[Paystar]

Hello all. Out of all the compact tractor sites, there seems to be the best John deere knowledge here. What I am wondering: I see many of you have 2305's and are very happy with them. I realize (thanks to all your posts) that the biggest concern with the hydro cooling fan is ground clearance. But is there any disadvantage as far as cooling performance compared to the others liquid? Has anyone had any issues in this regard? Just wondering if that puts them at a disadvantage.
On another note, how do you all find the headlight performance? They just don't look like they (the style of lense) would work as well as the clear halogens on the 2320 and up's.

Thanks for any input.

 

[WH401]

While the cooling fan on the 2305 suffices for that machine, it doesn't come even close in comparison to the job that the stand alone hydro cooler does on the 2320 and up models of cooling the hydro fluid. You can overheat the hydraulics on the 2305 pretty quickly w/ just having the cooling fan. IMO, that would be my main reason to overlook the 2305. Now don't get me wrong, I know lots of people have 2305's and are very happy with them. But to me, I would rather pay the extra money for a 2320 or larger tractor as the hydro cooler does it's job much, much better than just the fan alone.

As far as the lights, I would have to say that the clear lenses on the 2320 and larger models are definitely going to work better than the 2305 lights. Think of a pair of goggles that are fogged up, sitting next to a pair of goggles that aren't. Which one do you think your going to be able to see out of better?

 

[slkpk]

I might be wrong but most of the people who've had cooling problems with the 2305 live in the deep south and have high humidity. I haven't had any cooling problems like some of the others have had. What I don't like is the heat blowing up through the seat pan when it's in the 90 degree temps and high humidity. The lights for me are OK but I need to add another set for using the FEL that are mounted higher for snow removal. The ground clearance isn't an issue for me since I'm done clearing all of the brush and debris from my place. For the hills that I have the lower center of gravity is very good on the 2305. slkpk

 

[tripletap]

Is there a way to retrofit the cooling of the 2320 to the 2305 ...?

 

[WH401]

Is there a way to retrofit the cooling of the 2320 to the 2305 ...?

Anything can be done with enough money, but the question is would it be worth it in the end rather than just going with a larger model from the start. I don't think you would ever make up the 3k difference in price between the two models by trying to retro fit the 2320 cooling to the 2305. One thing that I think will be your biggest enemy would be space, the 2305 is a much smaller tractor and probably won't have enough, or at all, the room for the cooler. After that you've got to come up with ways to tie it all into, and function properly, with the tractor.

 

[c5rulz]

I agree wi SLKPK. The cooling works fine for mowing with the mmm mower and while installed it protects the vunerable filter and fan. The 2305 is very stable on hills and was the primary reason I bought it over the 2320.

People seem to overheat them when it is very warm and running a FEL hard.

If I was going to be in rugged, woods type situations with a FEL, I would get the 2320.

 

[Rodney in VA]

I have had my John Deere 2305 a little over two years (150 hrs.) and have worked it hard. I do not mow with mine so all those hours are FEL and BH work related. I have never actually had a real problem with overheating. My tractor has pretty much always operated normally although sometimes the hydraulics will seem a little sluggish when hot. An example would be FEL bucket curl etc. I can attest to the heat coming up around the seat (especially during long periods of backhoe work) like I did yesterday in upper 80 degrees with high humidity. The 2305 is an awesome little tractor and for its size and price point is surely in the top of its class. It turns on a dime, runs like a champ, has unbelievably good power for what it is. It has a “Big Boy” attitude for its size. My 5 ½ acres are mostly wooded and I have buggered up the Hydro fluid filter before with debris and sticks in the fan “could” be a problem, but so far that has not happened to me. The 2305 has some warts, but overall I have been and still remain very impressed with its capabilities. I am planning (at some point) to buy a larger tractor but it has nothing to do with any inabilities of the 2305 but more to do with me succumbing to the dreaded “green and yellow” fever accompanied by a bad case of the “wants” which has nothing to do with reality or should we say “needs.” :sidelaugh

 

[BLIND REF]

I might be wrong but most of the people who've had cooling problems with the 2305 live in the deep south and have high humidity. I haven't had any cooling problems like some of the others have had. What I don't like is the heat blowing up through the seat pan when it's in the 90 degree temps and high humidity. The lights for me are OK but I need to add another set for using the FEL that are mounted higher for snow removal. The ground clearance isn't an issue for me since I'm done clearing all of the brush and debris from my place. For the hills that I have the lower center of gravity is very good on the 2305. slkpk

I agree with SLKPK. Mine has never overheated, but you can feel the heat after you have worked it hard. That heat is unwelcome when it is 95 outside!
I also agree with YaYa on the 2305 capabilities.

