Help in deciding which subcompact to buy

burgerbill · Sep 12, 2009

Just registered on this forum. I would appreciate any information about my situation. I currently have a JD325GX that I use to mow approx 2 acres with some steep slopes that I go up, not down since the tractor skids. Occasionally with the turf tires the tractor does not quite make it to the top and I have to back down. Have just finished landscaping an additional .5 acre to mow that is also steep. I am looking to replace the GX with either a JD2305 or a Kubota 2360. 90% of the use of the tractor will be mowing and the 4WD and industrial tires should make going up the slopes much easier. The loader and front blade options are also going to be part of the deal since I will use the blade for plowing snow (replacing an old JD110) and the bucket will help in landscaping and general removal of debris. I am more familiar with the JD equipment since I have owned 3, but I also know that Kubota is a quality product as well. Is one easier to change buckets/decks on than another? Special considerations for winter usage for the fuel? Again, I mostly am doing this for the slopes on the property while mowing. Please feel free to give me your advice.

whistlepig · Sep 12, 2009

burgerbill said:
Just registered on this forum. I would appreciate any information about my situation. I currently have a JD325GX that I use to mow approx 2 acres with some steep slopes that I go up, not down since the tractor skids. Occasionally with the turf tires the tractor does not quite make it to the top and I have to back down. Have just finished landscaping an additional .5 acre to mow that is also steep. I am looking to replace the GX with either a JD2305 or a Kubota 2360. 90% of the use of the tractor will be mowing and the 4WD and industrial tires should make going up the slopes much easier. The loader and front blade options are also going to be part of the deal since I will use the blade for plowing snow (replacing an old JD110) and the bucket will help in landscaping and general removal of debris. I am more familiar with the JD equipment since I have owned 3, but I also know that Kubota is a quality product as well. Is one easier to change buckets/decks on than another? Special considerations for winter usage for the fuel? Again, I mostly am doing this for the slopes on the property while mowing. Please feel free to give me your advice.

Welcome to the forum. I consider John Deere and Kubota of equal quality. As far as 4WD helping on slopes that depends. If you simply can't get enough traction with 2WD then 4WD is the way to go. If the slope is so steep that you can't keep the front wheels on the ground 4WD won't matter. From what I have read all the mid mount mowers are equal in the difficulty of removal. I'm a RFM guy. The FEL on my Kubotu is very easy to remove and install but I have read that the John Deere FEL system is easier. I can't advise on a snow blade for a tractor. I use a snow blade on an ATV. Come snow season you wouldn't be switching between a blade or a FEL. You would mount one or the other for the season. A blade on the ATV and a FEL mounted on the tractor is what works best for me for snow.

burgerbill · Sep 12, 2009

Thanks Whistlepig for your reply. The front wheels have never come off the ground when going up with the 325. Is the center of gravity of the compact tractors better for steep slopes along with the 4WD, or will the industrial tire package on both make it easier to climb the slope in 2WD? My main concern is being able to safely mow up the slopes. My snow removal equiptment is sufficient so far so until I make a decision on the tractor this is not a major issue in my final purchase.

MtnViewRanch · Sep 12, 2009

You will find that with four wheel drive, in 4x4 mode, the tractor then has 4 wheel brakes and will not slide anywhere as easy. Sorry, can't really help with your choice of tractors.

Good luck with your new tractor.

gasbag · Sep 13, 2009

I own a jd2305tlb and I am usually on a slope, the tractor seems stable to me, one of the features of the 2305 loader is the easy change of the bucket for another implement. Pull 2 pins, drop the bucket pick up new implement put in the pins and go. Can't speak for Kabota. Hope this helps. Mark

Carykong · Sep 13, 2009

this thread seems to be veering toward adapting the tractor to the terrain. OK,how about adapting the terrain to your tractor? You will have some rewarding tractor time reducing those steep areas with the dirt moving capabilities of your sub compact.

harpoonalt · Sep 13, 2009

Either tractor would be fine. I mow roadsides in our development and do some pretty steep slopes by going straight up and down. Low range 4WD and it amazes me the hills it will climb. Loaded tires will help too. I also do some driveways with the loader and a back blade. For the price of a blade which is pretty cheap, I'd try that combo. That way you keep your loader for piling banks or moving snow. If you still want a front blade, the back blade won't be waste and if you like the back blade, you save quite a bit of money.

BigD23 · Sep 13, 2009

Sounds like you have a pretty good idea what you're looking for...I too have some sloped land and occasionaly I put my BX23 in 4WD when mowing...I leave the FEL on and the extra weight out front along with the power steering makes it a breeze...Good luck.

Don