JD 2305 vs GC2310

[Wanabgreen]

I am planning on purchasing a SCUT in the near future and I had all but made up my mind on the JD 2305 until I came across your discussions. Now I am seriously thinking about taking a ride to my local MF dealer. I was wondering about the capabilities of the GC2310. I like the backhoe but am concerned about the ease of taking it off and putting it back on. Also does it have a three pt hitch? I would also like to put a front mount snow blower on for the winter months, is there a cab available for this model? Thanks for your help

 

[Bandybear]

Go here to get all of the specs. MF GC Series

I have the GC 2300, which does not include the backhoe, but is basically the same powerplant, etc. The GC 2310 does include the 3 pt hitch and from what I have read on this site, taking the backhoe on and off is not that difficult if you can drop it on a hard level surface.

MF does make a snowblower and cab for the GC series and since the snow season is rapidly approaching in your area, you will get a lot of use out of them.

I do not know anything about the JD, but like most of the posters here, I have not had any serious problems with my Massey.

 

[Ray2310]

I have had my GC2310 for nearly 3 months now. During that time I have had the backhoe on/off at least a dozen times for various reasons. I have had no issues with removing/installing it and was actually shocked with how easy it was.

As far as the capabilities of the 2310 vs the 2305 I think they are very similar. I have not operated the JD but a friend has one and is happy with it.

 

[Wanabgreen]

Thanks for the input. I am going to take a ride out to the local MF dealer this weekend and do some research

 

[thing181]

I have had my GC2310 about 8-9 months now and during that time I have had the BH off and on about a dozen times. The only issue I have had is one of the hydraulic quick connect fittings failed. Not sure if it got bent or what, but it had to be replaced. Other than that it has never taken more than 10 minutes to put on or take off the BH. Its really easy. The MMM works awesome! It really is an amazing mowing machine. It also goes on and off really easily. The FEL works well also, sometimes I just wish it were a little bigger. (I think the 2305 may have a 5' bucket?) The FEL definitely needs to come off on level ground for the support legs to work correctly.
My father has a JD 790. Nice tractor. If cost was not an issue I think I would have bought a JD. But cost was a major issue for me, so I bought the most bang for the buck. The GC2310 might not have all the bells and whistles of the JD, but it is a capable, reliable & versatile machine.
What dealer are you going to visit? I am in Rochester and I deal with Java Farm Supply for my parts.
Good Luck!

 

[Wanabgreen]

Java Farm Supply is also the closest for me about 20 min. I live in Holland which is near East Aurora (Fisher Price head quarters). My father just boufgt a MF 1533 (I think) and it should be delivered today. I am going to check it out tonight and take a ride over to Java in the next day or two. I have been asking everyone I know why they bought that particular brand and am probably becoming a pain in the ***** but it is a big purchase, one that I will have to live with for many years. I want to make sure that I am happy with what ever I end up with. It does seem that they are all quite compareable. This makes my decision even more difficult. I am glad that you like your 2310and I hope to make up my mind in the near future. By the way how has the service been from Java Farm supply?

 

[thing181]

I actually purchased my machine used from a private party. Java Farm Supply has been supplying all my parts and answering all my questions. Kim at the parts desk has been very helpfull to me and is always prompt to return my calls. Everyone I have talked to there has been very helpfull. So far I have done all my own maintenance, but if something were to happen that I needed their services I would feel totally comfortable with them.

 

[dragula]

I checked out the JD2305. Other than the fact that I was quoted at least $2,000 more for it (from several dealers) than the MF, I didn't like the way that the BH mounted. I was told by one JD dealer that the tractor has been around for a while and JD just "added" a BH to it. I wanted a tractor that was initially engineered to be a backhoe/tractor/loader.

However, I did like the drive pedals on the JD better. The JD has two separate pedals (forward/reverse) side by side. The MF has a rocker pedal.


I've mastered the art of removing/reinstalling the BH on my 2310. I can have it removed in easily under two minutes and reinstalled in probably 3-4 minutes. It's effortless really.

 

[Wanabgreen]

Before I head over to the local MF dealer this weekend, assuming I get permission, does anyone have a rough idea what the 2310 is selling for?

 

[Wanabgreen]

Before I head over to the local MF dealer this weekend, assuming I get permission, does anyone have a rough idea what the 2310 is selling for?

 

[Nik]

One advantage the GC2310 has over the BX23 and other models is that the 3 point hitch does not have to be taken off to get the backhoe on. Last I checked was about $15,000 for GC23210 without the mower.

 

[thing181]

I think you will find prices about $16,500 w/o mower here in western NY. Maybe they will move some, but I couldnt find anyone in NY less than $16K when I was looking a year ago.

 

[Wanabgreen]

Thanks guys, I am planning on doing some serious testing of different units and hopefully get some concrete figures

 

[dragula]

I think I paid $15,200, taxes included for my 2310. I didn't purchase any accessories.

 

[archerynut]

wanabgreen,
There is a spreadsheet floating around TBN about the specs for the 2310 vs. 2305 vs. BX24. I found the MF the least expensive with all the stuff that I wanted.

Just today in less than 3 hours, loader on, removed mower deck and cleaned mower deck, hooked up rotary mower and cleared some areas, dropped rotary mower, reattached BH, dug out some stuff that the wife wanted gone (he he fun for me!!), dug two other holes for no good reason, filled in holes, removed BH, reinstalled clean mower deck, disconnected FEL, parked it for the night.

The moral of that long story is that things are very easy to get on and off. I have had mine for a little over a month and had the BH on and off 5-6 times, easier each time. I would recommend the 2310 to anybody.

I think the price that I was quoted was around 14,700 for TLB. Any other questions please PM me if you want. I have 45 hours on mine in just over a month and I am soon to do my own 50 service.

 

[archerynut]

One advantage the GC2310 has over the BX23 and other models is that the 3 point hitch does not have to be taken off to get the backhoe on.

This is absolutely a huge advantage in my eyes, makes switching from BH to 3PH implement very quick and easy.

 

[LBrown59]

Originally Posted by Nik
One advantage the GC2310 has over the BX23 and other models is that the 3 point hitch does not have to be taken off to get the backhoe on.

This is absolutely a huge advantage in my eyes, makes switching from BH to 3PH implement very quick and easy.

Not a factor for me since I leave the BH on my BX23 all of the time.
As far as 3 point implements go I have a BX1500 with an always ready 3 point hitch available for 3 point attachments.

 

[archerynut]

Yes but for the person who only has or wants one tractor, how long does it really take to take off the BH and put the 3 PH on the BX23?

 

[MAHINDRA OF OHIO]

Yes but for the person who only has or wants one tractor, how long does it really take to take off the BH and put the 3 PH on the BX23?

When someone ask use about Kubota BX24 I say to them--Just ask the Kubota sales person to remove the backhoe and reinstall it for you.
As for John Deere, Its not a bad unit just lots of plactic.

 

[ChuckinNH]

The Kubota BX24 is all plastic too. Actually, JD is quietly going back to steel on some of their tractors. I think the 2320 is all steel.... Backhoe removal, and reinstall is the same procedure on the Kubota that it is on the Massey. The three point hitch arms, however do have to be removed, and reinstalled if they are needed. Fortunately, the process is pretty easy.

Hmm, this thread is pretty old.