BX2350 and JD2305 observations

[Backup]

Yes, another BX2350 versus JD2305 topic. There is a plethora of information on here about these two models, and I don't want to kick the dead horse some more, but there are some things I've noticed that I havn't seen mentioned anywhere. I'm down to these two models, and each are right around $13k in my area with FEL and 60" or 62" MMM. I think I could haggle the Kubota a bit less than the JD if that's the way I end up going. The machines are very similar, but here are some differences I've noticed.

1. +JD FEL capacity and size. The 2305 is rated at 816lbs (200CX loader)and has a 53" bucket, which seems significant to me versus the 518lbs and 48" on the BX2350 (that's nearly 60% more lift capacity). Proper ballast is no doubt required, and maybe you could lift that much on the Kubota but the 53" bucket is a nice advantage.

2. +JD Dial tachomoeter on the dash. No biggie, but I prefer the analog dial over digital tach.

3. +JD Foot controls are better (to me) on the JD

4. +JD The 2305 has the quick-park FEL and quick-attach front implement option, both of which seem better than the Kubota version. Not sure how important this really is though.

5. +K Cruise control standard on BX, optional on 2305

6. +K FEL raise time is faster on BX, probably due to the better hydraulic flow?

7. +K BX2350 has the quarter-inching valve hitch control. Not sure how much this really matters on this sized machine though.

8. +K Hydraulic hose locations are better on the Kubota, the JD has them seemingly exposed underneath the machine.

I'm leaning toward the JD as long as the prices are so similar. For future reference I'll try to update this thread with new comparison info as I see it.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

FYI the 2305 does not lift 816lbs. Thats a lift measurement from the pivot point, Kubota measures theirs from the center of the bucket. You can not put put 816lbs of dirt in the loader and lift it to full height, the tractor will not do it. In all likelyhood you need to reduce that figure by a good 30% to get to the true capacity of the tractor. Deere is a marketing company, so they choose to use the numbers that look better on paper instead of using those that reflect the real world performance of the machines. When kubota says their machine lifts 518lbs, it does.

 

[Backup]

Thanks, that's good info. It would be nice if the same reference were used when they publish numbers - like 'PTO HP' seems pretty clear. Still, the 53" bucket is an advantage versus the 48", no?

Actually, I'm surprised at how similar the two machines are. At least on paper the specs are almost identical, and you have to look at the details to find differences. In the real world those little things might add up to a big difference though, and that's where this forum and real user experiences are really useful. I've been drawn to the Kubota, my family owns Kubota, and I've been impressed using Kubota equipment, but after a close inspection of the 2305 I'm really on the fence.

 

[ihookem]

Sometimes a wider loader is better, sometimes it isn't. I darn near bought a 2305, then almost a 4110 for 15,600$, then the dealer said a Kubota 7510hst is 13,200 so I went with the Kubota. So I ended up with a 48" bucket instead of a 54". I wish I had the wider bucket when pushing snow less than 6 or 8 inches. The 48" bucket digs dirt better though I am sure. So it bepends what you are going to do more of. If you can get a JD. for the same price I would get the JD because retail seems a little better. If you don't like it you are out little money in the used market. I have 109 houes of pretty tough use with my tractor and the wheel from the mmm broke off, that's it for problems.

 

[Billy_S]

I don't think you will regret your decision, no matter which machine you buy. I faced a similar decision when I bought my BX2230, but in my case, the JD was $2,000 more.

 

[cast_and_blast]

I'm leaning toward the JD as long as the prices are so similar. For future reference I'll try to update this thread with new comparison info as I see it.

I looked at the same 2 machines and, to me, the decision was fairly clear. The fit, finish, ergonomics on the JD were superior in my opinion. Resale, at least in my area, is a huge plus for the JD. Made my decision fairly easy.

I don't know about the lift capacity - but I've seen pics on this site of both the JD2305 and Kubota 2350 lifting some fairly massive things! I'd be happy to put my JD2305 up for some "real-world" tests against a Kubota 2230 or 2350. I'm not doing this as a competition but rather to get the lift numbers and put this issue to rest.

Good luck with your decision!

Scott

 

[rjgogo]

I looked at those two and the first quote from the Kubota dealer was actually higher then what I had from JD, After a little back and forth the Kubota was only $300 less then the 2305. When I asked them why the Kubota over the Deere, the answer was " we are cheaper then JD" Not much of a sales pitch in my mind. I went with the JD

 

[Volfandt]

I had a similar experience when I was compareing the 2210 against the BX2230. The predecessors to the 2350 and 2305.

I compared them at 2 different Kubota dealers and 4 different JD dealers. I read through all the specs but decided that putting my seat in the seat was a much better way to make my decision. The specs did help me pick the machines class.
The machines were evenly enough matched in capacities and felt about the same in fit & finish. I liked just about everything about both.
The dislike on the 2210 was it's louder HST whine and the dislike on the BX2230 was the treadle pedal.
Two things swung me away from the JD, the much higher price and all 4 dealers attitudes. They just didn't seem to want my business, at least not like the two Kubota dealers did.
Oddly enough I didn't go with the BX2230 but stayed with the same manufacturer and I've become so used to the treadle pedal that I now prefer it

Good luck
Volfandt

 

[bill177]

I too looked at the JD and the Kubota - then I bought a Massey Furgeson GC2300. I am very pleased with my decision. You might want to look at one - they are all in the same price class.

With FEL, filled tires, and a drawbar, I paid $12,111 including delivery. Cruise control is standard, buy the way.

 

[keltonkrew]

Bill, I too have the GC2300. I only compared it to the BX2350 as the JD was way more $$$ here......Glad I got the all metal MF!