makepar,

The BX1850 would not be the comparative Kubota model to the JD2305, you would have to go up a model. Anyway, happy hunting; you are getting into a class of tractors that have some serious capabilities.

Cheers

JDFANATIC

makepar,

I just did the same thing over the last 3 weeks. The Kubota was a fine machine but I didn't like the reverse pedal being so far back. It made me lift my foot to much. I drove it around for 20 minutes. I gave it a workout turning, backing up, forward, backing, forward. With a FEL, (front-end-loader) reverse is a big thing. Also didn't like reaching for the joystick. The JD2305 worked better for my body size. The side-by-side pedals, VERY EASY and the joystick is right next to your hand. The 2305 allowed me to sit back in the seat while still operating the unit. The kubota had me sitting forward in the seat. Quality seat time should feel like my "bark-o-lounger". I like everythig within reach, same as I do for my beer and remote.
Anyway take your time the buying experience is a lot of fun!
My JD dealer had the 2305 w/deck $10,500.

Love my 2305

jdloader

jdloader,
i got another look and chat with a kubota dealer today and took your advice to scope out a jd2305 at a nearby deere dealership. i must agree with you that the ergonomics were "very good!" and impressive. am slowly wittling down my choices. would you mine posting the name of the dealer who had the 2305 w/deck that you wrote of?
thanks for you time and attention. rs

makepar,

GreenSouth Equipment Inc. 904-272-2272

Ask for Matt. In last weeks paper he had the 2305 for $8999 and 62" deck was about $1375.
Thats $10374. When I drove by the shop today there were two 2305 in the lot.

jdloader

The deck might be the 54". The quote they gave me is in my truck.
anyway 54 or 62 the pricing is very good.

jdloader

Okay
went out to the truck to get the quote.
The deck is the 54C in. Mid-Mount $1300.
Mounting hardware 220.
freight 59.70
========
1579.70

The 2305 was $8999 freight included.

Thats $10578.70.

So for Just $1000 more then the kubota 1850 you could have a DEERE!

Now thats cool.

jdloader,
spoke to matt, had a good conversation. his pricing on the jd2305 was increased another $500.00 and the 54" deck was also $300.00 than you noted . . . . okay,still a good number+plus 6%tax and $50.00 plus shipping to my door. he said, he'd send me a sales proposal last week (he didn't) i assume that all the numbers added up to what they're available in pennsylvania and he wasn't going to waste time and email me.
the incredidle thing, as you and others have noted is that the jd2305 is a better and stronger machine in many aspects when comparing to the x7XX series ultimate tractor
series. and the jd2305 costs LESS and is a refined sub compact utility tractor. . . . so x series tractor buyers pay a premium for a slightly smaller size.
matt's response to the tractor pricing was that deere was/is trying to support that growth and presence of the 2305 in the line. his company aggressively prices the tractor.
i will visit a respected dealership by me to see what they say. the dead of winter my be the best time to make this big ticket purchase. just for comparison, kubotaand deere offer 0% financing for three years, buy a x series ultimate tractor, you're looking at 6% interest 58 months.
go figure . . . the chase continues! rs/makepar

Makepar,

Yah, Matt can be a little slow getting back. He needs to work on that.

I thought I was getting a good deal.
Guess I saved a chunk of change buying before NOV 1.

Anyway what I wanted to tell you.
Since you live in snow county. I can not find that JD offers a cab for the 2305.
I know the X700 series has both a soft cab and a beautiful hard cab. Maybe because I live in florida.
Thought you might want to check it out, in the event you'll be moving snow.

jdloader

makepar,

BTW, what is your handicap? :)

Anyway, if the 2305 is your tractor of choice, and you want a cab, there are many aftermarket cab manufacturers such as: Curtis, Cozy Cab, Jodale Perry. The sky is the limit (as is your pocketbook). I have a homemade cab on my 2210 (made by a friend who makes racecars). Here are few pics:

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Though it is homemade, it still has heat/defrost, and goes on and off in less than 15 mins.

Cheers

JDFANATIC

jdfanatic

Very NIce Cab!

Can i get that with A/C instead of heat?

Great for summer down here.

jdloader,

Next time you stop by your dealer, check out the 3x20 series cab tractors. They have it all, including A/C, and are deluxe all the way!

