305 Loader question???

[Ray_Fort_White]

Several threads have mentioned that the 305 loader is permanently mounted to the 3032E and 3038E. However, the online manual says that with the parking kit you can remove the loader:
OMW54457

I'm thinking that this is a last resort sort of thing such as needing it off for engine repair. It doesn't look like something most owners would do.

My question has to do with the John Deere Quick Attach bucket. Is the 305's QA the same as the one on the 300 loader series? When I go to web sites for companies making attachments for the JD QA they never mention the 305 loader. That may be because the 305 hasn't been around very long. I'm thinking one of my first buys may be a set of pallet forks. JD's are just too heavy and expensive.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

From the drawing it appears the loader mast stay on the tractor and the loader arms detach. Doesn't appear to be difficult at all. I believe that a Massey tractor I looked at before my deere had a similar disconnecting method.
If you have the need to take off your loader frequently I'd pickup the park stand an report back to TBN. I rarely take off my loader and mostly do during spring maintenance.

Matt

 

[kennyd]

My question has to do with the John Deere Quick Attach bucket. Is the 305's QA the same as the one on the 300 loader series? When I go to web sites for companies making attachments for the JD QA they never mention the 305 loader. That may be because the 305 hasn't been around very long. I'm thinking one of my first buys may be a set of pallet forks. JD's are just too heavy and expensive.

Yes, the JDQA is the same for the 305 loaders.

 

[bxowner]

I recently posted a thread asking about options for the 3032e/3038e... only one reference is made in all of the materials to an available snow plow. There are no model numbers I can find anywhere. I theorized that the only available model was the loader-mount model and others agreed because the 305 is a "permanent mount" loader.

But, frankly, the removal procedure in the manual is no more of a PITA than my current Kubota - swing down two separate arms at the front and put in the pins, pull two pins at the loader frame arms, put down some pressure and slide out two shafts, back away and disconnect the hydraulics. The only difference for the Deere is that there are 4 shafts to pull instead of 2!

So, I'll ask again... since you don't have to buy this model with a loader, has anyone seen a frame-mount snow plow? I'd be happy to do this procedure twice a year to get the benefit of a frame mount.

 

[TGF]

Yes, the JDQA is the same for the 305 loaders.

I can confirm this I have a set of new 300 series pallet forks that fit just fine on the 305 QA, I think all things marketed as 300 series will fit the 305.

 

[nikdfish]

I've been looking at getting either a 3032E or 3038E (especially with the 4th quarter incentives available during October). I ran across this thread while examining the various characteristics of the machines.

I looked up the info on the 305 loader parking kit (part # BW15872, $325) and spoke to the local JD sales person about getting it installed pre-delivery. He indicated the book shows a 2 hour install time, but he'd split the fee if I wanted it installed. I'm thinking paying < $400 is probably a reasonable cost for adding 5 minute drop/add capability for the arms & bucket (even if I rarely used it ...) especially when lumped into the 60 mo. 0% financed total.

Nick

 

[kennyd]

I've been looking at getting either a 3032E or 3038E (especially with the 4th quarter incentives available during October). I ran across this thread while examining the various characteristics of the machines.

I looked up the info on the 305 loader parking kit (part # BW15872, $325) and spoke to the local JD sales person about getting it installed pre-delivery. He indicated the book shows a 2 hour install time, but he'd split the fee if I wanted it installed. I'm thinking paying < $400 is probably a reasonable cost for adding 5 minute drop/add capability for the arms & bucket (even if I rarely used it ...) especially when lumped into the 60 mo. 0% financed total.

Nick

Welcome to TBN Nick

You would be the first that I have heard of get that kit...just taking the bucket off (since it is already equipped with the JDQA) is enough for other users.

 

[jenkinsph]

Nick,
I would go for the stand, I may be different than others here but I find having a loader on the tractor all the time to be irritating. My 110tlb has a fixed loader (non removeable) so when ordering the 4520 last year I bought it without a loader which makes the tractor more compact for close confining spaces. With one tractor for everything I would definately go for the parking stand. The downside for you might be additional cost for front weights, so how you use your new tractor may make a difference.

 

[nikdfish]

Steve,

I ended up nixing the parking stand (& ballast box). I was adding a box blade & wanted to keep my total in the $20k ballpark. The final package deal is a 3038E (w/305 loader & filled tires), a Frontier RC2060 rotary cutter & Frontier BB2060 box blade for about $19500, financed at 0% for 60 mos.

Nick

 

[jenkinsph]

Nick,
With filled tires I would pass on the ballast box too, better to have the money savings invested in a heavy rear implement instead. The boxblade will be more useful in most cases than a ballast box. I use either my backhoe or 1250lb boxblade for ballast on my 110tlb.

Later if you feel the need you can add the parking stand or another tractor without a fel.