2320/2520 Performance Comparison

[glc24]

Hello John,
Weighing all the pros and cons,I think we both made a pretty good decision getting the 2520.
We'll have to exchange war or horror stories.
Must be nice to get yours so soon.
We ordered ours the first week of Dec. and because of problems getting the FEL,2nd or 3rd week of Jan. is when its expected Oh well,gives me time to move stuff from the garage to the barn to make room.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Greg

 

[Runner]

Congratulations! I think you guys will both be happy with your machines. I love mine.

I recommend you talk to your dealer and make sure they deliver your tractor with the new-style draft arms so as to eliminate any tire clearance issues. It's a lot easier to work this out before delivery, rather than fight with them later.

Have fun with your machines and please post pics.

 

[Deadman]

The 2520's larger tires will make a much smoother ride on rough ground. My 2210 was just brutal on rough ground, because it has such small tires.

 

[glc24]

Congratulations! I think you guys will both be happy with your machines. I love mine.

I recommend you talk to your dealer and make sure they deliver your tractor with the new-style draft arms so as to eliminate any tire clearance issues. It's a lot easier to work this out before delivery, rather than fight with them later.

Have fun with your machines and please post pics.

Thanks Runner for mentioning that problem
I emailed my salesman to make sure I get the newer arms.
I will definitely post some pics

 

[jcmseven]

I think you will be happy with your purchase. The 2520 is a solid machine. I have the 2320 and tested both machines quite extensively before buying. I can say for ground engagement tasks on my property such as pulling box blade, rear blade and loader work, the 2320 was the equal of the 2520, if not even a bit better. It is a more manuverable tractor. The key advantage of the 2520 in my view is its hydraulics. The 2520 will not lift any more than the 2320 either via loader or rear three point hitch, but it has much faster hydraulics. Loader cycle times are much-improved with the 2520 v. the 2320, but that did not matter too much to me this time. As for the two range hydro, my 2320 will not do much work in the high range, neither will the 2520, but both machines will move along pretty well in A range and have all the power one needs in that range. I have not been disappointed so far in the indirect injected diesel in my 2320. It has ample power and uses very little fuel. I have had direct injected diesels in my 3000 and 4000 series machines, and can say the increased fuel efficiency is more theoretical than actual. They also seem to emit more strong diesel fumes than does an indirect diesel. That said, they are torquey engines and run well at lower RPM's. Any of the 2020 machines are significantly upgraded v. the 2305.

In short, I recommend to folks looking that if loader cycle times are very important to them, go with the 2520; if not, the 2320 will do the same work for less dinero. Again, one problem I have with the 2000 series machines, especially the 2520 and 2720 is their price. Both approach the price of the lower end 3000 series tractors, which have more features and capability, making them difficult to justify. When I was looking most recently, I really wanted a 2720. I ultimately found one, tried it for a weekend, and took it back while trying the 2320 I ultimately bought. In the meantime, it sold, and I could not find another locally. They simply are not stocked around here because they are not too popular, but in truth I would have bought one had I been able to find one. To me, 7 HP and 6 PTO HP merited the difference in price. I personally would have been hard pressed to pay the additional for 2.5 HP both flywheel and PTO between the 2320 and 2520. Most folks at the price for the high end 2000 series step into the 3000 series. This is less notable--but still present-- with the 2520. They are good machines, though, and yours will serve you well.

John M

 

[glc24]

John M thanks for the input
I think I did OK on my 2520.......18 out the door.
200CX FEL
62D deck
I Match
I had to pay extra for the heavy duty 61" bucket and the SE suspension seat(which I will attach myself),but all in all,I think its a pretty good deal.

Greg

 

[JJKJ]

Thanks again for all the input.

I think both tractors are great units, that's why it was so hard to decide. For me the final deciding factor came down to price. The dealer with the 2520 in stock was a bit more willing to deal than the dealer that had the 2320 in stock. The price difference between the two tractor packages I ordered was less than $1000. If the difference was much more than that, I would've been looking harder at the 2320.

Greg, you'll have to make sure you post up when you get your new toy! If you're saying the delay is with the FEL, I wonder if mine will be delayed as well. The dealer has the tractor in stock but it wasn't on the showroom floor with the FEL installed. Don't know if he had to order the FEL or not, I'll have to call and find out. Dealer seemed to think he'd have the package together this week; hope he's right.

