Just picked up a JD2305! Had a BX, thoughts and questions.

[RyeThomas]

Well I used my rotary cutter on Friday. The unit has a shear pin and I have operated it as such for a few years. After all my research I decided to add a slip clutch and even though it's a field I have mowed many times it gave me a big sense of relief having it.
The machine performed great, it's amazing what a few hp can do. I set the rpm and even in the deep thick stuff it may have dropped a few rpm but nothing like my other machine.
The FEL on the front as a ballast is far more effective than the weight bracket I had on the other machine. Even over the grades I didn't even have to hit 4x4 or lock the diff. Much better traction.
The only thing I noticed is when I finished I could feel the radiant heat off the rear of the tractor so the hst was hot. How hot idk, and I was in low the whole time. I'm betting it's just the way this machine is set up, no ill effects. Maybe I'm paranoid but I sure would like an engine temp and trans temp gauge.
Again I never bogged the machine and I was in low range the entire time but it sure was pumping some heat.
Is this normal fellas??? I mean the heats got to go somewhere, ha.

Have a good one, Rye.

 

[Wvanatti]

Well I used my rotary cutter on Friday. The unit has a shear pin and I have operated it as such for a few years. After all my research I decided to add a slip clutch and even though it's a field I have mowed many times it gave me a big sense of relief having it. The machine performed great, it's amazing what a few hp can do. I set the rpm and even in the deep thick stuff it may have dropped a few rpm but nothing like my other machine. The FEL on the front as a ballast is far more effective than the weight bracket I had on the other machine. Even over the grades I didn't even have to hit 4x4 or lock the diff. Much better traction. The only thing I noticed is when I finished I could feel the radiant heat off the rear of the tractor so the hst was hot. How hot idk, and I was in low the whole time. I'm betting it's just the way this machine is set up, no ill effects. Maybe I'm paranoid but I sure would like an engine temp and trans temp gauge. Again I never bogged the machine and I was in low range the entire time but it sure was pumping some heat. Is this normal fellas??? I mean the heats got to go somewhere, ha. Have a good one, Rye.

Don't know this for fact... When you change the filter on the transmission- I would change the fluid also. I had added TSC brand fluid when mine was low ( had a leak at the FEL quick disconnect. Mine stated squealing after I did ! I drained it, cleaned the screen on the bottom , changed the filter and added JD fluid. All noise went away. Since you really don't know the care that has been done, I would do it. (Spend a little save a lot )

 

[beenthere]

Rye
Make sure that your transaxle cooling fan is working...

 

[RyeThomas]

Cooling fan is good, I checked it pre purchase. I changed all fluids and filters to include cleaning trans screen with all Deere products last week.

I'm used to transmissions running about 100 over ambient temp so at what would have 90 outside it may have been the nature of the beast.
I'll start checking it with my temp gun and tracking it.
I wonder if the aluminum case vs the cast (I had on the other) just radiates more?

 

[RyeThomas]

I will say it's much guieter than my Kubota both engine decibels (by my ear not a meter) and hst whine. After swapping fluids and cleaning the filter the Deere only has a little whine in high gear traveling at max road speed. Before it had a more pronounced typical hst whine.
Hyguard seems to really kill a good deal of noise!

 

[Gator6x4]

Always raise the deck to its highest position before changing the height adjustment or locking it in the up or transport position.

I used a John Deere blade height measuring tool to find the height I wanted to mow at, by raising the deck, turning the height knob until I arrived at three and on half inches and then marked this height on the adjusting knob face plate bearing the measurements with paint.

Then when I am ready to mow and remove the deck from the transport position, I make sure the deck is at its highest raised position, turn the knob to the pre measured and marked location and lower the deck, visually check everything, drive into the yard and start mowing.

 

[megotatractor]

Great machine. Just take good care of it. TRY to lube the main drive shaft if you can, my spider bearings turned to red powder at 700 hours. Other than that no problems with my 2004 2210 which is aroudn 976 hours on it today, had it 12 years!

 

[RyeThomas]

Have to say after more seat time I am so happy with my purchase. Don't get me wrong I loved my BX1800 and some of the features Kubota offers and I think they make a great product, I'm impressed with the Deere (I had a 425 and an X500). I'm even happier only spending $8600 vs people I know spending 2X's that or more for a new machine the same size no matter the color/manufacturer!
I need a solid machine that can handle a rotary cutter, 4x4, and a loader is nice since I heat my home with firewood and have a dump trailer so I can also use it to do some side work.
Sure it's not a big tractor but for a Harry the homeowner/ guy who wants to make a few dollars on the side even if it takes a bit longer it's a heck of a powerful little piece of equipment.
Again I'm not partial to manufacturer as long as it's solid but my buddy is buying a new machine and I'm so happy at the deal I got! Makes the seat time even better!

Fellas be safe, and being today a big thanks to all our troops present, former and future! Good luck and GOD speed to you all!

 

[Wvanatti]

Have to say after more seat time I am so happy with my purchase. Don't get me wrong I loved my BX1800 and some of the features Kubota offers and I think they make a great product, I'm impressed with the Deere (I had a 425 and an X500). I'm even happier only spending $8600 vs people I know spending 2X's that or more for a new machine the same size no matter the color/manufacturer! I need a solid machine that can handle a rotary cutter, 4x4, and a loader is nice since I heat my home with firewood and have a dump trailer so I can also use it to do some side work. Sure it's not a big tractor but for a Harry the homeowner/ guy who wants to make a few dollars on the side even if it takes a bit longer it's a heck of a powerful little piece of equipment. Again I'm not partial to manufacturer as long as it's solid but my buddy is buying a new machine and I'm so happy at the deal I got! Makes the seat time even better! Fellas be safe, and being today a big thanks to all our troops present, former and future! Good luck and GOD speed to you all!

One thing you might want to invest in- Pallet Forks! I purchased mine for around $250. I ended up using strong Turnbuckles for easy on and off where they strap on with a chain. My main reason for getting them was to get a pallet out of the back of truck with a 30 gallon barrel of fuel. I then set it on blocks for height. Have a Harbor Freight hand pump. (No lifting or spilling fuel )
It was a happy accident that I use them often after cutting up a tree- great for hauling off a pile of limbs or the logs.

 

[Curly69]

I also have a 2010 "2305". I had it since new and now 320 hours. I have had great luck with mine. The only thing I would like to recommend - look on TBN for greasing the main driveshaft. The two u-joints have grease zerks. Some have stated they have had luck getting grease in with a needle adapter. I didn't I was dropping it down every 50 hours to grease, but installed a NAPA u-joint with a zerk on the end of one cap. Well worth it ($8.00 ea). Good luck

Do you have a part number for the NAPA u-joints?