 

[smeagol]

Another agreement with all the guys above - I've worked mine at full throttle for 3 hours mowing on some steep hills and havent had any overheating issues. Sure it gets hot, but not even close to over heating.

As far as engine cooling goes, just watch the grass clogging the front grill when you're mowing thick loose grass.

If you've got any steep areas on your site, these machines are incredibly stable, and like the others, one of the main reasons I went for the 2305 over the 2320. The 2320 is geared differently, and has a higher centre of gravity than the 2305 so designed to a slightly different market.

 

[Shack]

never had a problem with it overheating, but it don't like cold any more than I do. Hydro was a little sluggish this past winter doing some work in high teens temps.

 

[unit40]

The whole fan issue on those little tractors has been raised ever since that model came out. My X744 has a hydraulic coooler - read "radiator"- mounted in front of the radiator using the engine fan to cool it. The fan reverse cools, meaning it is drawing in air from the operator platform and blowing it out forward. My seat never gets hot. Same engine as the 2305. So why can't the 2305 be redesigned or re-engineered like the X7xx series? Just doesn't make sense that a SCUT tranny is cooled like a K46.

 

[Mayor]

While the cooling fan on the 2305 suffices for that machine, it doesn't come even close in comparison to the job that the stand alone hydro cooler does on the 2320 and up models of cooling the hydro fluid. You can overheat the hydraulics on the 2305 pretty quickly w/ just having the cooling fan. IMO, that would be my main reason to overlook the 2305. Now don't get me wrong, I know lots of people have 2305's and are very happy with them. But to me, I would rather pay the extra money for a 2320 or larger tractor as the hydro cooler does it's job much, much better than just the fan alone.

As far as the lights, I would have to say that the clear lenses on the 2320 and larger models are definitely going to work better than the 2305 lights. Think of a pair of goggles that are fogged up, sitting next to a pair of goggles that aren't. Which one do you think your going to be able to see out of better?

How is your 2320 working out for you. Sounds like a great little tractor.

 

[Mayor]

A few weeks ago I cut the lawn (2 hours) then switched off to the FEL and moved 16 yards of mulch (4 hours). Then hooked up the spreader and added some fertlizer to the lawn (1 hour). This was all done with temps in the high 80s. Never had any issues at all. As said in many threads before " the right tool for the job". The 2320 is not the right tractor for me and my needs.

 

[Paystar]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm still learning and trying to soak up as much info as possible before I buy. I had it seriously nailed down to the GC 2610 but it's still that issue of dealers being 6 and half hours away that keep me looking at other options. But they are my best price so far. I have a local John Deere dealer but they seem to have a very bad reputation with everyone I talk to that deals with them. But I do also like the John Deere.
As far as my choice of a GC or 2305.....I have lots of property and 2 acres of lawn, but it is littered with maple trees, so i want something that can maneuver like a lawn tractor, but have the ability to do other things. I know there are lots that say go "bigger" like the 2520 and 2720 but I know the 2305 will do all I need and I just got rid of my trucking business, so I have no payments now and don't want any more big payments...thus the smaller tractor. I don't want to be back in a position where I HAVE to work to make a payment.
As far as other options....didn't like Kubota (please don't be offended, just didn't suit me right...but good tractor), Bobcat was $6000.00 more than Massey here (it, CT122, is a bigger tractor than a GC admittedly), Cub Cadet dealer dropped Cub Cadet right after I inquired about an SC2400, and New Holland....I don't even know where to start. I emailed them with two basic questions: is the mm mower compatible with the bh and does the front quick hitch stay on with the fel attached. They didn't answer either, told me to contact a dealer. Gave me a list of dealers. One didn't sell tractors, and none of the other ones in Canada called me back or replied to numerous emails. So I again contacted New Holland customer service....no reply. I finally got a dealer in Michigan to give me a quote. Asked him those same questions, could not answer them. Said they never installed a bh on a Boomer 1030, then tried to sell me a Kubota. Said he would get info from his New Holland rep....never heard back. So I'm pretty much disgusted with NH.
So it will either be red or green.

