Buying Advice 2305 with attachements

[JDinVT]

Hey all!

I am new (posted a few times in another thread) but mostly new. Thanks for the tips in advance!

Looking at a 2305, but I have some questions. I am also going to look at a Kubota, but have not had the chance yet to talk with either dealer. Both dealers are within 2 minutes of each other - about 20 minutes from my house. Both machines will be new.

Land:
Five hilly acres in Vermont, wooded (Pine, Oak, Maple, Birch and Beech), berry bushes, rocks, and some lawn. The driveway is about 100 yards of dirt/gravel. It will be snowing like a mad man here in the winter.

Tractor:
I am looking at the 2305, I should mention that I sat on the 2320, and it just felt too big (this is my first tractor - please do not laugh too hard at me). When looking at the 2305 I was drawn to the loader/backhoe combo w/R4 tires. However, the hoe itself does not look like it would be easy to remove to run a different attachment on the rear. That might be an issue as I want to add a blade or box to grade the driveway. Not plans on running tillers, brush hogs, or anything PTO driven on the rear at this point.

Desires:
Clear some land, add lawn, make some trails on the land, and mow (planning on a MMM), and snow removal.

Question:
What the heck should I do? Do I need a backhoe? I would use it to take out rocks, stumps, and maybe dig a ditch here and there. However, having the hoe looks like it might make it too hard to add attachments to the back...or end the possibility completely (factory installed Hoe). Can I grade (when I say grade, I mean smooth out the road) with the bucket? It does not look like it would be simple.

(EDIT: I should also say, I am easy on my stuff - so I would not be "hard" on the tractor by asking more of what it can do.)

Guys/gals - I need your input.
Josh

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

I would prefer the 2320 if I was looking to do similar work...

 

[JCB]

Josh,

I think you'll love the 2305 but probably be disappointed in using the backhoe to remove stumps. The backhoe will be better at digging holes and planting trees than demolition work and removing them as the 2305 just doesn't have enough weight/power to really rip through roots.

Most people are gonna tell you to go bigger. Most 2305 owners are gonna tell you it's a great machine. On five acres a 2305 would be sweet.

There are two limitations to my 2210 that most people will repeat. 1) a somewhat exposed hydraulic cooling fan. 2) Lack of position control on 3 point hitch.

Some have been unlucky and the hydro fan has been a problem for them, no question. I've been lucky and really haven't had too many instances in hard use where the fan position has limited me. The limited 3 point is a bigger limitation for me. Lack of position control makes some finish work applications harder to control, but for simple lift-move-drop operations like cutters and rear blades it's not much of an issue. "Limited" lift height does occasionally make me drag an implement crossing a ditch or the like, and as always higher is nicer, but limited height does not affect me otherwise.

On 20 acres, the 2210 is a good cutter for me, good mower for some, serves me well for snow removal, is easy on and off and has two pretty good working gears.

I've seen the backhoes taken off bigger machines and the JD quick system is pretty slick. Couple pins, lower some cylinders and take off some hoses. Lining up to put back on can be a little dicier...but still pretty sick.

 

[Wildbill34]

JD,

I have pretty much the same situation you have, wooded lot, 400 driveway (although paved) I started out with turfs and went to the Industrial tire. I'll tell you, we get a lot of snow here also, and next year I will have chains on the rears. Like JCB, I have the 2210 and it pretty much does everything I need it to do. I used it to level an area to put up another garage. I mow with it. Use a snow blower for the driveway......much easier to do. I also have a cab on it and it makes it nice in the winter when I clear the drive or neighbors driveway. Stay nice and toasty for the most part.

There is an issue with the trans fan as mentioned earlier..... the tech manual does say to repair it one way, but it is much easier to do after removing the floor board. I have actually seen some folks make fan guards to protect the fan. I will probably make one and put it on.

Overall, I am real happy with it......do I wish I had a bigger tractor, sometimes, but that is the Tim Allen coming out in me. If I were going to pull stumps, take out trees or move big rocks, I would go and rent some equipment to do that. With that said, I can knock over 20 pines fairly easy with it. But I can move just about what I want with what I have.

I really haven't had to a need use a back hoe. But if I did, it would be limited and I don't see the benefit in my case to pay for one for the little work I would do with it on my property.

Hope this helps.....

 

[davkir]

If you search the forums, you will find lots of information and opinions.
One of the things I think about is speed. I find the 2305 will do most everything I need to do, just not as fast as a bigger machine.
As I imagine most of the people on this site have done at one time, I have dug up a bunch of stumps, put in ditches, buried drain tile and elect. service just using hand tools. I'm past the age where I'm willing and able to do that and I find the tractor to be a blessing.
PS: I've spent some time in the hills east of Burlington and you might want to look at snow blowers also.

 

[JDinVT]

Hey WildBill34,

No doubt you have snow in MI! I love watching the weather channel and seeing you all get dumped on. We lacked the "nor'easters" a bit this year, hoping for more this next year.

I must say, I am a bit Tim Allen too. Reading the post above made me configure a 2320 again. Without the hoe... However, the little 2305 with a fan guard (as you mentioned) would be find I think for me.

I am not really afraid to admit this tractor is more of a toy than anything else. It will allow me to make some improvements around my home, and really spend some quality time with myself.

I worked for myself doing lawn care when I was in high school. Though, it was mostly a crappy murray tractor I had then, I miss the "zen" of working on a tractor. I am not looking to be the biggest tractor on the block, but something that suits me, and my needs, is what I desire.

Anywho...back to your advice, chains would be a must here too. I might even consider driving the tractor 1.5 miles up the road to my parents to help them in a big storm. I just want to be sure I do not have that "crap...I needed a bigger machine" feeling. However, I like the idea of just renting a bigger machine if I need one. Let someone else pay for it!

Josh

 

[JDinVT]

PS: I've spent some time in the hills east of Burlington and you might want to look at snow blowers also.

Snow blower might be on the list! That or a blade! Good call!

 

[sparkyoil jd]

Hey JDin VT,

I have about 47hrs. on my 2305. I live in Maine so I can relate to the snow
thing. I did not opt to get the BH for my tractor because it would not be
big enough to do what I want. Like the others have said, rent it.

The 54" MMM does a great job for me and I have turf tires. The tractor does not have any problem pulling the 54" box scraper, hauling trees out of the woods(watch what you are doing) and pushing snow(I have to use chains because I wouldn't be able to get back up my drive way). The bigger tractor would be nice ie. 2320 or 2520, but I have some tight places to get into and little john 2305 does the trick. The Tim the Tool Man comes out in all of us because if I wanted a bigger tractor the 6000-7000 model tractors look like a lot of fun.

That's my 2 cents, but you know better what you want. If it will help GO GREEN! Good Luck

Sparkyoil

 

[jenkinsph]

JDinVT,
I suggest you go with a 2320 or 2520 better suited to 3pt work. What seems to happen with noobies is they have a short list of uses for the new tractor, with time the list of uses and implements increase. Better to have the better hitch to start with which has position control and higher lift as I recall.

Tractor size isn't nearly the issue some think it is, in my work I have put small backhoes such as my 110tlb in some very tight places. If a tractor is too small then it is too light to be effective.

Just my opinion but a 2520 should be just right for you without a backhoe and consider a simple cab for winter use.

 

[ragkar]

As you get familiar with the machine it will seem to get smaller. My 2320 is very easy to use and very reliable. But last year I bought an old 5000hrs+ Case for the really tough jobs like pulling a 3800 pound boulder out of the ground. The Case is in poor shape and it leaks a bit but it is functional. And at least it stopped the snide comments of a certain ol farmer that liked to call my 2320 a toy.