John

 

[glc24]

It might be where I'm located,I don't know. All the dealers around me are what you would consider small, not much in the way of clout so to speak. The timeline for delivery didn't get ridiculous until I opted for the heavy duty bucket. So I can't really complain. I'll just bide my time

Greg

 

[ChrisB]

After reading these post I have a question that might be relevant. I kept hearing when I got my 2520 that it was the right choice because it had a "dual" hydraulic pump. It allowed the use of more aggressive attachments. Does the 2320 also have a "dual pump". I use mine to mow 4 acres with a FTH 72 bush hog finish mower. That is just about its full capapcity for mowing, and only in low range. If the grass is 12 inches (sometimes I get a little lazy, or I mean busy) I need to go a little slower to keep from dropping RPMs. I would also comment that I am glad every time I use the beast. It has met every requirement that I have needed it for. FEL, grading, mowing, removing brush and the like.

 

[glc24]

Hey Chris

The 2320 has only one hydraulic pump for the entire system,where as the 2520 has two separate pumps. How the duties are divided between the two,I'm not sure.
I am sure I will have the same good things to say about mine

Greg

 

[ChrisB]

Hi Greg,
I hope you do. Good luck with it. Remember though, when Momma asks, your not quite sure but it is entirely possible that you will need a BIGGER machine someday!

 

[JJKJ]

Well I went back to the drawing board on my tractor purchase. I got nervous and did a lot more reading and re-reading posts on both the 2320 and 2520. I'm concerned about the ability of both machines to use high gear for mowing or other tasks that would seem too slow in low. After talking it over with the boss we decided I should research the possibility of moving up to a 3320. I called the dealer on Mon and asked him to hold my 2520 order and price a 3320 for me.

I looked hard at the numbers and just couldn't justify the additional cost of moving up to the 3000 series. However, I did look at the 2720 more in depth. I know what many say--step up the 3000 series if you're going to spend the money on a 2720. There's only a $1900 difference in base price between a 2720 and a 3320, but it's the options and attachments that make it a bigger price difference. Once you add the $1000 ehydro, $400 mid-PTO, more expensive FEL and MMM the price difference is more like $5000. I know with the 3320 you get a lot more tractor, more capable FEL, and better MMM, but I just can't justify the additional cost. With the 2720 my attachment prices are the same as the 2520 so the only upcharge is the cost of the tractor itself. The 2720 would give me additional insurance that I can use both hydro gear ranges if I desire.

I'm pretty sure at this point I'm going with a 2720. This should alleviate my fears of having a tractor not capable of using both gear ranges. I don't know that I plan to mow in high, but I'd like to be able to if I want to.

The dealer will let me know tomorrow when he can get a 2720.

John

 

[glc24]

Hey John
You know what they say,when in doubt go bigger Seriously, going bigger probably won't
disappoint.IMHO, mowing in low gear is quite fast enough,unless you're on a golf course.
I think max mph in low is around 8 mph....? Maybe not,but whatever it is,it's sufficient.
I thought about the same thing as you with size ,only in my decision it was going a bit bigger than what I really "needed",versus what I "wanted"
Good luck with your decision.

Greg

 

[jcmseven]

I agree, the 2000 series moves along pretty well in A range. It is plenty fast enough for mowing in most cases. The 3320 might not help too much in this case. I had a 4310, the predecessor to the 3320 and it had almost the same HP and torque, with the ehydro. I live in a very steep mountainous area of our state. Our county has the highest mean elevation and most 6000' hills east of the MS (I happen to live on one of these). My 4310 would not go up my driveway but in A range, which is about 6 mph tops. There were many hills, even paved I had to drop my tractor into A range to keep from bogging. Loadmatch helped but did not totally eliminate the issue. I was not powering a PTO-driven implement at that time either, so that would have undoubtedly worsened the issue. In short, none of these machines will offer you that much difference in forward speed when powering a PTO implement. I did use B range most of the time, but rarely topped it out. I think a 2720 is a nice machine, but before you fully commit to that course of action, maybe take another drive of both and take a look at the axles, features, etc. I do not know if you are going cash up front, or going with the JD 0% plan, but the 0% plan pricing might be a good option.

John M

 

[jcmseven]

The biggest thing the dual pumps does is improve cycle times and does not "rob" the implement to power the steering. I have had both types, and honestly have never been able to tell any "robbing" of one to power the other. I would say, though, that the single pump loader operation is slower, which is in part due to lower hydraulic flow. Interestingly, despite being fairly close in spec, the 2320 powers a 200cx loader much more quickly than a 2305. The 2520+ are rockets on loader operation, so as I mentioned before, if one does a lot of back and forth loader work, the dual pump, higher flow set up is the way to go. After I got most of the home improvements done, I no longer had a need for the fast loader, as I do not use mine too much, so the additional dollars did not make much sense to me as these machines have essentially the same ground engagement capability.

