box
the hoe does much better - spend the $$$$ on the diverter


the ind deck lift saves the hassle of removing/installing the lower 3pt arms -

diverter valve - you can leave the deck, FEL, and the hoe on for those days when you are tool lazy or transporting equipment

also get 5 years of service materials if you plan to do your own service esp if the rate is 0% - 5 gallon bucket of hydro fluid and the bucket pump

if you live where it is cold get extra fuel filters

get the rops warning light protectors and (2) work lights

 

[revitupfaster]

If you have the mechanical lift, you can use the loader and mower independently, without switching any hoses. With the independent lift for the mower deck, you need to switch the hoses from the loader circuit to the independent lift cylinder to make it work.

You can add another set of SCV connectors which will give you 6 places to connect hydraulic hoses, so you can leave all the lines connected. This system uses a diverter valve, which you can operate from the tractor seat, that lets you direct the flow of hydraulic fluid to the implement you want to control.

The only thing the independent mower lift does, is free up the 3pth to operate independently from the mower deck, since it is actually the 3pth system that raises and lowers the mower deck with the mechancal system.

The loader hoses are connected to the 4 scv outlets that are standard on the tractor, and don't have any effect on the 3pth operation.

I have a 2520, and went with the 53" bucket. Just wide enough to clear a path wider that the rear tires. For my purposes, I thought the 61" was too big. I didn't see myself having to load that much stuff, and I think the 53" will be a better choice for any digging chores. The buckets are pretty wide hanging off the front like that, I already clipped the side of my garage door by turning a little too sharp while backing out. Hate to see the stuff I could bash up with another 8" to worry about.

REV

 

[hink10]

Thanks for the reply! I went to the dealer again today to get his lowest prices. The total with a 62" deck, 200CX (I assume w/ the 61" bucket that's attached) and the backhoe will be $20,100 plus $1350 in tax. He said that was with all incentives and I would be taking advantage of the 0% financing. The funny thing is, he gave me a quote of $4850 for the BH last week, this time it was $5200. I didn't call him on it because I couldn't remember the exact price from the first time. Anyway, I think he took away an incentive since I'm doing the financing. Deere's site shows you can combine incentives, I believe there was $300 off a 2305.

He priced the independent lift at $850 installed and the diverter at $450 installed. I'm already over my comfort zone with the price so I think I will forego those options. Also quoted me $200 for the cruise option and $100 for forward work lights. Don't know if I need the cruise, I can always add it later if I need it.

There is only the one 2305 left in town, not only did Deere take away the pricing on the site awhile back, they have removed the 2305 completely, they are no longer making them. The sales guy told me the new series won't be out until fall. No one seems to know much, they just say production issues. They also don't know the price. I would like the new model, but I don't want to wait. I'm not sure I want to buy the first run of a new model anyway plus, I don't count on 0% financing right away. I could be wrong, maybe since they will be out late in the year, they will offer incentives?

I may call a dealer a bit farther away and see if they may have one cheaper. $21,456 otd is a bunch, I'm going to have to talk the wife into it tonight, I need to secure financing tomorrow to be sure I get it in order by Monday when the financing offer ends. I know these have good resale, but now being an obsolete model, it will probably lose more value. What would you guy do, buy now with guaranteed 0% rates or wait for the new model and risk paying more and not having the financing incentive? I wish I could remember what retail was on the 2305? Well guys, what do you think?

Steve

If you have the mechanical lift, you can use the loader and mower independently, without switching any hoses. With the independent lift for the mower deck, you need to switch the hoses from the loader circuit to the independent lift cylinder to make it work.

You can add another set of SCV connectors which will give you 6 places to connect hydraulic hoses, so you can leave all the lines connected. This system uses a diverter valve, which you can operate from the tractor seat, that lets you direct the flow of hydraulic fluid to the implement you want to control.

The only thing the independent mower lift does, is free up the 3pth to operate independently from the mower deck, since it is actually the 3pth system that raises and lowers the mower deck with the mechancal system.

The loader hoses are connected to the 4 scv outlets that are standard on the tractor, and don't have any effect on the 3pth operation.

I have a 2520, and went with the 53" bucket. Just wide enough to clear a path wider that the rear tires. For my purposes, I thought the 61" was too big. I didn't see myself having to load that much stuff, and I think the 53" will be a better choice for any digging chores. The buckets are pretty wide hanging off the front like that, I already clipped the side of my garage door by turning a little too sharp while backing out. Hate to see the stuff I could bash up with another 8" to worry about.

REV

 

[tkoza]

Thanks for the reply! I went to the dealer again today to get his lowest prices. The total with a 62" deck, 200CX (I assume w/ the 61" bucket that's attached) and the backhoe will be $20,100 plus $1350 in tax. He said that was with all incentives and I would be taking advantage of the 0% financing. The funny thing is, he gave me a quote of $4850 for the BH last week, this time it was $5200. I didn't call him on it because I couldn't remember the exact price from the first time. Anyway, I think he took away an incentive since I'm doing the financing. Deere's site shows you can combine incentives, I believe there was $300 off a 2305.

