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

[RyeThomas]

Gents well instead of adding an FEL to my BX1800 the warden (wife) said I could just upgrade if, if I found a really great deal. I've been looking for months to no avail. Well last week I did and somehow everything worked out, the ad popped up on CL the tractor was sold when I called but I sweetened the deal and said I could pick up today with cash no haggle. Well I have a 2010 JD2305 62"MMM, 210cx loader, Woods rake, and the machine is darn near new at 138hrs.

I need to find a hydrostatic fan guard. I have contacted a guy on e-bay that makes one that can stay on the tractor with the MMM. Other options I have seen need to be removed before the MMM goes back on, I'm not a fan.
Any suggestions?
Is there any other option besides the $400-500 diverter valve to have the ability to lift the deck and use the full function of the loader?


General thoughts, the JD seems lower than my BX and I don't like the deck height knob or height at full lock. It seems pretty low and I've least adjusted the turnbuckles up to the stop. Looks like it's just the nature of the tractor.
I liked the idea of the turnbuckles to control the sway of the 3 point till I used them. The Kubotas system seems to be tighter and once set stays that way at low or high positions. The Deere seems you have to leave a little slop as the geometry seems to change and they get real tight at the top position while a little loose at the lower position.

2 pedals on the JD, yeahhhhhhhh! At 6'-3" I'm not super tall but that single pedal front and back killed my seating position and I hated it on the Kubota. A separate hydro pedal for forward and rear is huge for me. Although I'm still getting used to it.

I use a 48" rotary cutter and my only fear with the Deere is the rear PTO and the fact many have grenaded it. I was told they upgraded internal parts but no one can say for sure if it's true or when. I have always hated the non clutch pto as I feel it always has a violent engagement even at low rpm.

Otherwise the JD is just an all around great machine and I'm super happy with my purchase.

Have a good one fellas, Rye.

 

[Gator6x4]

Sounds like you found a keeper. You advised you have a 48 inch rotary cutter. As a suggestion my I suggestion you review this Everything Attachments Video on how to measure and cut a PTO shaft. everything attachment video on how to measure and cut a pto shaft - Bing video

One use with a too long or too short PTO shaft can cause damage that will be expensive to repair. Aluminum housings do like to much force pressure being applied in the area of the PTO attaching stub.

 

[TripleR]

We got rid of our 2305, be very aware of any radiator debris buildup, we had to regularly clean ours off during mowing while our BX needs much less attention. We absolutely hated the hydraulic lift on ours, it blew a cylinder and cost $1000 to fix it one month out of warranty and it leaked down with both cylinders from the day we got it. After repeated trips back to the dealer, we were told that it's just of the system, just keep bumping it up. The MMM on it has much less ground clearance than the BX, so we had to remove it more often.

You can get 1.5" wheel spacers from Bro Tek, I'm not aware of much in the way of aftermarket stuff.

I can see where the dual pedals may work better than the rocker, no one in our family is much over 6' and don't have problems with either.

 

[beenthere]

You will like the 2305, in addition to the two control pedals you also get individual wheel brake pedals that are usable.

I'm 5'9" but have frustrations with my neighbors' Kub that has the unusable brakes and the rocker pedal. When he needs help, I just take the Deere..

 

[TripleR]

You will like the 2305, in addition to the two control pedals you also get individual wheel brake pedals that are usable.

I'm 5'9" but have frustrations with my neighbors' Kub that has the unusable brakes and the rocker pedal. When he needs help, I just take the Deere..

Mine only had a single brake.

 

[RyeThomas]

Gator, thanks and yes I have watched that very good video before.

TripleR, I did a bunch or research and found the independent lift system for the mower deck is known to leak. Mine does and drops pretty quick, however the FEL and 3 point don't move at all. I wish the deck would lock in the highest position though my lock out height is lower than I would like and I have adjusted the turnbuckles to the deck stops.

My BX radiator screen would also get packed up but the BX has a temp gauge so I could always catch it in time. I like that the Deere has an RPM gauge but I'm not thrilled it has no temp other than a warning light when it's too late.

Beenthere I have a single brake pedal. I do have experience with a dual pedal brake on a Massey Furgeson and I can agree that it is an awesome tool. No such luck on my Deere.

 

[TripleR]

Rye Thomas, I too prefer a lever to engage the PTO, but I suspect it is just guys my age are kind of attached to them from using them all their lives. John Deere has had this on their mowers since dinosaurs it seems, our two previous mowers including a 425 had it, man that thing is old and never an issue. Our 2305 was used primarily by our kids who didn't bother to throttle down before engaging the blade and it worked fine, our 1025R has the same setup as does our L5740, so in spite of our reservations, I'm sure it will be fine.

I don't know why, but in 13 years of using BXs, we've only had the screens need cleaning because of over heating twice and the last was because our daughter was not cleaning it out every time she used it.

You've probable already found out there is no need for turning brakes as it is a very nimble machine.

 

[RyeThomas]

Thanks for the vote of confidence TripleR. Funny I had a 425 for a few years and besides a coil pack it was rock solid!
I'm very happy with my purchase and for the year, hours, and already having an FEL it just made sense rather than upgrading the old BX. Great tractor as well.

 

[Kubota 2350]

Gents well instead of adding an FEL to my BX1800 the warden (wife) said I could just upgrade if, if I found a really great deal. I've been looking for months to no avail. Well last week I did and somehow everything worked out, the ad popped up on CL the tractor was sold when I called but I sweetened the deal and said I could pick up today with cash no haggle. Well I have a 2010 JD2305 62"MMM, 210cx loader, Woods rake, and the machine is darn near new at 138hrs.

I need to find a hydrostatic fan guard. I have contacted a guy on e-bay that makes one that can stay on the tractor with the MMM. Other options I have seen need to be removed before the MMM goes back on, I'm not a fan.
Any suggestions?
Is there any other option besides the $400-500 diverter valve to have the ability to lift the deck and use the full function of the loader?


General thoughts, the JD seems lower than my BX and I don't like the deck height knob or height at full lock. It seems pretty low and I've least adjusted the turnbuckles up to the stop. Looks like it's just the nature of the tractor.
I liked the idea of the turnbuckles to control the sway of the 3 point till I used them. The Kubotas system seems to be tighter and once set stays that way at low or high positions. The Deere seems you have to leave a little slop as the geometry seems to change and they get real tight at the top position while a little loose at the lower position.

2 pedals on the JD, yeahhhhhhhh! At 6'-3" I'm not super tall but that single pedal front and back killed my seating position and I hated it on the Kubota. A separate hydro pedal for forward and rear is huge for me. Although I'm still getting used to it.

I use a 48" rotary cutter and my only fear with the Deere is the rear PTO and the fact many have grenaded it. I was told they upgraded internal parts but no one can say for sure if it's true or when. I have always hated the non clutch pto as I feel it always has a violent engagement even at low rpm.

Otherwise the JD is just an all around great machine and I'm super happy with my purchase.

Have a good one fellas, Rye.

The guy had it sold, and then reneged on that deal so he could sell it to you for more money?
Don't sound like a good guy to do business with.

Anyway congratulations on your new found tractor.

 

[RyeThomas]

Lord knows I've been a day late and a dollar short many times, this time it just worked out in my favor. He said the first guy was to indecisive and didn't seem sold, where as I told him cash no haggle and I wasn't worried about a scratch or a ding.

Good news is the tractor is in perfect condition, heck the entire bucket is still green. I got lucky this time.