Getting ready to order 2520

[J Levine]

I have been lurking here for a while and finally joined tonight to get some input from the experts. I have a new house with about 4 acres of lawn and pasture to mow. The house came with a 1980 Satoh S650G with a 60" Woods 3 point hitch finish mower. I have no time or interested in dealing with a 30 year old machine plus I want a FEL to clear the snow off my 350' drive. I am working with the local JD dealer on ordering a 2520 with a 200CX FEL, a 61" bucket, liquid filled rear tires and a 72" MMM with a lock up bracket. Price is coming in at about 21K all in. Looking for feedback on the specs I have chosen here and any suggestions on changes. Using the FEL to clear snow is a compromise as I wanted to invest in somthing that I could use for more than snow removal. I live in NJ so snow is (usually) not that bad. I am planning on trading the Satoh but the dealer has yet to check it out so any thoughts on anticipated trade value would also be appreciated.

 

[kennyd]

Welcome to TBN


Sounds like you have done your homework and are getting what you need:thumbsup:

My only comment relates to the "liquid filled rear tires", what "fluid" is it? If it's Calcium then say NO! It can rot your rims...see if they offer a product called Rimgaurd.

Also, are you getting a ballast box and possibly a iMatch QH? The filled tires are not enough weight to safely use the loader.

 

[J Levine]

The dealer has told me the liquid would be magnesium chloride, I will follow up with him on the rim guard. I failed to mention that I already have a 60" three point rear blade that I will use on the tractor along with the FEL.

 

[pdp11]

Last May, I bought a 2520, 200CX, 62D, and 60" rear blade.

I also equipped mine with the hydraulic diverter valve to allow easy switching between the FEL and the hydraulic deck lift. It sounds as though you are going with the mechanical lift.

Make sure the dealer includes the hood guard with the FEL.

Have the dealer swap the rear tires to the wide position for you (valve stems pointed in).

I also purchased the "forward" lighting kit. I ended up turning one of the lights around so that I have both front and rear lights.

I've really enjoyed my 2520 in the time I've had it. I'm sure you will enjoy yours.

 

[J Levine]

Thanks for the reply and the advice on swapping the rears, I will ask the dealer about that too. I was going to do the hydraulic deck lift with the diverter valve but the dealer says that the 72" deck can only be had with the mechanical lift. Cutting a lot of grass really quick is my number one objective so I want the 72" deck. The 2520 is the smallest JD compact that takes a 72.

 

[pdp11]

I thought about the 72" deck, but the convenience of the drive-over deck and the hydraulic lift pushed me to the 62D. It still drastically cut down my mowing time from what I was doing before.

Since you also mentioned a rear blade, I can recommend the I-Match quick hitch.

Part of my reason for buying the 2520 was due to a back injury I suffered a year and a half ago. I needed to set it up so as to reduce the possibility of aggravating that injury. That's one of the best things about this tractor, the convenience of how it all works.

 

[kennyd]

I failed to mention that I already have a 60" three point rear blade that I will use on the tractor along with the FEL.

A typical rear blade will not weigh enough for ballast, and it get's in the way.

 

[Bswope]

I agree 100% with kennyd, make sure you get a ballast box and fill it with stone,concrete or what ever you would like. I filled mine with stone when I had my JD 2520 and it made a HUGE difference, it kept the tires PLANTED to the ground!
Have them switch the rear tires to the wider position as well doing this and the ballast box makes for one nice stable tractor. :thumbsup:

 

[Runner]

I have the 61 inch bucket on my 2520 and have never regretted going with that size. It is especially good for snow removal.

Also agree on the iMatch being a good investment.

You might consider just using the rear finish mower that you already have. I use a Frontier (Woods) 72 inch RFM on mine and it works very well. The 60 inch mower would probably work even better (lighter, won't drag the rear end of the machine around as much...). Plus, it's easier to detach/re-attach when you don't want a mower on the machine.

If I was buying one now, I'd order power beyond and the 3rd SCV kit just in case I wanted the additional hydro outlets later (which I do....).

