Ordered my 2305 today....

[thepawnshop]

OK, I decided to go 2305 as it will meet just about any need I have around the house. I did plenty of research on this and other forums before I pulled the trigger and considering the other heavier equipment I own, I cant see where I could go wrong.

I price checked three different dealers...one 15 minutes away, one 30 minutes and finally one 45 minutes away. The one 30 minutes away beat the other two quotes by 1k. I hope there aren't any surprises I may get hit with.....

Here is how it broke down price-wise:

• 2305 with Turf Tires
• 200cx & Fluid Filled Tires
• Cruise Control
• 54C Deck
• Independent Mower Lift
• Mulching Kit
• I-Match Quick Hitch
• Forward Light Kit
• Rear Work Light
• Warning Light Brush Kit
• Umbrella (for the wife)
• 5' Frontier Landscape Rake

Price: $14,980

I had also given much thought to the 62" deck but with the terrain of my yard, I think I would have dulled many a blade by mowing dirt instead of grass.

I have a couple of questions regarding the 200cx...

1. Do you leave the bucket on when you are mowing?
2. What do you suggest for ballst? I opted to NOT buy the ballast box...for now at least.

Finally, is there a "must have" attachment to help create an AWESOME yard?

Thanks to all who gave me thier input while I was struggling with the decision as to what model to buy...it was all so incredibly helpful!

 

[gunmaker]

Good luck Doug, I'm sure you're gonna love the new toy!
I believe you can leave the fel on the tractor while mowing...you might wanna drop off the bucket to shorten up a bit.
Ballast box seems to be the easiest...you can set it up to hold tools etc. for convienence doing yard work, or leave an implement on the back.
Spreader can be handy for adding fertilizers etc. to the soil.

 

[RollTideRam]

Alot of people fear the 62" deck for scalping reasons. I started mowing with a 48" and went to a 54". I had some scalping in my rough terrain yard. I know have a 62". I had a little more scalping when I moved up to the 62. The thing is, you will find where it will scalp on your first cut, then that dirt is spread and it will not happen again. It is only going to do it the first time. JC

 

[putt_putt_green]

Personally, I like a boxblade for rear ballast. I'm not sure how much ballast you would need with the rear tires filled. But if you don't need much ballast, you could make your own ballast using a bar that goes between your lower 3 point pins and encasing the bar in a cement tube.

 

[VABlue]

What will you be doing mostly with the loader? Unless you'll always be moving stone or heavy clay, there's no need to go overboard with the ballast, especially with loaded tires.

As for mowing, you'll find that its just as easy to remove the entire FEL as it is to unhook the bucket. And you'll get a MUCH smaller package to steer around the yard. Try it both ways and see what you like, but the thing turns like a small rider w/out the FEL hanging off the front end.

Yard implement for yard maintenance? Depends on your budget! I would like to have a Frontier overseeder because it power rakes, aerates, overseeds, and pulverizes all in one step. But it costs ~$3500... Otherwise, a good core aerator is what I would choose. Enjoy your machine, you'll have a good time on it!

 

[thepawnshop]

Do they make an overseeder that works with the 2305?

 

[JDFANATIC]

thepawnshop,

With the loaded tires you DO NOT have enough ballast to handle that FEL under anything but the lightest conditions. You NEED more ballast! As for the must-have attachment, I'd cheerlead for a plug aerator.

 

[VABlue]

Come to think of it, the OS1048 model does ask for 25 horses at the PTO. So maybe that's not a real feasible option? Some other company might make one that fits? It's always been a pipe dream of mine since my yard is too small to ever justify the cost of one. Renting will be my option for that toy!

 

[Mackinac Joe]

Doug, congratulations on your 2305 purchase. Sounds like you thought it through carefully.

FWIW, my experience with my dealer suggests a ballast box could be had pretty cheaply. Salesman told me he'd "give" me one since they had "eleven or so laying around" the dealership. I'm not really sure what I paid for it since it was not itemized on my invoice.

I did not load the tires on my 2320 due to concerns with grass tracking and compaction on my sandy soil here. But I find the ballast box essential for just about any loader work.

Joe

 

[Greenster]

Congrats on the purchase! You will love it. I agree with JDFANATIC, you will absolutely need more counterweight. You can get yourself in a lot of trouble, very quickly - especially on uneven ground.

 

[cast_and_blast]

Here is how it broke down price-wise:

• 2305 with Turf Tires
• 200cx & Fluid Filled Tires
• Cruise Control
• 54C Deck
• Independent Mower Lift
• Mulching Kit
• I-Match Quick Hitch
• Forward Light Kit
• Rear Work Light
• Warning Light Brush Kit
• Umbrella (for the wife)
• 5' Frontier Landscape Rake

[/LIST]
/QUOTE]

If it were me, I'd skip the cruise control, bump up to a 62C deck (gives you clearance to mow closer to things without putting your tractor in harms way) and skip the independent lift (seems it doesn't want to stay up for many). I'd add the ballast box and fill it with concrete.

If you weren't getting the forward light kit I'd siggest moving the ROPS warning lights to the inside of the ROPS, but the foward lights mount on top of the warning light brush kit.

You'll find it's much quicker to just drop the entire 200CX loader than it is to mess with the bucket. Literally, we're talking a couple minutes to mount or unmount the loader.

Looks good - congrats on your decision.

Scott

 

[ChuckinNH]

kvjohndeere has a folding ROPS on his 2305, and tells me that his dealer installed one from a 2320. Though it might cost a bit extra, that would be a nice thing to have too!

 

[BrentP]

You will love this tractor...I am amazed at the things I a have done in only 20 hrs. I would definitely add the JD ballast box. I put a 350 lb Box Blade on the back of mine and it is not as stable as the ballast box filled with cement while hauling rocks around. One trip with a loader full of wet rocks and you will realize how important ballasting is. Plus, the Ballast Box is nice and compact so you don't have to worry as much about swinging the rear end around with bulky attachments.

Also, IMO, cut your grass with the loader OFF. The maneuverability and speed is unbelievable without the loader on. Best thing to do is just try it out yourself with and without and do what you feel comfortable with.

Enjoy...Brent

 

[ragkar]

An amusing sidenote is that you bought that tractor to make things easier. But you're going to have a lot more work now because you will be starting projects that you never considered doing because they were so difficult.
Use this forum a lot to ask for advice. The JD manuals are not very good. For instance in my manual they advise on using the 'float' position on the loader for various operations. But no where do they tell you how to engage it!
Most folks try to keep the tractor as light as possible to avoid digging up the grass. Plan your lawn mowing strategy to avoid sharp turns. For instance, instead of mowing back and forth, adopt a circular path.

 

[chipsndust]

pawnshop:
I have about 150 hours on my 2305. I usually leave the FEL on (bucket off) when I mow. I have a Woods 48" Box Blade, which I find is sufficient ballast for most of what I do. I have moved gravel with the bucket and the box blade was definitely NOT enough ballast. I use the box blade much more than I thought I would.