2520 appropriate size tractor?

[VTtractorguy]

Hi guys... I'm inspired by all the great talk going on about the 2520. I've been longing for a few years now to move out of our x540 into a CUT... considering the 2305, 2320 and the soon to be released 1026r. But the buzz (and Deere's promotion) about the 2520 has me thinking...

I'm looking for a CUT for a variety of jobs year round:

Summer work:
Mowing - 50% of time
FEL work (landscaping, moving rocks, etc.) 30% of time
Driveway repair 20% of time

Winter work:
Snow removal. When I can afford it, I'd love to get a snow blower and cab, but for next winter I'll probably just use the FEL to clean up after the plow guy does his work.

We own 10.5 acres here in VT. Maybe 2.5 acres of it is lawn. As you can see from my pics, our property is not flat, with hills & dales in the lawn around the house. The driveway is about 700' long (not terribly steep). I'll eventually be getting either a blade or rake to patch it up. I'm eventually going to clear more land (not with this tractor) - maybe up to an additional acre or two.

I think the 2520 is the best choice for everything except maybe (in my case) cutting the grass. I'm a bit concerned that it may be too big a machine for cutting on uneven terrain. The x540 does a wonderful job. Will the 2520 be anywhere near as good as the 540 for this type of lawn, or am I expecting too much? We do have a few wet spots so I'm guessing I'd have to be careful with any CUT not to leave ruts. Turfs may be the best choice.

What do you guys think? 2520 a little overkill for what I've described? 2320 a better fit, or even the 1026r?

Thanks everyone for your help!

 

[PossumHound]

When I had my JD 650 it had a 62" MMM and worked well on my property with terrain similar to your lot. I don't think it will work as well as your dedicated lawn/garden tractor for quality of cut unless JD has really improved the decks for the CUTs since 1985.

However, the 2520 will do so many other useful chores that you probably will not care about the lawn so much.

PH

 

[VTtractorguy]

Thanks Possum. I'm sure you're right. I do have a great Honda self propelled push mower. I can break that out to use in tough places where the 2520 can't go. Good exercise too!

 

[TripleR]

I can't say much about the 2520, but our 2305 with 62" deck gives as good of quality cut as our John Deere 425 which is pretty good.

 

[JDGreenGrass]

Nice pictures.

The 2520 is a perfect match for your property.

 

[glc24]

Nice pictures.

The 2520 is a perfect match for your property.

DITTO!!:thumbsup:

 

[revitupfaster]

I also think the 2520 is the perfect machine for your property. The 2520 is a major sized lawnmower, but you sure have the major sized lawn for it. Also, that long driveway just begs for the 2520 in the winter.

REV

 

[Mrh51072]

Hello. The 2520 is exactly what u need. I use it to finish cut my lawn and it gives a beautiful cut every time. I also have filled rear tires and as wet as it's been the yard looks great. Feel good pulling the trigger on a 2520. U won't be disappointed that you did!!

 

[kennyd]

Buy the 2520 and keep the X for mowing...it's a great machine and it's paid for-no sense buying a $3000 MMM when you already have such a nice machine to mow with.

 

[Gizmo2]

Although I own a 2320 for use on 8 acres and would not trade it for the 2520, I would also say the 2520 would be more suited for you.
How tall are your garage door openings?

 

[Gizmo2]

Buy the 2520 and keep the X for mowing...it's a great machine and it's paid for-no sense buying a $3000 MMM when you already have such a nice machine to mow with.

Good one.:thumbsup: That's what I'm thinkin!...... Now!

 

[pdp11]

Your situation sounds much like mine, and I love my 2520. The 62D seems to work well over a variety of uneven lawn.

I have R4 tires, and for mowing they don't really do any turf damage. When the ground is soft (really too soft to be mowing), they can leave prints more easily that the turf tires, but I like the R4's for traction with the FEL. It's all a matter of how you expect to use your tractor.

 

[VTtractorguy]

Although I own a 2320 for use on 8 acres and would not trade it for the 2520, I would also say the 2520 would be more suited for you.
How tall are your garage door openings?

Hey, Thanks all for such quick responses. I posted this, went out and cut the lawn and several hours later I have a ton of responses! You're all great! And good advice. I'm going to start crunching numbers on the 2520 and will talk to the boss.

Gizmo, here is the back of our house. This was just after we finished building it so it looks a bit rough. But I installed an over sized garage door in the back so getting the 2520 in without having to fold the ROPS is no problem.

Also, a couple of other angles on the house. They had to move a 200 year old rock wall when building so the FEL will do wonders to rebuild the wall. Plus, it will be lots of fun doing it! :drink:

 

[TripleR]

Very nice house and property.:thumbsup:

 

[JDdude]

Property taxes would be 6 grand a year for that place around here.

 

[Gizmo2]

Hey, Thanks all for such quick responses. I posted this, went out and cut the lawn and several hours later I have a ton of responses! You're all great! And good advice. I'm going to start crunching numbers on the 2520 and will talk to the boss.

Gizmo, here is the back of our house. This was just after we finished building it so it looks a bit rough. But I installed an over sized garage door in the back so getting the 2520 in without having to fold the ROPS is no problem.

Also, a couple of other angles on the house. They had to move a 200 year old rock wall when building so the FEL will do wonders to rebuild the wall. Plus, it will be lots of fun doing it! :drink:

1) I cannot believe you haven't bought a compact tractor before this.
2) Just how cool is it to have a drive through garage? I am thinking you have to be the envy of the area.

 

[tomd999]

Hiya,

Yep, 2520 would be the way to go. You better not take too much time to crunch those numbers, I hear that the 2520 $2500 offer is gone for good when it expires.

Tom

 

[pdp11]

But I installed an over sized garage door in the back so getting the 2520 in without having to fold the ROPS is no problem.

If it's an 8' door as opposed to the standard 7' door, you may still have a problem. I'm picking up a new bottom panel for my 8' door this week after ripping it off the tracks twice with the ROPS of my 2520. The door opening is tall enough for the ROPS to clear. But the door still hangs down slightly below the framed opening. Just enough for the ROPS to catch it.

 

[VTtractorguy]

Very nice house and property.:thumbsup:

Thanks TripleR. It's a work in progress.

Taxes are about $8,500, but we receive a credit back from the State lowering it to about $6,500. Still stinks. We've thought of moving out of the PRVT (Peoples Repubilc of Vermont) to ten minutes down the road, across the border to NH. Similar property taxes for comparable property, no income tax and no sales tax... and a lot of people think NH offers better services. It's a friendlier place to do business than VT, thus better revenue. But VT does have nice qualities.

 

[VTtractorguy]

If it's an 8' door as opposed to the standard 7' door, you may still have a problem. I'm picking up a new bottom panel for my 8' door this week after ripping it off the tracks twice with the ROPS of my 2520. The door opening is tall enough for the ROPS to clear. But the door still hangs down slightly below the framed opening. Just enough for the ROPS to catch it.

Hi PDP. My clearence is 95 inches. I just went to Deere's website and looked at the specs for the 2520. It says height to top of ROPS is 90 inches. Is that correct? So I should have 5 inches of clearence. It's not much, but hopefully it will work. Guess I'll have to mount the extra work lights under the top of the ROPS or on the sides. Shouldn't be a problem.