Best of luck with your purchase.

 

[snyder_man]

Make sure you get the "new" style lift arms on the three point or you probably want to measure the hitch pins on the widest three point implement you have. Make sure it will fit on the 2520's three point arms with the tires in the wide position. My widest is 34 1/2" and my old style arms only go to about 30 1/2 " with the tires in wide. I'm working with the dealer to tire to get a set of the new style life arms. The new style look just like the ones on the 2750, with a bend to give a wider mount.

Snyder-man

 

[architect]

Also looking at JD 2520, priced tractor, 200cx FEL, 53" bucket, 62" MMM - $19,500, before Feb 1, was also $600 credit available, so $18,900, now there is $1000 cash, so price is $18,500. But will be pricing JD 1026R later this week, want a backhoe for small jobs,
Prices were without any taxes added. Also 0% for 60 months was available, that I believe was extended into Feb.

 

[revitupfaster]

I got my new 2520 back in September. I have the 200cx with a 53" bucket, and the 62D mower. I also have the front quick hitch and 54" blade, which I use for snow removal. The blade is much faster at moving snow, and if it ever does get to the point where I need the FEL to move the snow out of the way, it's not all that much work to switch out the blade to the loader.

On the advice of this forum, I also purchased the ballast box, and "I" match hitch. The main reason I bought the ballast box was for added traction when plowing snow, and wow, it sure does that. I was concerned with all the controversy about the R4 tires not being that great in snow, but with the ballast box attached, I'm happy with the performance.(the box is also good to use when lifting heavy stuff with the loader.)

I didn't get the tires filled, because I don't want the extra weight when mowing, so the ballast box idea was great, connect it when you need it, and drop it off when you don't. The "I" match makes this operation as simple as you can get. I drop the box on a 4 caster dolly, and move it around out of the way later. If you plan on connecting anything to the 3PTH, get the "I" Match.

Since I was only going to need it for the ballast box, I originally wasn't going to get the "I" Match, but after seeing how slick it works, I'm glad I got it. Not a whole lot of money compared to the total purchase, and well worth it.

REV

 

[glc24]

Hello J and welcome to TBN

The dealer has told me the liquid would be magnesium chloride, I will follow up with him on the rim guard.

Magnesium Chloride is just as corrosive as Calcium Chloride.
If you're going to go with filled tires,go with the a friendlier liquid.

I thought about the 72" deck, but the convenience of the drive-over deck and the hydraulic lift pushed me to the 62D. It still drastically cut down my mowing time from what I was doing before.

Isn't the 72" a drive over deck??
If not,the drive overs are awesome,you will regret not getting one.:thumbsup: IMO,you won't notice enough difference in time spent mowing between the 62 and 72.
For a decent size CUT,it is an impressive grass cutter. Quite a few members will attest to that.
Go with the drive over.

Using the FEL to clear snow is a compromise as I wanted to invest in somthing that I could use for more than snow removal.

I can understand this,but after using a FEL last year and a 60" plow this year,oh man,a night and day difference. The plow is a dream to use compared to the FEL. So,so much quicker,and way more maneuverable. I also have the 61" bucket,and I would suggest getting the replaceable cutting edge while you're at it.

Since I was only going to need it for the ballast box, I originally wasn't going to get the "I" Match, but after seeing how slick it works, I'm glad I got it. Not a whole lot of money compared to the total purchase, and well worth it.

DITTO!! You will love it.

A typical rear blade will not weigh enough for ballast, and it get's in the way.

Agreed on both counts.
Ballast box is far more compact,and ,when loaded, weighs what you should have on the 3PT when using the FEL, especially for heavier materials.

Make sure you get the "new" style lift arms on the three point or you probably want to measure the hitch pins on the widest three point implement you have.

I'm pretty sure all the new ones are equipped with the newer arms,but make a note of that with your dealer to make sure it does.

Probably forgot to mention something else,but you will definitely love your 2520 for sure.

Greg

 

[pdp11]

Hello J and welcome to TBN

Isn't the 72" a drive over deck??

