1025R vs 2025/32R

[Trent Hickford]

Hi, Yesterday I went and viewed several tractors and am In the process of narrowing down my selection to a final tractor.

Im am Wondering what you guys think of the 2025R, I have sat on both that and a 2032R and like them both. I will only be using this tractor to do mowing but alot of it, including finish mowing with a mid mount deck and a rear bushhog, do you guys think that it has enough power? I will only be using it in LOW gear for mowing and Im not sure that the 2032R is worth $8,000 to step up to (WOW)
I looked at a 1023E also, nice tractor and love the auto connect deck, dealer says he will sell a 1025R at the same price, Whats this tractor like? it seemed like it had less legroom than the 2025R and its idle was alot higher which I would fix as soon as I got it. At the moment Im stuck between a 1025R and 2025R, 1025 has tilt steering and suspention seat which is nice, 2025R seems like alot more tractor and I like the steel over the plastic.

 

[poosniffer]

Better to get a little more tractor than you think you will need.Yes,steel over plastic wins every time.Good luck with your decision.

 

[KennyG]

If you are going to bush hog, I think you will want to move up to the 2 series. Based on 4 years with a 2320, I would say look more at the 3 point capacity and ground clearance than the old fashioned steel vs. plastic issue. I have a 62D deck and NEVER mow in Low except for one very steep hill. The only thing that slows me down is rough ground.

 

[RalphVa]

I have a 1025R and saw a 2025R at a state fair. Only thing I noticed really different was the 2 sided brakes on the 2025R (suprised it isn't an "S" on the end; they must have deleted something that the 1025R has when adding the 2 sided brakes). The 2025 may have a tad more ground clearance. Not that evident without measuring.

The 1025 has plenty of hp for a 4' bush hog. It's position control is really good for knowing that that deck will be exactly the same spot every time you lower it. This is not the case on a 1023E. The 1025 also has a gentle-on PTO engagement that the 1023E is probably lacking. That slam-on PTO engagement that my JD 4010 had (and probably what is on the 1023E) was probably responsible for destroying the drive disc on the drive line between the engine and the hydraulics.

Ralph

 

[The Suburban Farmer]

I went through the same decision process a couple of years ago and ended up getting the 2320 (same as the 2025.) For me, the larger tires and resulting increase in ground clearance was an important issue since I do a fair bit of work in "woods" and "fields" instead of "yard." I also like the split brake pedals on the 2320 -- very helpful for making tight turns, or for helping to steer when I'm pushing snow with the front blade (just DON'T use the brakes for any tight turns when mowing -- I had to patch some holes in my yard after trying that the first time.)

As for power, I mow with a 62D MMM and can use the High range on most of my yard, but have to drop into Low for the steeper hills. I have used a (borrowed) 5' brush hog on my 2320 and it pulled it adequately, but I think I would go with the 4' if I were buying one -- 5' just kind of "felt" too big and the engine would bog down a bit at times. I think that a 4' rotary mower seems to be a better bet for a tractor with 25 HP and 18 PTO HP regardless of the size of the frame. While I'm a believer in "get more tractor that you think you will need" the $8K difference seems steep to me unless you plan on needing a lot more PTO horsepower for some specific reason, like running a big chipper. I've skidded a few BIG windfall logs out of the woods and done a LOT of loader work, and never once felt that my 2320 was too small for what I needed to do. Would a bigger tractor have been handy a few times? Sure, but it's not like I couldn't do what I needed to get done -- I just had to take it a little slower. Based on my experience so far with the 2320, I think you might find $8K in implements to be a better use of your $$$ than $8K of extra HP.

Honestly, I think the "perfect" tractor for me would have been the 2520 (mostly for the upgraded hydraulics) but unfortunately that size doesn't exist anymore -- either the 2320 (2025) or the 2720 (2032) are the only options. Not sure why Deere dropped the 2520 specs for the new models.

 

[KennyG]

I have a 1025R and saw a 2025R at a state fair. Only thing I noticed really different was the 2 sided brakes on the 2025R (suprised it isn't an "S" on the end; they must have deleted something that the 1025R has when adding the 2 sided brakes). The 2025 may have a tad more ground clearance. Not that evident without measuring.

I think there's a good bit more difference, assuming the 2025 is similar to my 2320. The 1 series has a limited Cat I 3 point because the smaller tires limit the lift height. I think the clearance will be a good bit less. From what I can find on the JD website, the 1025 will be about 250 lbs lighter, which is significant on a tractor this size. On a list price basis, the 2025R is only about $3000 more than a 1025R and I think that's a good value.

 

[RalphVa]

I certainly miss the 2 side brakes that I had on the 4010. Really need them while pushing snow and even for turning on grass with the R4s on front.

Looks as though the 2025 does not have the tilt steering wheel but all the other F-Q enhancements over and "E" model?

Ralph

 

[Cherokee140]

My two bits.....

You really did not say what you want to use it for. About a year ago I was shopping as well....IIRC (and I could be wrong here) the 2025 the backhoe was not a really easy on and off type of deal. Many will poo poo the backhoe on a little machine, but I find it to be very useful. Also I think that one of the decks for the larger JD was a drive over deck...I don't think the large one was however.

If you are going to be using the machine to "mow", then a larger machine can be a huge (-). Larger, more weight, less nimble, tall....all can make the task of mowing a little more difficult.

It really comes down to what you want to do.....and a great many will tell you to buy larger, that could be a big mistake if you need to get into tight places. What I would say is research the heck out of them, then make your choice....in the little tractor world it all comes down to the positives and the minus side of things.

 

[RalphVa]

To complete the picture. I had to replace the 1025R with a 2025R due to gobs of warranty issues on the 1025R.

Absolutely no problems with the 2025R at around a year and a half. Never had any on the 4010 either. Just that disentegrated U joint at 660 hours and 2 broken turnbuckles because I didn't tighten them enough. Turf tires on the 4010 were a problem with the FEL. Industrials on both the 1025R and 2025R are fine. They just don't grip as well when turning as turfs do.

Ralph