Some confusion

[cvm]

I would like to hear conversation about the Deere utility 2305 and the X700 series. What reasons would a buyer choose one model over the other?

[ptllaflamme]

For me, I went with the 2305, because it was not much more money and there are more attachment options. I have only had it since May, and the BH attachment has proven to be extremely useful. Only thing to watch out for is the friends lining up with jobs for me to do!

[JDFANATIC]

cvm,

Most think that the X7xx tractors, if mowing is the primary use, is the better value. You get a more comfortable tractor in a slightly smaller package. To me, and to many others here who have owned HD L&G tractors and then decided we were lacking abilities of a CUT, it has been an expensive education. For me, as soon as you put a loader on the tractor, a CUT (or SCUT) is the way to go. While you can put a loader on an X7xx tractor, until you have used one on a CUT you won't know what you are missing. There are also financial reasons to go with a CUT, although in today's crazy economy they may be blurred more, but an X7xx tractor (loader, rear pto, 3PH and MMM) will cost you more than the same list on a 2305. Resale will be heavily better for the 2305 than the X7xx (although you need to keep in mind that 0% financing is severely impacting the used market) and this is due to the more expanded capabilities of a CUT.

There will be people out there who are passionate about their HD L&G tractors -- and rightfully so -- but there is a reason so many of us have moved up the ladder.

[mercdv]

We usually sum it up this way, X700 is for people that mainly cut grass with the need for an awesome GT with a FEL. The 2305 is for someone that needs a SCUT to do big chores, might need a backhoe, and cuts grass. The main difference between the two is the hydraulic lift power, lack of backhoe on the X700, and overall weight. The 2305 also has a few larger attachments.

They are both great but the 2305 has more powerful hydraulics with the option of a backhoe. The X700 gives a superior cut because it's lighter and bounces less.

I bought the 2305 because I needed a backhoe and needed the heavier hydraulics. I wish I had the X700 at times because the 2305 is harder on my lawn because of the weight.

[KHodges]

That was a difficult decision for me, too. I mainly mow and do leaf collection with my X748SE, but also garden with it and some driveway maintenance. I was very close to going with the 2305. I had sold an 1810D Yanmar, and didn't really want to lose much of its utility. There were two dealers i was shopping at, one only sold the lawn and garden stuff, the other was a full line dealer. He (full line) had a 2305 with a MMM and box blade, it was a repo and had 15 hrs on it. He wanted $13,000, and wouldn't bargain. The L&G guy had an X720 but told me he could have me a diesel with 4WD (X748) in less than a week. At the time, there was a JD deal going for $700 off. I am also an Experimental Aircraft Assn member, and they had a John Deere Partnership deal which would give me another $600 off. The dealer also said he'd knock "some more" off the price if I would order an accessory. I decided to go with the X748SE, and the Power Flow and MC519 Collection system. His price was $12,500 for the tractor, 54C deck and the PowerFlow and cart. That came out to just a tad less than the other dealer wanted for the 2305. Then when you figure in the $700 off through JD and the $600 off through EAA, That made it $11,200. I went back 2 months later and had the 3 pt hitch and rear pto added for $1200, so the total ended up being $12,400. There's no way I think I could have gotten a 2305 with the other equipment for that price, or it would maybe have been a dead heat at best. The one mistake I made was not to go ahead and order it with the 3-pt and pto from the start. I had to pay cash for that, otherwise I could have factored it into my payments.

I sometimes wonder whether I should still maybe have gotten the 2305, but the X748 has done everything I've wanted to do without any problems, and it is simpler for my wife to operate on the few occasions when she needs to. No joystick to figure out, no high-low range, etc. Just start it, throttle it up and mash one of two pedals. It outworks the Yanmar I had, even though it has essentially the same power, but is smaller.

I have no regrets getting the Big GT instead of the Little Utility, and the SE's seat beats hell out of the 2305 seat.

[wally2q]

It's easy...

the 700 is a lawn & garden tractor 1'st and a utility tractor 2'nd.
the 2305 is a utility tractor 1'st and a lawn & garden tractor 2'nd.

