2305, 2320, 2520 and 3032e

[Rustyrat]

I am having a real hard time picking a tractor. I want a tractor, loader and backhoe for now. Possibly a tiller, rotary cutter and chipper down the road. I have a some lot clearing to do so I am a little concerned about the ground clearance on the 2305 though it seems like a sweet tractor for the money. At the other end of the spectrum is the 3032e with a Wallenstein backhoe. For the money (slightly more than the same equipted 2520), it is quite a package. That leaves me in the middle with the 2320 and 2520. Either of these 2 would probably do more than whatever I need to do now and in the future. Why do they make so darn many models? I keep getting back to what a salesman told me a while ago, no one has ever brought back a tractor because it is too big but plenty have come back wishing they had bought a bigger tractor.
Then there is the orange ones....

 

[ddivinia]

How big an area are you looking to clear?

What kind of material?

Time frame on getting the job done?

I needed to clear a bunch of cedars - had a guy with a hyrdomulcher come in and we were done in 10 day. That was the best money I spent.

D.

 

[ddivinia]

Also - you might want to consider a grapple bucket.

I would not go lower than a 4x20 for that kinf os work, etc.

D.

 

[ChuckinNH]

For "lot clearing" I would pass on the 2305 since I think you would be disappointed. On the other end I had a dealer tell me that the 3032 was a "loader tractor", and not too versitile. The other 2000 series are quite versitile though somewhat lighter than the 3032. I would look carefully at what is missing on that model before you purchase.... those things might be more than acceptable to you, but might not be either. Can you take the loader off, brakes, mid pto, etc.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

Have you done a "needs assessment" yet? If you do I suspect it might help you determine a certain range of what you require - not necessarily brand though.

Do you need a FEL that will lift 500 - 1,000 - 2,000 lbs? How high?
Do you want a 48" or 60" Tiller?
Will you ever need a Mid PTO?
How deep holes do you need to dig with the BH?
How big a Chipper do you want to run?
Do you care if the FEL is removable or not?
If FEL is removable - How easy is it to R&R?
Do you need some sort of Loader QA system or Skid Steer?
Do you want Hydro / Gear / Power Shuttle etc?

For example if you need to lift 2,000lb, run a 60" Tiller and dig 8' hole then a 2305 is ruled out immediately.

 

[kubob]

Rustyrat, where are you located? Reason I ask, there's a used 2320 on craigslist right now with 50 hrs, loader, box blade, scrape blade, mid mower for only $14,000 for all - may get it cheaper. It's in Virginia in the Charlottesville section.

 

[eepete]

Let me touch on a point ddivinia made. When I bought my Kubota B21 tractor loader backhoe (TLB, 21 HP engine, 3800#, 5' wide) in 1997, it was about $23,000. The next step up was in the $35K to $45K region. Local backhoe time around here is about $110/hr, with a $200 hauling charge. Track loader time is around $90/hr. So I decided to go with the smaller TLB and contract out work from time to time if it was beyond the ability of the TLB or if it would take way to long for me to do. That $12K to $22K buys 14 to 25 days of backhoe time, and even more days of track loader time. And remember that you can have the backhoe come in and dig a ditch, you can lay in whatever you're doing, then fill it in with your equipment.

Same for clearing land. The track loader can clear the land and make a brush pile to burn. You can then use your equipment to tidy up the area. So you are contracting out less hours of work because you have your own equipment for the finish work, and this is what the 2000 series would be great for.

In 13 years, I'm still ahead dollars wise. I love the smaller size of the 21 horse TLB- it doesn't tear up the lawn.

One last though along the same lines: When you price a mid mount mower (MMM), be sure to price a 300 or 500 series Deere riding mower. For a little more $s you can have something that is exactly the right size. If the $s are too much now, use the money you would have spent for a MMM and buy a used mower or look at the 100 series.

Of course lots of variables here only you know regarding sizes, quality of cut, area to clear, terrain, etc. But if you think about hiring out the big stuff and don't let yourself get boxed in by the idea of a "Swiss army knife tractor", you options open up and you can save some money and/or spread out your spending. :2cents:

And if you go to "My Home" here on TBN and fill in some information on where you are and the like, that information will help others help you .

Pete

 

[6dog]

Rustyrat, where are you located? Reason I ask, there's a used 2320 on craigslist right now with 50 hrs, loader, box blade, scrape blade, mid mower for only $14,000 for all - may get it cheaper. It's in Virginia in the Charlottesville section.

If I didn't just buy my 4110, I would probably would have grabbed this up. The in-laws are just south of Orange to.

John Deere 2320

To the OP, if the 2x20 series fits your needs, I would heavily consider the 2720 if you are thinking about a chipper. The extra PTO horsepower would come in handy.

 

[peter_vii]

I am having a real hard time picking a tractor. I want a tractor, loader and backhoe for now. Possibly a tiller, rotary cutter and chipper down the road. I have a some lot clearing to do so I am a little concerned about the ground clearance on the 2305 though it seems like a sweet tractor for the money. At the other end of the spectrum is the 3032e with a Wallenstein backhoe. For the money (slightly more than the same equipted 2520), it is quite a package. That leaves me in the middle with the 2320 and 2520. Either of these 2 would probably do more than whatever I need to do now and in the future. Why do they make so darn many models? I keep getting back to what a salesman told me a while ago, no one has ever brought back a tractor because it is too big but plenty have come back wishing they had bought a bigger tractor.
Then there is the orange ones....

- for backhoe, I'd recommend you go with the heaviest one.
- for tilling (and I assume) vegetable lots, I'd go with the highest clearance
because of cultivation later on, hilling potatoes etc.

- for rotary cutters and lot clearing, you need a heavy (loader) tractor

- if you plan to plant root vegetables, you need something that can pull
at least 2 bottom plow, before you till it. You need at least 1' of soil to grow
your root vegetables

If you go orange, L2800 is probably what you need, they go for ~$12K new

 

[Artesia Aggie]

I just spent about 2 months looking at these same models, along with some other brands. Here is my observations for what it is worth.

The 2305 seemed too small plus I did not the fact that it did not have position control for the 3 point.

The 3032e is a nice tractor and had everything I needed. The bolt on loader didn't bother me and I won't ever use a mower deck so the lack of a mid PTO wasn't a problem either. It is a heck of a lot of machine for the $$$'s. I eventually decided against it because of size. I have some small animal pens I will be using the tractor in and the 3032e doesn't fit.

The 2320 is a nice tractor but I decided that for few $ more the extra hydraulic capacity, 3 point capacity, weight and HP of the 2520 made it more attractive for me.

Also on the HP rating on the 2320 is rated at 3000 rpm and the 2520 at 2600 rpm. This may not make much difference but the engine on the 2520 does not have to work as hard to produce more horses.

Bottom line, getting on the tractors and comparing them side by side really helped me choose. Hope this helps.