2240???

I have been considering buying a small tractor such as JD2240 so have been reading up on them a little. Would anyone care to give their opinion on this model?? Buy or stay away?? Were any available with fully independent PTO?? Move up to JD2350? Does anyone know of one for sale? Must have HI/LO option. Thanks.

a farmer friend of mine has a 2240 with over 12,000 hours on the original engine, it was used and abused in a dairy farm life and is still going. it has been by far a very good tractor, i'm not sure if that model has a hi lo option on them or not. if you go look at a 2240 check out the engine tag and see where it was made, either usa or france, the made in france engines are by far the best. i'm not a big fan of the 50 series tractors, the same guy had a 2750 and it was a basket case from day one, always had problems, and it has since left the farm!!

Fixntime - I have an earlier model (not tiger stripe) 2240. Great mowing / chore tractor. Low exhaust, swept back axle, auto hi/lo, fully independent PTO. I really like the single finger power steering. I run a 7 ft JD717 mower behind it. Works great. Tires are loaded (wish they were not). I put a few weights on the front (JD new generation starter set & one plate) as the 7 ft mower is a bit heavy. Its no real beauty queen, but mechanically sound. I paid (I think) about $6K, for the tractor, including a few implements (tough condition AC 5ft mower, grader blade & boom poll, the above mentioned weights (un mounted)).
The only thing that I have done to the tractor for the past 4 years that I have owned it is to take it to a local good mechanic for maintenance and a initial check up. Other than the standard oil changes, he resealed a 3pt shaft (rock shaft?). He did mention that there seemed to be a bit of brake mateial in the hyd oil (could it be from the high/low system?), but I've had no problems.
The high/low system certainly is great for mowing. I don't think that I'd like this set up as a loader tractor though. The swept back front axle (great for mowing) and no FWD would lead to very little traction. And with the gearing set up, it seems that I'm always having to shift both range and gearing selector to get a desirable reverse speed... Not a big thing when mowing. Not great if you're doing a bunch of back and forth work.

Hey Fixntime,
Worked at a Deere dealership during the period of these tractors. Good reliable tractor. Smoked a little so upright exhaust would be my choice. Pto tubing in trans housing caused some problem but they should be all fixed by now I would think. I saw very few with Hi-Lo so not sure if you'll find one with that option. You must remember that these tractors are now around twenty five years old so be sure you find one that's not to tired or be prepared to spend some money fixing her up.
John