Greg

No, it isn't. The 72D deck is for the 3x20 series. That was why I went with the 62D on my 2520. It only takes a couple minutes to remove the deck, and I can pick it up with the I-Match hitch and transport it. Nothing could be easier, and I don't miss the extra 10".

 

[revitupfaster]

I can pick it up with the I-Match hitch and transport it. Nothing could be easier, and I don't miss the extra 10".

The newer 62D decks are not equipped with the lift brackets so you can pick it up with an "I" match.

Apparently JD did some owner feedback thing, and the ability to pick up the deck with the 3PTH or "I" match, wasn't percieved by owners as an important feature. I know, mine does not have the brackets, and I was not happy. That feature was important to me. You can't even order the brackets for the deck and have them welded on after the fact.

I ordered my package back in July 2010 and that's the way my deck came from the factory, so unless you get an "older" style, the brackets won't be there.

REV

 

[pdp11]

The newer 62D decks are not equipped with the lift brackets so you can pick it up with an "I" match.

REV

That's a shame, especially since they still feature that capability in all their literature and videos.

How do they expect you to move the deck once you detach it?

 

[J Levine]

Thanks for all the feedback guys very helpful for sure. I told the dealer I wanted to use Rim Guard and he added it to the quote. I hear what some of you are saying about getting the 62" drive over deck but my number 1 mission for this machine is to cut grass a fast as possible. If I was to go with a 62" deck I would probably just move down to a garden tractor. I dont want to go with the front blade for the snow. If I find the FEL to be too much of a PITA for the snow I will probably just get a plow for my F350 and kill the job totally dead. The unit the dealer wants to sell me is in stock (a 2011 model shipped last October with 0 hours) and currently has a 62" deck a 200CX with a 53" bucket and a back hoe. He would be ordering me the larger bucket, larger deck and removing the back hoe. He is trying to get me to go for the power beyond option since it is already on the machine for the back hoe and would probably cost him as much in labor to remove as he would sell it to me for. I think I will leave that as a bargaining chip. He discouraged me from flipping the wheels saying that it would increase the turning radius when mowing, plus it can be done after the fact. The I match looks cool and if I end up doing a lot of 3 pt hitch stuff I may still get it.

So, for a 2520 with a 200CX, a 61" bucket, a hood guard, a 72" MMM with mechanical lift lock and 200 lb or Rim Guard in each rear tire he is at about $21,400 delivered less tax. He still needs to look at my trade in before I can finalize the price. Sound about right? Its within a few hundred bucks of a quote I got from the other local dealer.

 

[bxowner]

I say, "go for it!" Because it seems like it's what you want AND need. A rare combination.

I'm surprised about the deletion of the 3-pt brackets from the drive-over decks. I would think the benefit (advertising-wise) far outweighs the token additional cost of material. It'd be a huge draw for me to pony up for the mid-mount, if I didn't already own an X324.

 

[glc24]

He discouraged me from flipping the wheels saying that it would increase the turning radius when mowing, plus it can be done after the fact.

It's a safety thing.I can't believe your dealer telling you that.
Increasing your turning radius. Is he measuring with a micrometer.:laughing: Before the fact,after the fact. It is one of the FIRST things you should change on your new tractor.

Greg

 

[pdp11]

He discouraged me from flipping the wheels saying that it would increase the turning radius when mowing, plus it can be done after the fact.

I made the mistake of not forcing them to change the rear wheels. I now have grooves cut into the sidewalls by the parts of the deck lift that are too close to the tires when they are set narrow. I also did it myself, which is no easy task once they are filled. It takes multiple jacks and great care to align the tires and hubs while not allowing the tractor to tip sideways on the front axle pivot.

There is no difference in turning radius. Plus, with the FEL, it really is a safety issue and gives the tractor better stability.

I just should have done it the day I took delivery, instead of waiting to find the problem with the deck lift hardware cutting into the tires.

The price sounds about right, although they don't seem to be giving you any deep discounts. I was able to work good financing into my 2520 deal as well, free money from Deere is better than laying out my own cash.