He priced the independent lift at $850 installed and the diverter at $450 installed. I'm already over my comfort zone with the price so I think I will forego those options. Also quoted me $200 for the cruise option and $100 for forward work lights. Don't know if I need the cruise, I can always add it later if I need it.

There is only the one 2305 left in town, not only did Deere take away the pricing on the site awhile back, they have removed the 2305 completely, they are no longer making them. The sales guy told me the new series won't be out until fall. No one seems to know much, they just say production issues. They also don't know the price. I would like the new model, but I don't want to wait. I'm not sure I want to buy the first run of a new model anyway plus, I don't count on 0% financing right away. I could be wrong, maybe since they will be out late in the year, they will offer incentives?

I may call a dealer a bit farther away and see if they may have one cheaper. $21,456 otd is a bunch, I'm going to have to talk the wife into it tonight, I need to secure financing tomorrow to be sure I get it in order by Monday when the financing offer ends. I know these have good resale, but now being an obsolete model, it will probably lose more value. What would you guy do, buy now with guaranteed 0% rates or wait for the new model and risk paying more and not having the financing incentive? I wish I could remember what retail was on the 2305? Well guys, what do you think?

Steve

given the weight if the tractor there is no such thing a light loader work -
with the short wheel base, the tractor works best with weight as far out a possible

one thing about the three pt -- it bleeds fast and has no position control so the weight box has to be pulled back up many times during the day and if you forget that box digs into the lawn and pulls the sod right up

see if you can demo the tractor with the hoe on and with the box on - just add JD weights they have at the dealer

the diverter kit is a somewhat easy add
drilling the one hole in the plastic deck is a measure 3-4x then drill
and the adding bracket was a little tight to work on on my 2210
4-5 hours to add this
the independant lift looks to be fairly quick to add - it cannot be added to a 2210 because the tractor frame cut outs are 90 degrees off

 

[Meriasek]

Attached is a pic of my 2305 with the folding ROPS. The folding ROPS is made by FEMCO (search TBN), also a link:

Femco, Inc.

I purchased the folding ROPS, and had it shipped to my JD dealer. They installed the ROPS for me and wired the lights prior to taking delivery of the machine.

Of note, the 2 wrenches on the back are a 30mm combination and an open face with a 1-3/8. The 2 necessary sizes (for my 2305 anyways) to tighten the leveling nuts on the 3 pt hitch. I bought a couple of them magnetic tool holder thingys from Sear's and slapped them on the ROPS.

I LOVE my machine. It can do anything a big machine can do, just takes longer.

 

[megaboz]

given the weight if the tractor there is no such thing a light loader work -
with the short wheel base, the tractor works best with weight as far out a possible

one thing about the three pt -- it bleeds fast and has no position control so the weight box has to be pulled back up many times during the day and if you forget that box digs into the lawn and pulls the sod right up

see if you can demo the tractor with the hoe on and with the box on - just add JD weights they have at the dealer

the diverter kit is a somewhat easy add
drilling the one hole in the plastic deck is a measure 3-4x then drill
and the adding bracket was a little tight to work on on my 2210
4-5 hours to add this
the independant lift looks to be fairly quick to add - it cannot be added to a 2210 because the tractor frame cut outs are 90 degrees off

Depending on how far you want to drive, my local dealer is offering 0% for 60 months and if you buy from out of state, no sales tax. Almost makes it worth having to rent a truck if you have to.

I purchased a 2520, 62D deck, and FEL and BH for $27,000 before the $2500 discount (maybe that was with it, not real sure, final prices was my selling point).

 

[ChuckinNH]

one thing about the three pt -- it bleeds fast and has no position control so the weight box has to be pulled back up many times during the day and if you forget that box digs into the lawn and pulls the sod right up

I wonder if you shut the flow control valve off that is below the front of the seat after you raise your weight box if it will stay up better?

 

[ChuckinNH]

One tractor dealer told me that if I had to justify a small tractor in pure dollars I would never own one. Well since I could pay cash for one I bought a slightly used Kubota version of what you are looking for, and doubt that I would ever be without something like that for very long now. Just one of my Chemothreapy treatments is $15,000.00, and I've had a couple in the past two weeks. When you sit down at the end of the day give thanks your money isn't going for something like that, and buy those things that make your life more fun, and productive in the meantime. Once you have shelter, warmth, and food, money is only good if it is enhancing your life or the life of someone you care about. I lost my wife some 12 years ago now, and couldn't even look at the little stash we had for a long time afterwards. That money only represented to me things we had not done together, or things we had not bought, enjoyed, and used to make our place more "ours" or just more enjoyable. We get so caught up in survival, and what will happen down the road that we miss a lot of life someitimes. We have to do some of it, but tomorrow isn't a promise to any of us. I know if my wife were alive now, and wanted $20K to make a sewing room more fun, and enjoyable for her I would find a way to make it happen, and enjoy the journey on the way.