Top Brands

[jeff9366]

I like my current JD 2520 well enough. My biggest gripe is that the local JD dealer caters to big farmers and looks at me like a nuisance.

I've got to have an easy mid-mount mower. loader, and easy tiller changeability.

• Deere has relatively easiest mounting mid-mount mower.
• Deere also has the only factory quick attach mount for PTO powered implements which connects the PTO shaft.

I have NO personal experience with either one.

VIDEOS:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=deere+drive+over+deck

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=john+deere+pto+quick+connect

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Number15​

Seems to me you are changing like for like. I would stick with the JD in that case and deal with the nuisance JD dealer. Only Deere and Kubota have a large established dealer network and Kubota dealers have a similar attitude to JD dealers.
Clarified as JD = bigger farmers, Kubota = lots of smug dealers.

 

[WVH1977]

How about keep the 2520 and get a zero-turn for dedicated mowing?

 

[jeff9366]

What are the top brands that I should consider when I replace my Deere compact tractor?

The feature I desire most is the ability to quickly and easily change attachments.

I have 2 acres. Half of it is grass, so I mow quite a bit, but I often drop the mid mount mower in order to hook on to my tiller, or a blade, or a rake, or my quick-tach front end loader. In the winter, I hook up a front mount snow blower and rear mount blade. I also trailer my tractor quite a bit when I go tilling or moving dirt for friends and neighbors.

Ventrac. Now a division of Toro.

VIDEOS: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ventrac

 

[Citydude]

How about keep the 2520 and get a zero-turn for dedicated mowing?

This^^ that is a logical idea unless the mowing area is rougher than a cob.

 

[DaBear3428]

I like my current JD 2520 well enough. My biggest gripe is that the local JD dealer caters to big farmers and looks at me like a nuisance.

I was under the impression that JD lead the way for implements, ease of attachment, and the like. (Maybe I'm wrong)

Haven't started shopping a ton yet. I can probably find Kubota, Bobcat, and Kioti locally, but their sales stores are not going to be part of any big network.

I've got to have an easy mid-mount mower. loader, and tiller changeability.

have you considered keeping the JD and just getting a zero turn to mow with? leave the mid mount mower off and the loader can stay on most of the time while the tiller is easy to change.

a ZT is a lot better for mowing, you would save a ton of money and time, my guess is that you spend 2X as much time mowing as you spend on other things. the ZT would cut your mowing time in half or better.

 

[DaBear3428]

This^^ that is a logical idea unless the mowing area is rougher than a cob.

even if it is a bit rough for the price delta of a new tractor you can get a good ZT with suspension.

 

[IndyJay]

Not mentioned but an important consideration, what JD implements do you already have? Are any front mounted? You may have to replace at least the front mounted implements due to JD proprietary SSQA design. You should be okay on PTO driven implements as long as you stay with the same basic size tractor. Colors might clash though if you go with Kioti or Kubota...

 

[Shenandoah MF1760]

Actually I'd say Kubota was closer to king with compact tractors than JD. I only say this because they're everywhere, their market is huge and if a new attachment for compacts comes out they focus on Kubota first due to market share.

Now since Kubota also uses SSQA most other compacts can use those attachments too. My logo picture shows my Massey with a Lane Shark which is excessive at Kubota dealers.

JD's also have a proprietary QC, which has already been mentioned if you have JD attachments you may have to sell them with the tractor.

If keeping the tractor and going with a ZT isn't an option, look to see who your local dealers are, if they'll pickup and deliver as needed and what their reputation is.

Saving a few hundred dollars and having a dealer a few hundred miles away isn't the best scenario.

 

[charles todd]

I vote for LS. 8 years and 800 hours of trouble free operation.

CT

 

[charles todd]

Mid mount mowers can be a PITA. Zero Turn will be faster and maybe even a better quality cut.

CT