JD 2305 vs. JD 1025R Compact Tractor Comparison

Old vs. New! Here is a comparison video of my older John Deere 2305 and my new, next generation John Deere 1025R. I thought it was worth comparing the two before I sell the 2305 as there is a lot of these out there, and I'm sure there are lots of owners looking to maybe trade up to the next model.
Both of these tractors have around 400 hours, and both are fantastic little units. Overall, I prefer the 1025R but there are a few things I prefer 2305. Let me know what you think of these two tractors!

[@jeffbenjamin6480]

I own a 2305 and have no intentions on getting anything different but i have wanted to see a side by side comparison with the 1025. Great video.

[@shon9kemp]

Glad to see them side by side. I have the older one the 2210. Great little tractor

[@jonesbc1412]

I own the 2305. Great little tractor and plan to keep it. My only complaint is greasing the drive shaft. After multiple purchases I finally found an grease extension that works but still a difficult job.

[@robertmoulton2656]

Tru that. And so important to keep it greased as is a common failure

[@davidcarleton6928]

I also have both 2 machines; 2305 TLB and a 1026R mainly for mowing. Went with the 1026 for the drive over mower deck. Have had the 2305 since 2009, been a great trouble free machine. I've followed videos and such through the years and observed JD improvements. You can see that most of the changes are a direct response to customer complaints. The changes in the 260 to 260 (A or B I'm not sure) are direct responses to complaints. If you have complaints, list them somewhere; JD is watching.

[@treylem3]

I'm happy for you, that you have both. They are very smilar. I thought about trading but didnt want to give up the 200cx loader, that is more powerful i think. I do like the better seat on the 1025R, with the arm rests. The extra lights are nice snd the folding ROPS. There just wasn't enough difference for me to justify the cost increase, tho i would really like to have the hydrostatic oil cooling system that uses a small radiator. Edit: Thanks for this comparison. Keep on tractoring, brother✌️

[@robertmoulton2656]

The 2305 will mow laps around the 1025R And as far as the drive over deck goes....I've been driving over my 62c mower deck for years. Simply raise the idler wheels all the way up,(do this on lawn not on driveway)2. Lower the deck all the way down 3. Disconnect driveshaft hanger arms and front bracket 4. Raise hanger arms up all the way 5. While in 4wd back up gently. Everything clears ,even the gearbox. And the plastic covers over the pulley are supple enough I've never broken one. Other than the fuel cap the 2305 is by far the better 🚜 tractor

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Nice comparison

[@patrickcook1423]

It's not too hard to align, or calibrate if you will,The quick attach mower deck. I just watched a good video on it. Pretty easy.

[@keithp7183]

Had a 2305, i have sellers remorse. Never should have sold it. I put the upgraded seat on, comfy. Now i'm looking at a 1025r, miss my old 2305.

[@Cotton088]

What is the upgraded seat to which you refer?

[@keithp7183]

@@Cotton088 After market seat on E-bay. Really comfy, durable cordura material. Weather proof, not as hot as yellow plastic.

[@parkland4530]

Is a front mount snow blower available for the 2305? You made some interesting points sir. I am considering a replacement of my 445. It would really be nice if my front mounted snowblower itself, blade and tiller were usable. The 2305 is smaller which suits me. Thanks

[@Cotton088]

I own two 2305's. One is set up as a TLB and the other is set up for mowing and moving trailers around my yard. One has a mechanical 3-point belly mower lift and the TLB has a hydraulic belly mower deck lift but you have to unplug a loader hydraulic hose to plug the mowing deck hose in. I get a lot of use out of both of them and have had little trouble from them.

[@joeshelton9576]

I was going to ask that, I just got a 2305 and was curious if I had to connect and disconnect the mower deck hose when using the front bucket.

[@Cotton088]

@@joeshelton9576 Be sure to grease the infamous grease fittings on the driveshaft. There are two of them. One in just in front of the hydraulic cooling fan and the other is just behind the engine flywheel. The only way to grease the front one is with a needle adapter for your grease gun hose. If the universal joints on the driveshaft give way, it could ruin your transaxle (about $4000 to repair). It is true to some degree with most John Deere subcompacts made by Yanmar.

[@unclefuddelmer9224]

@@joeshelton9576 Not On '08 2305. It'll mow while hauling a bucket of anything. Hydraulics are separate but run off the mid PTO

[@robertmoulton2656]

There is a kit for the 2305 called the "power beyond kit" it gives you a separate hydraulic outlet just like the big tractors have . I put it on two 2305s and love it . The kit is expensive. There is also a kit for the 1025R

[@Cotton088]

@@unclefuddelmer9224 there are two ways to raise the mowing deck. One way is with the three point and the other way is with an optional hydraulic cylinder. I have both ways. If I use the hydraulic, I have to disconnect one of the FEL hoses for a source of hydraulics. I have the rear power beyond for my backhoe but it is a different connector size

[@tweivoda]

Rick, I couldn't help but notice but that your 1025R has the flexible hydraulic hose that goes from the hydraulic pump to the flow diverter instead of the original hard hydraulic line. My 2025R (and the 1025R) comes from the factory with the hard steel line but many of us have complained about the annoying hydraulic whine, squeel, I'm not sure what to call it, that comes from that line. John Deere suggested the move to the flexible hose as a way to remove this annoying noise. The noise is more obvious at lower rpms as the greater engine noise, and mower noise, drowns out the noise from the hard steel hydraulic line. My question is, did your tractor come with the flexible line or did you install it? Also, do you notice this noise when the tractor is operating at low rpm? I purchased the flexible line from John Deere but haven't installed it yet on my 2025R.

[@RickPotAdventures]

That flexible line was on the tractor when I purchased it. I do not notice any sort of audible hydraulic feedback when operating either.

[@MJorgy5]

I like the low hood on the 2305. Easier to see what's in front. Radiator behind the dash on 2305? Hot in summer? Does 2305 have a tachometer?

[@unclefuddelmer9224]

Yes it has a tach & Yes it hotter back close to the operator which's nice in the winter to help heat the cab

[@johnwright2661]

I own a 2009 2305, radiator is up front of the engine behind front grill. It has a tach.

[@mickneary8177]

Which do you find has a tighter turning radius?

[@RickPotAdventures]

According to John Deere's specifications they have an identical turning radius.

[@1289lt]

How much 2305 sir .

[@freedomlawnservice1987]

You didn’t really upgrade lol trust me

[@RickPotAdventures]

My biggest concern was the weak PTO case that the 2210s and early 2305s have, they are prone to complete failure and cost upwards of $5000 to repair. The later 2305s and 1025Rs have a heavier rear transaxle. That was my main reason for upgrading. Yes, the 2305 has more power and a stronger loader, but the extremely weak PTO casing is a big Achilles heal for me.

[@zinebzineb9297]

the video image is too poor, you need to fix it more