Buying Advice John Deere 2305

[Inkmann]

I am purchasing a new home and can buy a John Deere 2305 from the current home owner as a side deal.

I can't find the year on it but an attachment is stamped 2007. I'm assuming 2008 or later.

Has 131 hours, looks immaculate, garage kept, 62" belly mower and a 200 series bucket without a scratch on the blade or bucket.

$10,000 is the price, non negotiable.

What do you think?

I would like to add a snowblower before winter.

Thanks
John

 

[TripleR]

Sounds like a good buy to me, year of manufacture isn't a big deal, hours and condition are what is important.

 

[kennyd]

That sounds like a excellent deal. Any dealer can run the serial number to give you the year and any warenty/service works performed by JD as well, but like mentioned above, its hours usually that counts and not the year.

You can search these sites for comps:
Used Farm & Agricultural Equipment - John Deere MachineFinder

and

Used Tractors For Sale at TractorHouse.com: John Deere Tractors, used farm tractors and farm equipment, tractors for sale, Case IH, New Holland, Agco, Kubota

 

[Wagtail]

What kind/size of property are you purchasing and what sort of work are you expecting out of your rig?

It sounds like a very good buy but if it's undersized for what you want to do in the future it could become more of a frustrating and expensive 'trade in' for what you actually need.

 

[adirondackmtnman]

Around here a similar tractor sitting on a dealer's lot would be around 13k...maybe more in the condition you're looking at. I think you'd come darn close to the 10k for a trade-in value. Sounds like the property you'll be maintaining is the same the machine has seen since new, so unless you plan on doing something substantially different than the previous property owner, you'd be in good shape...Me, I'd offer him $9k, and see where it goes...no harm in trying to dicker a little on his asking price, plus the bargaining's the fun part!!! Good luck, and let us know how it works out, and post pics!!

Sent from my LGL35G using TractorByNet

 

[Shawk]

Assuming everything checks out, that sounds like a great price to me too. :thumbsup: That machine would go for more around here as well. Best wishes!

 

[mcfarms]

That's a pretty good price! I did a bunch of shopping (including eBay) for tractors before I ended up buying my 2305 last week. Mine is a 2010 with 200CX loader, Quick Hitch power broom and 132 hours. In my case, I stole it for $8,500; but 10k is a great buy for what you're getting!!!!

 

[mattmayo]

My only advice would be to look around this site on the rear end housing issues of the 2305. Supposedly they beefed up this housing in 2007. My dad and I have a 2006 model and only has 157 hours on it. With normal bushhoggging the thin alumninum case cracked and the bearing is out. The cost of repair will be north of $3000. The 2007 model might have better reviews.

 

[Shamus M]

Sounds like a good buy to me, year of manufacture isn't a big deal, hours and condition are what is important.

Not so true with the 2305. If you buy the wrong year machine and don't use the pto without babying it very carefully, you will wind up with what was originally a 10k machine (such as this guys case) , a boat anchor. Accidentally hit one of those hidden stumps or what have you and your toast

 

[yelbike]

My only advice would be to look around this site on the rear end housing issues of the 2305. Supposedly they beefed up this housing in 2007. My dad and I have a 2006 model and only has 157 hours on it. With normal bushhoggging the thin alumninum case cracked and the bearing is out. The cost of repair will be north of $3000. The 2007 model might have better reviews.

Mine was 2008 with the confirmed "upgraded" case and still broke. Repair estimate from the CANADIAN dealer was $9800.