[JoeS]

Well guys---after some months and watching on here closely, I made up my mind on a 2305. I'm building a new house in the country and have been all over the place trying to decide on what size and make (although I've always been leaning toward green/yellow). My guy at the local dealership is great and here is what i'm going with to start. 2305, CX200 loader, John Deere 62C DECK - X-SERIES, 2210, RB Frontier 2060 rear blade, John Deere TY25324: TRACTOR UMBRELLA, John Deere TY26584STEERING WHEEL KNOB. I'll probably get it sometime early/mid August. I'll keep everyone posted

 

[Rodney in VA]

JoeS

Congrats on your decision. As a 2305 owner myself, I feel sure you will be impressed with the tractor’s attitude. They forgot to tell it at the factory that it wasn’t a BIG boy and it thinks it is. It truly is a great little tractor. Mine has served me very well. Just remember… we want pictures! :fing32:

 

[Team_Green]

BALLAST BOX and 8 bags of cement.

 

[BLIND REF]

JoeS,
congrats on the new tractor. I like the options you have mentioned. I would also consider going with the 53" bucket over the std size. It is only a few dollars more.:fing32:

 

[oakhilltop]

JoeS,
congrats on the new tractor. I like the options you have mentioned. I would also consider going with the 53" bucket over the std size. It is only a few dollars more.:fing32:

Which is more practical, the 53" bucket or the 61". I was at the dealer today, writing up an order for a 2305 and he asked if I wanted the 53" or 61". They had a deal on the 61" at the same price. Being a newbie to tractors with FEL's I decided to go with the 61". I didn't even know I had a choice!

Is going with the 61" a mistake?

 

[JDFANATIC]

Which is more practical, the 53" bucket or the 61". I was at the dealer today, writing up an order for a 2305 and he asked if I wanted the 53" or 61". They had a deal on the 61" at the same price. Being a newbie to tractors with FEL's I decided to go with the 61". I didn't even know I had a choice!

Is going with the 61" a mistake?

oakhill,

With the 2305, the 53" is the perfect choice. With the 2320, 2520 and above, the choices aren't so clear cut.

 

[BLIND REF]

[QUOTE=oakhilltop;752215]Which is more practical, the 53" bucket or the 61". I was at the dealer today, writing up an order for a 2305 and he asked if I wanted the 53" or 61". They had a deal on the 61" at the same price. Being a newbie to tractors with FEL's I decided to go with the 61". I didn't even know I had a choice! Is going with the 61" a mistake?[/QUOTE]


oakhilltop,
I went with the 53 and am glad I went with that size. The problem is that these little tractors have attitude and whatever I have loaded in my bucket the tractor will lift. Throw away the statistics that Deere tells you the FEL will lift because they will lift a lot more. There has been plenty of times with full loads on my 53 bucket that the tractor was too light in the back and it felt like the rear tires (which are filled) were floating off the ground,(and that was with the backhoe on). You need to have plenty of rear ballast to offset the front, and with your sized bucket, more than the normal, or you could find yourself hugging your steering wheel with your rear tires raised up above your head.:Stop: Just think about it. I am sure others will chime in on this. Enjoy your new tractor and ask away at any questions you have. More that likely we have all been there and can help you through our experiences. :trink39:

 

[Michael]

I have the 53" bucket and it is perfect for the size lot that I have, I have also loaded it with far more then what JD list and the rear tires have started to feel really funny and I have the same set up as BlindRef does but with the 53" bucket.

I got my 2305 in March and have used it so much that tonight I had to do the 50 hour service. I LOVE the fact that everything is easily removable, I dropped off the backhoe, the deck and the FEL and went to work in a 1 hour and 45 minutes I was finished doing the service and the prices for the oils and filters was really reasonable, $141.00. I have no idea what the grease cost as I bought that at JD right after I bought the tractor and Have been greasing it every ten hours.


So good luck on your new tractor and I hope that you post pictures when it comes in.

 

[BLIND REF]

Michael you're having way too much fun with your tractor and place!:biglaugh::trink40:

 

[slkpk]

I think you'll find the 53 bucket to be plenty big enough. If your main chore with the bucket is for snow removal then get the 61. slkpk

 

[dusting1981]

Congrats on your future purchase, I have the standard size loader(47" I think) I wish I would have gone with the next size bigger. :Welcome1:

 

[JDBrian]

Hi

Congratulations on the tractor. As others have said the 53" bucket is probably the best choice. I have a 2320 and have the 49" on mine because I have a lot of narrow spaces to get through and the extra width is something I don't need. The 61" on a 2305 is really for snow removal and light materials like mulch. Stability can be an issue, even with the smaller buckets, so make sure you have a ballast box fully loaded and consider getting your tires loaded. Talk to your dealer about ballast and see what they recommend.

