2305 v. 2320 for this case

[jcmseven]

Fellow Posters,

As many of you know with my now having been a member here for several years, I have had the good fortune to have bought and operated several JD compacts. I have my definite favorites--and some that were not--but all in all the service I have received has made me buy more green equipment. Just two months ago, I sold my beloved 3720. My reasoning was sound--I just did not need it anymore. I originally bought the machine to do some fairly major projects, which I completed. The tractor then mainly sat in my garage as I did most of the maintenence of my property with my XUV Gator, which has done a great job. I have thought now about sharing a smaller tractor with my father, who is currently sans mower or tractor. Here are some main concerns:

1. My father lives two hours from me and has two places to maintain (3 acres and eight acres--of which he maintains about four). He mostly mows and would like to pull a cart around and "move snow" although he rarely gets snow were he lives.

2. I--at this time--mainly would use the tractor to move mulch and small to moderate-sized landscaping rocks (FEL) and box blade my drive--which is about 400' in length and on a fairly steep grade. This has proven to be a challenge for each machine I have owned, no matter whether big or small.

3. My father is older and a little feeble (he is 77). He does OK and I have thought about hiring out some of his work, but do not want him to "fade away" as he really enjoys doing yardwork. The point here is having an easy to use machine that is safe is paramount.

4. The machine would most likely stay with my father and I would get it when I needed it.

5. It must be easy to sell or trade should I decide to buy the 37 acres of land I am reviewing, or if my father's health reaches a point where he could not operate the machine.

The advantages of sharing a machine seem good for us both. My father does not have to invest anything in its purchase and I do not have to invest in garage space for something I sporadically use, so long as the machine is capable of the tasks I mention. It also must be easy to haul, as my father would likely want to tow it on a trailer behind his 1/2 ton Ford p/u and needs to feel comfortable doing so. If I were buying for my personal use alone, I would go with a 2320, but thinking of my father I wonder if a 2305 would be the better choice. My father's main use for the machine will be mowing. Mine will be as above. What does the panel think???

John M

 

[ScottK]

There's no position control on the 2305 3ph - right? How are you going to do a good job with a box blade without that? I have an elderly neighbor who has the 2305 and he loves it, but does not use the 3ph at all. I have the 2320 and move mulch/compost all the time. I've nearly bottomed out sinking into it when it's wet. I would not want less clearance than the 2320 has under it.

 

[EdC]

I have no experience with the 2305. It just was not one of the choices looked at when we bought our tractor. I was very inexperienced (and not much better now ) but realized that trans filter hanging down would last about a week at my place.

I use my 2320 to scrape my 600 ft driveway, no problem but it is not steep. If your driveway was a challenge for your 3720 maybe the 2320 won't be able to do it at all. Our tractor has done all we have asked of it though.

I have no qualms at all with my wife using the 2320. Of the 130 or so hours we have put on it in the last year she probably has about 50 or so. It is stable and forgiving and can still get the job done. Having said that it is still a machine that has to be treated with just as much respect as any other piece of equipment. Swapping out attachments is going to be a pain, sometimes it is a pain for me and I have 23 years before I hit 77. I-match or Pat's Easy Change will help but will that help enough? Only you and your Dad can answer that.

 

[jcmseven]

Ed and others,

I know the 2320 and the 2305 would both box blade my drive OK. I was pulling a 65" BB behind my 3720 and a 72" behind my previous 4520. I will likely stick with a 48" behind either of these mentioned machines. My old 595 would pull a 4' BB fine either up or down my drive, but was just not as fast as my larger tractors. As I have said in other posts though, I actually can do more work in my case with a smaller machine. My big concern for my dad is not getting a machine too large for him. He tried my 3720 and felt really uncomfortable operating it, even though we all know it is really not that large a machine itself. I would be interested to hear how those using the 2320 for mowing feel their machines do, now that they have been out a while. I am sure my father would want a center mount mower and I am sure that I would have the task of "attachment changing" when and if the time comes. I also am roughly calculating the weight of the 2320 with loader and box blade and weighted tires at around 3,000 pounds which would put his likely towing weight at around 4300 pounds should he need to transport. I figure the equivalent 2305 to have a total trailer included towable weight of around 3800 pounds, which is not an insubstantial difference.

John M

 

[EdC]

John

We use our little L120 for mowing so I cannot offer any opinion based on experience regarding the mower.

As far as transport is concerned I don't understand. Tie down on either a 2305 or 2320 should be about the same. Four to six chains (depending on your comfort level, mine is six) but the weight is close enough where I would use the same number of tie downs on either one.

Would your Dad be willing to go to a dealer to "test sit" each of these before you buy?

 

[Nuru]

John

We use our little L120 for mowing so I cannot offer any opinion based on experience regarding the mower.

As far as transport is concerned I don't understand. Tie down on either a 2305 or 2320 should be about the same. Four to six chains (depending on your comfort level, mine is six) but the weight is close enough where I would use the same number of tie downs on either one.

Would your Dad be willing to go to a dealer to "test sit" each of these before you buy?

The weight is a bit different so I am thinking the concern is the trailer's GVWR?

 

[shot_gun]

From a salesmans point of veiw. I would recomend the 2320. It has all the features to do the work that you want to do. It is important to match the implements to the tractor that will make all the difference in the outcome. The 2305 while a good machine is lacking in the 3 point hitch position control. this will make grading not fun at all. There is only 210lbs difference betwen them. Trailering shouldn't be a problem. Just my .02 Good luck with your purchase.

 

[VABlue]

I'll agree on the trailering - dragging 5000lbs behind a 1/2 ton pickup is not a problem for any of them, regardless of make. Most can handle well over 7000 anymore...

I have the 2305 and can say that it mows quite nicely at whatever speed you can stay in the seat at. However, given the BB and other gadgets you may use, the 2320 would be a better fit. It probably mows a little slower (based on many other posts) than the 2305, but I suspect a 77 yo man doesn't care so much about time any more!

The only question I see for you is whether dad fits on the 2320 or 2305 better. That being equal, the 2320 seems like the better choice...

 

[JCB]

JCM,

For certain, position control and lift height are FAR superior on the 2320; but, with smaller tires, the 2305 should be easier getting on-off.

It may not be a big deal for you, but may be huge for dad? Be sure to check that out.

Joe

 

[prentp]

If the mower deck is removed frequently, the drive over deck that the 2320 uses is another advantage it has over the 2305.

 

[Nuru]

agree on the drive over deck feature, I wish i had that feature on my 4310.