Took delivery of a new 2305 last night. Too bad it doesn't have a "4WD engaged" dash lamp like the 2320 had. Also, if I recall correctly, the 2320 had a glow plug lamp that would extinguish after about 3 seconds - the 2305 has an oil pressure lamp and a battery charge lamp that stay illumintaed until the engine starts. At least there's still the fuel solenoid "click" so I know when enough time has elapsed to start. I know, I know, "it's sooo hard to count to 3. And god forbid you have to look down at the lever to know when the tractor's in 4WD." But, the lamps were handy. And, the 4WD light on the 2320 was dead accurate - if it wasn't lit, even if the lever felt engaged, I knew the 2320 wasn't in MFWD.
There are a number of pros and cons - as everyone knows - between the two tractors. The pros I found immediately are: (1) quieter engine. It's the same motor on paper, but definitely quite a few decibels lower, especially at 3000rpms; (2) very little hydro transmission whine. I have a slight incline on my driveway and whether I was in "low" or "high" range, the 2320 made a racket - add a load to the bucket and it sounded like it was straining to get out of its way. Of course, it wasn't, but it sounded that way. Amazing how much more torque can go through the smaller tires; (3) turfs are a lot more comfortable than R4s; (4) I like the placement of the throttle lever better on the 2305, as it feels more natural to push it forward, rather than "up" (I always felt like I was putting the 2320 in "park" - like on an American pickup transmission lever); (5) I don't have to fold the ROPS to park it; and (6) the chains won't be such a bear to put on/off - the style I had on the 2320 were easily 60 lbs. each and, while they offered incredible traction, they were impossible to fit properly and didn't "seat" themselves until 50 yards of travel, which necessitated readjustment. Oh, and they took out my hydraulics once when they loosened ever-so-slightly, costing me $300 worth of repair, on top of the initial $425 for the chains.
Cons-wise, well, the 2320 gets the nod for styling (it not only looks cool, but looks like a real tractor), position control 3-pt and split brakes. I'll miss the first and third observation, as I don't use the 3-pt.
I also expect my wife will actually use the 2305 - probably ought to put that in the "con" column, though, as (selfishly) I won't get to use it much.
There are a number of pros and cons - as everyone knows - between the two tractors. The pros I found immediately are: (1) quieter engine. It's the same motor on paper, but definitely quite a few decibels lower, especially at 3000rpms; (2) very little hydro transmission whine. I have a slight incline on my driveway and whether I was in "low" or "high" range, the 2320 made a racket - add a load to the bucket and it sounded like it was straining to get out of its way. Of course, it wasn't, but it sounded that way. Amazing how much more torque can go through the smaller tires; (3) turfs are a lot more comfortable than R4s; (4) I like the placement of the throttle lever better on the 2305, as it feels more natural to push it forward, rather than "up" (I always felt like I was putting the 2320 in "park" - like on an American pickup transmission lever); (5) I don't have to fold the ROPS to park it; and (6) the chains won't be such a bear to put on/off - the style I had on the 2320 were easily 60 lbs. each and, while they offered incredible traction, they were impossible to fit properly and didn't "seat" themselves until 50 yards of travel, which necessitated readjustment. Oh, and they took out my hydraulics once when they loosened ever-so-slightly, costing me $300 worth of repair, on top of the initial $425 for the chains.
Cons-wise, well, the 2320 gets the nod for styling (it not only looks cool, but looks like a real tractor), position control 3-pt and split brakes. I'll miss the first and third observation, as I don't use the 3-pt.
I also expect my wife will actually use the 2305 - probably ought to put that in the "con" column, though, as (selfishly) I won't get to use it much.