Cheers
Brian

 

[JoeS]

Hi

Congratulations on the tractor. As others have said the 53" bucket is probably the best choice. I have a 2320 and have the 49" on mine because I have a lot of narrow spaces to get through and the extra width is something I don't need. The 61" on a 2305 is really for snow removal and light materials like mulch. Stability can be an issue, even with the smaller buckets, so make sure you have a ballast box fully loaded and consider getting your tires loaded. Talk to your dealer about ballast and see what they recommend.

Cheers
Brian

Great info and help guy. I really appreciate the input. I will be using it the first year for a lot of snow removal on the drive since I can't poor concrete until next year and don't want to use a front blower this year. That's one reason for the rear blade as well as a lot of landscaping for the next year until I can make it into a lawn again. I will also use the FEL for a lot of wood cutting and hauling arounf the property as well as moving some medium and larger rocks around for the wife's decorations and mulching and maintaining her hillside flower garden with paths :fing20:
Here is some of the lane I need to snow-remove this winter. So, again, which size---the 53" or 61"??

 

[saskman49]

I cleared over 1000' of driveway and yard with the 49" bucket on my 2320 and 72" rear blade. If I had to do over I wouldn't change a thing as Brian said the 49" will go places you will never get a 53". And as to snow removal 4" difference... Just not seeing how it would make much difference IMO. Although I am going back to a blower this year as I do not like rocks everywhere except where they should be.. on the driveway. The loader and rear blower should be an awesome combo as I didn't mind having to drive backwards with the rear blade on so I see no issues that some have with this.


BTW congrats on your decision.. and that looks to be a pretty nice place you have there.

 

[BLIND REF]

JoeS,
If a lot of snow and mulching is what you will be doing, the 61 should be fine as slkpk suggested. Just be aware of this little tractor's strength. If you are careful you will be fine. As you get familiar with the tractors capabilities, you will become a pro. Keeping bucket load low to the ground is a good start. Enjoy your tractor and don't be shy about asking any questions. There are nothing but good people on this site waiting to help out. :trink39:


I agree with Saskman49. You have a very nice place.

 

[smeagol]

Hi Joe, Like the others have said I think 53" seems to be the perfect size for the 2305.

When I first got the loader fitted, the bucket looked huge so I measured it and it was the 53". I did my first real loader work during the weekend and I really wouldnt have wanted to have anything bigger hanging off the front than that.

The FEL on this thing is amazing, its like having a huge hand (with a very sharp edge) at your command. I cleared an area of gorse and blackberry during the weekend, and it will cut through 1-1.5" gorse stems like there's nothing there.

I think you would have to be VERY careful you were'nt tempted to overload the 61", and from what you say it looks as though you will be carrying some heavy materials. The number 1 priority is to keep safe.

 

[JoeS]

Well guys---mark me as one of the club. I was sitting in my office at the house when the local dealer drives in with a new 2305, 200CX loader, & rear blade just like I was contemplating. What I didn't know was my wife had been conspiring behind my back with my dealer to get it delivered on my birthday. I thought he was just being aggressive and letting me try a used one. Well much to my surprise it is the one she had set up for me a month ago while we have been building our new house. Holy moly was I surprised. I've already been getting it a little dusty and will post some pics probably later tonight. I am one lucky dude raying: :drunkie: :trink40: :trink39:

 

[smeagol]

Joe, thats pretty hard to top! I think many of us here have understanding wives that realise us men 'need' tools and machinery. But, what a birthday present! Congratulations, you will love your machine and from your photo before looks like you have plenty work lined up for it.

What size bucket did you end up going for?

Of course, as a new owner its an obligation to post photos :thThumbsU :thThumbsU

:wwp: :wwp: :wwp:

 

[BLIND REF]

JoeS, Congrats on getting your tractor. Ditto on what Smeagol said about pics. We really like seeing em!:thThumbsU

 

[JD GReg]

If you don't have a ballast box, get one.
The first time you load up the bucket of
your FEL with dirt, you will know why.

I too am in the process of building a home.
I have loaded the FEL full of dirt. The 2305
hasn't even grunted. But, I'm glad I had the
ballast box on the back, or you will likely be
kissing the steering wheel.