Cheers

JDFANATIC

jdfanatic,
makepar was my license plate while i was in the golf business, (for 17 years). was a ping golf club fitter and store manager. at one time i had a respectectable 6.xx usga handicap. however, now, it's more likely to be a multipul of that. have been a stay at home dad with no time to play and some orthopedic issues in the last couple of years. . . . i hope to get back to it next year (my back willing!).
the bx series and the 2305 have appeal to me as i have difficulty moving around a standard garden tractor platform, leg braces and mafos . . . am starting to hone in on "the product!"
i miss playing golf(though, not the business end.) shaping up the landscape year round is also a happy time.
thanks for asking. rs/makepar

makepar,

First, I would strongly urge you to consider bitting off the bullet and getting the loader, because anyone of these machines without a loader is not the same experience and you will greatly miss that attachment and in fact, after you experience a loader, you will not regret it. If price is a primary factor for your decision, then I either look for a complete used package or if you need new and must be 10K or less, then I would encourage you to look again at the smaller Kubota BX1500 with loader. Reason for mentioning this unit, you can get the loader, tractor and deck for less than 10K and for a homeowner that unit will do tons of work. Point is, I would stay away from buying a unit without a loader.

The BX1500 was discontinued at the end of 2005. You'll be hard pressed to find a new one this late in 2006.

makepar,
I still think you can get the price you want.

Reasons:

1. Most people are not looking to spend 8k-12k on a LT/GT or CUT during the Christmas season.
2. Dealer sales are slow on these items.
3. No one likes paying taxes and a company has to pay taxes on their ending inventory come Dec 31 2006.
4. They need to unload inventory!!!.

Call Matt again around Dec 19th, or any dealer for that matter with heavy inventory.
JD2305 w/54"deck $10578 is what I was quoted.
Overnite a deposit $2000.
Sign the deal.
Its off his books.
Then go pick it up in January

Oh yah, if the dealer doesn,t bite on the 19th then call one last time on the 28th.

jdloader

jdloader,
your email strategy is what i started yesterday, before reading your previous posting . . . i used the "motivated seller/dealer, line" knowing they would naturally want to clear inventory out . . . to a ready, non-emotional buyer. i got an immediately positive response from the salesman.
my propects for getting a good and fair deal are looking
up! . . . i believe the dealer has the right to make a profit . . .
my question to you is. should i invest in some couch time, with a shrink? as last night i had a werid, split second notion in my sleepy brain . . . i saw santa claus driving a sub-cut thru a light snowfall . . . i just can't recall what the
color scheme, was it green and yellow or orange?
thanks for your time and input, your humble servant, robert a.

Yeh, but I think he was going to the neigbors(sp) house. But than it was orange and you want the green/yellow one. Right????

happy hollidays

jdloader

Didn't know that.

just curious, why would a dealer have to pay taxes on unsold inventory at the end of the year? If its unsold then thats why its called "inventory" I have a CPA but maybe I am missing something here?

I have put money (cash plus Kubota loan for balance) on a Kubota 1850 with front loader, 54 inch finecut deck and front loader with tooth bar. I have a back yard that is a hillside, not a fine lawn but with some fruit trees. Main use will be cutting the grass, some winter snow removal from the driveway and general sorts of use of the front loader to move some dirt etc. Not a farm, but not anything like a city lot. (about 2 1/2 acres with 1 in grass and 1.5 in woods) I am going to get a rototiller for it and also have some concerns about stability on the hillside slope for cutting grass etc. Used a sears 46 inch garden tractor before. Never rolled it but makes me get jittery with the turns at the top of the hill.
Is the 1850 more than enough HP for this kind of general use or should I be looking at upgrading to the 2350. Dealer wants chunk of change to redo paperwork since it is already set up with Kubota. Any thoughts on power on the 1850? I really cannot justify a 24 with backhoe but it might come in handy upon occasion just hate to spend almost 6 grand more for an occasional toy. Could have someone come in and do the work for less, just not as convenient. Another question is on tires. Are the turf pretty good even with the front loader? Dealer is going to alcohol fill them to help with the balance against the front loader.

You should be fine with the 1850. It has plenty of power. I have had the 2200 6 years now and still extremely happy with it. It has more than enough power. When using the frontloader I have it throttled down to 1/2 throttle anyway so the power difference between and 1850 and a 2350 is something you would not notice most of the time. The only time I have it wide open throttle is mowing but I have 2 acres of grass and you have 1 acre. I run wide open throttle more for faster ground speed than anything else. I can easily mow with mine on 3/4 throttle. Unless you are using ground engaging attachments the 1850 should be more than enough.