Ready to buy 2305 - which options?

[cast_and_blast]

Hello -

After much lurking, some posting and lots of comparison I do believe I'm ready to pull the trigger on a JD 2305.

I live on ~1.5 acres that is surrounded by trees - it's all mowable. I have lots of landscaping to do (and/or re-do).

That said, here is the setup I'm contemplating:

JD 2305 with Turf Tires
62" MMM with Independent Lift
200CX Loader
JD 4010 Ballast Box
Material Collection System

Possible future rentals/purchases:
Snowblower
PTO Tiller for re-doing parts of the yard
PTO Chipper
Landscape rake

Things I'm considering:
I-Match
Engine Heater

Your advice? What am I missing?

Scott

 

[cast_and_blast]

Hello -

After much lurking, some posting and lots of comparison I do believe I'm ready to pull the trigger on a JD 2305.

I live on ~1.5 acres that is surrounded by trees - it's all mowable. I have lots of landscaping to do (and/or re-do).

That said, here is the setup I'm contemplating:

JD 2305 with Turf Tires
62" MMM with Independent Lift
200CX Loader
JD 4010 Ballast Box
Material Collection System

Possible future rentals/purchases:
Snowblower
PTO Tiller for re-doing parts of the yard
PTO Chipper
Landscape rake

Things I'm considering:
I-Match
Engine Heater

Your advice? What am I missing?

Scott

 

[JDFANATIC]

Looks like a pretty well though out purchase to me. The one thing I would skip is the material collection system (IMHO, throw a set of gator blades on the tractor and be done). You also might want to consider loading the rear tires with RimGuard (you'll get about 110 lbs per tire). /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[JDFANATIC]

Looks like a pretty well though out purchase to me. The one thing I would skip is the material collection system (IMHO, throw a set of gator blades on the tractor and be done). You also might want to consider loading the rear tires with RimGuard (you'll get about 110 lbs per tire). /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[cast_and_blast]

The material collection system would be for leaves in the fall and spring of the year. My yard is full of them from the maple and oak trees that surround my property.

One other solution I had throught of was to blow them into a "windrow" in the yard via the 62" MMM and then use the FEL to load the resulting mulch up and haul it away (back in the woods). I've done something similar using my 20" Honda trimming mower (that can have a bagger on it) I'd probably need to rake the windrow into the FEL - not a huge deal if it would work. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

The good news is that not the entire yard is innundated with leaves - only about 1/3 of it where the largest maples drop their leaves.

The other thought I had was to wait a bit and see if I could pick one up used or find a used Trac Vac. I must admit, it's tough to drop $1.4K on the MCS when I'd only use it a couple times a year.

With the MCS JD recommends 5 front end weights - I figured if I went that route I'd just put on the FEL for ballast on the front.

Your thoguhts?

Scott

 

[cast_and_blast]

The material collection system would be for leaves in the fall and spring of the year. My yard is full of them from the maple and oak trees that surround my property.

One other solution I had throught of was to blow them into a "windrow" in the yard via the 62" MMM and then use the FEL to load the resulting mulch up and haul it away (back in the woods). I've done something similar using my 20" Honda trimming mower (that can have a bagger on it) I'd probably need to rake the windrow into the FEL - not a huge deal if it would work. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

The good news is that not the entire yard is innundated with leaves - only about 1/3 of it where the largest maples drop their leaves.

The other thought I had was to wait a bit and see if I could pick one up used or find a used Trac Vac. I must admit, it's tough to drop $1.4K on the MCS when I'd only use it a couple times a year.

With the MCS JD recommends 5 front end weights - I figured if I went that route I'd just put on the FEL for ballast on the front.

Your thoguhts?

Scott

 

[JDFANATIC]

Cast and Blast,

I think you might be surprised how well the 62C with Gator's mulches. I have a lot of trees too, and I just grind the leaves up. There is enough air flow through the deck that you can also blow the driveway off just by backing the tractor up. I think the FEL adds enough weight to counter balance the rear weight, but you will probably want to drop off the bucket (2 quick pins) so it isn't too long and bulky.

BTW, I'm intrigued; cast & blast? Sounds like a foundry backround. I used to own a couple so I'm always interested. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[JDFANATIC]

Cast and Blast,

I think you might be surprised how well the 62C with Gator's mulches. I have a lot of trees too, and I just grind the leaves up. There is enough air flow through the deck that you can also blow the driveway off just by backing the tractor up. I think the FEL adds enough weight to counter balance the rear weight, but you will probably want to drop off the bucket (2 quick pins) so it isn't too long and bulky.

BTW, I'm intrigued; cast & blast? Sounds like a foundry backround. I used to own a couple so I'm always interested. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[cast_and_blast]

Nope, no foundry background. I fish and I hunt, many times on the same trip (rarely at the same time). /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Scott

 

[cast_and_blast]

Nope, no foundry background. I fish and I hunt, many times on the same trip (rarely at the same time). /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Scott