John M

 

[JJKJ]

Looking at the specs, 2520 tops out at 4.5mph in low and the 2720 tops out at 4.7mph. I don't know exactly how fast I usually mow--I'm guessing at my old place I used to mow around 3.5-4mph. I was only mowing about 3/4 acre there though and my new place will more than double that. I don't know that I'll want to mow faster than low's top speed, but considering the greater amount I have to mow now, I may want to mow faster than low has to offer. My yard seems pretty smooth but as some have said--it may be too rough trying to mow in high. I guess the point I'm really getting to is that I may not want to work my tractor in high, but would like to have the option if desired.

One situation I know I'll most likely want to work the tractor at more than 4.5mph is snow plowing. Unless it's a heavy snow, I'll want to be able to zip down my drive with the plow pretty quickly and back up. I don't doubt I'll be able to plow down the drive in high, but I don't want to worry about not being able to plow back up in high. My drive isn't real steep but it does have some slope and from what I've read, this is where I could find the 2320 and 2520 struggling in high.

The 3320 would give me a nice B range to do this work in, but I don't think I'm up for spending that much additional money. I did think about a Kubota but I'm just too much of a JD fan to do that. John I appreciate you posting your exprience with the 4310. While I don't think I'd be using my tractor under as demanding conditions as you did, I do agree that the 3320's power/weight ratio is not optimal especially when compared to the 2720.

If the 2720 will give me a little insurance that I'll be able to use high for some work when I occasionally desire to, then I think it will be the way to go.

John

 

[JJKJ]

I finished up my 2720 deal today. Same package I listed before that I put together on the 2520 but added an I-match. 2720 package ended up being $1900 more but included the I-match. If you subtract out the I-match and increased tax, it is about a $1500 price increase over the 2520.

Here's what I got:

2720 with R4's
Front light kit
Rear light kit
Block heater
Warning light brush guards

3-pt 2" receiver
I-match

62D deck
Independent lift

200CX Loader
Ballast box
61" bucket

54" Front blade
Quick-hitch
hyd angling
combo bracket for tooless changing of mower and quick-hitch

Total price ended up to be just a bit over 17% discount from JD's site, and I received a pretty decent trade value for my 2008 X500.

The 3320 package with rear hyd blade, FEL, and 72" mower would've been $5000 more than the 2720 package or about $7000 more than my original 2520 package.

The dealer is supposed to call on Mon to let me know when he'll be able to get the 2720 here. Now the hard part--waiting.

John

 

[Runner]

Good deal, JJ. Sounds like a real nice rig. Congrats.

I just finished doing a bunch of snow plowing with the 2520 and I did use high range for some of it. This was with a front blade and 800 lbs of ballast in the box on the rear. The extra rear weight did wonders for traction, particularly since my tires are not loaded.

High range worked well enough until I got to the real heavy stuff, then I switched to low.

 

[Gizmo2]

I finished up my 2720 deal today. Same package I listed before that I put together on the 2520 but added an I-match. 2720 package ended up being $1900 more but included the I-match. If you subtract out the I-match and increased tax, it is about a $1500 price increase over the 2520.

Here's what I got:

2720 with R4's
Front light kit
Rear light kit
Block heater
Warning light brush guards

3-pt 2" receiver
I-match

62D deck
Independent lift

200CX Loader
Ballast box
61" bucket

54" Front blade
Quick-hitch
hyd angling
combo bracket for tooless changing of mower and quick-hitch

Total price ended up to be just a bit over 17% discount from JD's site, and I received a pretty decent trade value for my 2008 X500.

The 3320 package with rear hyd blade, FEL, and 72" mower would've been $5000 more than the 2720 package or about $7000 more than my original 2520 package.

The dealer is supposed to call on Mon to let me know when he'll be able to get the 2720 here. Now the hard part--waiting.

John

WHAT! NO BH?
Wishing you luck. I am sure you'll be happy, never look back.

 

[glc24]

John,that is one heck of a good deal!

BTW,dealer finally received my tractor yesterday. Probably ready for delivery by mid week,I would guess. I don't want to take any vacation time this early in the year,so I'll ask that it be delivered Saturday. I waited 36 days,what's a few more


Greg