John Deere 2305 or X748

[gcrabb]

Our driveway is black top and 21000 sqft with rolling hills and curves. The primary issue is I travel for business a lot and it only snows when I am gone. My wife always starts with the smallest tractor 1st(LX279 with a 42" snowblower) and then moves up. Last year she drove a JD 4600 with a soft cab, 8' Boss Plow, and 8' Loftness snow blower off the other end of the road pushing snow. It is not a consideration for her to drive backwards using the Loftness snow blower.

Essentially the new JD will replace the LX279 which I never liked and it's primary duties will be snow blowing, thatching, and leaf collection. A JD F1145 does most of the grass cutting around the house and a JD 60 or H with a 3 point finishing mower does most of the large open areas.

The engines are the same, the 2305 is a little heavier. I am currently leaning toward the 2305 primarily because of the financing 0% for 4 years. The 2306 also has a 3 point, but I may not use the 3 point because it's to small, most of the 3 point stuff is sized for the JD 4600. The X748 does have a full time 4 wheel drive that sounds like it would be really nice cutting on hills without tearing up the grass.

Attachemnts that we also getting with both tractors is a cab with heat, 54" snowblower, and 62" deck.

What are your thoughts on which tractor, would there any other attachents you would consider, like the 7 iron deck?

We have already considered a JD 3720 with a JD cab, but it isn't large enough to replace the JD 4600 and we really like the 4600.

 

[LBrown59]

The 2305 is so much more tractor than a x748 garden tractor.
I would just get the 62'' deck rather than the 7 iron.

Our driveway is black top and 21000 sqft with rolling hills and curves. The primary issue is I travel for business a lot and it only snows when I am gone. My wife always starts with the smallest tractor 1st(LX279 with a 42" snowblower) and then moves up. Last year she drove a JD 4600 with a soft cab, 8' Boss Plow, and 8' Loftness snow blower off the other end of the road pushing snow. It is not a consideration for her to drive backwards using the Loftness snow blower.

Essentially the new JD will replace the LX279 which I never liked and it's primary duties will be snow blowing, thatching, and leaf collection. A JD F1145 does most of the grass cutting around the house and a JD 60 or H with a 3 point finishing mower does most of the large open areas.

The engines are the same, the 2305 is a little heavier. I am currently leaning toward the 2305 primarily because of the financing 0% for 4 years. The 2306 also has a 3 point, but I may not use the 3 point because it's to small, most of the 3 point stuff is sized for the JD 4600. The X748 does have a full time 4 wheel drive that sounds like it would be really nice cutting on hills without tearing up the grass.

Attachemnts that we also getting with both tractors is a cab with heat, 54" snowblower, and 62" deck.

What are your thoughts on which tractor, would there any other attachents you would consider, like the 7 iron deck?

We have already considered a JD 3720 with a JD cab, but it isn't large enough to replace the JD 4600 and we really like the 4600.

 

[ChuckinNH]

I see the advantages of the X748 as being the full time 4wd, the ease of attaching material collection systems, etc. and more options for cabs for snowblowing, etc. It is a yard, and residential tractor that gives up a loader (for practical purposes, and has a poorer 3pt.) but I don't think those will matter much to you. I'm guessing that traction is better with the X748 becaus all four are working. It doesn't take much sometimes to get the weight off one tire on a 2305, or my Kubota, and then you have 2wd. I have been stopped on dry woods trails by the placement of rocks, and have had to use the diff lock to move forward for example. The 2305 is more "tractor" for the size, but perhaps less versitile for all around yard work. Cabs are somewhat more limited though I guess The Original Cab Co does make an inexpensive one that can be removed easily now. The hydraulics, and loader are better, but make any MCS more difficult to install, etc., and the rops makes some things more difficult. If you watch youtube videos on both you will see that they both do a pretty good job at blowing snow! Resale is probably better for the 2305.

 

[TripleR]

If you are limiting your choices to the two, I would get the 2305. I have one I bought a couple of years ago for one of our properties. You do have 4WD available at any time. I have had AWD machines and prefer the option to choose. Mine has the 62" deck with the hydraulic lift and while it gives a very good quality of cut, I have experienced problems with the height adjustment knob. I am attaching a link on this.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/john-deere-owning-operating/150274-2305-mmm-worth.html

 

[turbo36]

Here is my personal experience; I bought a 2305 in 2006 because I thought it would be more versatile then a 700 series. In actual use I found it to be pretty tippy when working on uneven ground or mowing side hills. Also, while snow blowing I would make a fast turn at the bottom of my steep drive to head back up and it often pick up the inside wheel. I never felt comfortable driving it on my terrain so I sold it and bought an X749 AWS/AWD and absolutely love it. I can fly around the property mowing or snow blowing with out any wheel lift, so for my use this was best. Other advantages is the MC519 cart to pick up leaves in the fall and the AWS is incredibly nimble when mowing around obstacles.

I also bought a 2520 for doing my loader work so I didn't have a need for a loader on the X749. If most off your work is mowing and blowing I think the 700 series is your best choice , if you really need a loader then think about the 2520, it is much more capable then the 2305 and not that much bigger. I like the 2520 so much (it reminds me of my old 955) that my 3720 cab tractor sits in the garage unused all the time. Anyone need a 3720 cab?

 

[Kansas Slim]

I bought the X748SE and, although pricey, it is fantastic. I bought a front blade for the lane and put on the 3 point for a box blade and, in my opinion, the 7 Iron is far superior to the 62C. I personally have no need for an FEL, though everyone says if you have one, you'll use it. For me, the ergo's of the 2305 were not good. I'm 6'5" and long legged. The X748 just felt right to me, and the Michigan seat on the SE is awesome. Here's some pics. There are more at the bottom of pg 1 and at the top of pg 2.

http://mytractorforum.com/showthread.php?t=99735

 

[etcallhome]

I've had a 425 ,2210 and 2305 Would not go back to the smaller size.
One of the kids in-laws owns a x748 or what ever his # .He and my son-in-law loves the tires that we can't get because of the fel and bh.

Either is a good tractor
Good luck with your choice

 

[LBrown59]

1*I've had a 425 ,2210 and 2305 Would not go back to the smaller size.

The 425 is the small tractor .
It's also just a garden tractor.

The 2210 and 2305 are Compact tractors.
they are both the same except fot the year .

 

[LBrown59]

Here is my personal experience; I bought a 2305 in 2006 because
*I thought it would be more versatile then a 700 series.
1*In actual use I found it to be pretty tippy when working on uneven ground or mowing side hills.
2* Also, while snow blowing I would make a fast turn at the bottom of my steep drive to head back up and it wolud often pick up the inside wheel.
3*I never felt comfortable driving it on my terrain so I sold it and bought an X749 AWS/AWD and absolutely love it.
4*I also bought a 2520 for doing my loader work so I didn't have a need for a loader on the X749.
5*
6*

*and it was wasn't it?
1*Any tractor is that way on side hills and the bigger the tractor the worse it is.
2*That's not the best thing to do on a side hill.
3*Since all that works on your land is the x749 you're pretty much limited to garden tractors.
4* And you thought the 2305 was tippy .The bigger the tractor the tippyer it is.
5*
6*

 

[mrtfelton]

I had a 2305 and traded it for a 3032e because it was tippy. My 3032e will run circles on a hill where the 2305 would make my butt draw up. If I had the choice between the 2305 or x748. My wallet would make the choice.