 

[Mayor]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm still learning and trying to soak up as much info as possible before I buy. I had it seriously nailed down to the GC 2610 but it's still that issue of dealers being 6 and half hours away that keep me looking at other options. But they are my best price so far. I have a local John Deere dealer but they seem to have a very bad reputation with everyone I talk to that deals with them. But I do also like the John Deere.
As far as my choice of a GC or 2305.....I have lots of property and 2 acres of lawn, but it is littered with maple trees, so i want something that can maneuver like a lawn tractor, but have the ability to do other things. I know there are lots that say go "bigger" like the 2520 and 2720 but I know the 2305 will do all I need and I just got rid of my trucking business, so I have no payments now and don't want any more big payments...thus the smaller tractor. I don't want to be back in a position where I HAVE to work to make a payment.
As far as other options....didn't like Kubota (please don't be offended, just didn't suit me right...but good tractor), Bobcat was $6000.00 more than Massey here (it, CT122, is a bigger tractor than a GC admittedly), Cub Cadet dealer dropped Cub Cadet right after I inquired about an SC2400, and New Holland....I don't even know where to start. I emailed them with two basic questions: is the mm mower compatible with the bh and does the front quick hitch stay on with the fel attached. They didn't answer either, told me to contact a dealer. Gave me a list of dealers. One didn't sell tractors, and none of the other ones in Canada called me back or replied to numerous emails. So I again contacted New Holland customer service....no reply. I finally got a dealer in Michigan to give me a quote. Asked him those same questions, could not answer them. Said they never installed a bh on a Boomer 1030, then tried to sell me a Kubota. Said he would get info from his New Holland rep....never heard back. So I'm pretty much disgusted with NH.
So it will either be red or green.

The dealer is a big part of buying a tractor. As you get closer to what model you want I would really start doing test drives or even have them bring one out to run around your yard.

I can tell you that the 2305 with the 62mmm gets into every spot in my yard that my old JD lawn tractor with a 42mmm did. Good luck!

 

[WH401]

How is your 2320 working out for you. Sounds like a great little tractor.

They do look like they would be great little tractors, but I don't have one, I have a 3320 instead. It's worked out real nice for me so far, and it's light years ahead at cutting grass than my former Cub was. I have found instances where the small size and nimbleness of the 2320 or 2520 tractors would be nice, as well as the 62D MMM, but over all I'm pretty pleased with the 3320.

 

[gary_dsc]

I recently bought a 60" bush hog and run it on my 2305. I usually have the MMM on and it acts as a shield for the fan. Now, I'm running thru high grass without the MMM. So far, no problems, but the area I'm mowing, I have been mowing with the MMM for years, so it's pretty clear of rocks and other debris. I, too haven't had overheating issues. I mow up to 6 acres at once on very hot days and the only thing that overheats is me.

 

[JDFANATIC]

It would have been nice if Deere had given the 2210/2305 a hydro cooler, position control on the 3PH, temperature gauges vs. idiot lights, and a higher location for the tranny filter. However, there are few owners of these tractors that have regrets for their purchase. That said, pick the right machine for your usage (and considering future uses) but not necessarily just the larger machine. How do I know this? I've bought too small and too large machines. Happy hunting!

 

[WH401]

It would have been nice if Deere had given the 2210/2305 a hydro cooler, position control on the 3PH, temperature gauges vs. idiot lights, and a higher location for the tranny filter. However, there are few owners of these tractors that have regrets for their purchase. That said, pick the right machine for your usage (and considering future uses) but not necessarily just the larger machine. How do I know this? I've bought too small and too large machines. Happy hunting!

That is a very true statement that every purchaser should live by. I bought a 3320 but after using it I've found that I could easily get by with a 2520 or 2720. I think the perception is that the bigger the machine than the more work you'll be able to do. In a sense, yes that is true, but really the 2000 series tractors can do so much in such a small package.

 

[BLIND REF]

It would have been nice if Deere had given the 2210/2305 a hydro cooler, position control on the 3PH, temperature gauges vs. idiot lights, and a higher location for the tranny filter. However, there are few owners of these tractors that have regrets for their purchase. That said, pick the right machine for your usage (and considering future uses) but not necessarily just the larger machine. How do I know this? I've bought too small and too large machines. Happy hunting!

Well put JDFan! The 2210/2305 is a very capable tractor for home use. That is why I have stated before that if I ever buy another tractor, I will keep the 2305. If something goes wrong with my 2305, then I feel that I have a right to complain or comment about it. What you won't ever see me do is bash a different model JD that I have never owned. It is tacky, tasteless, and does not have a place on this forum.