That seems a bit optimistic. I bet you are closer to 3,000lbs.
[QUOTE=Jim_in_PA;7778350]
Where you have to be careful with using a finish mower for “tougher stuff” is that the blades and drive mechanism are going to take a beating…they don’t have any “give” like there is with a true brush-cutter. Inspect the blades, deck, belts, drive-shaft U-joints, etc., frequently and also clean and lubricate frequently. You want to insure you catch any cracks or other things that can either cause implement failure or a safety issue.[/QUOTE]
Agreed and so far so good.
I have the 2305 with FEL and pto brush hog behind. Love love love that little work horse. Maneuverability + tough as nails.
Factory installed FEL? I don’t know why. Takes 5 minutes to put the FEL on. You probably need someone to show you how anyway. We take ours off if we are mowing, but otherwise, it’s on most of the time.
We are probably going to stop mowing with it, so here is something to think about. We have almost 20 acres – it’s too much for our little tractor. We’ve tried to keep up, but honestly we can’t. And the brush hog is certainly not suitable for the 3-acres of lawn! So, we considering getting a zero-turn lawn mower for the lawn and hiring out the mowing. Something to think about since the cost of the belly mower attachment or the brush hog will almost pay for the zero turn. Just food for thought.
Well, we have the husky right now (very new) we THOUGHT would work for our property, and my use…but…my back is only going to get worse, and…the shoveling out of the bins into a spreader is now the concern. 
so…as I’m sure we’d get NOTHING for the husky to amount to anything, I may choose the FEL and a second ‘attachment’ for now for the 'JD deal" and simply keep the mower / garden tractor for the time being…I do not have 20 acres however. simply 5 total …half of that in wooded ravine, and only about 2 fenced. its the shoveling I feel is the big issue., and the amount of manure I’ll have to keep composting and moving…
[QUOTE=King’s Ransom;7780371]
Factory installed FEL? I don’t know why. Takes 5 minutes to put the FEL on.[/QUOTE]
“Factory Installed FEL” refers to the structures that are put on the tractor to support the FEL and the hydraulics…the pieces that the FEL connects to when you put it on the tractor to use. The factory option saves the dealer time.
BTW, OP…don’t let anyone try to convince you these little green or orange power tools are not capable. I took out yet another big walnut stump today with my BX22 and moved it several hundred feet to my “trash” area. It was “huffing an puffing”, but it got the job done! Yea, there are limits, but you can work them right up to them for sure.
[QUOTE=airhorse;7779466]
That seems a bit optimistic. I bet you are closer to 3,000lbs.[/QUOTE]
Not exactly over optimistic but rather a typo/mind fart. I meant to say 5,000 lbs, to be exact just under that. Will lift just under 3,000 to full height. I have fully tested it over the years.
Thanks for pointing out I hate posting misinformation as much as I dislike reading the same.
A loader’s rating is one thing, the size and type of tractor it is attached to is the key factor along with tires, counter balanced used etc.
The average person has very little “gut feeling” for what things weigh. 1 ton of stone gravel does not make for a very big pile.
That must be a big-butt tractor to be able to lift over two tons on the FEL and live to tell about it!
[QUOTE=Jim_in_PA;7781299]
That must be a big-butt tractor to be able to lift over two tons on the FEL and live to tell about it![/QUOTE]
LOL, not that big but it is set up for the loader. Counter balance is important. But even then there can be a bit of teeter-totter and anguish moments. The big loads never get that far off the ground, move at a snails pace, my hand never leaves the joy stick and ready to set it down in an instant.
Oh, I understand that very clearly, gumtree. I leave the 700 lb backhoe on my BX22 nearly all the time (other than when I need to use a 3pt implement from time to time) because it provides the counterbalance and traction I need to, um…err…over work…the FEL. 
And yea, when it’s heavy, it’s down close to the ground. No fun getting that “teeter totter” feeling!
Driving on just the front wheels is an adventure all should experience.
OP be sure to check out the discounts offered by being a member of USEF. I think on those compact tractors you can get 18% discount. IDK whether you can use it with the 0% financing offer, but worth a call to find out. We have a 52hp JD tractor, loader, bushhog for mowing and other farm stuff, and a gator which is invaluable on the farm, but I’ve been eyeing the subcompact for use with a spreader and to do arena dragging. It would sure be handy and take the load off the gator which has to do those jobs currently.
There are likewise discounts for AQHA members but in the end, the particular dealer made me a better deal than would have been had using the discount. Though I can still use that for more implements if desired.