[Cecil3]

X700 - $9599 No 4 wheel drive
2305 - $10,979 With 4 wheel drive

X700 - 4 year warranty
2305 - 3 year warranty

X700 - 23hp Kawasaki powered
2305 - 24hp Yanmar powered

X700 - Mower deck 48"-54" or 62"
2305 - Mower deck 54"-60" or 72"

X700 - 900 lbs
2305 - 1,450 lbs

X700 - Attachments 25
2305 - Attachments 100 or more

X700 - Front 18x8.5-8
Rear 26x12-12
2305 - Front 18X8.5-10 R4
Rear 26X12-12 R4


I feel the 2305 is more tractor for the money!

[KATT]

Is there a way someone could find some pics and put them side by side comparison .

[KHodges]

Originally Posted by Cecil3

X700 - $9599 No 4 wheel drive
2305 - $10,979 With 4 wheel drive

X700 - 4 year warranty
2305 - 3 year warranty

X700 - 23hp Kawasaki powered
2305 - 24hp Yanmar powered

X700 - Mower deck 48"-54" or 62"
2305 - Mower deck 54"-60" or 72"

X700 - 900 lbs
2305 - 1,450 lbs

X700 - Attachments 25
2305 - Attachments 100 or more

X700 - Front 18x8.5-8
Rear 26x12-12
2305 - Front 18X8.5-10 R4
Rear 26X12-12 R4


I feel the 2305 is more tractor for the money!

To truly make an apples to apples comparison, compare the 2305 to the X748. Both are 4WD, both have the same diesel engine. You're still correct, the 2305 is more tractor for the $$$.

With both machines equipped the same (54" deck on both, and adding the rear pto and cat 1 lift to the X748) the 2305 lists for $12,369. The X748 lists for $14,275. That in itself should be a no-brainer, but there are still those who'd take the X748.

[Mayor]

Originally Posted by JDFANATIC

cvm,

Most think that the X7xx tractors, if mowing is the primary use, is the better value. You get a more comfortable tractor in a slightly smaller package. To me, and to many others here who have owned HD L&G tractors and then decided we were lacking abilities of a CUT, it has been an expensive education. For me, as soon as you put a loader on the tractor, a CUT (or SCUT) is the way to go. While you can put a loader on an X7xx tractor, until you have used one on a CUT you won't know what you are missing. There are also financial reasons to go with a CUT, although in today's crazy economy they may be blurred more, but an X7xx tractor (loader, rear pto, 3PH and MMM) will cost you more than the same list on a 2305. Resale will be heavily better for the 2305 than the X7xx (although you need to keep in mind that 0% financing is severely impacting the used market) and this is due to the more expanded capabilities of a CUT.

There will be people out there who are passionate about their HD L&G tractors -- and rightfully so -- but there is a reason so many of us have moved up the ladder.

[HydroHarold]

"...but there are still those who'd take the X748."

Maybe a dolt like me who needs a tighter turning radius...?

[JDFANATIC]

Originally Posted by HydroHarold

Maybe a dolt like me who needs a tighter turning radius...?

Hydro, that is untrue and dates back to a misprint in the Deere literature. The turning radius for both is nearly identical. The AWS X749 would be better though.

[picframer]

Originally Posted by cvm

I would like to hear conversation about the Deere utility 2305 and the X700 series. What reasons would a buyer choose one model over the other?

I have both, if you want to do loader work, hoe then the 2305, if mowing and insane grades the X749, PTO work doesn't matter as they are the same engine.

[KHodges]

Originally Posted by JDFANATIC

.........a misprint in the Deere literature. The turning radius for both is nearly identical.

Where can you find the correct info on the 2305 turn radius? I have the "wall brochure", and the info on the website say the turn radius is 7.4 feet, the owner's manual on-line states 88.8 inches, which is about 7.4 ft. That does seem extreme, I wonder if they really mean "turning circle", which would mean the radius was about 44 inches. That is still more than the listed 25 inch radius for the X748. Values on both machines is with the front drive disengaged.

The wheelbase on the 2305 is also 1.4 inches longer than the X748, and the tractor is about 12 inches longer. With a longer wheelbase, even just 1.5 inches difference would require more pivot in the steering to have an equal radius.

I have never driven a 2305, but I have used New Holland's same size machine (I think it was a AV24N), and my 748 will turn around in half the space. Of course, that doesn't mean much, as the 2305's turn ability might be much better than the NH.

[JDFANATIC]

I've never measured the turning radius on the 2305, but I have measured the uncut circle using a 62" deck and that is slightly less than 36". I know my 2210 is able to get into the same tight areas that my 425 did.